German troops kill the Herero, circa 1904. Painting by Richard Knötel (1857-1914).
Africa's Pambazuka News has devoted an entire issue to Germany's 1904-08 genocide of the Nama and Herero peoples (in Namibia). Below Links International Journal of Socialist Renewal posts the editorial and an article that details this shameful imperialist slaughter and modern Germany's refusal to adequately acknowledge and compensate Namibia for its crimes. Read the full issue HERE. Become a Friend of Pambazuka.]
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By Eric Van Grasdorff, Nicolai Röschert and Firoze Manji
March 20, 2012 -- Pambazuka News -- On March 22, 2012, Germany's parliament will debate a motion to acknowledge its brutal 1904-08 genocide of the Nama and Herero peoples. Germany’s refusal thus far, and its less than even ‘diplomatic’ treatment in 2011 of the Namibian delegation at the first-ever return of the mortal remains of genocide victims, demands a reassessment of suppressed colonial histories and racism.
Zimbabwe: Activists found 'guilty' on trumped-up charges -- protests keep them out of jail!
Munyaradzi Gwisai, a political activist and former member of parliament, left court in Harare on March 19 after being convicted of plotting to overthrow the government.
Uganda: How the West brought Idi Amin to power
Some of the victims of the Idi Amin regime recovered by local farmers in the fertile fields of the Luwero Triangle region north of the Ugandan capital of Kampala in 1987.
Uganda: Why 'Kony 2012' will bring more misery to Africa
US Navy special forces. The US government has has deployed roughly 100 special operations troops to Uganda.
Canada: The NDP -- new wine in an old jar?
NDP leadership candidates.
Zimbabwe activists in danger of unlawful prison sentences – Solidarity needed!
Supporters of the activists facing unlawful imprisonment.
The following statement was issued by the South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU). Readers of Links International Journal of Socialist Renewal are urged to phone, email or send protest messages demanding the release of the six Zimbabwe activists to the Zimbabwe embassy or consulate in their countries. Solidarity actions are being organised in South Africa. Please send copies of protest messages sent to socialismfrombelow@gmail.com (copy to ashley_fataar@yahoo.co.uk and shanthabloemen@gmail.com).
Text messages can be sent to:
Home affairs (police) minister Kembo Mohadi: +263 712 605 424 (mobile)
State security (C.I.O.) minister Didymus Mutasa: +263 0712 200 532 (mobile)
Police spokesperson Wayne Bvudzijena +263 712 801 172
War crimes, international law and the elephant in the room
By Rupen Savoulian
COSATU general strike shakes South Africa
By Ashley Fataar, Cape Town
March 12, 2012 – Links International Journal of Socialist Renewal -- March 7 saw South Africa’s largest protest in several years when more than 200,000 workers took to the streets in 32 towns and cities across the country. More than 1.5 million workers stopped work.
The strike – called by the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) to protest against the growing role of labour brokers and the introduction of road tolls -- was prompted by worsening poverty and working conditions in South Africa. There has been a steady decline in the wage share of national income, down from 56% in 1996 to less than 47% today.
Austerity in Europe: Susan George on the rise of neoliberal and undemocratic Europe
Susan George interviewed for the Transnational Institute (TNI).
One year after Fukushima -- Japanese people appeal: 'Take action for a nuclear-free world!'
Appeals from Japan
By the All Japan 3.11 Action Committee
Cuba's alternative to privatisation
[For more analysis and discussion on the changes in Cuba, click HERE.]
By Marce Cameron
March 11, 2012 -- Green Left Weekly/Links International Journal of Socialist Renewal -- Cuban President Raul Castro has urged the Caribbean nation's citizens to contribute to a free and frank debate on the future of Cuba’s socialist project.
For the Cuban Communist Party (PCC), the aim of this debate is twofold: to strive for consensus on a new Cuban model of socialist development and to empower Cuba’s working people to implement what has been decided.
In other words, to advance a socialist renewal process in the face of entrenched opposition from within the administrative apparatus.
It is first and foremost a debate about the economy. A draft policy document, the Economic and Social Policy Guidelines, was submitted to a national debate for three months before to its adoption by the Sixth PCC Congress in April last year.
The core principles and objectives of the draft were conserved, but the final version of the Guidelines was substantially modified on the basis of this public debate.