Open Society News: New Challenges to Building Open Societies in Africa

The return of Open Society News to Africa after several years finds civil society confronting challenges new and old. The last time OSN focused on Africa was in the summer of 2001. As with the rest of the world, the events of September 11, 2001, and the resulting aftermath have had long-term implications for the continent.

Global and local antiterrorism efforts have undermined human rights and the rule of law. African Muslims, most recently in the Horn of Africa, have endured increased levels of unlawful harassment and detention as a result of joint antiterrorism activities by the United States and the governments of these African states. As reported in this issue, OSI has responded by supporting local efforts to document rights violations and conducting advocacy to remind officials of their obligations to abide by national laws regarding detention and the rights of detainees.

As the Middle East has become increasingly insecure and oil prices continue to rise, Africa’s natural resources, particularly oil, have received renewed and growing attention from the West and rapidly developing states such as China. The interview in this issue of OSN with OSI grantee the International Crisis Group helps illuminate how conflict in the Darfur region of Sudan and the future of the North-South peace agreement are inextricably linked to the management of Sudan’s growing oil wealth.

HIV/AIDS remains one of the most substantial challenges to sustainable development in Africa. OSI supports groups that work to prevent HIV/AIDS infection by empowering women and combating the stigma of the virus. The article on Swaziland provides a portrait of the devastation that has resulted from an unaccountable government disregarding the rights of women and largely ignoring a mushrooming epidemic. Another article underscores the importance of continued OSI support for journalists and editors in South Africa to freely comment on public health issues, especially HIV/AIDS.

By revisiting Africa, Open Society News aims to examine problems and topics that have often not received enough attention from policymakers, the media, and the public. While the challenges are substantial, African civil society can effectively respond to these issues and move forward in building open societies throughout the continent.

Contents

• Civil Society in Africa: Countering Adversity with Hope and Justice, Julie Hayes
• Who Defends the Defenders? Isabella Matambanadzo
• Freeing a Country from Its Liberator, Tawanda Mutasah
• A King Dithers as HIV/AIDS Thrives, Chuck Sudetic
• Free Press Facing New Pressure in South Africa, Justice Malala
• Preventing Oil from Fueling Conflict in Sudan, David Mozersky
• Statelessness in Africa: Turning Citizens into Nomads, Chidi Odinkalu
• The “War on Terror” Comes to the Horn of Africa, Binaifer Nowrojee
• Soldiers as a Force for Human Rights and HIV Prevention, Hortense Gbaguidi Niamke