Monday, January 24, 2011

Tunisia

The Jasmine revolution has been seen as a dawn of a new era in Tunisia and a reference point for other North African countries who are also suffering from price inflation and food shortages. Robert J Prince, has been with the University of Denver’s Graduate School of International Studies where he teaches full-time in their undergraduate International Studies Program, mostly courses on Global Political Economy. We discuss Tunisia wit him, its domino effect in North Africa and the way forward.

The interview can be listened to here

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Kenyan Constitution

The 2010 Constitution of Kenya was drawn up to replace the first constitution of Kenya. The constitution was presented to the Attorney General of Kenya on April 7, 2010, officially published on May 6, 2010, and was subjected to a referendum on August 4, 2010. The new Constitution was approved by 67% of Kenyan voters. The constitution was promulgated on 27 August 2010.

The show can be listened to here

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Elections in Ivory Coast

This edition of African Perspectives focused on the impasse of the November 28th elections in Ivory Coast. With both Alassane Ouattara and Laurent Gbagbo claiming victory in the elections, the international community is calling of Gbagbo to step down, and threatening military intervention.

The first interview we conducted is with Mawuli Dake, who speaks about the dangers of a military intervention and war mongering by the international community. We also spoke with Gary Busch, who discussed the historical context of this election, especially of formal colonial power France.

Listen to the show here

Sunday, January 2, 2011

New Publications from Tanzania

December 26, 2010

In this edition of African Perspectives, we explore two new publications from Tanzania that explore an important part of the history of that country. We start this edition as we always do with headlines from the African continent.

Our first interview is with Karim Hirji, the editor of a book called Cheche: Reminiscences of a Radical Magazine. Cheche was a radical socialist student magazine at the University of Dares Salaam, first published in 1969. It featured incisive analyses of key societal issues by prominent progressives, it gained national and international recognition in a short while. Because it was independent of authority, and spoke without fear or favor, it was banned after just a year of existence.

Our second interview is with Annar Cassam, the co-editor of Africa's Liberation: The Legacy of Nyerere. The book is a collection of the words, works and legacy of the late Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, and is co-edited by Chambi Chachage. The book includes contributions from leading commentators, those who worked and fought imperialism alongside Nyerere, members of a younger generation – and Nyerere in his own words. Their writings reflect on Nyerere and liberation, the Commonwealth, leadership, economic development, land, human rights and education. Above all, they are a testament to the growing recognition of the need to rekindle the fires of African socialism to which Nyerere was deeply committed.

Part 1: Headlines from the African Continent for the week of December 26, 2010, listen here

Part 2: Interview with Karim Hirji, listen here

Part 3: Interview with Annar Cassam, listen here