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Volume 2
Monday, April 21, 2003

Heart of a Giant, Hakeem the Dream, two stories of leadership

Dikembe Mutombo,
DR Congo - USA
Hakeem Olajuwon,
Nigeria - USA

If you ever wonder makes one a “pro,” you can get started by studying the lives of two Africans who have made it big in the US playing professional basketball, Dikembe Mutombo of the DR Congo, and Hakeem Olajuwon of Nigeria. When you study these men, you hear these kinds of words and phrases: help others; mission; win; honor; responsibility; honesty; work hard; respect; sincerity, righteousness; and duty. These are men steadfast in determination. They get things done, even with massive impediments in their way. They were raised by families who taught them right from wrong, and the meaning of responsibility. Their hearts are of gold. They care deeply about others. They effect others in the best of ways. Neither is in the gimmick business. Both are genuine men of integrity. These are not stories about sports. These are stories about leaders. April 19, 2003. Go to story.


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The Forgotten War

ar in the Congo has killed more than were killed in the current Iraq war, the 1991 Gulf War, the war in Afghanistan and all of the Balkan wars of the past decade.

The crisis is not the lack of humanitarian aid. Both Rwanda and Uganda are fueling the conflict and using the consequent chaos to exploit the region's minerals.

An editorial of The Washington Post. April 17, 2003. Go to Editor's Choice feature.


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Christian Mukosa of DR Congo wins Reebok Human Rights Award

;This is a place where you fear for your life, where you could actually be killed for speaking out. I speak for those people without a voice.” Christian Mukosa received the Reebok Human Rights Award or 2003 in Boston, Massachusetts, along with four others at special ceremonies on April 10, 2003. The awards are given annually to young human rights activists under the age of thirty from all over the world. Christian was presented his award by American tennis star, Venus Williams. April 11, 2003. Go to story.


"Egypt Reborn: Art for Eternity”

rooklyn Museum of Art has one of the finest collections in the world of Egyptian antiquities and on April 12 will open its exhibition, Egypt Reborn: Art for Eternity. "The story we are trying to tell is about permanence and change, how some aspects of material culture remain consistent and some things change constantly." What a wonderful perspective to employ when visiting this exhibition. Try it. See if you can tell what has changed and what has not. April 11, 2003. Go to story.


Pope decries massacres in DR Congo

size="3">Pope John Paul II touches his face during the weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, April 9, 2003. The pontiff decried reports of mass killings in Congo, appealing for efforts at reconciliation among the peoples of Congo, Rwanda and Uganda. April 10, 2003, updated April 15. Go to Photo Gallery presentation.


U.S. diplomat explains why Africans should back war in Iraq

"It's a natural. Africa is moving toward democracy. The continent used to have one-party states and dictatorial regimes. Now, voluntarily, for the most part, it is moving toward democracy as demanded by the people of Africa. So, when the United States tries to promote democracy around world, Africans are on the same wavelength." By Jim Fisher-Thompson Washington File Staff Writer, April 4, 2003 (04/06/03). Go to Editor's Choice feature.


"Final Act" peace agreement for DR Congo signed in South Africa

The main questions are whether this is a good agreement for the Congolese people, who had no say in it, and whether it is an "executable agreement." The Kinshasa government was originally installed in its first form by Uganda and Rwanda in 1997. It wanted to break the hold of those two countries on the Congo. That angered Kampala and Kigali. As a result, Uganda and Rwanda again invaded in 1998 and along with the Congolese rebel proxies they created, financed, trained and equipped, occupied the country's entire north and east since that time. The government was unable to reunify the country through force and therefore had to walk down the path that led to this "deal." It faced enormous international pressure to sign this deal. This deal has essentially legitimized the invasion and occupation but may have been the only way to hold the country together. That all remains to be seen. Had the international community come to the defense of the invaded and occupied Congo, an entirely different outcome might have evolved. For reasons we do not understand, the international community chose to support the invasion and occupation powers and their Congolese rebel proxies, and forced the Kinshasa government into this agreement. April 3, 2003.

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Leonard She Okitundu, Foreign Minister, Government of the DR Congo Etienne Tshisekedi, UDPS, unarmed political opposition
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Adolphe Onusumba Yemba, Congolese Rally for Democracy (RDC) armed rebels, proxy for Rwanda Olivier Kamitatu, Congolese Liberation Movement (MLC) armed rebels, proxy for Uganda
Representatives from the Government of the DR Congo, the unarmed opposition and armed opposition proxies of Rwanda and Uganda signed a document called "The Final Act" in Sun City, South Africa on April 2, 2003. President Kabila did not attend. He is to remain head of state for a two year transition, followed by elections. There will be four vice presidents, one from the government, one from the unarmed political opposition, and one each from two of the main rebel groups, the RDC Rwandan proxy and the MLC Ugandan proxy. A constitution kicking off the transitional government is to be promulgated on April 6.
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Wamba dia Wamba, Congolese Rally for Democracy Movement for Liberation armed rebels, proxy for Uganda


Tanzania’s Kitulo Plateau, the “Garden of God”

young Americans first learn of the orchid when some young lad with sweaty palms gives an orchid corsage to his prom date. Tanzania’s Kitulo Plateau, in the Southern Highlands of the Great Rift Valley’s Eastern Arc Mountains, hosts “a staggering diversity of orchids.” This is a region covered for six months of the year with spectacular wildflowers and orchids, many not seen anywhere else on earth. But very little is known about it. That should change. March 31, 2003. Go to story.


The tragedy of American policy in the DR Congo war

A senior US official has recently painted a very negative picture with regard to resolution of the DR Congo war. The official's words describing American policy are mystifying to us and have been tragic for the Congolese people. We understood why the Clinton administration didn’t get it. We are saddened that the Bush administration doesn’t get it. We thought the fellow in charge of Foggy Bottom was savvier than this official portrays. Or perhaps the boss simply is not paying attention. He should. By Ed Marek, editor, March 31, 2003. Go to Editor's Notes.


Liya Kebede of Ethiopia to be a “face of Estee Lauder”

Congratulations to Ms. Kebede, who appears to have landed a three year, three million dollar deal with Estee Lauder, a well known beauty care company. The chairman of the board for the company commented, “Great faces sell great products.” Clearly, with Liya Kebede, Estee Lauder has a truly great face. March 20, 2003. Go to story.


Kenyan fashion, a reflection of national confidence

A fashion show was held in Nairobi on March 16, 2003, organized by top Kenyan designers to demonstrate to the Kenyan Parliament the value of embracing African design and dress as a symbol of new, self-confident Kenya. The model on the left is wearing an outfit by designer Kiko Romeo, while the model on the right is presenting an outfit by designer Sally Karago. Photo credits: Patrick Olum. March 20, 2003

In July 2002, we presented an in-depth article about Kenyan fashion in an article entitled, "Kenya Fashion Week 2002: Getting Kenyan designers out of the workshop and on to the catwalks." We commend it to your attention. That show was the brainchild of Kenya’s Sue Muraya, who wanted to feature Kenyan design and Kenyan fashion, and cause Kenyans to be proud of their talent, their creativity, and their capacity to show off both to the world. Building such an industry from the ground floor up is no easy challenge, and Kenyans have found that starting such an industry and building it to a world-class level demand considerable introspection to define where Kenyans stand culturally, how to mix modern with traditional values, develop home-made fashion trends that will sell abroad as well as at home, and find ways to help budding designers get out of their workshops and on to the catwalks that people will see and admire.



  Tenere, Niger
Jean-Luc Manaud

Buy This Poster At AllPosters.com

Obasanjo said to have early lead

Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo cast his vote during presidential elections in the city center of Abeokuta in Ogun State in Nigeria, April 19, 2003. Nigerians voted in parliamentary elections on April 12, and for president on April 19. With 85 percent of the parliamentary results in, the ruling party has won an absolute majority in both chambers. Initial presidential results show Obasanjo has surged ahead, with 67 percent of the 20 million votes counted thus far. The closest challenger is Muhammadu Buhari with 27 percent. Photo credit: Juda Ngwenya, Reuters. April 21, 2003.


April 16, 2003 edition

New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) leadership identifies immediate priorities

US identifies five overriding goals in Africa

S
pecial US investment fund for small- and medium-sized businesses in Angola


Happy independence day, Zimbabwe!

Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe lights a torch during Independence celebrations in Harare, Zimbabwe, April 18, 2003. That marked Zimbabwe's 23rd anniversary of independence from British colonial rule. The photos we have seen, including this one, show a very low public turnout for Mugabe's celebration. The wires report the 60,000-seat stadium less than half full. There's a message there. Photo credit: AP. April 19, 2003


Trouble now with Somaliland elections

Somaliland President Dahir Riyale Kahin casts his ballot in the country's first Presidential election at the Civil Service Commission near the Presidential palace in Hargeisa. Reports are Kahin won by a narrow margin of 80 votes. Initially, his close rival, Mr. Adami, was said to have urged the results be accepted. However, on April 19 he said the results were manipulated and he would not accept them. It is not clear what action he will take. We have been urging that the US recognize Somaliland because of its relative stability and forget about Somalia, where war lords still rule the roost. We will have to hold on that pending the outcome of this electoral problem. Photo credit: Jean-Jacques Cornish, AFP. April 20, 2003


Governance by the gun in Côte d'Ivoire

Côte d'Ivoire's Head of State Laurent Gbagbo (R 1st row) poses with members of the country's national reconciliation government at the end of ceremonies during which five ministers from rebel movements appointed to the new government took up their seats. In this French-brokered deal, rebels shot their way into five ministries, and the president was forced to sign over important powers to a "consensus" prime minister, by-passing the citizens. It's not obvious what good this has done. The rebels are still fighting! Photo credit: Issouf Sanogo, AFP . April 18, 2003


Mbeki's priorities immoral

South Africans know it. They're booing him in nationwide disobedience campaign.

Mbeki’s South Africa has messed up priorities. Mbeki's government will distribute R30,000 ($3,750) to all 22,000 individuals identified by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) as survivors of apartheid. That totals $82.5 million. e mean time, the majority of Africans with HIV live in South Africa, about 25 percent of the country’s population. South Africans infected with HIV or AIDS are predicted to peak at 7.7 million in the next three years, creating a potential economic disaster. The Mbeki government has been dragging its heels to care for the afflicted and mount serious prevention programs. It says it doesn’t have the money. Most recently, the government refused $40 million for the worst hit province, KwaZulu-Natal. The money was to come from the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria. The government says the proposals were not filed properly. The government said there are “relatively complex legal processes.” The government has also committed a massive amount of money to its largest ever defense buildup and modernization. This is immoral. Former President Nelson Mandela has said Americans don’t care about people. Well Nelson, people in glass houses should not throw stones. April 17, 2003


Iraq war - impact on Africa

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad (R) welcomes his Egyptian counterpart Hosni Mubarak in Damascus April 20,2003. Mubarak met al-Assad for talks on postwar Iraq and tension between Damascus and Washington over Syria's alleged chemical weapons. "Syria expects Egypt to use its good offices with Washington to help defuse the tension," a diplomatic source said. Photo credit: Sana, Reuters

Africans have been actively involved in the diplomatic end, and will be impacted by the impending war against Iraq. Go to special reporting series
for our unique coverage. The world is changing, fast. Our coverage gives you insights.


Kenyan wins Paris marathon

Kenya's Mike Rotich crosses the finish line winning the 27th Paris marathon Sunday, April 6, 2003 in 2 hours 6 minutes and 31 seconds, followed by French runner Benoit 'Z' Zwierzchiewski, seen in background. Some 34,500 runners participated in the race. Congratulations, Mike. Photo credit: Francois Mori, AP