Our Strength is in Our Number

Background & Motivation

"Unsere Zahl ist unsere Stärke" - Junge Demokratiebewegungen in Afrika

Angesichts der zunehmenden globalen Vernetzungen und Interdependenzen, dem "Afrikanischen Frühling" und zunehmenden Flüchtlingstragödien gewinnen politische, soziale, wirtschaftliche und kulturelle Prozesse und Umwälzungen in Afrika an medialer Aufmerksamkeit. Dieses Projekt setzt sich zum Ziel, die jungen Demokratiebewegungen auf unserem Nachbarkontinent mit ihren Ursachen, Zielen, Verläufen, Organisationsformen, Akteuren, usw. aus einer eigenen afrikanischen Perspektive in Deutschland bekannt zu machen, kontrovers zu diskutieren und daraus auch für hiesiges Handeln zu lernen. Geplant sind vier Symposien zu verschiedenen Ländern und Regionen. Den Auftakt soll ein Symposium zur Revolte in Burkina Faso bilden.

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© Mansour Ciss "Kanakassy" - Der Afro

Internationales Symposium: "Demokratie: Panafrikanische Perspektiven"

Wie wird in Afrika und der Diaspora über Demokratie gedacht? Was ist aus präkolonialen Strukturen geworden? Welche Konsequenzen haben Kolonialismus und Neokolonialimus in Bezug auf sozioökonomische, politische und gesellschaftliche Teilhabe? Welche Herausforderungen ergeben sich daraus für junge demokratische Bewegungen, die sich mit den Ideen und finanziellen Mitteln von internationalen Gebern konfrontiert sehen? Wie können Wirtschaft und Sozialpolitik, Symbolik und Kreativität wieder neu gedacht werden? Wie kann eine belastbare internationale Solidarität heute aussehen?

Am Freitag, den 2. Dezember 2016, veranstaltet AfricAvenir in Kooperation mit der Volksbühne ein ganztägiges Symposium zu pan-afrikanischen Perspektiven auf Demokratie. Dabei werden Fragen aufgeworfen, Perspektiven erweitert, zum weiteren Nachdenken angeregt.

Die Veranstaltung ist der Abschluss des Projekts „Unsere Zahl ist unsere Stärke – Junge Demokratiebewegungen in Afrika“, das im Oktober 2015 mit einem Symposium zu Burkina Faso, Balai citoyen und dem Erbe Sankaras eingeleitet wurde.

Wir diskutieren u.a. mit

Felwine Sarr (Ökonom, Senegal)
Kwesi Aikins (Politikwissenschaftler, Deutschland/Ghana)
Fatma Oussedik (Algerien)
Wilfried Claude (Kamerun/Deutschland)
Fadel Barro (Journalist, Senegal, angefragt)
Hobskur (Musiker, Kamerun)
Yash Tandon (Ökonom, Uganda, angefragt)

Save the Date!
Weitere Informationen folgen in Kürze!

Eintritt frei.
Kontakt & Anmeldung: l.schaefer(at)africavenir.org

Mit freundlicher Unterstützung des Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung, Brot für die Welt, Stiftung Umverteilen und der Landesstelle für Entwicklungszusammenarbeit.

Foto Credit: Mansour Ciss Kanakassy "Der Afro"

Looking back into the future – The Great Lakes Region: Symposium with exhibition and music

Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, Uganda: Countries in Central Africa, a region with a long history that is strongly connected with the enduring consequences of colonisation.

Media report on vote rigging, illegal office extensions of presidents and an increasingly alarming security situation. We intent to broaden the perspective and speak about the youth’s fight for peace, hope and development, that still continues in spite of everything and their incredible work in this difficult socio-political and economic context, especially in Burundi.

On the morning of the 2nd of November 2016, we want to approach the region from a historical perspective. We will start with an exhibition commemorating outstanding figures such as Patrice Lumumba and Julius Nyerere.

Subsequently we will listen to activists, artists and experts from the region who find different ways to express their ideas. Special attention is dedicated to the youth, their objectives and activities in the political, economic or cultural sphere.

Thus, the spotlight will be shone on different aspects of society in this rich and diverse region. We will talk about daily experiences, ways of participation, neo-colonial structures, violence and security, living together beyond oppression and xenophobia. The role Europe has played and is still playing in the region, not least in regard to neo-colonial and racist structures, will be appraised in a critical manner.

Entrance:
Symposium: free entrance, please register until 01.11.2016 by sending an email to: s.keller@africavenir.org

More detailed information will follow on our website www.africavenir.org

© Selin Harbi; "The people can never be defeated"

„From Sidi Bouzid to Tahrir: Two steps forward, one step back?“ A critical review five years after the North African revolts, 7 April 2016, 10-17h00, Roter Salon, Volksbühne am Rosa-Luxemburg-Platz

Five years after the North African rebellions, which started in Tunisia right after street vendor Mohamed Bouazizi set himself on fire in the central Tunisian town Sidi Bouzid and spread out to all North African countries as a massive democratic movement, which took a different course in every country, AfricAvenir has invited activists and experts of the movements from five North African countries to Berlin. In this international symposium, we would like to take a step back, critically analyze the status quo and discuss the various perspectives together with activists and international experts of the democratic movements with a keynote speech followed by three deepening panels.
The symposium asks among others: Five years into the uprisings – where are the main actors today and what is their political scope of action? How come that the countries took such different developments? What happened in the last years and what is the political scope of action for the agents of change in North Africa of today? What role does the media play in North Africa? What options are there at all for Libyan or Egyptian journalists to report on controversial issues? What possibilities do journalists and bloggers in Tunisia have today thanks to the revolution? How can the fight for liberty and the wish for stability be reconciled?

With: Lina Attalah (journalist and chief editor of Mada Masr), Lina Ben Mhenni (blogger, assistant professor and translator), Wael Abbas (internet activist and journalist), Jihan El-Tahri (filmmaker), Salah Zater (journalist), Amira Bouraoui (political activist), Jamal Touissi (NGO-activist and journalist) and Mohamed Cherif Ferjani (university professor in political sciences, requested).

Entrance:
Symposium: free entrance, please register until 6.04.2016 at: t.kulla(at)africavenir.org

In the beginning of 2011, in the central Tunisian town Sidi Bouzid, the Tunisian street vendor Mohamed Bouazizi set himself on fire. His act of desperation sparked protests throughout the whole country, which led within a very short time to a massive democratic movement and brought about the downfall of the long standing dictator Ben Ali. The movement spread out to all North African societies and took a different course in every country. The Tahrir Square in Cairo, venue of rallies and protest camps, became the symbol of the Egyptian rebellion, which overthrew the president Mubarak. In Morocco, the regime reacted with (sham) reforms to the uprisings, in Algeria with a mixture of concessions and repression. In Libya, an externally fuelled civil war flared up, and the once economically prospering country collapsed.

In the beginning of 2016, new uprisings against the economic hardships are once again flaring up in Tunisia, which has been presented as a role model for democratization in the region. Hundreds of demonstrators are arrested. The Egyptian military regime is regularly taking action against critics and activists with extreme brutality. The situation in Algeria and Morocco has barely changed, and Libya has joined the list of „failed states“.

The keynote speaker is the journalist, former chief editor of Egypt Independent and founder and current chief editor of Mada Masr, Lina Attalah, who dedicates her work to the freedom of press in her home country Egypt.

The keynote speech forms the starting point for three in-depth panel discussions with well-known protagonists and analysts of the North African democratic movements.

The symposium is organized in cooperation with Rosa Luxemburg Foundation and Volksbühne Berlin.

© Sophie Garcia

"With Brooms and Dippers Agains the Dictator" - Burkina Faso Between Revolt and Election: Symposium, Film, Concert

Almost a year after the impressive popular uprising in Burkina Faso, which in just a few days ended the 27 years old dictatorship of Blaise Compaoré and his Regime, AfricAvenir has invited some of the protagonists of the revolt as well as analysts to Berlin. During this international symposium we want to ask the following questions: What was/is the movement’s aim? Why was a revolt possible only after 27 years (or why was it successful at this point only)? What role did “Sankara’s legacy” play in the ousting of Compaoré? What is the essence of the international dimension of the Burkina revolt for Africa and the world? Can this be called a new kind of democracy movement, which could perhaps become a model in other contexts across Africa and elsewhere? How do the African and international communities react to the revolt?

Entrance:
Symposium: free entrance, pls. register until 14.10.2015 at: t.kulla(at)africavenir.org
Film & Concert: 15€/10€ reduced

with: Smockey (Musician, Balai Citoyen), Sams‘K Le Jah (Musician, Balai Citoyen), Francis Kpatindé (Science-Po Paris, UN-Consultant and independent Journalist), Moussa Diallo (Confédération générale du travail du Burkina, CGT-B), Bruno Jaffré (Biographer of Sankara), Ra-Sabla Seydou Ouédraogo (Economist, Institute FREEAFRIK, tbc), David Gakunzi (Expert on Sankara), Aziz Fall (Political Scientist), Hamado Dipama (Pan-Africanism Working Group Munich)

In late October 2014, a popular uprising broke out in Burkina Faso ending the 27-year dictatorship of Blaise Compaoré and his regime that had kept the country in a conglomerate of abject poverty, blatant corruption and in a flagrant system of favouritism. A broad coalition led by the youth and involving all levels of the population had been building up for years. The detested Compaoré’s attempt to force through an unconstitutional third (or fifth) term of office proved the last straw. Hundreds of thousands of Burkinabè, “armed” with brooms and wooden spoons took to the streets in a joint quest to foil the planned amendment to the constitution and thus another mandate for Compaoré. The scheduled vote on the constitutional amendment was actually cancelled. Yet the rebellious population, which was surprised and spurred on by this victory, kept up the pressure. The customarily strong and well-trained, but divided military remained loyal to the incumbent, Compaoré, at first. But when faced with resolute demonstrators, they soon switched their allegiances and to avoid too much bloodshed. A few days later Blaise Compaoré abdicated and fled the country. The military took command, a civilian government was installed and is now preparing the first free elections to be held on 11 October 2015. Meanwhile, it is trying to push through delicate issues and key demands of the insurgents such as clarifying the circumstances surrounding the murders of former President Thomas Sankara and journalist Norbert Zongo. The insurgents remain mobilised and are watching the government’s every move closely.

It is not the first time in recent history that the small country of Burkina Faso (then Upper Volta) is making positive headlines. In the early 1980s the country became a role model for an entire continent when a young captain named Thomas Sankara came to power. His revolutionary thinking and handling as well as his tireless commitment to real independence for the country thrust it into worldwide renown. But because of his sheer unbelievable success in fighting corruption, achieving health and food security, women’s emancipation and environmental protection, Sankara made both friends and foes on national and international levels and was eventually murdered on 15 October 1987 as part of an international plot led by one his closest aides Blaise Compaoré. Compaoré then proceeded to take the helm of the state for the ensuing 27 years until he was finally ousted and forced to resign by a popoulist uprising on 30 October 2014.

The symposium asks among others: What was/is the movement’s aim? Why was a revolt possible only after 27 years (or why was it successful at this point only)? What role did “Sankara’s legacy” play in the ousting of Compaoré? What is the essence of the international dimension of the Burkina revolt for Africa and the world? Can this be called a new kind of democracy movement, which could perhaps become a model in other contexts across Africa and elsewhere? How do the African and international communities react to the revolt?

Our keynote speaker is the former editor-in-chief of Jeune Afrique, Francis Kpatindé, who has been working as a journalist and correspondent for over 30 years and reported on all the important political events on the continent and has interviewed quasi all the political protagonists including Thomas Sankara and Blaise Compaoré.

The keynote speech forms the starting point for three in-depth panel discussions with well-known protagonists and analysts.