UNION AFRICAINE
		UNIÃO AFRICANA
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia   Web site:   www. au.int.org

DIRECTORATE OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION

Press Release Nº117/2012

Culture as a catalyst for socio-economic and political transformation in Africa

Kinshasa, 29 October 2012 - The 4th Session of the African Union Conference of Ministers of Culture (CAMC4)  kicked off today 29 October 2012 in Kinshasa , the Democratic Republic of Congo. From 29 to 30 October, the culture experts will focus among other things on the launch of the African Cultural Renaissance Campaign and the status of ratification of the Charter for African Cultural Renaissance.

The ratification and implementation of the Charter will “ boost the value and preservation of our positive traditions and culture as well as uplift our self-esteem as Africans”,  Dr Olawale Maiyegun, Director of the Department ofSocial Affairs of the AU declared. Todate, the Charter was ratified by only three of the fifty four AU Member States , namely, Mali Nigeria and Senegal. Unlike the other AU instruments which require fifteen ratifications to enter into force, article 35 of the Charter stipulates that the said Charter shall become effective when ratified by two thirds of Member States. The review of this article will feature prominently among the deliberations of the Conference.

In 2013, the African Union will celebrate the 50^th aniiversary of the creation of the Organization of African Unity(OAU) under the theme: Pan-Africanism and African Renaissance. The experts are therefore expected to contribute to the success of this golden jubilee by bringing their expertise and ideas to bear, thereby  making culture a catalyst for socio-economic and political transformation in Africa. To this end, the AU Department of Social Affairs has announced the establishment in a not too distant future of an African Cutrural Space within the new AU Confrence Complex.

The Experts are also expected to discuss the commitment for action on  combating harmful  traditional praactices. This will be an occasion to transcend the gender dimension of this practice and evaluate its impact.

The Experts’ Session of CAMC4 was offially opened by Mr Banza Makula Nsungu, Minister of Youth, Spotrs, Culture and Art of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The statement by the Director of Social Affairs of the AU is available on the AU website www.au.int

OCT28

Taswira:Cheki Jinsi Viongozi Wapya UVCCM Walivyopokelewa Kwa Mapigano Jijini Dar es Salaam

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Sehemu ya Mabango yakiwa yamebebwa na Vijana wa UVCCM Wakati wa Mapokezi ya Viongozi wapya wa UVCCM Jijini Dar es Salaam Jana

Picha juu ni jinsi UVCCM walivyowapokea viongozi wao wapya - kwa mabango na kichapo  katika ofisi za Makao Makuu ya Umoja huo jana. 

  Wanachama wa Umoja wa Vijana wa CCM (UV-CCM), wanaomuunga mkono Mwenyekiti mpya wa Taifa wa Umoja huo, Khamis Sadifa Juma na viongozi wenzake, wakimtwanga mmoja wa wanachama waliojitokeza kumpinga mwenyekiti huyo kwa mabango (wa pili kushoto), wakati alipowasili makao makuu ya umoja huo Dar es Salaam jana, akitokea mkoani Dodoma alipochaguliwa kushika nyadhifa hiyo. Picha na Rafael Lubava -

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SHAMRASHAMRA za kumpokea Mwenyekiti mpya wa Umoja wa Vijana wa Chama Cha Mapinduzi (UVCCM) , Khamis Sadifa Juma jijini Dar es Salaam jana ziligeuka uwanja wa vita baada ya makundi yanayopingana kuchapana makonde.

Tafrani hiyo ilianza baada ya kundi moja la vijana waliokuwa wanane kutokea likiwa na mabango yaliyokuwa na ujumbe wa kupinga ushindi wa mwenyekiti huyo, wakati utambulisho wa ugeni huo ukiendelea katika ofisi za makao makuu ya UVCCM, zilizopo jijini Dar es Salaam.

Baada ya kundi hilo kujitokeza na mabango yao, ndipo vijana wa upande wa Mwenyekiti (Juma), walipoanza kuwakimbiza na kufanikiwa kuwakamata 

 Kukiwa hakuna msaada wa Polisi, vijana hao walilishambulia kundi hilo kwa muda, huku baadhi yao wakitiwa nguvuni na vijana hao na kuingizwa katika ofisi ya UVCCM huku waandishi wa habari wakizuiwa kuwahoji watuhumiwa wala kuingia ndani ya ofisi hiyo.

‘’Hatutaki waandishi humu ndani, tokeni na asiingie mtu, hawa tutashughulika nao wenyewe, wanatusumbua mno hawa kwa siku nyingi,” alisikika mmoja wa vijana hao akiongea kwa sauti ya juu.
Baada ya purukushani hizo zilizodumu kwa zaidi ya nusu saa, hali ya hewa ilitulia na ratiba iliendelea huku vijana wengine wanaomuunga mkono mwenyekiti wao wakichukua jukumu la kulinda usalama wa eneo hilo na kuwapeleka Kituo cha Polisi Mnazi Mmoja vijana wawili waliowakamata kwa mahojiano.
Mwenyekiti mpya wa UVCCM alitamba kuwa atapambana na watu wanaotaka kuvuruga umoja huo.
Alisema: “Mimi ni mwanajeshi nimekaa kwenye kambi nyingi za jeshi, hivyo naelewa nitakavyopambana nao.”

Viongozi wa Kitaifa
Hata hivyo, sherehe hizo hazikuhudhuriwa na kiongozi yeyote wa kitaifa wa CCM.

Akizungumza baada ya mapokezi hayo, Mwenyekiti wa UVCCM Taifa aliwataka vijana kuwa na umoja akisema kuwa uchaguzi umekwisha na kilichobaki ni kujenga chama na kuhakikisha CCM inashinda katika chaguzi zote.

‘’Kilichobaki sasa ni kujenga chama, haipendezi kuendeleza uhasama ndani ya chama, sisi sote ni wamoja na tuache makundi kwani nayachukia na kuwachukia wale wanaoanzisha na kuendeleza makundi,’’ alisema Khamis Sadifa Juma.

Wiki iliyopita, baada ya kutangazwa kwa matokeo ya uchaguzi wa UVCCM mjini Dodoma, kundi la vijana kutoka mikoa mbalimbali walikutana na waandishi wa habari na kulalamika kwamba rushwa ilitawala uchaguzi huo, huku wakiwatuhumu viongozi wa UVCCM na baadhi makada wa chama hicho kwa kuhusika na vitendo hivyo.

Waliotajwa ni pamoja aliyekuwa makamu mwenyekiti wa umoja huo, Beno Malisa, Katibu Mkuu wa UVCCM, Martin Shigela, Bashe na mtoto wa Lowassa, Fredy.

“Kama Rais Jakaya Kikwete kweli yuko makini na kauli zake ni za dhati, basi atengue matokeo ya uchaguzi huu maana kanuni zimekiukwa na kusema kweli rushwa ilitawala. Atumie nafasi yake kurejesha hadhi ya chama kwani huu uchaguzi ni batili,” alisema Mjumbe wa Mkutano Mkuu wa CCM kutoka Morogoro, Augustine Matefu.

Walidai kuwa Bashe, ndiye aliyekuwa mratibu wa uingizaji wa fedha katika eneo la mkutano ambazo zilitumika kugawanywa kwa wajumbe na kwamba Malisa na Shigela waligawa Sh1 milioni kwa viongozi wa mikoa kama hatua ya kumpigia kampeni mmoja wa wagombea walioshinda.

Hata hivyo, Bashe alikanusha tuhuma hizo akisema siyo kweli na kuongeza: “Mimi sijatumwa na Lowassa, wala sifanyi kazi na Lowassa. Nafanya kazi ya CCM, lakini nampenda sana Lowassa kwa sababu ni mmoja wa viongozi na makada wa chama, ambao wameonyesha mapenzi ya dhati kwa CCM na uvumilivu wa hali ya juu.”

Kada mwingine, Livamba Adinan Selemani alisema: “Vijana kweli tumempuuza Rais, kweli mtu ambaye hana hela hawezi kupata uongozi UVCCM, kwa maana nyingine nchi yetu inakwenda pabaya. Watu wachache wenye fedha wanaweza kuamua kufanya wanachotaka, hivyo ndivyo uchaguzi wetu wa vijana ulivyokuwa.”

Mjumbe mwingine, Kichanta Selemani alisema malalamiko ya viongozi wa UVCCM kuwapendelea baadhi ya wagombea yalifikishwa kwa Lukuvi lakini hakuna hatua zilizochukuliwa.

Wakati makada hao wa CCM wakizungumza na waandishi wa habari, lilitokea kundi jingine la makada wa chama hicho ambao walianza kuzozana na wenzao wakisema kuwa malalamiko yao yanatokana na kushindwa na kwamba walitaka kutumia “Viongozi wa ngazi za juu za CCM” kuwachagulia vijana viongozi.

From Carnegie Hall & the Edinburgh Fringe to Crossroads! SATURDAY 27 OCTOBER  7.30pm
	Tayo Aluko In words & songs, award-winning writer, actor and baritone Tayo Aluko performs From Black Africa to the White House, exploring African history and resistance from before slavery to the symbolic election triumph of Barack Obama.  Best Male Performer, Brighton Festival Fringe. ‘First Rate’ The Guardian
	Naomi Paul With original songs, Jewish stories & a lemon, Naomi Paul presents a distinctive take on our times in Reshape While Damp. At times poignant, always funny. ‘The comic timing here is sublime.' www.fringereview.co.uk Paulette Vassell on piano
A Fundraiser for Crossroads Women and a Black History Month Event At Crossroads Women’s Centre, 25 Wolsey Mews London NW5 2DX (off Caversham Road) Kentish Town Tickets: £10 (waged, more if you can) £5 (concession)  Drinks & Refreshments  Tel: 020 7482 2496 (voice calls/minicom) contact@crossroadswomen.net  www.crossroadswomen.net

 I had  a  rare opportunity   to  visit  the   tombs   and  burial  place  of  Emporor Haile Selassie of  Ethiopia

 
This is  the  coffin  of  emperor Haile Selassie
  Ras Tefari, the son of Ras Mekonnen (Governor of Harar), was crowned under the name Emperor Haile Selassie in November 1930. He drafted a new constitution for the country and the first parliament was assembled in November 1931, which was designed to give control of the country to the nobility based on hereditary rather than on democracy. The constitution also limited the powers of the regional Princes. This new constitution was only challenged by Ras Hailu of Gojjam. Ras Hailu of Gojjam was jailed for life in 1932, not only for his challenge to the constitution but also for attemptting to assist Iyasu esacpe from prison in Fiche, North Shewa.

Ayoub  mzee  at  the side of  emperor Haile  Selassie
Haile Selassie modernisation of the whole country was based on a divide and rule policy. He worked against Tigray in many ways. He continued to isolate Tigray and it became one of the poorest and most underdeveloped regions in Ethiopia.
In October 1935, The Italian army, with order from Mussolini, invaded northern part of Ethiopia i.e. Adigrat, Adwa and Mekele. Haile Selassie appealed to the League of Nations of which Ethiopia is a member state, but his appeal was completely ignored. The League of Nations, especially Britain and France, turned a blind eye to what was happening in Ethiopia, effectively giving Italy a green light to occupy Ethiopia.

 Many Tigrayans fought against Italian invasion and few Tigrayan feudal lords sided with the Italians against Haile Selassie. Haile Selassie sent troops to Tigray in January 1936. The Ethiopian army initially claimed a victory at the Battle of Tembien, however this victory was not sustained and the Italian army overcame them. The Italian army used mustard gas after the battle of Tembien to curb the Ethiopian advances and the Ethiopian army retreated to Maychew. The Battle of Maychew was the final resistance to the Italian occupation. Haile Selassie sent reinforcements and the Italians defeated the Ethiopian resistance at Maychew on March 31, 1936. When Haile Selassie received the bad news of the Italian victory at Maychew; he abandoned his people and country, and went into exile in Britain. Nonetheless, the Ethiopians continued to resist the Italians and waged a guerrilla war on them to undermine and destabilise their hope of colonisation. The Italians responded with brutality and ruthlessness.

 As a leader, he could have led the country and people against the Italian occupation. Instead he went into exile in order to save his own life and his family. Even though Haile Selassie deserted his country and people, many Ethiopians courageously exiled themselves into the mountains and forests of the country and fought the Italian army. Haile Selassie did not live up to the reputations of Emperor Tewodros II, Emperor Yohannes IV and Menelik II who gave their life and died for their county in battle (except Menelik) against foreign invaders.

This  is  the  seat  of  power  of   emperor Haile Selassie
 In May 1936, Italy occupied the whole country and incorporated it with Eritrea and Somalia into one territory. Under the order of Mussolini, the Italian army looted the tallest Stelae (obelisk) from Aksum in 1937 and stood in Rome for 68 years. The Ethiopians and friends of Ethiopia had been campaigning vigorously for its return to Aksum, Ethiopia. Italy had finally agreed to return the 24-metre granite obelisk to Aksum in April 2005 and was reassembled in 2008 on its original place.
However, the Second World War broke out in Europe in 1939. On June 10, 1940, Italy declared war on Britain and France. The British army advanced into the Italian occupied countries in East Africa (i.e. Ethiopia and Somalia). In January 1941, the British army and the Ethiopian warriors defeated the Italian army. During the occupation, which lasted 5 years, the Italians humiliated and killed many innocent civilians.

Ayoub  mzee  posing  beside  the  seat  of  the  former  Emperor  of Ethiopia  emperor Selassie

 After the British army and the Ethiopian warriors drove the Italians out of Ethiopia, Haile Selassie returned from his exile to reclaim his throne with the help of the British. In 1943, when the Tigrayans heard about the return of Haile Selassie they rebelled against him forming a resistance group under the name "Weyane" (popular uprising). The Tigrayans were determined to unseat Haile Selassie as they held the view that he did not deserve to reclaim the throne for his desertion of his country and people while Ethiopia faced unforeseen occupation, killing and humiliation of its people by the Italian army.
Haile Selassie requested help from Britain to help to put down the Tigrayan rebellion. The British Royal Air Force flew from Yemen and bombed the "Weyane" while they were meeting in Mekele, Capital City of Tigray. The British appeared to have forgotten that the Tigrayans were their allies against Tewodros in 1869 and the Mahdist of Sudan in 1889. The market in Mekele is now remembered as grave of the "First Weyane".
In order to diffuse the mistrust and rebellion by the Tigrayans, Haile Selassie arranged for his granddaughter to marry Ras Mengesha Seyoum of Tigray and then made him Prince of Tigray. It was a good move politically. Soon after Haile Selassie went to Aksum to be officially consecrated as Emperor of Ethiopia. Traditionally, when leaders are crowned they must be consecrated in the Church of Saint Mary of Zion, Aksum, in order to claim their direct descendant from the King Solomon and Queen of Sheba otherwise their throne becomes invalid.

 The great achievement of Haile Selassie was that he lobbied the US and Europeans for the reunification of Eritrea with Ethiopia, which had remained under the British rule after the Italian defeat in 1941. With the blessing of the United Nations Eritrea was re-united with Ethiopia in 1952. Undoubtedly, Haile Selassie was skilled in diplomacy and was know for his restless efforts of campaigns against colonisation in Africa. He became a voice for the whole African county independence, but he did little to develop his country's infrastructure and improve the life of ordinary Ethiopians

 Behind  me  is the   burial  place  and  grave  of  the  former  Prime  minister  of  Ethiopia  H.E  Meles  Zenawi

 The lack of infrastructure, the increase of poverty in the country, the lack of democracy, the famine in Wollo and Tigray regions in 1973, the Eritreans demand for independence, the cries for land reform by peasants and the fuel crisis led to unrest in the country. Teachers, students, peasants and workers went on strikes and held demonstrations. After seven months of unrest, Haile Selassie was overthrown and imprisoned by the military on September 12, 1974 and later executed by the Derg (Military Committee) including his cabinet members, monarchist, and the Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church

Shaban  kawawa  posing  with  the  Tanzania  ambassador  in  Ethiopia  at  the  Tanzania  mission Addis  ababa

The African Development Forum (ADF) DAY 2

 Prof  Chan OBE of  the  university  of  London,Mr Generali  ulimwengu  ,prof E.  Nnadozie the  chief  economist  at  ECA   and  Ayoub  Mzee at the  opening  of  the  ADF VIII in Addis  ababa

The African Development Forum (ADF), an Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) flagship biennial event created in 1999, is a multi-stakeholder platform for debating, discussing and initiating concrete strategies for Africa's development. It is convened in collaboration with the African Union Commission (AUC), African Development Bank (AfDB) and other key partners to establish an African-driven development agenda that reflects consensus and leads to specific programmes for implementation. The aim of ADF is to present the key stakeholders in Africa’s development with the results of current research and opinions on key development issues in order to formulate shared goals, priorities and programmes, and define the environment that will enable African countries to implement these programmes.

ADF VIII-ADDIS ABABA

The African Development Forum (ADF), an Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) flagship biennial event created in 1999, is a multi-stakeholder platform for debating, discussing and initiating concrete strategies for Africa's development. It is convened in collaboration with the African Union Commission (AUC), African Development Bank (AfDB) and other key partners to establish an African-driven development agenda that reflects consensus and leads to specific programmes for implementation. The aim of ADF is to present the key stakeholders in Africa’s development with the results of current research and opinions on key development issues in order to formulate shared goals, priorities and programmes, and define the environment that will enable African countries to implement these programmes.

The Forum brings together a large number of participants including Heads of State and Government, African member State policymakers, development partners, other United Nations agencies, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations (IGOs/NGOs), academia, practitioners, civil society organizations (CSOs), the private sector, eminent policy and opinion leaders and other concerned stakeholders. The Forum includes plenary and high-level parallel panel sessions as well as side-events featuring keynote/lead speakers and presenters, media representatives and other participants.

The theme of ADF-VIII is “Governing and harnessing natural resources for Africa’s development”. This theme could not have been placed on the ADF agenda at a more appropriate time. It builds on the outcome of the Fifth Session of the Joint AUC-ECA Conference of African Ministers of Finance, Planning and Economic Development held in March 2012 in Addis Ababa under the theme “Unleashing Africa’s potential as a pole of global growth”. The Conference endorsed the decision to focus the theme of ADF-VIII on “Governing and harnessing natural resources for Africa’s development”. The platform offers as much an opportunity to build partnerships as for the occasion to further deepen discussions on implementation of: the Africa Mining Vision (AMV); the AU Declaration on Land; the Framework and Guidelines for Land Policy in Africa (F&G); the Implementation Strategy for the Accelerated Industrialization Development for Africa (AIDA); Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure of Land, Fisheries and Forests; and other frameworks for best practices in the management of mineral, land, fisheries and forest resources.

ADF-VIII will therefore underscore the importance of natural resources governance in the social and economic transformation processes in Africa to foster growth and poverty reduction. It will also emphasize the social, economic and environmental pillars associated with natural resources management, as well as institutional and policy frameworks within which natural resources can be effectively harnessed to meet development goals. Sharing best practices, innovative policies, operational frameworks, evidence-based knowledge and information and participatory arrangements for effective resource harnessing will be the focus of the Forum in 2012, along with showcasing appropriate institutional and governance frameworks for leveraging natural resources for Africa’s development.

Globally, the scramble for access to and development of natural resources has intensified, partly due to the rising demand for natural resources from emerging economies. This trend has reflected on commodity prices, which are at historic highs, and on the terms of trade, altered in favour of commodities. The continent is caught in what some have termed ‘the second scramble for Africa.’ However, a historic opportunity has also opened up for Africa to effectively utilize its natural resources to fuel economic development. This opportunity is enhanced by positive developments on the continent, including governance gains, greater policy space, increased interest in exploring better platforms for development and raised aspirations among the citizenry for a better future. This is therefore an opportune time to deliberate on the roles and strategic importance of natural resources in Africa’s transformation.

 ADF-VIII will focus on mineral, land, forest and fishery resources, and the potential roles these resources play in the transformation of the continent. Despite their importance, water resources will not be an item on the ADF-VIII agenda for a number of reasons. First, water in itself is such a broad and major issue that sufficient discussion on it would require sessions equivalent to the ADF itself. Second, inclusion of water as a specific resource for discussion during ADF-VIII would overshadow in-depth discussion and debate on the other resources. As a result, the crucial issue of water is left to be explored in full in future ADFs. Notwithstanding, as a crosscutting issue for integrated natural resources management, discussions on water will permeate the entire Forum.


ECA boss wants actionable points to guide African policy makers on negotiations, development pathways

ECA Press Release 169/2012

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia 20 October 2012 (ECA) – The United Nations Under-Secretary General and Executive Secretary of ECA, Dr. Carlos Lopes, has urged participants attending the  Second conference on climate change and development in Africa to come up with actionable points to guide African policy makers on at least two of the pressing issues that Africa faces  with  regards the phenomenon.

Dr. Lopes who was addressing the opening session of the second edition of the annual conference acknowledged the complex nature of the task before some 250 decision-makers, policy analysts, academicians, development practitioners, civil society activists and communications specialist attending the conference.

“The task before us is complex. The time-scale for action is urgent and the requirements for mitigation and adaptation are daunting”, he said.  

He challenged the participants to come out with clear guidelines on how African countries can chart clear policy and development pathways that are climate resilient and of low carbon intensity, particularly in energy, agriculture and water. The next area that deserves urgent attention, he said, is the ongoing round of negotiations on climate change.

“Africa’s position in the forthcoming climate change negotiations (in Doha this December) has to be well prepared so as to obtain its unchanging objectives of obtaining access to more finance, appropriate technology, and capacity development needs”, Dr. Lopes  said.

The high-profile opening session of the conference was attended by H.E. Ato Hailemariam Desalegn, Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia; Dr. Maxwell Mkwezalamba, AU Commissioner of Economic Affairs; Mr. Jeremiah Lengoasa, Deputy Secretary General of the World Metrological Organization (WMO) as well as by Mr. Lamin Barrow, Resident Representative of the African Development Bank in Ethiopia, who each delivered opening remarks.

Dr. Lopes heartily welcomed Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn who was arriving at ECA for the first time since assuming office, following the death of his predecessor, the late Mr Meles Zenawi.

Dedicating CCDA-II to the memory of late P.M. Zenawi, the ECA chief executive paid resounding tribute to his contributions and personal the efforts he deployed towards the crystallization of an African Common Position on climate change negotiations in the run up to the Conference of the Parties (COP-17) in Copenhagen.

He said that the theme of CCDA-II ‘Advancing Knowledge, Policy and Practice on Climate Change ad Development’ is intended to underscore the fact that “we need knowledge which is informed by practice to design policies that will promote development in the face of climate change”.  

“The knowledge that we gather, and the way we seek to improve practice in various sectors must help guide the policy process, at both national and international levels”, he said, underlining the fact that there are important domestic implications that would arise from the on-going United Nations Climate Change and Development Conference.

Also addressing the conference, Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn said that Ethiopia’s commitment to address climate change impacts is based on the geography and the recent history of his country.

These, he said, had combined to make them fully aware of the consequences of the vagaries of the weather and the variability of climate. Ethiopia is one of the countries in Africa that has been worst hit by climate change I terms of draughts, floods and even loss of human life.

He also recalled the central role that the late Prime Minister Meles played, both as Africa’s spokesperson on climate change and an advocate for sustainable development. He thanked Dr. Lopes for dedicating CCDA-II to the memory of the late Prime Minister Meles.  

Earlier, Dr. Maxwell Mkwezalamba, lauded the collaboration that exists between the ECA, AUC and the African Development in development issues in Africa. He thyen went ahead to elaborate on the African Union desertification Programme.

Mr. Lamin Barrow, Resident Representative of the African Development Bank (AfDB) in Ethiopia welcomed participants and expressed satisfaction at the fact that “climate change is gaining its rightful place in the policy discourse on sustainable development in Africa”.

He said that Africa bears the brunt of climate change impacts which currently costs the continent an estimated at $40 billion every year, which translates to about 3% of the continent’s GDP.

“Climate change also casts a long shadow on Africa’s development aspirations, including prospects for achieving the Millennium Development Goals” he said,  adding that the African Development Bank’s response to climate change is focused on assisting Regional Member Countries address its impacts, and building the resilience of communities through appropriate adaptation and mitigation actions