Somalia Conference in Turkey

Representatives from 54 countries gathered in Istanbul at the beginning of the month to discuss the situation in Somalia and think of ways forward for the country. The two-day conference - which follows the London neocolonial meeting in February - kicked off with discussions among senior officials, experts and businessmen on four key issues: water, energy, roads and sustainability. Abdi Dirshe was a delegate at the Civil Society gathering in Istanbul, a community and civil society initiative that aimed at evaluating and monitoring the Istanbul meeting. Abdi is a political analyst and the current President of the Somali Canadian Diaspora Alliance.

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Headlines: 0 - 16:22
Interview with Abdi: 16:23 - 40:21

We also interviewed Abdi in February regarding the Somalia conference in London, you can listen to that interview here

International dimensions of the conflict in Eastern Congo

The profits and riches to be gained from exploitation of Eastern Congo’s natural resources continue to propel violence, pillage and the suffering of the Congolese people.

Listen to the interview here

The BBC African Debate: What Debate? Interview with Femi Akomolafe

The BBC has been reporting news since its mother company, the British Broadcasting Company Ltd, was founded in 1922 by six British telecom companies. The year, however, the world's largest broadcaster has decided to make the news. And where else to start? - Africa, where the BBC's inaugural "Africa Debate" opened in Ghana on 27 January, under the audacious theme: "Is an African Spring necessary, and is it possible?" The audience could not miss the cheek in a foreign broadcaster, from a former imperial power, trying to incite revolutions in Africa. We spoke with Femi regarding the irony of the BBC's new focus, the BBC colonial past and the role of African media in creating dialogue between African nations.

Before our interview, as always, we bring you headlines from the African continent.

Listen to the program here
Headlines: 0 - 14:30
Interview with Femi: 14:31

To read Femi Akomolafe's article in March's edition of the New African Magazine, click here

AU Chairperson Election - Interview with Mr. Kofi Ali Abdul Yekin

In July the 54 leaders of the African Union are due to try again to elect a new Chairperson of the AU Commission. In this past week's Pambazuka News, Mr. Abdul asks: isn’t it time the African had a say in the election, rather than the outcome being influenced by outside interests? We interviewed Mr. Abdul about the upcoming elections and the politics of the African Union and it's impact on the people. To listen to the interview, click here To read Mr. Abdul's article in Pambazuka, click here

Occupy and Reclaim Nigeria: The Rise of People Power in a (Divided) Petro-State

For over a week in January 2012, a General Strike and massive street protests left Nigeria almost ungovernable, as citizens of Africa’s largest oil exporter overwhelmingly expressed their rejection of hikes in the prices of consumer fuels. In solidarity rallies in Toronto, New York, London and other global cities, there was show of resolve to ‘reclaim Nigeria’ from the ruling elite and their international allies. How did ‘Occupy Nigeria’ express the strength of peoples’ power, amidst Islamist and Niger Delta insurgencies in the north and south?

Featuring: Omoyele Sowore, Nigerian pro-democracy activist and Publisher of SaharaReporters.com

Lead discussants: Pablo Idahosa, Asume Osuoka

Listen to this panel here

Elections in Senegal, Toronto Panel: We the People

On this week's African Perspectives, we spoke with Ameth Lo regarding the presidential elections in Senegal. The first round of presidential elections in Senegal were held on February 26th under tense circumstance, as incumbent president Abdoulaye Wade is seeking a third term, even though the constitution limits a president to only 2 terms. Since Wade did not win an outright majority, a second round of elections will be held on March 25th. Listen here

We then spoke with Isaac ‘Asume’ Osuoka regarding the upcoming panel discussion entitled "We the People: Power & Resistance in Africa Today" to be held on Wednesday March 21st at OISE (252 Bloor St W, Toronto), room 5-250. In recent years, there has been an explosion of protests, workers’ strikes and other forms of popular resistance across Africa. In countries like Nigeria, Guinea, Senegal and South Africa, African peoples are taking to the streets and public squares to express their outrage at corrupt puppet regimes, imposed neoliberal economic policies and diminished standards of living amidst a renewed scramble for African resources. What is the significance of the new African Awakening for the continent and its peoples? Listen here

Somalia Conference in London and CAN finals

On Feb 23rd senior representatives from over 40 governments and multi-lateral organisations will come together in London for a conference that aims to deliver a new international approach to Somalia, but there is widespread criticism that this conference, which was organized without the input of Somalis themselves, is an act of neocolonialism and forced foreign rule. African Perspectives spoke to Abdi Dirshe, the current president of the Somali Canadian Diaspora Alliance. For more information on the Alliance or to reach Abdi, email him at: a.dirshe@hotmail.com

In the second part of the show we spoke with Farid Omar to get the final take on this year's Cup of African Nation's which was won by Zambia.

We start the show with headlines from the African Continent

Headlines: 0 - 15:10
London Conference on Somali with Abdi Dirshe: 15:11 - 43:50
African Cup of Nations 2012 with Farid Omar: 43:51 - end

Listen to this week's show here