Afro-Mexican activists vow to continue protest, hunger strike over murder of Malcolm X grandson
(FinalCall.com) - In the early morning hours of July 14 The Final Call received a “communicado” from Mexico City-based Citizens for the Defense of Naturalized Afro-Mexicans saying protests demanding justice after the killing of the grandson of Malcolm X would go on despite a police raid that ended a hunger strike. Dr. Wilner Metelus, president of the group, called for...
N. Korean diplomat: UN command on peninsula is U.S. front and needs to be dismantled now
By Saeed Shabazz -Staff Writer- UNITED NATIONS (FinalCall.com) - The last time Ambassador Sin Son-ho of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea) held a press conference at the UN was 2010, after South Korea accused Pyongyang of sinking one of its naval ships. So when he appeared June 21 before the UN press corps, the house was packed with scribes, television...
Is President Obama dangerous for Africa?
(FinalCall.com) - President Obama's trip to Africa maybe more wolf in sheep's clothing. His trip is scheduled to include West, South and East Africa, and the nations of Senegal, South Africa and Tanzania. The trip may be too little too late. “To some in Africa,” as noted by Isaac Mpho Mogotsi in Politicsweb. co.za, “U.S. President Barack Obama represents...
Freeing trade between South Africa and Nigeria
JOHANNESBURG (IPS) - If a Free Trade Area were to be negotiated between Africa's two largest economies, South Africa and Nigeria, it would have a powerful effect on trade across the sub-continent and would challenge other countries to respond. “In my view it would bring substantial economic benefits to both sides in terms of exports, investment, competition enhancement...
UN irrelevant to Palestinian-Israeli peace process?
By Saeed Shabazz-Staff Writer- UNITED NATIONS - A five-member panel of experts recently gathered in Beijing, China for a one-day discussion about the way forward for the international community in restarting peace talks between the Palestinians and Israelis. The discussion didn't produce much optimism and highlighted UN failures over several decades. One of the purposes of the gathering was to give a...
Blacks suffer in Colombia, despite 20-year-old law
By Charlene Muhammad CHARLENEM (FinalCall.com) - As Afro-Columbian women leaders work to expose violence and human rights violations, grassroots activists are mobilizing for a historic conference to address their issues, gain and protect the rights of Blacks in the country and to commemorate the 20-year anniversary of a law that was supposed to grant freedom. The term “supposed” is used because,...
Mandela’s Legacy: Much more than goal of a non-racial society
(FinalCall.com) - The 94-year-old Nelson Mandela has received much press of late. His hospital stays have garnered much headlines, and his mortality much discussion. Talk is of his legacy and what South Africa's first post-apartheid Black president will represent to the country going forward. His legacy, as it is being shaped, appears headed toward a similar image assigned to...
U.S. lawmakers unhappy with UN response to Haiti cholera epidemic
UNITED NATIONS (FinalCall.com) - This world body continues to deny any liability for illness and deaths caused by the 2011 spread of cholera experts say UN peacekeepers brought to Haiti and has yet to respond to a letter from 19 members of the U.S. Congress demanding an acknowledgement of its responsibility. “As congressional friends of the people of Haiti, we...
Congo atrocities just the cost of doing business?
(FinalCall.com) - President Obama's upcoming trip to Tanzania may have more to do with Rwanda than meets the eye. During the recent 21st African Union/Organization of African Unity summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Tanzanian President Jakaya Mrisho remarked that Rwanda should “negotiate” with the FDLR (Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda), a rebel movement operating in the...
Looking to Cameroon’s women senators
YAOUNDE (IPS) - Marlyse Aboui, a 40-year-old nurse, has still not gotten over the astonishment she felt when she heard that Cameroon's President Paul Biya had nominated her to the senate. “I feel like I am in a dream that I will wake up from at any minute. When I first learnt that I had been appointed to...