China continues to generate controversy with its rapidly growing investments in Africa. However, new research reveals that some of the West’s biggest concerns over Chinese investment—its true size, its focus on natural resources, and its disregard for good governance—are not always well grounded. Lire la suite →

My name is Biram Dah Abeid. I have devoted my life to the struggle against slavery, impunity and injustice. It’s a promise I made to my father, who married a slave and whose family was ripped apart because of slavery. Today, I am writing to you from the prison cell I am kept in for speaking out to end this cruel trade. Lire la suite →

 I became a slave at age 5. Every day I looked after the herd. Every night I was raped by my master. I always thought, without understanding, that this was normal. Lire la suite →

Washington

Ten anti-slavery activists were arrested earlier this month in the town of Rosso, Mauritania — the country that has the highest rate of slavery in the world, according to a recent human rights group report.
Charged under Mauritania’s terrorism laws with incitement to racial hatred, the activists now await trial in the capital Nouakchott. There, authorities last week detained a further two human rights defenders — this time for organizing protests calling for the release of their fellow campaigners.  Lire la suite →

The Pan-africanism Working Group shows solidarity with the people of Burkina Faso.
The Pan-africanism Working group welcomes the determination of the women, the youth, of committed people, of the political opposition, who have forced the 27 year old dictatorial regime to step back during the past four days. Lire la suite →

The dream that the twenty-first century will be the “African Century” is powerful and intoxicating. It is also becoming reality. As African officials gather in Washington, DC, on August 4-6 for the first US-Africa Leaders Summit, it is worth considering the basis – and the limits – of the continent’s progress.

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