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Ethiopia’s Zone9 Bloggers Acquitted of Terror Charges · Global Voices
Endalkachew Chala

Zone9 bloggers together in Addis Ababa, 2012. Photo courtesy of Endalk Chala.
Ethiopia's Zone9 Bloggers were acquitted by an Addis Ababa court on Friday, October 16 after spending 18 months in prison, mostly awaiting trial on baseless charges of terrorism and inciting violence. They have yet to walk free from Kilinto prison, but their families say they will be released by Monday, October 19, if not sooner.
The four bloggers had all contributed to Zone9, a collective blog that covered social and political issues in Ethiopia and promoted human rights and government accountability.
One member of the group, Befeqadu Hailu—also a Global Voices author—has not been cleared of a remaining charge under Article 257 of the Ethiopian criminal code, but reportedly it is a minor charge, for which the maximum penalty is six months’ imprisonment. As Befeqadu has been in prison since April 25, 2014, sources close to him assume that the penalty will be moot.
A stark example of Ethiopia's broken justice system and total disregard for freedom of expression, the Zone9 case united Ethiopians on social media under the #FreeZone9Bloggers hashtag, which has remained a force on Twitter since the day of the arrest. Today the hashtag lit up with expressions of joy and vindication:
Thank You World for Supporting and Echoing our long lasted #FreeZone9Bloggers campaign! it proves that SOLIDARITY IS THE GREATEST ENERGY!
— Ahmed® (@Hamoudu) octubre 16, 2015
So , I presume, this marks the end of this undeserved ordeal and anxiety! Relief!!! #FreeZone9Bloggers #Zone9BloggersFreed
— Mesay S. Taye (@MesaySTaye) octubre 16, 2015
An endless witch-hunt by a powerful gov't couldn't find a single crime in #FreeZone9Bloggers because they were innocent to begin with. Glad! — Amanuel Tesfaye (@ethio_style) octubre 16, 2015
After 18 months in detention charges against Zone 9 bloggers dropped #FreeZone9Bloggers http://t.co/XtAVQjbhHD pic.twitter.com/1ifswS8w9P — ECADF Ethiopian News (@ECADF) octubre 16, 2015
Six members of the Zone9 collective, along with three journalist contacts, were arrested and taken from their homes on April 25 and 26, 2014, and detained for 11 weeks before authorities charged them under Ethiopia's infamous Anti-Terrorism Proclamation, which has been used to imprison several prominent journalists and bloggers who have written critically about the government and ruling party.
Five members of the original group were absolved of all charges and released on July 8, 2015. The fate of the remaining four—Befeqadu, Natnael, Atnaf and Abel— remained unknown until today, October 16. During the course of their imprisonment, the bloggers appeared before a judge 39 times, only to be turned away by prosecutors’ requests for “more time” to investigate the case.
Many supporters on Twitter were quick to emphasize the degree to which the case exposed Ethiopia's failed judicial system:
It took a year and a half to throw out a completely botched case riddled with fake evidence and lying witnesses. WASTE! #FreeZone9Bloggers — Zecharias Zelalem (@ZekuZelalem) octubre 16, 2015
Some put words like “court” and “judiciary” in quotation marks:
Finally #FreeZone9Bloggers is free. But no thanks ‘the judiciary ‘. #Congrats Zone 9
— Yosef Tadesse (@chombe_Bencho) octubre 16, 2015
Others asked if the government will take responsibility for the damage it caused to the bloggers and their families:
Am happy ,but angry as usual we r living in z country where the gvt can arrest anybody based on nothing #FreeZone9Bloggers
— solomon mengesha (@solomen76) octubre 16, 2015
Now is the time to take the campaign to the next level, we demand #Ethiopia/n gov't to ask apology from Zone 9 bloggers. #FreeZone9Bloggers
— Fasiledes (@Fasiledesfasil) octubre 16, 2015
The question of what will happen to other citizens imprisoned for writing or speaking critically about the government—such as Zelalem Workagenegu, a blogger who was jailed after applying to participate in a social media and digital tools training—seems more pressing than ever. As many supporters pointed out, the acquittal may not mean that Ethiopia plans to change its ways.
Now the #Zone9bloggers are free, will #FreeZone9Bloggers morph into #FreeEthiopia? It's not yet a free speech paradise in that country.
— Nwachukwu Egbunike (@feathersproject) octubre 16, 2015
Expiration Date for #FreeZone9Bloggers – October 16, 2015. Expiration Date for #FreeEthiopia – Mysterious.
— Alemayehu Gemeda (@uheyamela) octubre 16, 2015

author: Endalkachew Chala


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Female Entrepreneurs Give a Major Boost to the Development of Francophone Africa · Global Voices
Ismail Abbedid

Photo by Jran Maaswinkel (@JeeeM). Used with his permission.
Marked by strong growth rates and an ever-expanding economy, the African continent is bidding to attract investors and capital from abroad. Increasingly, civil society—and especially women—are keen to partake in the boom by starting businesses and joining Africa's new entrepreneurial mobilisation. Examples of individual and collective successes abound. Francophone Africa used to lag behind the rest of the continent in terms of entrepreneurship, but that is not the case anymore.
A few months ago, the think-tank Terangaweb, an independent body marketing itself as the “Africa of Ideas”, published a ranking of 30 young African entrepreneurs to follow. Entrepreneurial in nature and lead by a willingness to take concrete action, these young business people build innovative projects, often designed to meet the immediate needs and aspirations of Africans. There are several women in this group, including Nigerian Ola Orekunrin, a physician and the founder of the first air ambulance company in West Africa. In South Africa, Rapelang Rabana founded Yeigo Communications, a young company developing text and instant messaging services. There is a progressive trend of female entrepreneurship in many African countries—often with the full support of the state.
In Côte d'Ivoire, First Lady Dominique Ouattara launched a support fund for Ivorian business women (FAFCI). This initiative aims to promote entrepreneurship among women with low-interests loans, endorsing women to gather capital and engage in a professional activity. Dominique Ouattara stated in a Facebook post on the foundation's annual review:
Le FAFCI a permis à 100 000 femmes de devenir autonome.
FAFCI has assisted 100,000 women to become independent.
The World Bank advocates support for African women entrepreneurs by developing a generalised credit system and establishing technical support. Among its recommendations, the World Bank encourages the development of primary, secondary, and higher education for African girls and easing women's access to more careers, as well as offering better legal protections and regular ongoing support.
Rebecca Enonchong, founder of the Africa Technology Forum. CC 2.0.
Civil society has an increasingly important role to play in Africa's development. In particular, associations like “Oser l'Afrique” organize conferences and seminars about women entrepreneurship in order to encourage women to get involved in each others’ ideas and invest capital. The group facilitates successful careers and detailed roadmaps to success for women starting businesses and organizations. Such was the case for Rebecca Enonchong, who was honored by both Forbes and The World Economic Forum. She is the creator of “Africa Technology Forum”, a non-profit promoting entrepreneurship, with a specific focus on new technologies and the development of African start-ups specialised in IT (Information and Communication Technologies). On its blog, “Oser l'Afrique” explains the importance of encouraging more diversity in Africa:
Les diverses activités proposées sur le forum, telles que les tables rondes, les témoignages, les échanges d’expériences ainsi que le networking ont mis en lumière les actions menées par de nombreuses associations accompagnant les femmes entrepreneurs. Parmi les associations présentes sur le forum, étaient présentes l’ OFAD (Organisation of Africane female entrepreneurs in the Diaspora), le CLAEE (Club des Africaines Entrepreneurs d’Europe), Action’elles (réseau de performance de l’entrepreneuriat féminin), l’APCE (Agence pour la Création d’Entreprise), SpotCréa, ellesentreprennent.fr et aussi le Réseau Entreprendre. Ce premier forum économique des femmes africaines de la diaspora a été une véritable réussite. Cela reflète le dynamisme d’acteurs qui souhaitent apporter des solutions concrètes et accompagner dans la réalisation de projets entrepreneuriaux sur le continent africain.
Various activities advanced at the forum, such as round tables, outreach testimonies, experience exchanges and networking opportunities have highlighted the actions taken by numerous associations supporting women entrepreneurs. Among such organisations present at the forum were OFAD, CLAEE (Club of African Entrepreneurs in Europe), “Action'elles” (a “performance network” for female entrepreneurship), APCE (Agency for Enterprise Creation), SpotCrea, ellesentreprennent.fr, and The Entrepreneurs Network. This first ever Economic Forum of African females in the Diaspora was a genuine success. This reflects the vitality of the actors’ desire to provide practical solutions and support in implementing business projects in Africa.
Céline Victoria Fotso promotes “Je Wanda Magazine”, which caters to Africa's younger generation, addressing the continent's ambitious and talented individuals, rather than its wars, poverty, and instability.
As entrepreneurship grows, women's new role as business owners and civil society leaders isn't limited to new technologies or the hyper-educated upper classes. The role of state support, so far, has been an important part of the rise of African entrepreneurialism.

source: news-globalvoices

license: Creative Commons - Attribution - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

author: Ismail Abbedid


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Latin America and Spain Come Together on Columbus Day to Discuss Past and Present on Twitter · Global Voices
Laura Vidal

October 12 also saw the “march of the Mapuche Resistance”, which took place in Santiago, Chile, in a fight for the demands of the country's indigenous people. Photograph published on The Clinic Online under the Creative Commons license.
October 12, traditionally remembered as the day Christopher Columbus arrived at the Americas in 1492, is causing controversy on and off the Internet. Points of view on the subject are both conflicting and converging: many commemorate the arrival of what they see as the modernization of the continent, while others protest what they see as the start of an economic pillage, the consequences of which can still be seen today.
Social networks were blazing with the Spanish-speaking voices of activists defending the legacy of the indigenous civilizations of the continent, sharing photos of protests against the celebration of October 12 and recalling the disadvantages that these groups suffer today. Others insist that it is necessary to leave the past behind and celebrate the fusion of cultures that was a result of the Spanish colonization.
Numerous memes and messages debated, challenged and disputed throughout the day.
-Columbus discovered America
-There were already people there!!
However, reactions didn't just come from Latin America: many Spanish users were also protesting against the celebration of Hispanic Day, which takes place on the same day. The Iberian Twittersphere saw attacks against the government and rejections of the legacy of the colonization.
Similarly, there were displays of support for Spain and the unity of the kingdom in times of crisis.
Ultimately, one common course connected the reactions, and it was the hashtag contending that October 12 is nothing to celebrate #nadaquecelebrar.
#NothingToCelebrate: They already were, they already could, they already believed, they already ate, they already had, they already healed, they already sang, they already existed. AMERICA WASN'T DISCOVERED IT WAS INVADED AND PILLAGED
The hashtag was still trending after October 12 and prompted not only opinions and images, but also demonstrations and protests from indigenous communities who view the disregard for their rights as much more than just part of a distant historic past.
A large number of tweets deemed the process of colonization genocide, questioning the traditional discourse narrating the arrival of the Spanish Crown to the region, and highlighting the fact that even today it is other people who are profiting from the riches.
Yo no celebro Genocidios #NadaqueCelebrar #DiaDeLaDiversidadCultural vía @Desinformemonos pic.twitter.com/heasEXo2Jg
— Noe (@noelia__romero) octubre 12, 2015
I don't celebrate Genocide #nothingtocelebrate #DayofCulturalDiversity
Nunca descubrimos América, masacramos y sometimos un continente y sus culturas en nombre de Dios. Nada que celebrar. pic.twitter.com/OvzdLx13u0
— José María González (@JM_Kichi) octubre 12, 2015
We never discovered America, we massacred and suppressed a continent and its cultures in the name of God. Nothing to celebrate.
#DiaDeLaRaza descubrimiento de unos nefastos colonizadores que acabaron nuestras costumbres, creencias, cultura y riqueza. #NadaQueCelebrar
— Daniela (@DannielaSoto) octubre 12, 2015
#ColumbusDay (literally “Day of the Race”) discovery by some destructive colonizers who stamped out our traditions, beliefs, culture and riches #Nothingtocelebrate
#nadaquecelebrar y cual es la diferencia de hoy a hace 600 años? si igual o peor nuestras riquezas y recursos se van para el extranjero
— Jb Díaz (@Jbdiiaz) octubre 12, 2015
#nothingtocelebrate and what is the difference between today and 600 years ago? it is the same or worse our riches and resources go overseas
Azkintuwe, the newspaper of the Mapuche country, followed the march for the Mapuche community, which chose October 12 as a date to reinforce their demands in Santiago, Chile:
Marcha por la Resistencia Mapuche https://t.co/6jiIVfYQ2V #NadaQueCelebrar pic.twitter.com/xY8VI330lP
— Pedro Cayuqueo (@pcayuqueo) octubre 12, 2015
“March for the Mapuche Resistance
The march was also followed by the online Chilean newspaper El Observatodo, which clarified the group's demands in more detail:
Recuperar la tierra usurpada, el derecho humano a la libre determinación y sobre todo el fin a la militarización de [la región de] La Araucanía fueron los temas que marcaron la última marcha por la resistencia mapuche. La manifestación fue calificada por los organizadores con un momento para denunciar que el Estado, en defensa de los intereses del gran empresariado forestal, sigue “usurpando las tierras del pueblo mapuche, reprimiendo su lucha y criminalizando sus demandas”
Reclaiming the usurped lands, the human right to self-determination and above all an end to the militarization of the Araucania region — these were the issues raised in the latest march by the Mapuche resistance.  During the protest, organizers denounced that the government, in defense of the interests of the big forestry entrepreneurs, keep “usurping the lands of the Mapuche peoples, suppressing their fight and criminalizing their demands”
The Mexican news collective Desinformémenos was particularly active. From their Twitter account, they shared numerous messages emphasizing that the main problem is that even today, indigenous communities throughout much of Latin America are still being displaced and marginalized.
DeRedes #NadaqueCelebrar . 1492. Queda mucho por hacer. http://t.co/AMb6eFcbNO pic.twitter.com/WOiouQuJ8S
— Desinformémonos (@Desinformemonos) octubre 12, 2015
Image: In 1492 the indigenous peoples were expelled from their lands. In 2015, the same. There is still so much to do.
DeRedes #Nothingtocelebrate. 1492. There is still so much to do.
The collective also used the caricature of Colombian Beto Barreto to bring attention to the economic and cultural influences that many people consider to be the cause of the occupation over the countries of Latin America by foreign forces.
De Redes: #NadaqueCelebrar Conquistados otra vez http://t.co/AMb6eFtNco pic.twitter.com/IRDwxiSqhs
— Desinformémonos (@Desinformemonos) octubre 12, 2015
Image: “Conquered once more.”
-We're going to celebrate Columbus Day proudly!
-Yeah!
De Redes: #Nothingtocelebrate Conquered once again
Other users, such as David García, drew parallels between the economic processes that seem to connect the history and present day conditions:
Hoy lo que celebramos es el primer tratado de libre comercio de la historia firmado por España. #NadaQueCelebrar pic.twitter.com/f6Ptnd4LBR
— David García Rivero (@Deiv_G) octubre 12, 2015
Images: The signing of the first free-trade treaty with Spain.
Today what we are celebrating is the first treaty of free-trade in history signed by Spain. #Nothingtocelebrate
In revisiting the past, the discussion brought about discontent that underlined the complexity of the debate; for certain societies and mestiza communities, after years of influence, migration and ethnic merging it can be difficult to separate the distinctive elements of one common culture:
@LuisCarlos solo un aborigen puede hacer juicio de valor respecto a ese hecho. El resto de nosotros no existiría si no fuese por el 12-O.
— Andrés Loreto (@Andreslo85) octubre 12, 2015
@LuisCarlos only an aborigine can make a respected judgement with regards to this. The rest of us wouldn't exist if it weren't for October 12.

author: Laura Vidal


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Myanmar ‘Cartoonists Have Been on the Side of the People’ · Global Voices
The Irrawaddy

Cartoonists Maung Maung Aung and Win Aung discuss the Burmese cartoon tradition with Irrawaddy editor Aye Chan Myae
This edited article is from The Irrawaddy, an independent news site in Myanmar, and is republished on Global Voices as part of a content-sharing agreement. Cartoonists Maung Maung Aung and Win Aung were interviewed by Irrawaddy editor Aye Chan Myae about the relationship between cartoons and journalism.
Aye Chan Myae: This year marks the centenary of the introduction of cartoons into Myanmar. Cartoonists have gone through various experiences in that time. U Win Aung (U is a term of respect used to address men in a senior position or rank in Myanmar), what is your view on the experiences of cartoonists in political, social and economic aspects in 100 years?
Win Aung: I don’t see Burmese cartoons having a smooth history in the later period of this timeframe. Burmese cartoons have a good origin story. Sayagyi Shwetalay started his cartoon work in the period of the independence struggle. Though Burma was at that time under colonial rule, there was a certain degree of freedom of expression. Burma then regained its independence, and in the time of Anti-Fascist People’s Freedom League, there was also freedom of expression. The most striking example is cartoons of Saya U Ba Gyan, and taking at look at them, one can know (that there was freedom of expression). Then there came the caretaker government, then the Revolutionary Council, and finally one-party dictatorship under the Burma Socialist Program Party (BSPP). Then, the degree of freedom of expression cartoonists had enjoyed gradually decreased. Cartoonists had fewer things to draw cartoons about.
Aye Chan Myae: U Maung, would you tell me about the situation of cartoonists and their freedom of expression in this age?
Maung Maung Aung: I have now written cartoons for around 45 years. In these 45 years, cartoonists have been on the side of the people, reflecting the economic, social and political situations of the country. Now, it seems that we get somewhat more freedom after years of restriction. So, more people are drawing cartoons. There are two types of cartoonist. The first are cartoonists who takes the art form as his life and the second are opportunistic cartoonists. There has been some impact on those who have continuously engaged in cartoon art with deep faith. There is an unwritten code of conduct among cartoonists, according to what we have learnt from our seniors. Previously, there were prohibitions on things such as mocking the poor and the disabled and making personal attacks. It is more important (not to do such things) in this democratic era. To an artist, democracy is like a double-edged sword. While it can be used to stab others, it can also hurt the artist. So, it is not true that cartoonists can draw as they please. They will have to take responsibility for their actions when the law of democracy flourishes for some time.
Aye Chan Myae: What do you think of ethics among cartoonists, U Win Aung?
Win Aung: Mainly, what is important for a cartoonist is his faith. Cartoonists should make sure their creations reflect the life of people. Many say that cartoonists or journalists should not be biased, but must be neutral. It is wrong. They should have bias. They must. By bias, I don’t mean prejudice. If one side is right and another is wrong, which side they would stand for? Of those who oppress and those who are oppressed, which side they would stand for? They have to take a position. If a cartoonist has adopted a firm position and are to draw cartoons from that position, they have to think about ethics. For example, if the political system is bad, we can draw things about those who create that system, but we are not supposed to draw things about the personal lives of the creators of that system.

author: The Irrawaddy


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No Arrests One Year After Acid Attacks Against Iranian Women · Global Voices
Center for Human Rights in Iran

Image from ICHRI and use with permission.
This post originally appeared on iranhumanrights.org and is published here in collaboration with the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran.
A year after a spate of acid attacks on women in Isfahan, Iran, the police and security forces have not apprehended a single individual, despite their frequent pledges to arrest the culprits.
The mother of one of the victims told the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran that the authorities have not publicly released any information about the results of their investigations, and have warned families not to give interviews to foreign media.
“Whenever we try to follow up on our daughter’s case, they say they are working on it but so far they have not given any information. The first few weeks they were very active on the case, but now they have slowed down a lot. It seems like they have forgotten about it. We ran around a lot to this and that ministry to be compensated for our daughter’s medical expenses. Now our most important wish is that the perpetrators be punished for the acid attacks,” the mother of one of the burned women said.
The most recent official comment on the attacks came on September 29, 2015, from Isfahan Province Police Chief Abdolreza Aghakhani, who made yet another pledge that the case would be resolved.
“The acid attacks are the most important police case in Isfahan Province. It is the only case we have weekly meetings for and we have an experienced detective doing the investigations. In addition, the security forces, including the Revolutionary Guards and the Intelligence Ministry, are also looking into this case and I’m confident it will be resolved,” Aghakhani said, as quoted by the official Iranian Student News Agency (ISNA).
According to various official figures between seven and ten women were victims of the acid attacks, which began in the city of Isfahan in October 2014. Yet despite many promises by the authorities and a Presidential Order from Hassan Rouhani to three ministries to investigate the case and arrest the attackers, no one has been apprehended.
Eyewitnesses to the attacks have said that the male acid throwers shouted statements against the targeted women’s allegedly loose clothing before attacking their victims.
The linkage between the acid attacks and the issue of proper hijab, or female attire, is strong. Hardliners in Iran, including parliamentarians and high-level clerics, have increasingly focused on imposing ultraconservative notions of hijab on all Iranian women, seeing the issue as a litmus test of allegiance to the Islamic Republic.
A bill, the Plan to Promote Virtue and Prevent Vice, was introduced into the Iranian Parliament in June 2014, and subsequently passed on April 22, 2015.
The plan explicitly mandates the Basij, a voluntary militia that is under the auspices of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, to enforce proper hijab on all Iranian women. Through its call for Basij enforcement, it entrusts law enforcement to untrained (and unaccountable) individual citizens—in other words, it effectively creates a system of vigilante justice.
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Additionally, a number of high-level clerics have publicly stated that effective enforcement of proper hijab must go beyond verbal warnings. Just prior to the attacks, Isfahan’s Friday Imam, Mohammad Taghi Rahbar, made a sermon suggesting women with “bad hijab” should be confronted by more than just words.
Eyewitness accounts to the acid attacks strongly suggest the acid throwers were morality vigilantes. The attacks took place as Iran’s Parliament was debating the Plan to Promote Virtue and Prevent Vice.
Defending the bill, Iran’s Chief Justice Sadegh Amoli Larijani said on October 26, 2014, “Naturally Westerners and anti-revolutionaries want to blame the acid attacks on the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice. I’m sorry for some in the domestic media who are doing the same.”
Prosecutor General Ebrahim Raisi also denied any connection between the Plan to Promote Virtue bill and the acid throwers. “The good religious Hezbollah forces would never commit such a thing,” he said on October 23, 2014.

author: Center for Human Rights in Iran


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Protests Over Las Bambas Mine Project in Peru Claim Four Lives and Leave Many Injured · Global Voices
Juan Arellano

Locals protest against the Las Bambas copper mine. Image from the Observatory of Mining Conflictos in Peru.
This post was originally published on the blog Globalizado by Juan Arellano. All links lead to Spanish language pages.
On September 25, residents from the provinces of Cotabambas and Grau set up a blockade to protest the Las Bambas copper mine. These protests lead to confrontations with police that, on September 29, left four people dead and many more protesters injured. By the end of the day, these events soon led the government to declare a state of emergency in the provinces of Cotabambas, Grau, Andahuaylas, and Chincheros.
In April 2014, the Las Bambas mining project was sold for almost 6 billion dollars to a consortium lead by MMG Ltd, which has external connections to the China Minmetals Corporation through the Glencore Xstrata company. Though the project has been an economic boon to the Apurímac region (the local government in Peruvian Soles is expected to collect almost 100 million dollars in mining taxes), it's also been a serious environmental concern for people living in the area.
The main objections to the project stem from a recent environmental impact study. According to some claims, the mining company illegal altered the findings of an environmental impact study. There are also reports that some officials are ignorant about many of the details included in Glencore Xstrata's mining contract.
Protesters are calling for the demolition of the molybdenum plant, the filtration plant, and the concentrate storage facility. According to an earlier proposal, these three facilities were supposed to be constructed in entirely different areas from where they're found today. Protesters are also asking that project officials of the MMG Las Bambas Mine step down due to corruption charges. (They are suspected of bribing state officials when negotiating mining contracts.)
#Apurímac: Reportan dos muertos y 15 heridos por proyecto minero #LasBambas http://t.co/CaA8RKbdhb pic.twitter.com/AZGBgz61ga
— RPP Noticias (@RPPNoticias) septiembre 29, 2015
#Apurímac: Two have been reported dead and 15 injured by the mining project. #LasBambas http://t.co/CaA8RKbdhb pic.twitter.com/AZGBgz61ga— RPP Noticias (@RPPNoticias) septiembre 29, 2015
The clash between protesters and police began at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, September 29, when a large group of locals began marching around the mining camp. Some demonstrators then attempted to enter the main MMG camp by force, and police responded with tear gas. This triggered violence between roughly 10,000 locals and 3,000 police officers and soldiers. It later became known that the death toll had reached four and that eight police officers had suffered injuries.
The government's response to the incident was to declare a state of emergency, and the Department of Energy and Mining of Peru released a statement saying that the changes to the environmental impact study were insignificant and were made known to local authorities at the appropriate time. Premier Pedro Cateriano stated that the Las Bambas Project would not be stopped.
#LasBambas: Declaran estado de emergencia en provincias de Apurímac y Cusco http://t.co/txpn0luFCG pic.twitter.com/dtuuNAe1q0
— Diario Perú21 (@Peru21pe) septiembre 30, 2015
#LasBambas: A state of emergency has been declared in the provinces of Apurímac and Cusco. http://t.co/txpn0luFCG pic.twitter.com/dtuuNAe1q0— Diario Perú21 (@Peru21pe) septiembre 30, 2015
The following day, on September 30, the protests were suspended for 48 hours in the hopes of establishing a dialogue with the government. On October 1, government representatives in Lima and counsellors of the Catabambas province agreed to set up a discussion table, resulting in a technical support team traveling to Catabambas on Friday, October 5, followed by the Ministers of the High Level Commission on October 6.
Despite this more or less speedy outcome, the impression that the government only acts when violence breaks out remains. Writing for the blog Emancipacion, Escula Permanente says:
¿El gobierno atendió la queja de la población y la solicitud de diálogo expresada ya hace más de seis meses? No. Ante ese escenario, y agrupados en el Frente de Defensa de Cotabambas, la población optó por la protesta y la respuesta ha sido una represión de gran violencia, […] Nuevamente, se hace evidente que los sucesivos gobiernos nacionales no buscan escuchar a la población. Más aún, la ningunean. La todopoderosa inversión privada siempre se impone sobre quienes tengan la osadía de cuestionarla. Para los empresarios: protección policial incondicional. Para los que protestan luego de tanto atropello: balas de esa misma policía.
Did the government answer the people's concerns or their attempts to establish dialogue now more than six months ago? No. In light of this, grouped together at the Defence Front of Cotabambas, the people decided to protest, and the response has been one of great violence, […] Again, it is evident that federal government after federal government does not care about listening to the people. In fact, they push them aside. The all-powerful private sector is imposed upon those who have the courage to question it. For big business: unconditional police protection. For those who still protest after such abuse: bullets from those very same police.
On his blog, journalist Carlos Noreiga posted part of a phone conversation with Rodolfo Abarca, the director of the Cotabambas Defence Front:
“No somos antimineros, nosotros estamos a favor que continúe el proyecto minero Las Bambas, pero exigimos que se mantenga el proyecto original, rechazamos los cambios que no se nos consultaron y nos perjudican […] (la planta de molibdeno) va a afectar nuestro abastecimiento de agua por el agua que necesita esa planta y además va a contaminar el aire. Nosotros rechazamos ese cambio y por eso es la protesta”.
We are not anti-mining; we are all for the continuation of the Las Bambas Mining Project, but we are demanding that they keep with the project's original plan. We reject the changes for which we were not consulted, and that will cause us harm […] (the molybdenum plant) will impact our water supply due to the amount of water the plant will require and it will also pollute the air. We are firmly against these changes and this is why we are protesting.
Arguing another angle, Juan Mendoza, a guest on the blog Economia, said effectively that the blame for the whole problem sits with the anti-mining group for stirring up a misinformed public. Protesters, Mendoza says, are trying to pressure the company in pursuit of their own economic interests. He also stated that the current government's response has been very weak and proposes that a new government take over next year:
revisar el proceso de descentralización con la finalidad de evitar que el canon minero siga siendo un botín que capturar. En particular, debemos contar con un mejor diseño de instituciones y mecanismos para que un mayor número de personas se beneficien con mayor rapidez de la explotación minera. Este nuevo diseño debe buscar que las personas perciban, de forma clara, cuál es el aporte de la actividad minera al incremento de su bienestar. Sugiero, asimismo, que este diseño considere y potencie las positivas, aunque limitadas, experiencias de las contribuciones mineras voluntarias y del programa de obras por impuestos.
Revise the decentralisation process with a means to preventing the mining tax from continuing to be an irresistible source of funds. In particular, we need better institutions and mechanisms so that more people benefit more quickly from mining. This new plan must attempt to make people aware and clearly understand what mining can do to increase their well being. I also suggest that this plan consider and strengthen the positive, yet limited, experience of voluntary mining contributions and public works taxes.
The anthropologist Fabiola Yeckting, writing for the blog NoticiasSer, recalled the complete history of the mining project, concluding by saying, “One thing remains constant in the people's demands: they ask that natural resources be treated with respect, for access to water sources, and to stop pollution,” adding:
esta historia tiene algunas lecciones que se pueden enlazar con las de los otros conflictos en el país, con la falta de institucionalidad sobre la gestión de los recursos, la flexibilización en el cumplimiento de los procedimientos, ya su vez, con los diferentes momentos en los que se posterga la toma de decisiones de las poblaciones afectadas por los proyectos, que se organizan para protestar. […] La promesa de este gobierno, largamente postergada para Cotabambas, de darle la potestad de gobernar sobre sus territorios después de años de haber sido olvidados,debe cumplirse.
There are lessons in this story that share a connection with lessons in other conflicts around the country. With a lack of institutional framework on resource management, flexibility in compliance procedures, and when the decision making of people, affected by projects, is delayed, people come together and protest. […] The long overdue promise, made by this government, to give the people of Cotabambas the power to govern their own lands after years of being forgotten must the honoured.

author: Juan Arellano


text:
Tanzanians Remember Their Nation’s Founding Father With #DearNyerere · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Mwalimu Nyerere with former West German President Richard von Weizsäcker in 1985. Photo released under Creative Commons by the German Federal Archive.
Tanzania has had four presidents since gaining independence from Britain in 1961. The first, Julius Kambarage Nyerere, mostly referred to by his honoric title Mwalimu Nyerere, is the most respected and loved statesman in Tanzanian history.
Nyerere, also affectionately known as Baba wa Taifa (Swahili for Father of the Nation), is credited, among other things, with building a strong sense of national unity and identity in a country of more than 120 ethnic groups — a rare achievement in African politics — and promoting Swahili, the most widely spoken non-tribal language in Africa.
He was a strong supporter of the liberation movement on the continent and anti imperialist-movement around the world. It is no wonder that political organisations such as FRELIMO of Mozambique, the ANC and PAC of South Africa, ZANU and ZAPU of Zimbabwe, the MPLA of Angola and SWAPO of Namibia all had offices and training camps in Tanzania. In addition, the country gave safe haven to US civil-rights activists, Black Panther party members such as Pete O'Neal and Geronimo, and Vietnam War resisters.
Sixteen years after his death on 14 October 1999, Tanzanians are using the hashtag #DearNyerere to remember him, particularly in the context of Tanzanian General Election taking place on 25 October, 2015.
Most tweets express a sense of nostalgia, despair and total dissatisfaction with how the country is run since his death.
Glady Shao summarised her dissatisfaction with the current political leadership in the country:
#DearNyerere if you came back today, you would definitely get a heart attack and die once again if u saw what some leaders hv been doing
— GLADYS SHAO (@GladyzShao) October 14, 2015
Nabil Omar complained about mismanagement of natural resources such as Tanzanite:
#DearNyerere Tanzanite is no longer Tanzanian, you preserved it for us but the people are gaining very little from it. Thievery everywhere.
— Nabil Omar (@NabilTanzania1) October 14, 2015
Tanzanite is a rare mineral that is only found in Tanzania. However, India is considered the largest exporter of the mineral despite Tanzanian government's partial ban on export.
James Ngonyani tweeted in Swahili:
#DearNyerere huwez amini nchi yako leo inajivunia kua ombaomba wakat ni ya tatu kwa uzalishaji wa dhahabu duniani.
— James ngonyani (@JamesXelebrity) October 14, 2015
#DearNyerere, you wouldn't believe that your country is a beggar despite being the third largest exporter of gold in the world.
W. Quiyenga wrote about popular perceptions of the ruling party Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), which Nyerere helped found:
#DearNyerere watz wanasema bora wapigie kura jiwe kuliko ccm
— W.quiyenga (@qwille) October 14, 2015
#DearNyerere, Tanzanians are saying that they would rather vote for a stone instead of the CCM
Steve Ole Moruo complained:
#DearNyerere Zama zako umashuhuri ulikuwa kutenda mema ya kujenga nchi ila sasa hivi ni Followers wa Instagram Na Twitter 😂😂
— Steven Ole Moruo (@MoruoKing) October 14, 2015
#DearNyerere, in your day, popularity was based on good deeds towards your country, but nowadays it is the number of followers on Instagram and Twitter.
David Nguma noted:
#DearNyerere kauli zako zinatumiwa zaidi na upinzani. Cccm wanaona aibu kukunukuu kwenye mikutano yao maana wamekusaliti.
— David Nguma (@DavyNguma) October 14, 2015
#DearNyerere, the opposition parties are using your quotes [in election campaigns]. CCM is ashamed of quoting you in their campaigns because they have betrayed you.
Albert Secha wished:
#DearNyerere ungerudi uiongoze Tz hata for a year! just one year! .. We miss your integrity!
— Albert Secha (@SechaAlbert) October 14, 2015
#DearNyerere, you should come back and lead Tanzania even for one year! Just one year!…We miss your integrity!
The Van Official tweeted about animal smuggling in the country:
@SweetAnimal_ @franklin_tissa #DearNyerere ulituachia tembo siku hizi hakuna tena twiga wanapanda ndege
— the van official (@thevanofficial3) October 14, 2015
#DearNyerere, you left us with elephants which are no more, giraffes are “boarding aeroplanes” [a humorous reference to the smuggling of giraffes out of the country].
Tanzania has banned wildlife exports after about 130 animals and birds, including giraffes, were smuggled out of the country. The wildlife was flown out in a cargo plane from Tanzania to Qatar.
Regarding the general election, Othman observed:
#DearNyerere Hata Wewe Ungekuwepo CCM Isingekuwa Sababu Ya Kuwafanya Watanzania WAKIPENDE CCM
— Othman CR Sixteen (@OthmanCRsixteen) October 14, 2015
#DearNyerere, even if you were around, you were not going to be the reason for Tanzanians to love CCM
Not all Twitter users are using the hashtag to complain about the state of affairs in the country. Michael Paul Baruti, for example, tweeted:
We still here, stronger than ever.. Transparency and accountability are starting to prevail… Tanzania will only get better… #DearNyerere
— Michael Paul Baruti (@michaelbaruti) October 14, 2015
While Kibibi wrote:
#DearNyerere nchi yetu inazidi kusonga mbele kwa maendeleo #HapaKaziTu pic.twitter.com/L7eX9spEud
— kibibi003 (@kibibi003) October 14, 2015
#DearNyerere, our country keeps progressing
Read this interview of Nyerere, conducted by Ikaweba Bunting when he was still alive, to learn more about the vision Nyerere had for Tanzania.

author: Ndesanjo Macha


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ISIS Gunman Kills Five at Shia Mosque in Saudi Arabia · Global Voices
Mohammed Al Nemer

ISIS member Shuja Al Dosari has been named as the gunman who killed five people at a Shia community centre in Saihat, in the Eastern province of Saudi Arabia, last night. He was killed in a shootout with police later on. Photo source: @zaidbenjamin on Twitter
An ISIS gunman attacked a Shia mosque in Saihat, in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, late on Friday, October 16, killing five people and injuring nine, before the security forces shot the attacker dead.
The attack took place in a Hussainiya, where worshipers were observing rituals related to the occasion of Ashoura, which marks the martyrdom of Imam Hussein bin Ali, Prophet Mohammed's grandson in the Battle of Karbala in the year 680.
A new ISIS branch, which calls itself the Province of Bahrain, claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement posted on Twitter late at night on Friday. This is the first time this branch is mentioned publicly.
“With the approval of God Almighty, the soldier of the caliphate Shuja al-Dosari, may God accept him, set his Kalashnikov upon one of the apostate polytheists’ temples,” said a translation of the statement published by Reuters.
A copy of the announcement was quickly shared online, like here by this ISIS sympathiser, who rejoiced at the attack:
#عاجل #دولة_الخلافة #ولاية_البحرين عملية انغماسية لجندي الخلافة على معبد للرافضة المشركين في جزيرة العرب pic.twitter.com/AI7RrRFNTY
— حُـمِآة آلَمِكآرمِ (@dolte_dolte14) October 16, 2015
A Caliphate soldier embedded himself in a temple for apostate polytheists!
Twitter users also shared the news and images of the attacker (Warning: graphic image):
عاجل | مصادر #الإخبارية : معتدي #سيهات في العشرين من عمره ويعتقد أنه مختل
— قناة الإخبارية (@alekhbariyatv) October 16, 2015
Al Ekhbariya TV’s source: A gunman who opened fire on the Saihat Hussainiya is believed to be mentally disturbed, and he was is his 20s.
Saudi security forces arrested two suspects linked with the incident, Al-Arabiya English reports.
An eyewitness, who would like to remain anonymous, told Global Voices Online what he saw:
عند توجهي الى الحسينية الحيدرية مررنا بكوادر التفتيش كالمعتاد وكانت نقطتين وكانت الامور مطمئنة وفي يقظة وجدية من الشباب وكانت الساعة تقريباً السابعة مساء وبعد الدخول الى الساحة الخارجية من الحسنية من الخلف وكنت واقف عند احد المضائف اشرب ماء
سمعنا اطلاقات متكررة والناس تنسحب للخلف الى بين البيوت … بعدها هدأ الوضع كم دقيقة والكل مابين مصدق وشاك في الموضوع ونحن كنا في الشارع الخلفي المقابل لبيت المتواجدات فيه النساء وتم معاودة الضرب العشوائي ورأيت الرصاص بعيني وتخبأنا مرة اخرى بين السيارات وانسحبنا الى داخل حي الكوثر بين البيوت
When I was going to Al-Haydria Hussainiya, I crossed two checkpoints at around 7 p.m. Everything was fine. After we entered the Hussainiya from the back door, I was waiting outside while drinking water, and it was when I heard repeated shots. People started leaving the site after the attack. The situation calmed down for a few minutes after the attack as people were in  shock between believing and denying what had just happened. I was next to the house where women were gathered, then the attack occurred again. I’ve seen the bullets and we hid in between cars. After that we retreated into homes in the Kawthar neighbourhood.
Qatif Direct shared a video from the aftermath of the shooting on Twitter:
بالفيديو: جانب من إطلاق النار على مسجد الحمزة في سيهات. https://t.co/cfQBFycCAH
— القطيف مباشر (@QatifDirect) October 16, 2015
Video: Scenes from the shooting on Alhamza Mosque, in Saihat
Mohammed Alqattan says his brother, Khalid, was shot in the attack. He shares a photograph of a man in a hospital bed being treated for what appears to be a wound in the leg:
اخوي خالد مصاب من طبق نار في سيهاات من دواعش#سيهات #القطيف #الدمام #الاحساء pic.twitter.com/vkfsiuhyCQ
— mohmmad alqattan (@mgnoonk650) October 16, 2015
My brother Khalid was injured in the shooting in Saihat by ISIS gunman.
Relatives of those killed in the attack shared their stories on Twitter in remembrance of the victims. Mohammed Shaker Busaleh shared a photograph of his cousin after his death. Father of Abdulsattar Abusaleh Busaleh says he is honoured his son was martyred in this Twitter video:
زرت والد الشهيد عبد الستار بوصالح فوجدته صابرا حامدا محتسبا بعد سماعه خبر استشهاد ابنه #الإرهاب_يضرب_في_سيهات pic.twitter.com/sjU8DPcN20
— د. صادق الجبران (@DrSadeqMohamed) October 16, 2015
Mohammed Al-Mahfoodh, an Islamic scholar, insisted the true killer in Saihat was the sectarian rhetoric:
القاتل الحقيقي في سيهات ليس مطلق الرصاص وانما هو من حرض طائفيا ومارس الاساءة الطائفية. #شهداء_سيهات
— محمد محفوظ (@almahfoodh20) October 17, 2015
The real killer in Saihat is not who opened fire, but the one who incited the sectarianism and practice it.
Saudi liberal author Turki al-Hamad called for a reconsideration of public speech about the issue:
الإرهاب في المملكة لم يعد قضية جانبية بل هو قضية حياة أو موت،حياة مجتمع ودولة،لا ينفع معها أنصاف الحلول،لا بد من مراجعة كاملة لكل خطاباتنا.
— Turki H. Alhamad (@TurkiHAlhamad1) October 16, 2015
Terrorism in Saudi Arabia is no longer a side issue; it is a matter of life or death. The life of society and the state, does not work with half-solutions. There must be a full review of all our speeches.
Saudi cleric Sayyed Hassan Al-Nemer called on people to go to mosques and hussainiya to send a message to ISIS:
وصيتنا لجميع المؤمنين هو تكثيف الحضور في المساجد والحسينيات ، فهو أبلغ رد على الإرهابيين الجبناء. #هيهات_منا_الذلة #سيهات #القطيف #الأحساء
— السيد حسن النمر (@alnemernet) October 16, 2015
We urge all the believers to intensify their presence in mosques and Hussainiyas. This will be the most fitting response to those cowardly terrorists.
Fahad Al-Deghaither, a weekly writer at Al Hayat newspaper, said ISIS’ actions were having a unifying effect on society:
#اطلاق_نار_في_سيهات على قبح أعمال الدواعش وطغيانهم إلا أنهم ومع كل جريمة يقدمون عليها يزيدون من قوة الوحدة الوطنية في المملكة.. ونعم الشعب
— فهد الدغيثر (@F_Deghaither) October 16, 2015
Despite the ugliness of the work of Daesh and their insolence, with all the crime that they commit they will increase and strengthen the national unity in the Kingdom ..
Emtithal Abualsaud, an activist, asked at what point the force of the law should be applied against sectarianism:
إلى متى يبقى هذا وأمثاله دون عقاب؟!! أما كفى 40 شهيداً حتى الآن؟!! #إطلاق_نار_في_سيهات #الإرهاب_يضرب_في_سيهات pic.twitter.com/ac6MC0SRqa
— امتثال أبو السعود (@EmtithalAbuAlsa) October 16, 2015
How long will this [Mohammad Al-Barrak] and his likes remain unpunished?! It is not enough a 40 people killed because of sectarianism so far?!
Abualsaud shares a screenshot of a tweet by Saudi clergyman Mohammed Al Barrak, which reads:
Shiites are a minority in our country who differ with us in religion and its principles. Their practice of their religious rituals is an attack on Islam and its great personalities. They should be prevented from practicing their rituals.
According to human right activist Waleed Sulais, the total number of Shiites who have been killed by ISIS in Saudi Arabia since last year is 40.
شهداء التحريض الطائفي من السعوديين الشيعة منذ ١٤٣٦/١/١٠ – الدالوة :٨ – القديح :٢٣ – العنود : ٤ – سيهات :٥ المجموع : ٤٠ #اطلاق_نار_في_سيهات
— وليد سليس (@WaleedSulais) October 16, 2015
The martyrs of sectarian incitement among Saudis stands at 40. Eight in Al Dalalwa; 23 in Al Qudaih; four in Al Anoud and five in Saihat.
This is the fourth attack targeting adherents of the Shia in the region. Last year, in November, eight people were killed in the Eastern province of Al Ahsa, when gunmen attacked a Shia community centre, in Al Dalalwa. The Al-Qaeda affiliate, ISIS, claimed responsibility for two following attacks in the Eastern Province, one in Qatif, in Qudaih, killing 23 worshippers, and the second in Al Anoud, in Dammam, which killed four people. Another bombing of a Shia mosque in Kuwait in June 2015, which killed 27 people, was also claimed by ISIS.

author: Mohammed Al Nemer


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The South American Countries Most Vulnerable to El Niño Are Preparing to Welcome Its Fallout · Global Voices
Juan Arellano

View of El Niño, on August 2, 2015. Image taken from the NOAA by Flickr user Stuart Rankin and is used under CC license Attribution-NonCommercial 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC 2.0).
Post originally published on Juan Arellano's Globalizado blog.
A new episode of the climatic phenomenon El Niño is building up in the Pacific Ocean. It should reach its maximum strength in South America between November and the summer of 2016. The experts are estimating that this “niño,” characterized by the warming of ocean waters, will rival in intensity the 1997 phenomenon, which led to considerable economic losses in numerous countries on the South-American Pacific coast that had global repercussions.
In fact, according to the information provided by the multi-sectoral committee responsible for the National Study of El Niño phenomenon (Enfen), a temperature raise in the Pacific has been noted these last few days opposite the city of Paita, in the North of Peru and next to the farthest point in South America.
What are the measures taken in the South-American Pacific region to alleviate the effects of the “niño” once it hits home? Most people remember that in 1997, the climatic phenomenon caused economic losses totaling around 7.5 billion US dollars in the Andean countries. These losses were mainly due to the flooding and landslides caused by the rise of rain water in certain places and drought in other areas. The fishing sector also suffered losses due to the changes in the water temperature and salinity driving away certain marine species from the Pacific coasts.
¿QUÉ ES EL FENÓMENO DE “EL NIÑO”? ► Conoce más sobre el fenómeno que ataca a muchos países y uno de ellos es el Perú pic.twitter.com/MnWZWhFE43
— Hidrografía Perú (@DHN_peru) septiembre 23, 2015
WHAT IS THE “EL NIÑO” PHENOMENON? ► More details on the phenomenon that has hit a number of countries including Peru.
In 1997, El Niño direly affected Peru, with losses estimated at 3.5 billion US dollars. In light of its experience, the country now has different institutions put in place to intervene in cases of emergency. Enfen, mentioned above, goes back to 1977, but it has become more active in recent years. The Center for National Emergency Operations related to the El Niño Phenomenon, a new body, benefits from a budget and a personnel adapted to emergency response mainly by air. Previous experience shows that in case of heavy rains (that could be eight times more intense than usual) and landslides, the roads will be the first to be affected.
According to the article published by a local media outlet, roads and airports are among the most vulnerable elements, mainly in the North of the country. The media also note that the majority of private sector businesses still haven't taken any measures regarding the coming climactic event. On the other hand, local communities are complaining since they still haven't received the allocated budget for emergency management from the Central Administration. The State of Emergency has already been declared in 15 regions as 1,264 districts are at risk of being hit by El Niño.
Un fenómeno de #ElNiño fuerte restará hasta dos puntos de crecimiento el 2016 ► http://t.co/CJYjVVnybMpic.twitter.com/nNQOkZo04Q
— El Comercio (@elcomercio) septiembre 24, 2015
The intense phenomenon of  #ElNiño will decrease the expected growth in 2016 by 2 points
Another delicate matter is the important architectural and cultural heritage of Peru present in the high-risk regions. The Ministry of Culture has taken some measures and allocated some funds in order to protect it. Nonetheless, the Minister, Diana Álvarez Calderón, has herself declared that these resources are insufficient. The business sector that is also expected to be affected has indicated that it is prepared to offer its help. However, private businesses have had a previous negative experience with the Ministry managing and centralizing the donations and with the tax collecting organ (SUNAT) delaying recording expenditure.
Ecuador was the second most affected country by the El Niño phenomenon in 1997 with losses amounting to 2.9 billion US dollars. This time around, the government has assigned around 850 million US dollars (compared to the expected 276 million US dollars in Peru) for programs and projects designated to minimize the adverse impact of El Niño on the country's infrastructure and economy. The agricultural sector might also be hit since the estimated production of white rice should decrease by 16%, corn by 22%, sugar by 40% and bananas by 30%.
#TemaDelDía: Tres municipios de #Manabí se preparan contra ‘El Niño’ >>> http://t.co/gPzTy2BrzMpic.twitter.com/n5RKdp54BL
— El Diario – Manabita (@eldiarioec) septiembre 21, 2015
#TemaDelDía :Three #Manabí communities are preparing for ‘El Niño’
The Bureau for Risk Management is the Ecuadorian government body that coordinates the different programs to reduce the effects of the phenomenon. So far, it has created working groups, developed training programs, prepared intervention plans and other activities. For example, the school calendar has been modified so that the schools can be used as a safe-house by people in need of shelter.
An example of more concrete achievements is the work on the sediments drainage conducted on the Guayas channel in Guayaquil. However, some experts have affirmed that it is not sufficient since the river drainage hasn't been carried out in decades before this latest intervention. Numerous rivers in Ecuador apparently need a lot of work and most communities do not clean their rain water evacuation systems to avoid clogging. Among the different suggested solutions, some have proposed evacuating people living in high-risk areas in order to avert incidents and starting a big prevention campaign.
Ecuador: El Niño cambiará la rutina de los pescadores – http://t.co/McdCjWdVPKpic.twitter.com/lQb5Zk6tVC
— DIARIO EL PRODUCTOR (@ElproductorEC) septiembre 21, 2015
Ecuador : El Niño will change the daily lives of the fishermen
In 1997-1998, Colombia underwent losses of around 564 million US dollars, making it third on the list of the most affected countries in the area. Unlike Peru and Ecuador, more drought than rain is expected in Colombia, mainly in the Andean regions and the Caribbean. Correlated with an increase in temperatures, the droughts will lead to forest conflagrations, a phenomenon that has happened before. Zones such as the Caribbean, the North-East, the Eastern Plains and the Altiplano Cundiboyacense have been on alert for forest fires for months.
The National Unit for Risk and Catastrophe Management has produced a brochure that explains how to prepare and deal with the El Niño phenomenon and its effects, and provides advice for individuals, businesses, and local administrations. Moreover, the Government has indicated that the farmers will be the most hit by El Niño. Thus, it has centered its prevention efforts on these production sectors, assigning 143 million US dollars for preventative and emergency operations.
#Recomendado ¿Cómo enfrentar el Fenómeno del Niño que azota varias regiones de Colombia? -► http://t.co/nH8oZMPnO0pic.twitter.com/ofIQj4BeJ3
— NTN24 Colombia (@NTN24co) septiembre 24, 2015
#Recommended How to deal with the El Niño phenomenon that has hit numerous regions in Colombia ?
With 527 million US dollars in losses as a result of El Niño, Bolivia was the fourth most hit country in the region in 1997. Therefore, the Bolivian government has reserved 11 million US dollars for prevention, emergency, post-disaster recovery, and reconstruction efforts. According to the National Service for Meteorology and Hydrology (Senamhi), higher temperatures due to the El Niño phenomenon might reach regions in the Paz, Beni, and Pando areas. Droughts and floods are also expected in different parts of the country. Some media have requested to highlight prevention measures which they say the country is lacking.
“El Niño” afectará a Bolivia con sequías e inundaciones ⇢ http://t.co/dRRt47QA5fpic.twitter.com/Bzi9nMICNr
— El Dia (@Diario_ElDia) septiembre 16, 2015
“El Niño” will hit Bolivia with droughts and floods
As the new climactic crisis gets under way, the countries in the region are each preparing in their own way for the upcoming “El Niño phenomenon. One can only hope that it won't be as destructive as expected, and that the preparations in place will help mitigate the worst of the natural disaster.


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You May Not Know It—But If You Speak Spanish, You Speak Some Arabic Too · Global Voices
PRI/PRX's The World

The Alhambra fortress in Granada, Spain, was built by the Arabic-speaking Moors in the 13th century when they ruled parts of the Iberian peninsula. Photo by Jeanne Menj. CC BY-ND 2.0
This article and radio report by Joy Diaz for The World originally appeared on PRI.org on October 15, 2015, and is republished here as part of a content-sharing agreement.
Rihab Massif, originally from Lebanon, was my daughter's preschool teacher in Austin. As a little girl, Camila, my daughter, spoke mostly in Spanish. And Massif remembers a day when Camila was frustrated because she couldn't remember a word in English.
“She was telling me about her camis,” Massif says.
Camisa is the word in Spanish for “shirt,” and Massif understood it perfectly because camis means the same thing in Arabic.
“And I was like ‘Oh! There are some words related to Arabic,'” she says.
To see just how many, Massif and I did an exercise. I'd say a word in Spanish, and she'd say it back in Arabic.
“Aceite?”
“We say ceit,” Massif says.
“Guitarra?”
“We say guitar.”
Now that I am aware, it seems like I hear Arabic words everywhere.
Take, for instance, one of my favorite songs by Latin Grammy winner Juan Luis Guerra.
“Ojalá Que Llueva Café” is peppered with words like café (coffee) and ojalá (God willing, or hopefully) — both of which come from Arabic.
Or, take late salsa singer Celia Cruz's catchphrase, ¡Azucar!, meaning sugar, based on another Arabic word.
Linguist Victor Solis Parejo from the University of Barcelona in Spain says part of the language Spanish speakers use comes from a legacy of the Moorish influence. “Moors” was the name used to refer to the Arabic-speaking group from North Africa that invaded what would become Spain back in the eighth century. Their influence lasted about 700 years and is still visible today.
“Especially if you travel [in the] south of Spain. For example in Merida, in the city where I was born, we have the Alcazaba Arabe, an Arabic fortification,” Parejo says. “So, you can see that in the cities nowadays, but you can also see that Islamic presence, that Arabic presence in the language.”
And of course, that presence traveled to the Americas with the Spaniards. About 4,000 Spanish words are believed to come directly from Arabic. That's why Maria Gutierrez, a Mexican aid worker with a non-profit in Jordan, says she carries a small notebook with her wherever she goes.
“Yeah! I'm trying to track all those words. It's like, ‘One more word!’ At least every day I'll find a word, and I'll be like, ‘Oh, it's exactly the same as Spanish!’ or, ‘It's very close to Spanish,'” she says.
The sooner Gutierrez masters the language, the sooner she'll be effective with her aid work, and right now being able to speak Spanish is giving her a shortcut.
But why should this merger of Spanish and Arabic matter to Americans? Well, the two most spoken languages in the United States are English and Spanish. So, some wonder what could happen to these languages as time goes by, including Parejo.
“Languages are alive,” he says.
Languages adapt and borrow words from each other, especially those that live in close proximity.
“I still remember when I first came to Texas,” Parejo says. “I went to this restaurant with my wife and the waiter asked us, ‘Do you want to have dinner inside or do you want to go to the patio?’ I [had] never heard that word in English.”
Patio is a Spanish word.
If the influence exists to the point that we often joke about the existence of “Spanglish,” imagine what Americans will be speaking in, say, 100 or 200 years when tens of millions more Spanish-speakers may be calling the US home.

author: PRI/PRX's The World


text:
A Musical Project in Mexico Dedicates Their Latest Work to ‘The 43 From #Ayotzinapa’… and It’s Free to Download! · Global Voices
David Escalante

Santiaguero Collective in Mexico, a group which is funded by Rising Voices Microgrants 2014, dedicate their latest work to the 43 from Ayotzinapa. Photo: Claudia Novelo
Jam Gorila, a musical project from the Yucatán peninsula in the south of Mexico, is dedicating their latest work to “the 43 from #Ayotzinapa” (the 43 male students who went missing in Iguala, Mexico, after travelling to hold a protest at a political conference and then being intercepted by police on September 26, 2014).
Their current material also forms part of “The South of the South Is Free Music,” a collaborative cultural project based on music which critiques the Mexico of today and calls for change. #ElSurdelSur (The South of the South) is driven by the Santiaguero Collective in Mexico, a group which is funded by Rising Voices Microgrants 2014, a project of Global Voices Online. Rising Voices aims to extend the benefits and reach of citizen media by connecting online media activists around the world and supporting their best ideas.
Santiaguero Collective originated in the city of Mérida, Mexico, where they were drawn together out of their common love of music. But not just any music. What characterizes this collective is their focus on Creative Commons-licensed music that reflects the current social issues of the region and the country. Local artists are invited to remix and adapt instrumental tracks created through collaboration, especially in the indigenous Mayan language.
All of their material is free to download—are you ready to enjoy and share it? Here's a taste.

author: David Escalante


text:
He Crossed Nine Countries to Flee War—and He Was Just 12 Years Old · Global Voices
PRI/PRX's The World

Gulwari Passarlay in London. Credit: Leo Hornak. Used with PRI's permission
This article and radio report by Shirin Jaafari for The World originally appeared on PRI.org on October 14, 2015, and is republished here as part of a content-sharing agreement.
Before the US invasion in his country, Gulwari Passarlay was a shepherd, spending most of his childhood with his grandparents in Afghanistan's mountains.
But then everything changed with the US invasion.
“All I could hear at night was the sounds of guns and rockets and airplanes,” Gulwari recalls.
It was in a conflict with US troops and the NATO-backed Afghan army that Gulwari’s father and five other members of his family were killed. After that, the Taliban came looking for Gulwari and his brother. They wanted to recruit him so that he could take revenge.
“They were actively seeking us to join them and they were threatening us,” he says.
Gulwari’s mother feared for her sons. She wanted them out of Afghanistan immediately. The plan was to get them to Europe.
So the brothers left Afghanistan for Pakistan. But once there, the two were separated. Gulwari, then 12, continued the journey alone. His trek took him to nine different countries, including Iran, Turkey, Greece and Bulgaria.
“I used all sort of transport…by foot, by planes, by cars, you name it,” he says. “I went through hell. I saw death with my own eyes,” he says.
Gulwari spent time in a jail in Turkey. He was sent back to Iran, from where he had made the journey to Turkey. He went hungry for days and walked for days on end. He hitchhiked his way across borders and finally managed to get to the UK — his 10th country — hiding in a banana truck.
When he finally made it to the UK, Gulwari’s ordeal wasn't over. “The journey itself was really hard but being in England was as hard as the journey,” he says.
That’s because he had to prove his age, his nationality and that he was a refugee.
“It took me five years to prove that I was a genuine refugee and I needed protection,” he explains.
But Gulwari wasn’t one to give up. Taken in by a foster family, he managed to go to school and learn English pretty fast. Now 21, he will soon start his studies in politics and philosophy at Manchester University. He hopes to one day be able to go back to Afghanistan and help those in need.
“My hope is to make sure people like myself don’t have to leave Afghanistan and mothers don’t have to send their kids away,” he says.
Gulwari Passarlay has written a book about his journey called “The Lightless Sky: An Afghan Refugee Boy’s Journey of Escape to a New Life in Britain.”


text:
This is How Ecuador Takes Action on the Cotopaxi Volcano Emergency · Global Voices
Juan Arellano

Cotopaxi seen from Ecuador's capital, Quito. Image from Flickr user Malcolm Surgenor, used under CC-license (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0).
This post was originally published by Juan Arellano on his blog “Globalizado”
Located 50km (31 miles) south of capital Quito, Cotopaxi is one of Ecuador's most active volcanoes with several known eruptions. The last of these eruptions was recorded 138 years ago. But on August 14th, 2015 the volcano experienced unusual seismic activity and shot a column of steam and ashes into the sky, followed by two explosions. Authorities have declared a yellow alert, which remains in place, as the activity has decreased significantly but continues to be closely monitored for possible renewed increase.
The following video, uploaded by YouTube user Andes Climbing Ecuador, shows a plume of ashes and smoke coming out of the volcano on August 22nd:
Future volcanic eruptions pose a high risk to the local population living in the Cotopaxi, Napo and Pichincha provinces. It is estimated that 325,000 people live in settlements prone to fast-moving volcanic rock and mud slides imminent in the case a huge eruption does occur.
As Cotopaxi's volcanic activity remains high, specialists are dealing with three possible scenarios. The first: The eruption process continues for several months with minor explosions, with magma rising to the volcano’s interior reservoir and moderate explosions. The second: Violent explosions emitting large quantities of pyroclastic flow, melting the glaciers and causing avalanches. The third: The volcanic activity decreases. Options 2 and 3 are classified as the least likely to happen.
Tres escenarios se plantean en la actividad del volcán Cotopaxi si hay un ascenso del magma http://t.co/2PR3cRujA6 pic.twitter.com/70c1j0O9II
— Radio Pipo Ecuador (@radiopipocom) septiembre 21, 2015
Three scenarios are possible for the Cotopaxi volcano’s activity if there is an increase in magma.
Faced with this situation, the Ecuadorian government has initiated outreach efforts through the National Risk Control Secretariat, such as “self-protection measures, evacuation routes, meeting points, lodging, and handling of animals” in areas surrounding the volcano, where they have also distributed protection materials like masks, goggles, and blankets. Furthermore, the Ministry of Agriculture has distributed cattle feed to “mitigate the effect of ashes on animals.”
One of the cities that would be most affected by an eventual eruption is Latacunga, located to the south of the volcano, with a population of 240,000 people. To prevent mishaps, the local authorities are distributing maps of safe areas for evacuation in case of an eruption. Among other preventive measures, the Ministry of Culture and Heritage has created a contingency plan to transfer movable property such as paintings, sculptures, books, historical collections and artifacts to what is known as the Arc Project in Quito, as well as other measures to preserve real estate.
Cotopaxi is a National Park and therefore a tourist destination, one that appeals especially to mountain climbers.
[DESCARGA] Plan de Contingencia Nacional #VolcánCotopaxi en el siguiente link http://t.co/qYGmm7QQsj
— Riesgos Ecuador (@Riesgos_Ec) septiembre 22, 2015
[DOWNLOAD] National Contingency Plan #VolcánCotopaxi at the following link http://t.co/qYGmm7QQsj
The private sector located in the probable disaster zone has also come together with the goal of evaluating preventive measures and minimizing the damage that can be caused by an eventual eruption. Similarly, private companies from nearby Quitoare are also coordinating volunteer aid under a plan called “Plan Cívico de Quito Prevención y Solidaridad por el Cotopaxi” (“Civilian Plan for Quito, Prevention and Solidarity for Cotopaxi”).
There are a number of campaigns explaining what to do in the event of a strong Cotopaxi eruption. There is even an app called “Emergencia Cotopaxi” (“Cotopaxi Emergency”), created by the District of Rumiñahui and available on Google Play, which reports on risk zones, preventive measures and more. A Twitter hashtag was also created to solicit questions from citizens about the emergency.
Haz tus preguntas sobre prevención y contingencia sobre el volcán Cotopaxi con el HT #PreguntasPrevenciónCotopaxi pic.twitter.com/FU0vu4A38h
— Seguridad Quito (@SeguridadeQuito) septiembre 23, 2015
Ask your questions about Cotopaxi volcano prevention and contingency at HT #PreguntasPrevenciónCotopaxi pic.twitter.com/FU0vu4A38h
Local authorities are also using the situation as a learning experience. The General Secretariat for Planning of the Metropolitan District of Quito together with the Quito Innovation Lab (LINQ) and New York University's Government Labs (GovLab) have launched a Coaching Program to analyze innovations applied prior to, during, and after the possible eruption of the Cotopaxi volcano.
The program consists of a series of online sessions led by experts in risk mitigation of natural disasters worldwide. The sessions began on Thursday, October 1. Some of the topics addressed include: citizen sensors and the science of masses, starting networks of experts, food security and the handling of cold supply chains, etc.
There are 12 sessions conducted in English every Monday at 10am starting on October 1 and registration can be completed here.
#CoachingCotopaxi cuenta con la asesoría con expertos para mitigar los riesgos de desastres naturales #linqinnova pic.twitter.com/0H0l9KYDFL
— Linq Quito (@linqlab) septiembre 30, 2015
#CoachingCotopaxi counts on advice from experts to mitigate natural disaster risks #linqinnova pic.twitter.com/0H0l9KYDFL
One issue of concern at this juncture is government control over information related to the emergency. President of Ecuador Rafael Correa has declared a state of emergency that mandates “prior censorship on the information that social media outlets broadcast regarding the Cotopaxi eruption process.”  Several weeks ago, Ecuadorian Security Minister César Navas said that he would report anyone who spread rumors related to the state of the Cotopaxi volcano.


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Angolan Rapper Breathes New Life Into ‘Freedom Now’ Movement, As Hunger Strike Threatens His · Global Voices
Dércio Tsandzana

Vigil for Luaty Beirão, an imprisoned activist on hunger strike in Angola. The sign reads “Luaty hang in there, you're a true warrior” in Portuguese. Photo: Facebook (reproduced with permission).
Imprisoned with more than a dozen other youth activists since June 20, Angolan rapper Luaty Beirão has been on a hunger strike for almost one month, and his life is now considered to be in imminent danger. Luaty Beirão has reportedly become so weak that he is no longer able to drink water and has begun fainting. Thanks to desperate actions like Beirão's, the world community is finally taking notice of human rights violations committed by the regime of Angolan President Jose Eduardo dos Santos, who's been in power for more than three decades.
In the wake of these reports, several organized movements have intensified their ongoing campaigns to raise an outcry over the imprisonment of these activists, and bring special attention to Beirão's deteriorating health. The rapper's Facebook page, which his friends and family now manage, shares the following story:
A situação de saúde do Luaty é preocupante.
Estamos a falar de uma vida. De um angolano que luta pelos seus ideais, mesmo que isso possa causar danos à sua própria saúde.
Não fique de braços cruzados. Exija a liberdade. Hoje é ele, amanhã poderá ser qualquer um de nós.
#liberdadeja #luatybeirao #ikonoklasta #presospoliticosemangola #revus #brigadeiromatafrakuzx”
Luaty's state of health is worrisome.
We are talking about the life of an Angolan who fights for his ideals, even if that may damage his own health.
Don't just stand there with your arms folded. Demand freedom. Today it is him, tomorrow it may be any one of us.
#liberdadeja [FreedomNow] #luatybeirao #ikonoklasta [Iconoclast] #presospoliticosemangola [PoliticalPrisonersinAngola] #revus #brigadeiromatafrakuzx”
As a result, many in Angola have turned to international news outlets, like the Portuguese-language news service Voz da América and DW – África, for updates about Beirão and his compatriots:
Estado de saúde do ativista Luaty Beirão é crítico
O ativista já não se consegue levantar sozinho e tem dificuldade para beber. Familiares e ativistas foram, esta quinta-feira (08.10), impedidos de o visitar. Dezenas de pessoas concentraram-se em Luanda em solidariedade.
Health of activist Luaty Beirão is in critical condition.
The activist can no longer stand up by himself and is having difficulty drinking. Family members and other activists went this Thursday (Oct 8), but were not allowed visitation. Dozens of people rallied in Luanda in solidarity.
After confirmation that Luaty Beirão's health was in critical condition due to his hunger strike, a few countries in the Community of Portuguese Language Countries, such as Portugal and Cape Verde, held demonstrations of solidarity. On October 8, the first vigil in support of Luaty Beirão was held at the Holy Family Church (Igreja da Sagrada Familia) in Luanda, Angola's capital.
ULTIMA HORA: MUDANÇA DE PLANOS
Vamos juntar-nos na igreja da Sagrada Família, vestidos de branco e com velas vamos orar a Deus e pedir que salve a vida do nosso irmão Luaty Beirão, às 18h na Sagrada Família. Venha!
O seu silêncio pode custar a vida de um verdadeiro angolano. O medo depende da imaginação, a cobardia depende do caracter.
LAST MINUTE: CHANGE OF PLANS
We will gather in the church of the Holy Family, dressed in white and carrying candles. We will pray to God, asking to save the life of our brother Luaty Beirão, at 6:00 p.m. at Holy Family Church. Come!
Your silence could cost the life of a true Angolan. Fear relies on imagination, courage relies on character.
Attendance was massive, and supportive comments flooded local social media.
Writing on Facebook, Tchokwe Tchokwe said:
Photo: Facebook (reproduced with permission).
Óptima ideia, pelo simbolismo da Sagrada Família e também pelo “aliado” que conseguimos ! … Se até DEUS está a favor da causa dos nossos “manos”, quem poderá estar contra ? …
Good idea—both for the symbolism of the Holy Family and also for the “ally” we created! … After all, if God is on the side of our hearts’ work, who can be against us? …
On the other hand, José Júnior wrote:
Vão de tudo o que vocês pedirem para o bem de todos.Deus vai responder e não tardará,se Ele não existe em vão vocês vigiam,mas se JEOVA existe então povo angolano comecem a festejar porque nessa vigília Deus fará grandes coisas.Creiam no Senhor.Deus abençoe.
Above all, what you ask for goes toward the well being of everybody. God will answer and he won't take long, if He doesn't exist then you held vigils in vain, but if Jehovah exists then the Angolan people can begin to celebrate because God will do great things with our vigil. Believe in the Lord. God bless.
The demonstration found many supporters not just in Angola. In Lisbon, activists staged another vigil on October 9:
Em Lisboa, vigília em simultâneo com Luanda e Mindelo. O largo de São Domingos esbanja solidariedade ao Luaty e aos 14 activistas presos desde 20 de Junho, pesando sobre eles a absurda acusação de atentado ao Presidente da República e Golpe de Estado.
Lisbon is holding a simultaneous vigil with Luanda and Mindelo. All of São Domingos Square is promoting solidarity with Luaty and the other 14 activists jailed since June 20, held on the absurd charges of attacking the Angolan President and trying to overthrow the government.
As demonstrators gathered in Lisbon, the public in Luanda returned to the Holy Family Church for a second vigil on October 9:
A greve de fome do Luaty tem uma razão: Excesso de prisão preventiva. Eles podem aguardar pelo julgamento em casa […]
O Luaty parará a sua greve de fome assim que as autoridades libertarem-no desta ilegalidade que é excesso de prisão preventiva. HOJE: vamos rezar mais uma vez para tentarmos amolecer até os corações mais gélidos.
Ás 17:30 na Igreja Sagrada Família. Estar mudo é compactuar com toda a violência.
Luaty is on hunger strike for a reason: excessive pre-trial detention. They could be awaiting their judgements at home […] Luaty will stop his hunger strike as soon as the authorities release them from their unlawful imprisonment, from this excessive pre-trial detention. TODAY: we pray once again that we may soften even the hardest of hearts.
At 5:30 p.m. at the Holy Family Church. To stay silent is to go along with all the violence.
Two days later, family and friends headed to the hospital for an update about Beirão's health status:
Vários familiares estão à porta do Hospital Prisão São Paulo desde as 10 horas, a tentar visitar O Luaty Beirão, para poder aferir o seu estado de saúde. Aguardam a decisão do director sobre o direito ou não de visita. O horário afixado é das 10h às 12h. Nenhuma explicação foi dada, nao se sabe o seu estado de saúde actual.
Various family members have been [waiting] at the door of the prison hospital of São Paulo since 10:00 a.m., trying to visit Luaty Beirão, to assess his state of health. They are waiting for the director to decide whether to grant them visitation rights. The posted visitation schedule is from 10:00 a.m. to noon. No explanation was given, no one knows his current health condition.
The musician Waldemar Bastos also joined calls for the release of these 15 activists:
Exmo Sr Presidente da República de Angola José Eduardo dos Santos. .
Na qualidade de cidadão Angolano venho pedir-lhe por favor que intervenha na Libertação do nosso Compatriota Luaty Beirão e de todos os presos políticos estabelecendo pontes , criando assim um clima de Amor entre os Angolanos. Faltam -me palavras para expressar tamanha Angústia e Tristeza por favor aceite o nosso Apelo.
Dear Mr. President of the Republic of Angola Jose Eduardo dos Santos…
As an Angolan citizen I request that you please intervene and release our compatriot Luaty Beirão and all the political prisoners working to build bridges. Such an act would help foster a climate of mutual goodwill among Angolans. I lack the words to express the country's current anguish and sorrow. Please hear our plea.
Activists recently launched an online portal called “Liberdade Já” (Freedom Now) that collects photos posted on social media with the hashtag #LiberdadeJA (#FreedomNow) and publishes them on its website. Currently there are hundreds of photos from all over the world depicting people crying out with raised fists and the words “freedom now.”
“NO AR | SITE “LiberdadeJÁ!” PARTICIPA!
O grupo “Liberdade JÁ!” lançou uma ACÇÃO-SITE que conta com a tua voz! Acede ao site e carrega uma fotografia com o teu apelo. A tua imagem-mensagem vai ser enviada, com a tua autorização, todos os dias, para uma mailing list com diferentes entidades nacionais e internacionais de Direitos Humanos, assim como para o Tribunal Constitucional de Angola e Assembleia Nacional de Angola.
Somos pela Democracia. Somos por Angola. Somos pela Liberdade Já! Visita o site e, juntos, vamos exigir LIBERDADE!”
On-air | Go to “LiberdadeJÁ!” Take part!
The group “Liberdade JÁ!” launched an action site that depends on your voice! Go to the website and upload a photo with your call to action. Your image and message will be sent, with your permission, every day to a mailing list of different national and international human rights organizations, as well as to the Angolan Constitutional Court and the Angolan National Assembly.
We are for Democracy. We are for Angola. We are for Freedom Now! Visit the site and, together, we will demand FREEDOM!
Supporters can sign a petition in support of Beirão at the website of Amnesty International, which has been monitoring his situation from the start:
Neste momento decorre uma petição em apoio a Luaty Beirão e que conta com milhares de assinaturas. Podes juntar-te à causa fazendo a sua assinatura.
Right now, a petition in support of Luaty Beirão is circulating and has gathered thousands of signatures. You can join the cause by signing the petition.
The petition is also being circulated on Twitter:
Por favor, assinem e passem a palavra. Obrigado! : ) #Angola #Angola15 #liberdadeja #freedomnow… http://t.co/A60wcJXx1x
— Xoices (@Xoices) 9 outubro 2015
Please, sign and spread the word. Thanks! : ) #Angola #Angola15 #liberdadeja #freedomnow…
— Xoices (@Xoices) October 9 2015
Angolan journalist and activist Rafael Marques calls Luaty Beirão his “hero”:
Agora peço-te, Luaty, meu amigo, irmão e meu puto (porque tratas-me sempre por kota e este é o meu troco): lê esta mensagem e, lentamente, volta a comer.
Já ganhaste, porque derrubaste, com a tua convicção, qual cavaleiro andante e solitário, os moinhos de vento que ainda escondem o frágil poder do presidente e da sua procuradoria. Estão a nu, expostos no circo que eles próprios criaram. Só a insensibilidade humana os salva de sentirem vergonha.  Aceita o meu abraço e o meu pedido para que te alimentes, em nome da nossa liberdade. A luta continua e vitória não será deles, dos que nos oprimem e espoliam sem dó nem piedade.
A vitória será nossa, meu herói.”
I am asking you now, Luaty, my friend, my brother, and my kid (because you always treat me like a “kota” and it's my turn): please read this message and, slowly, start eating again.
You already won, because you brought down, with your conviction, that lone knight, those windmills that still hide the fragile power of the president and his prosecutors. They are laid bare, exhibited in the circus that they themselves created. Only their callousness saves them from feeling shame. Accept my hug and my request that you eat, in the name of our freedom. The struggle goes on and victory will not be theirs, those who oppress us and plunder with no pity.
Victory will be ours, my hero.
So far, it's not known with any certainty how healthy or ill Beirão and his fellow inmates actually are. Supporters nevertheless continue to hold vigils in Luanda and Lisbon, fearing for these prisoners’ lives.

author: Dércio Tsandzana


text:
Chinese Nationalist ‘Hawks’ Form Online Volunteer Army Against ‘Enemy Forces’ · Global Voices
Patrick Wong

A profile picture of Dai Xu online voluntary army.
The scene is familiar: groups of commentators stirring up the sphere of public opinions into hustle and bustle on China's Internet. By insulting individuals and distorting facts to further provoke conflicting opinions, these groups have forged a battlefield, pushing netizens into squabbles online, or even arranging scuffles offline.
These types of Internet commentators often appear as “online youth civilization volunteers,” backed by the government-affiliated Central Communist Youth League, the 50 Cent Party (Wumaodang) or independent supporters of the government known as “ziganwu.”
On Weibo, the online civilization volunteers and wumaodang keep a relatively low profile—their names and profile images usually look just like those of ordinary netizens.
But a new force, the “Chinese online volunteer army” staffed by members of a nationalist right-wing network group, is now springing up. The volunteer army, organized in the manner of a military division, was initiated by the followers of Dai Xu, a Chinese army senior colonel who has advocated for a self-organized liberation army to beat down foreign enemy forces online. Each division of the group has its own social media account marked with scarlet national flags and propaganda slogans on its profile pages. It even has its own anthem.
This volunteer army positions itself as the force defending national interests and China’s dream, a concept invented by China’s president Xi Jinping in 2012. Its mission statement says:
【中国网络义勇军宗旨】支持习主席,助力中国梦。捍卫国家利益,弘扬爱国主义,聚合正义力量,打击第五纵队是网络义勇军的宗旨和目标。目前,网络义勇军已经有多支主力队伍,戴旭网络义勇军各师、义勇军后援团、华夏主攻团、网络义勇军先锋团、新上甘岭志愿军等。
[The mission of Chinese online volunteer army] The mission and objective of the online volunteer army is to support Chairman Xi, Realize China's dream. Defend national interests, promote nationalism, assemble positive energy, beat down the fifth column [spies and traitors of imperialist forces]. Currently, the online volunteer army is composed of several divisions: Dai Xu online volunteer army and its divisions, back-up division, Hua Xia attack division, Pioneer division, new Triangle Hill volunteer army [Triangle Hill is a major battle site during the Korean war against the U.S military forces in the 1950s].
Dai, a retired colonel and a commentator for the state-run tabloid Global Times, is known for his hawkish views on Chinese foreign and military policies. He has no known involvement with the volunteer army, but has expressed approval of their activities.
In June’s interview, Dai sounded the alarm about “western hostile forces” infiltrating and westernizing Chinese ideology, as the following excerpt says:
美国的“战略先遣队”在其总部的统一指挥下，有的渗入中国高级智囊机构，误导中国政策的顶层设计，让中国经济沿着低技术的畸形道路发展，以避免对美国的高技术战略构成挑战，目的是让中国成为西方的经济殖民地；有的打入中国各高校和学术研究机构，以资助研究为名，对中国的一些学者进行“洗脑”，然后通过这些学者发表各种反共、反华的不良言论。其中，法学界和政治学界、历史学界等领域是他们渗透的重点；有的进入互联网领域，借助外资短期内控制大型商业门户网站，利用网络传媒和新媒体平台大肆散布历史虚无主义错误思潮，误导社会民众；更有甚者，已成功渗入中国的主流媒体和国家机关，暗中做着损中利“西”的无耻勾当。
Lead by their headquarters, some “US strategic advance divisions” have infiltrated leading Chinese think tanks that mislead the top design of Chinese strategies, and divert Chinese economic development into being dependent on backward technologies, to ward off the Chinese challenge to US high technology sector. They [strategic divisions] aim to make China a western economic colony. Some [of the strategic divisions] have sneaked into colleges and research institutions, under the guise of supporting research, to brainwash some scholars who support “anti-communism and anti-China” views. Their infiltration focuses on the spheres of law, politics and history. To mislead people, they use foreign capital to control commercial Internet portals, and spread the wrongful trend of historical nihilism by using online and new media. Some [of the strategic divisions] have even successfully penetrated into Chinese mainstream media and government agencies, and have been doing sinister business that damages Chinese interests and favors the western world.
Hu Xijing, the chief editor of Global Times and a well-known nationalist figure, expressed his support for Dai back in 2013:
戴旭是中国军人学者中的著名“鹰派”。我在很多时候都不同意他的观点，但我觉得，中国舆论场上应当能容得下几只“鹰”。
Dai is a famous Hawk amid Chinese military scholars. Most of the time I disagree with his opinions, but I feel China’s public sphere sorely needs a few such “hawks.”
Despite the fact that Dai’s conspiracy theories usually call for concrete and trustworthy factual support, his political rhetoric caters to the steady rise of nationalism and is now taking shape in the form of the self-organized volunteer army online.
Dai explained why he supports the online volunteer army in an article last July:
今天，一些西方国家借助网络优势，不断在世界上制造颜色革命，将世界局势搅得动荡不安。习近平指出，意识形态斗争极端重要。……中国共产党在抗战中“严厉除奸”加强统一战线，重塑英雄主义和爱国主义，让义勇军精神穿越时空，激扬于当今网络时代。
Today, some western countries use the Internet and its advantages to instigate color revolutions, stirring up chaos throughout the world. Xi pointed out that the struggle for ideology is extremely important… During the anti-Japanese war, China’s Communist Party “harshly purged spies” to strengthen the unified front in the battle. [Today we] restore heroism and patriotism, leading the spirit of the volunteer army through time and space and reigniting it in today’s cyber era.
In fact, Dai Xu Online Volunteer Army, the largest division of the Chinese Online Volunteer Army, was the group's earliest initiator. Members of the Online Volunteer Army division named after Dai explained how it was formed in a Weibo post:
“网络义勇军”一词是由戴旭对应“捍卫网络上甘岭”所提出的，对网络上自发反击敌对势力的爱国网民的统称，是在戴院长的感召下自发形成的。以“戴旭”命名是表达广大网络义勇军对戴院长的敬爱与支持，并非戴旭本人发起。无特定组织形式，仅为了便于团结和号召更多的爱国者一同加入捍卫国家利益的行列。
To defend the “online Triangle Hill,” Dai advocates the formation of “the online volunteer army,” which stands for the patriotic netizens who were inspired by Dai and self-organized to engage in online battles against hostile forces. The army was not initiated by Dai but is named after him to express our respect. [We] do not gather in a specific form, our intention is to unite and call on more patriots to defend national interests.
Celebrities who express their opinion on Weibo, China’s largest Twitter-like platform, often become targets of the volunteer army's attacks.
Ren Zhiqiang, a real-estate tycoon and a member of the Communist Party, nicknamed “huge cannon,” is a recent target of the army's activities. Last September, Ren rebuked the Communist Youth League's idealization of communism by recalling his sufferings during the Cultural Revolution.
A few days later, an article by Yi Guoming titled “Being Aware of Ren Zhiqiang’s Sophistry” condemned Ren for garbling the concept of communism and advocating for western democracy. The volunteer online army then started a round of attacks on Ren by sharing the article online and echoing the author’s views.
The group also deviates from the official Chinese government and Communist Party line, which stresses the importance of civilized online behavior. The volunteer army even defends online trolls, like Hou Jusen, the infamous member of “online civilization volunteers,” who picked quarrels online and engaged in street fights in the name of patriotism:
国家有戴院长这样的军人，有候聚森这样的青年学生，有捍卫网络上甘岭的网络义勇军，国家一定会强大，让我们铭记国耻，奋发图强！
The state, which has an official like director Dai, a youth student like Hou Jusen, and the online volunteer army defending the online Triangle Hill, must be powerful. Let’s always remember national stigmas and struggle for a stronger country!
With statements like these, the volunteer army advocates patriotism online— by distorting opinions, smearing netizens or even supporting violence, and mostly disregarding laws. For some, it has created a kind of safe space and asylum for mobsters and thugs.
Pointing to the clamor created by Dai and the voluntary army, a Weibo user argued:
戴旭和这群网络渣子所谓的爱国就是围攻谩骂对不公平和腐败现状不满，对政府提出批评的人，这群垃圾什么都不做只对体制阿谀奉承，是真汉奸。
The so-called patriotism Dai and online thugs claimed is to besiege and insult the people who criticized the government for today’s injustice and corruption. These thugs, who did nothing but flatter the system [of state], are indeed traitors.

author: Patrick Wong


text:
French Citizens Are Raising Their Voices for More Respect, Less Hate in Politics · Global Voices
Rakotomalala

A ballot during the presidential elections – CC-BY-20
The next presidential elections in France will take place on 23 April 2017 (the first round) and 7 May 2017 (the second round). The vote looks to be rather tense, judging by the current climate — certain politicians’ extreme statements in the media, particularly those concerning refugees, are already setting the tone.
Nadine Morano of The Republicans party, who stated that “France is a Judeo-Christian country of white race“, is only one example among others of the progressively populist evolution of the rhetoric of the country's politicians.
However, there are several citizen movements in France that want to save the country's democracy from what they see as a downward spiral and restore it to its former glory.
Here are two initiatives that reject the populist drift of politics and want it to be done differently.
This group of citizens came to the conclusion that they could no longer wait for the politicians to change their ways, and decided to change things themselves. On their Facebook pages, they explain the reasons for their actions:
Nous sommes de ceux qui n’arrivent plus à aller voter la tête haute.
Certains d’entre nous ne votent plus du tout, d’autres votent blanc, ceux qui votent encore le font par défaut, avec tristesse ou colère.
Nous nous sentons piégés par un système politique qui ne nous respecte pas, ne nous entend pas, et depuis quelques temps, nous dégoûte même par ses frasques, ses renoncements, ses promesses jamais tenues, ses mensonges, ses trahisons, son inhumanité.
Nous sommes multiples.
Nous sommes tous différents.
Nous ne sommes pas d’accord sur tout. Et c’est ça notre richesse. Nos expériences de vie montrent qu’il y a tant de chemins pour atteindre des résultats concrets.
Nous voulons expérimenter. Pas à pas.
Nous sommes en mouvement. Nous avons arrêté de regarder vers le haut avec espoir. Il n’y a plus rien à attendre de ceux qui nous gouvernent. Nous en constatons l'échec, nous le disons sans haine, ni colère.
Et finalement, ils échouent les uns après les autres, car les règles datent des siècles passés, elles ne sont plus adaptées.
Nous ne voulons plus signer de chèque en blanc à des partis politiques.
Nous allons construire une offre politique qui ressemble au monde que nous dessinons jour après jour : libre, connecté, coopératif, interdépendant, concret.
We are among those who can no longer go to vote with our head held high.
Some of us no longer vote at all, others leave the vote blank, and those who still vote do it by default, with sadness and anger.
We feel trapped by a political system which doesn't respect us, listen to us, and of late, even disgusts us with its escapades, renunciations, promises which are never kept, lies, betrayal and inhumanity.
There are many of us.
We are all different.
We don't agree on everything. And that is our richness. Our life experiences show that there are so many ways to achieve tangible results.
We want to experience, step by step.
We are in motion. We have stopped looking upwards with hope. There is no longer anything to expect from those who govern us. We acknowledge the failure of it, and we say it without hatred nor anger.
And after all, they fail one after the other because the laws date back to past centuries — they are no longer appropriate.
We don't want to sign blank cheques to political parties anymore. We are going to construct a political proposal which resembles the world we are designing day after day — free, connected, cooperative, interdependent and practical.
The Ma Voix movement attracted more than 3,000 members in a few days, and the group meets regularly in a number of cities in France (recently in Nantes and Paris).
Screen Capture of a explanatory video of the Voxe.org Project
On their website, the Voxe.org project puts forward a clear statement about democracy and the solution that they propose:
7 français sur 10 considèrent que la démocratie ne fonctionne pas très bien.
Notre programme : permettre aux citoyens d’avoir un impact sur la politique de leur pays.
7 out of 10 French people think that democracy doesn't work very well.
Our programme allows citizens to make an impact on the politics of their country.
In a YouTube video, the president and co-founder of Voxe.org, Léonore de Roquefeuil, explains that the project “aims to provide neutral and clear information on politics in order to facilitate political engagement amongst citizens”. Despite popular pessimism about France's democracy, “8 out of 10 French people say they are interested in politics and public debate”, she says:
The Voxe.org team explain in detail how they intend to give the citizens back their voice via digital technology:
Face à une abstention sans cesse croissante – notamment auprès des plus jeunes – Voxe accompagne depuis 2012 les internautes, pour rendre la politique plus lisible…. Notre plateforme neutre de comparaison de programme politiques est un outil de transparence, accessible depuis www.voxe.org. En 3 clics, elle a déjà permis à plus de 3 millions de citoyens de 12 pays de comparer les propositions des candidats:
aux élections sur différents thèmes. Nous proposons:
1. Une information neutre et objective à partir de la data accessible librement
2. Un vote pour ou contre le projet
3. Un accès à des pistes d’engagement telles que la signature d’une pétition, l’engagement dans une association, ou le contact du/des politique(s) concerné(s).
Faced with an ever growing abstention — especially among young people — Voxe has, since 2012, guided Internet users to make politics more understandable…. Our neutral platform for comparing political agendas is a transparency tool which is easy to reach from www.voxe.org. With three clicks, it has already enabled more than 3 million citizens from 12 countries to compare electoral candidates’ proposals on different topics. We offer:
1. Neutral and objective information based on openly accessible data.
2. A vote for or against the project.
3. Ways to get involved such as signing a petition, involvement in an association, or contact with the politician or politicians concerned.
There are other citizens’ initiatives trying to change democracy in France for the better, such as Démocratie Ouverte and the Let me Vote Project by Européens Sans Frontières. With regards to the discourse heard on loop in mainstream media, it seems that these projects still have a lot to do before democracy in France is back on the right track.

author: Rakotomalala