This article by Z Word contributor Michelle Sieff originally appeared in the Ugandan newspaper, The Independent.
In response to Israel’s war in Gaza, Uganda’s Muslim associations have lambasted Israel for “war crimes” and called on the government to sever its diplomatic ties with the Jewish state. In other African countries with sizeable Muslim populations-Mali, Niger, South Africa, Nigeria, Somalia, Kenya, Sudan, to name a few– Muslim and Palestinian solidarity groups have organised protests where Israel is regularly accused of “genocide” and “war crimes”. The response on the African street is similar to the response on the Arab and European street. Hundreds are turning up at protests to vilify Israel and call for its diplomatic and economic isolation.
Continue reading ‘Africa: Loud on Israel, Quiet on Zimbabwe’
This is a guest post by Michelle Sieff, Assistant Director of the American Jewish Committee’s Africa Institute.
The reputable International Crisis Group has issued a new report on Somalia, calling for engagement with Somalia’s Islamist insurgency - which now controls southern Somalia - when Ethiopian troops withdraw later this month.
Continue reading ‘Somalia: The Threat of Al Shabaab’
This is a guest post by David Adler.
It’s a good thing that Jimmy Carter is pressing the case for help to the Zimbabwean population. But following the Mugabe regime’s politicized denial of a visa to Carter and his group, the former president’s statements have a weirdly passive ring — in stark contrast, one might point out, to his unequivocal denunciations of the Israeli occupation.
Continue reading ‘Muddying the Zimbabwe Issue’
This is a guest post by Michelle Sieff, Assistant Director of the American Jewish Committee’s Africa Institute.
Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir has announced a unilateral ceasefire in Darfur, promising to disarm pro-government janjaweed militias that have killed and displaced hundreds of thousands of civilians. The pronouncements were a result of the Sudan People’s Initiative, which brought together government, political opposition parties and civil society - but not the rebel groups - to brainstorm solutions to the crisis.
Continue reading ‘Darfur: Bashir Under Pressure’
Since we have entered one of those periods when everyone and their dog has an opinion about what the future holds, I want to highlight an excellent piece by Z Word contributor Michelle Sieff which employs rigor and analytical substance, rather than political astrology, to glimpse the continent of Africa one quarter of a century from now.
Continue reading ‘Africa, 25 Years from Now’
