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NL A 53-year family rule in Togo: will presidential elections bring change?
Last Saturday, the 22nd of February, presidential elections were held in Togo. Despite many protests, current president Faure Eyadéma was re-elected, continuing the already 53-year rule of the Eyadéma family. Although the run up to the elections was quite chaotic, the election day was relatively calm. However, noticeable was the fact that 500 civil society observers lost their accreditation, as they were accused of interfering in the electoral process. This was in addition to 9000 observers from the Episcopal Council for Justice and Peace who were also not allowed to monitor the votes. The elections served as a good chance to update our knowledge on this country in West Africa. We were therefore happy to speak with Kwassi Patrick Dadzie, general coordinator of Togo Focus, on the political situation in his country.
Africa Day ticket sales start!
The time has come! The programme for Africa Day 2020 has been announced and ticket sales have started! With 'Climate Justice' as its theme, the day about Africa and international cooperation on 4 April will take place again this year at the Royal Tropical Institute in Amsterdam.
Building a new narrative on migration including African perspectives
Are EU responses focusing on tackling the 'root causes' of migration effective? Are they sufficient? And how can we improve those migration policies? Last Tuesday, 18 February, we presented our newest report Migration: African perspectives. This report, in cooperation with our partner Foundation for European Progressive Studies (FEPS), shows how crucial it is to include African perspectives when discussing migration policies. As was mentioned during the presentation in Brussels: "We should not talk about Africans, but speak with them".
Africa and Climate Justice: an Underreported Story?
Climate change is an issue about people. The African continent alone hosts 1.2 billion of those people most affected by the climate crisis. Yet, voices from the communities most at risk are highly underrepresented, both in the media and climate change research. Countless stories are ready to be told by African entrepreneurs, youth activists, women, farmers, families, and many more.
Volunteers wanted for Africa Day 2020!
Sign up now to volunteer for Africa Day on 4 April 2020
Rich pay less and less tax: and why that contributes to rising inequality
This is one of the main conclusions in Oxfam Novib's "Time to Care" report released today: the number of billionaires has doubled in the last decade, but at the same time the super-rich and multinationals are paying less and less tax. No wonder global inequality has increased. Over 2,000 billionaires in the world are collectively richer than 60% of the world's population, 4.6 billion people. And unfortunately, as a tax haven, the Netherlands plays a bad role in this.
Power-sharing agreement in Sudan: what needs to be done?
Last Saturday, 23 November, we organised our Political Cafe in The Hague Humanity Hub about the new power-sharing agreement in Sudan. In cooperation with Africa in Motion and CEM, the Sudanese association in the Netherlands, and hosted by Milka Yemane, it was an interesting and informative afternoon. In addition to the political conversations, the audience also got a glimpse into the Sudanese culture through, among other things, a small exhibition of Sudanese artist Ahmed Magzoub and live music by the band Kush.
Will you come and do an internship with us?
We are looking for new interns again! Are you looking for an internship in an international, political environment? Then read on quickly.
2020, The Year of Peace for Sudan?
Talks have begun between Sudan's power-sharing government and Sudanese rebel groups, making the Sudanese people hope that this brings an end to the violence in the country and that 2020 can become the year of peace in Sudan. Sudan has been in war with rebel groups, mostly located in Sudan's Western regions, since 2003. After ousting of Omar Al-Bashir earlier this year, who ruled the country for thirty years, the military and the protesters, represented by the pro-democracy movement, made a power-sharing agreement that also agreed on a six-month timeline to make peace with the rebels. This meeting was possible after some rebel groups signed draft agreements last month, detailing plans for talks and trust-building measures. So, how did we get here?
Foundation Max van der Stoel is looking for 2 interns for Africa Day 2020!
On 4 April 2020, the Max van der Stoel Foundation (FMS) will again organise the Africa Day! With more than 1,000 visitors, 200 speakers and around 100 volunteers, the Africa Day is the biggest event in the field of Africa and international cooperation in the Netherlands. The FMS is looking for two interns to organise this day. Together with the responsible project coordinator, you will contribute to the substantive and organisational work of this major event.
