The Occupation of Western Sahara

The Western Sahara is a former Spanish colony, and is the scene of Africa's longest-running territorial dispute. The phosphate-rich territory was annexed by Morocco after Spanish settlers left in 1975. The Polisario liberation front fought a guerrilla war against Morocco until the UN brokered a ceasefire in 1991. Morocco now offers to grant it autonomy, while Polisario is demanding a referendum on full independence. The talks between both sites have been deadlocked for years, and the last meeting in February 2010 ended without any movement in the dispute. On Monday November 8th at least ten people have been killed in clashes in Western Sahara, after Moroccan security forces broke up a protest camp near the territory's capital, Laayoune. This protest camp has been the biggest protest against Moroccan rule in the 35-year dispute. The repression by Moroccon forces came just days before a meeting in New York between Polisario and Moroccan officials to try and broker peace in the region.

The show starts with headlines, and then an interview with Malainin Lakhal, the Secretary General of the Saharawi Journalists and Writers Union and finally an interview with Sidi Omar, the Ambassador of the Sahrawi Republic to Ethiopia and the African Union. The show was aired on African Perspectives on CHRY 105.5fm in Toronto on November 14th, 2010.

Listen to the show here

Headlines and introduction until 19:22
19:23 Malainin Lakhal, the Secretary General of the Saharawi Journalists and Writers Union
41:05 Sidi Omar, the Ambassador of the Sahrawi Republic to Ethiopia and the African Union

August 1 - Oil Exploitation in Nigeria

In this week's episode, we explored the impact of oil exploitation in Nigeria and the people's resistance to it. The world has been abuzz since April when a blow out from a well started gushing millions of barrels of crude oil into the Gulf of Mexico. However, since the inception of the oil industry in Nigeria, there has been no concern and effective effort on the part of the government, let alone the oil operators, to control environmental problems associated with the industry. We spoke with Asume Osuoka about the exploitation of oil corporations in Nigeria and we also spoke with Grace Adeniyi Ogunyankin about community resistance to these oil companies, focusing especially on the organizing of women.

We also featured headlines from the continent: constitution in Kenya, extension of UNAMID mission in Darfur, Ugandan bombing arrests, African Union summit, racist kids in South Africa, and oil in Sudan.

To find out more about oil in Nigeria and resistance to it, check out Justice in Nigeria Now and sign a petition telling Exxon to clean its spills in Nigeria.

This episode featured the music of Seun Kuti and Tony Allen.

Listen to this episode here

July 11 - Sexualities in Africa

In this episode, we look at and challenge dominant discourses of sexualities in Africa. We spoke with Sokari Ekine, Nigerian activist and blogger.

We also featured the work of LGBTIQ organizations in Kenya (Gay and Lesbian Coalition of Kenya) and South Africa (Behind the Mask) . We started this episode with headlines from the continent.

Here is the complete show.

June 26 - World Cup 2010 in South Africa

South Africa hosted the 2010 World Cup tournament, the first African country to every host it. In this episode of AP we discuss a wide range of issues relating to the 2010 tournament, from the racism leading up to the World Cup and during it, the prospects for African teams in the 2010 tournament, and the political economy of the World Cup in South Africa. We interviewed Dr. Zubairu Wai, and played an excerpt of Raising Sand Radio interview with Dr. Patrick Bond (check out Raising Sand Radio). For more critical perspectives on the World Cup in South Africa, check out the radio blog: Calling +27, Got a Category 4 ticket to spare? at http://calling27.blogspot.com/

Listen to this episode.

June 6 2010 - 50 Years of African Independence

In this episode of African Perspectives, we explore the liberation movements on the 1960's on the continent. We interviewed Ameth Lo from the Group for Research and Initiative for the Liberation of Africa, on the work and legacy of Patrice Lumumba, freedom fighter and first Prime Minister of independent Congo. We also spoke with Gerald Horne, professor of African American History at Houston University about the Mau Mau Uprising in Kenya.

Here is the show.