Africa Horn Now

"We don't take sides; we help you see more sides."

Africa Horn Now

Archives for July 2015

Kenya and Ethiopia: Cogs in Obama’s grand Africa plan

By

LEE MWITI, 25 JUL 2015, MAIL & GUARDIAN (SOUTH AFRICA)  It goes against conventional thinking, but an imperceptible shift in US foreign policy could cement Obama's legacy. The clue? Follow the money. When Barack Obama touches down in East Africa today (Friday) it will be the start of a visit that cements a significant, if imperceptible, shift in US policy that could … [Read more...] about Kenya and Ethiopia: Cogs in Obama’s grand Africa plan

Obama to give keynote address to African Union

By

TUESDAY, 28 JULY 2015, THE NATION (KENYA) ADDIS ABABA - Barack Obama will be the first-ever US president to address the African Union on Tuesday, in the culmination of a short tour of the region that has seen him focus on security and human rights. After visiting Kenya, the country of his father's birth, Obama is in the Ethiopian capital, the seat of the … [Read more...] about Obama to give keynote address to African Union

In Ethiopia, Obama Calls For An End To Oppressive Tactics

By

EYDER PERALTA, 27 JULY 2015, NPR Kicking off a two-day trip to Ethiopia, President Obama called on the country to end its crackdown on journalists and to be more open politically. Obama spoke Monday at a joint news conference with Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn. "When all voices are being heard, when people know they are being included in the political … [Read more...] about In Ethiopia, Obama Calls For An End To Oppressive Tactics

Press freedom in the spotlight on Obama’s Ethiopia visit

By

Video by Gregoire POURTIER, Luke SHRAGO, Charles Garcia, Text by France24, 2015-07-27 The release of columnist Reeyot Alemu is living proof that Barack Obama can bring some change to Ethiopia, with the US president urging more freedom for the press on a visit to the east African country. Alemu, 35, is one of three journalists and two bloggers freed just three weeks before … [Read more...] about Press freedom in the spotlight on Obama’s Ethiopia visit

Obama says more political openness would strengthen Ethiopia

By

ADDIS ABABA | BY JEFF MASON AND AARON MAASHO | Mon 27 Jul 2015 | REUTERS U.S. President Barack Obama told Ethiopia's leaders on Monday that allowing more political freedoms would strengthen the African nation, which had already lifted millions out of a poverty once rooted in recurring famine. Obama was speaking after talks with Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn on the … [Read more...] about Obama says more political openness would strengthen Ethiopia

THE OAU/AU AT 50+

By

Amadu Sesay The African Union (AU) invokes different reactions from different individuals. It is significant, however, that most of the critical and even pessimistic comments about the new organization tend to come from Africans. This is perhaps not unconnected with the disappointment with the AU’s predecessor, the Organization of African Union (OAU). Most Africans would … [Read more...] about THE OAU/AU AT 50+

THE AU AND THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT

By

Max du Plessis, Tiyanjana Maluwa and Annie O’Reilly: More than two-thirds of the members of the African Union (AU) are parties to the treaty establishing the International Criminal Court (ICC Rome Statute). Nevertheless over the years the Assembly of the AU has adopted various resolutions critical of the ICC and its practice. This paper discusses some of the reasons for the … [Read more...] about THE AU AND THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT