(BBC) Ngugi laments Kenya violence: Writers must sometimes feel like the Greek prophetess Cassandra, gifted to see the future but fated not to be believed.
What is unfolding in Kenya could as well have been lifted from my novel Wizard of the Crow where the ruling party and the opposition parities engaged in Western-sponsored democracy become mirror images of one another in their absurdity and indifference to the poor.
The picture of men and women burnt down in a church where they had gone for refuge still haunts my mind. A child running away from the fire was caught and hurled back into the flames.
One of the few survivors was quoted as saying: "But they knew me; we were neighbours. I thought Peter was a friend - a good neighbour. How could Peter do this to me?"
I had heard the same puzzled cry from Bosnia. I had heard the same cry from Iraq. I had heard the same, same words from Rwanda: "We were neighbours; we'd married into each other. How could this happen?"
And now I hear the same cry from Eldoret North in my beloved Kenya. For me this burning of men, women and children in a church is a defining single instant of the current political impasse in Kenya.
And this must be separated from accusations and counter-accusations of rigged elections by the contending parties.
Rigged elections is one thing - it can be righted by any mutually agreed political measures - but ethnic cleansing is another matter altogether.
What is disturbing is that this instant seems to have been part of a co-ordinated programme with similar acts occurring in several other places at about the same time against ordinary members of the same community.
Ordinary people do not wake up one morning and suddenly decide to kill their neighbours.
Ethnic cleansing is often instigated by the political elite of one community against another community. It is premeditated - often an order from political warlords.
Or it may be the outcome of an elitist ideology of demonising and isolating another community.
Either way the aim is to drive members of the targeted community from the region.
Premeditated
Frantz Fanon, the intellectual visionary of the Third World, had long ago warned us of the dangers of the ideology of regionalism preached by an elite whose money can buy them safe residence in any part of a country.
A single instance of premeditated ethnic cleansing can lead to an unstoppable cycle of vendettas - a poor-on-poor violence - while those who tele-guided them to war through the ideology of hate and demonisation are clinking glasses in middle-class peace at cocktail parties with the elite or the supposed enemy community.
This crime should be investigated by the United Nations.
If it is found that a political organisation has run a campaign on a programme that consciously seeks to isolate another community as a community, then they ought to be held fully accountable for the consequences of their ideology and actions.
It is often easier to blame a government when it is involved in massacres. This is as it should be.
A government must always be held to higher standards, for its very legitimacy lies in its capacity to ensure peace and security for all communities.
But what about if such a massacre is inspired by a programme of an opposition movement?
This ought to receive equally severe condemnation from all and sundry, for being in opposition does not give an organisation the right to run on an ideology of isolation and hate targeted at another community.
An opposition movement is potentially a government of tomorrow. A programme that such a political organisation draws while in opposition would obviously be the programme they'll try to implement when in power.
That's why such acts must be condemned even when they are clothed in progressive, democratic-sounding words and phrases.
I therefore call upon the United Nations to act and investigate the massacres in Kenya as crimes against humanity and let the chips fall where they may.
For the sake of justice, healing and peace now and in the future I urge all progressive forces not to be so engrossed with the political wrongs of election tampering that they forget the crimes of hate and ethnic cleansing - crimes that have led to untimely deaths and the displacement of thousands.
The world does not need another Bosnia; Africa certainly does not need another Rwanda.
Ngugi wa Thiong'o on ethnic clensing in Kenya
Lolaka ya Afrika/Voice of Afrika
Every Wednesday 8am-10am
WRFU-LP Urbana, 104.5 FM
http://lolakayaafrika.blogspot.com
special guests scheduled and unscheduled – check website for updates!
Schedule Spring 2008
January 29: Anthropology, Art and the SANKOFA movement with artist Betsem Atiback (Cameroon)
January 30: Street Children of Tanzania: a conversation with Michael Stewart, Founder of Liwalo na Liwe Foundation and director/producer of Watoto wa Mitaani. (TO BE RESCHEDULED AT DIFFERENT DATE - WE APOLOGIZE)
February 6: Black History - A Great and Mighty Walk - Dr. John Henrik Clarke (Documentary)
February 13: The Slave Trade & Spread of Islam to the New World with Sister Takeya and Sister Patsy from Daughters of Eve Saturdays 11am-12pm
February 20: American Jazz, Black Nationalism, and Africa
FEBRUARY 22-28 – AFRICAN FILM FESTIVAL @ BEVERLY CINEMAS
February 27: Afro-Futurism and African Fractals (a talk with Ron Eglash: African fractals, in buildings and braids)
The month of March will highlight a 4-part radio documentary about the destructive impact of US imperialism on Africa, featuring voices of African activists interviewed at the 2007 World Social Forum held in Nairobi, Kenya. These will be followed by discussion, guest commentary, listener comments and additional perspectives. BE part of the discussion
March 5: part 1 Militarizing Africa
March 12: part 2 Economic War / also Eleni Gabre Madhin: Ethiopian Commodities Exchange (ECEX)
March 19: (Spring Break) part 3 Corporate Plunder / also Euvin Naidoo: Investing in Africa
March 26: part 4 African Resistance
April 2: Rupture, Repression, and Uprising I
APRIL 3-5 – RUPTURE, REPRESSION, AND UPRISING CONFERENCE @ AASRP UIUC
April 9: Rupture, Repression, and Uprising II (recap)
April 16: Jamaica: Maroons, Sam Sharpe, Marcus Garvey, the RasTafarians, & Reggae music
APRIL 21 – GROUNATION DAY
April 23: Life and Debt: Globalization in Jamaica (Documentary)
April 30: Cheikh Amadou Bamba, Lamp Fall, and the Mourides
May 7: PAZ PEACE AMANI KIMYA SALAAM JAMM (last show of semester)
The themes above provide the basis for each show, but every week you will also get updates on pan-African current affairs, political analysis, local Africa-related events, lectures, and happenings, and other surprises. Also, as always, anyone who has a particular interest in any of the topics for this semester is invited to come down to the studio and participate in discussion ON AIR. The radio station is part of the U-C Independent Media Center located at 202 S. Broadway in Urbana, in the old post office building next to Lincoln Square. Any bus that goes to downtown Urbana (ex. GREEN or LOOP) will stop right in front of the building. Also we love music at Lolaka ya Afrika and our view is that music is an advanced form of communication that can take people to higher levels of consciousness. Therefore you will always hear amazing, consciousness raising music every Wed. morning from Africa, America, the Caribbean, South America and everywhere African people and music are found. If you have any questions or comments please email us at lolakayaafrika [at] gmail [dot] com .
JANUARY 25TH 2008 - DAY OF PRAYER FOR KENYA
JANUARY 25TH 2008 - DAY OF PRAYER FOR KENYA
Greetings and peace to you!
As many of you know, Kenya has been undergoing a time of political unrest since the December 27 presidential elections last year. Many lives have been lost, many displaced, property destroyed, with the situation still unresolved between our leaders. Please join Kenyans throughout the world as we pray for peace and healing for our country. See attached message sent to all Kenyans and friends:
God says, "If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray, I will hear from heaven, I will hear and I will come and HEAL THEIR LAND." (2 Chronicles 7:14)
On January 25th 2008, we are asking Every Kenyan and Friends, Everywhere to take time to make a concerted prayer for Kenya.
We want EVERY Kenyan and friend in EVERY CONTINENT on the face of the earth to be praying together on this one day on behalf of our country.
How to participate:
1. Spread the word: send this message to Every Kenyan you know, Every friend who cares about you, Everywhere – txt, SMS, e-mail, phone call
2. On January 25th, make a point of setting aside time to pray for Kenya, it does not have to be a long time but please make a deliberate effort to pray for specific things about Kenya.
3. You can pray individually, or get together with a friend or friends, workmates, someone on the street, your priest, pastor, congregation, youth group
What to pray for:
1. AMANI, AMANI, AMANI (PEACE, PEACE, PEACE)
2. Whatever else you feel in your heart to pray for concerning Kenya
'Lord, make me an instrument of your peace; where there is hatred, let me sow love; when there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; and where there is sadness, joy.'
(St Francis)
Maombi ya mtu mwenye haki yana nguvu na huleta matokeo.' (James 5:16)
(The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much)
THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS YOU ALL!!!
ONE
Dear Kenya (&WORLD),
Mumia Abu-Jamal:
"It Ain't the Voting That Counts, It's the Counting"
From Pambazukanews.org:Flag and Future by Neema Ngwatilo Mawiyoo
Neema Ngwatilo Mawiyoo is a young writer and musician based in Nairobi. She asks and seeks to answer difficult artistic and human questions. She does not always reach an answer, and the dialogue is not always pleasant. To contact Ngwatilo: nmawiyoo [ at ] gmail.com
From Zelezapost:
Holding a Nation Hostage to a Bankrupt Political Class by PTZ
Kenya’s Murderous Leadership by Godwin Murunga
KENYAN RADIO
91.5 Homeboyz Radio (homepage | listen live)
98.4 Capital FM (homepage | listen live)
Habari Connection minimag JAN 2008
This is UCIMC-Habari Connection’s community magazine. This grassroots magazine is designed to reach the masses and always has the latest on whats going down in the street. You will always find our webpage
Habari Connection is a non-profit 501(c)3 Community Organization in
Tanya Parker, an Economics Graduate from the University of Illinois and founder of Habari Connection, has worked over the past four years to connect all segments of the community and to help our youth develop a new vision of themselves and our future. Habari Connection needs you, brothers and sisters, as much as you need us - that's what community is.
There are many ways to support Habari Connection:
1) Be a writer- Submit announcements, short articles, stories, poems…
2) Donate- www.ucimc.org donate to Habari Connection Program. P.O. Box 6684, Champ., IL 61826
3) Spread the word… JOIN THE CONTACT LIST. There is an informational conference call Tues. 8:30am 1-217-339-7800 access code: 518490
4) Advertise, Advertise… Show your community support!
This program has been supported by the United Way.
Ghana 2-1 Guinea
Muntari of Ghana kicking winning goal.Ghana 2 - 1 Guinea
| Asamoah Gyan (pen 54) Sulley Muntari (89) | Oumar Kalabane (64) |
from: Ghana CAN 2008
Sulley Muntari produced a last-gasp magic to give hosts Ghana a win in their opening Africa Cup of Nations game against Guinea, at the sold-out 40, 000 Ohene Djan Stadium in Accra.
Muntari rifled a 25-yard shot into the top corner in the dying minutes of the game to unleashed his trademark left-foot bullet from midway in the Guinea half to revive the planned party by the crowd.
The Black Stars hit the post three times in the first half before Asamoah Gyan put the team in the lead after 54 minutes with a penalty following a foul on Junior Agogo by Oumar Kalabane.
Agogo was scythed down by Kalabane as he sprinted into the box to earn the Black Stars a penalty after he had been played in by Gyan.
The Udinese striker shrugged off any nerves to slam the ball into the roof of the net, sending the home crowd into riotous celebration.
Kalabane made amends with a headed equaliser for Guinea.
Gyan had the best early chance, having been played in by Muntari on six minutes before shooting wide from 15 yards and then found himself with another opportunity within 20 seconds thanks to a poor goal-kick from Guinea goalkeeper Kemoko Camara.
Quincey Owusu-Abeyie became a growing threat to Guinea, providing tricks and crosses from the left wing with Michael Essien and Muntari beginning to pull the strings.
With the crowd behind the host and the players looking warmed into the game, Junior Agogo smashed a header against the post on 20 minutes to crank up the pressure on the Sylli Nationale when he was picked out by Owusu-Abeyie’s cross.
But it was Essien who had the whole stadium on their feet again, when he hit the post again from a Laryea Kingston left-wing corner with Muntari firing a half-volley thunderbolt against the upright - Ghana's third close miss of the half.
Guinea coach Robert Nouzaret changed to a more attacking formation and his side rallied by creating a number of openings.
The pressure paid off when Oumar Kallabane towered above two Black Star defenders to thump home a header from a Pascal Feindouno corner.
The initiative was now with Guinea, as Ghana once again looked under pressure.
WED. 01232008
Betsem Atiback Benjamin
