Africa Is a Country

David Cameron's gay rights

David Cameron's gay rights

By
Sean Jacobs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYhEkB0AOQs

Fresh from insulting British women, Prime Minister David Cameron is now endangering the lives of gay people in Africa. Appearing on the BBC (with presenter Andrew Marr; they make quite a team) Cameron threatened to cut aid to governments of “countries that persecute homosexuals” unless they stop punishing people in same-sex relationships. Apart from the patronizing tone (also pointed out by What’s Up Africa earlier today), the threat can only end badly as African rights activists warn in a statement:

These threats follow similar decisions that have been taken by a number of other donor countries against countries such as Uganda and Malawi. While the intention may well be to protect the rights of LGBTI people on the continent, the decision to cut aid disregards the role of the LGBTI and broader social justice movement on the continent and creates the real risk of a serious backlash against LGBTI people.

H/T: What’s Up Africa, Nerina Penzhorn

Further Reading

Not exactly at arm’s length

Despite South Africa’s ban on arms exports to Israel and its condemnation of Israel’s actions in Palestine, local arms companies continue to send weapons to Israel’s allies and its major arms suppliers.

Ruto’s Kenya

Since June’s anti-finance bill protests, dozens of people remain unaccounted for—a stark reminder of the Kenyan state’s long history of abductions and assassinations.

Between Harlem and home

African postcolonial cinema serves as a mirror, revealing the limits of escape—whether through migration or personal defiance—and exposing the tensions between dreams and reality.

The real Rwanda

The world is slowly opening its eyes to how Paul Kagame’s regime abuses human rights, suppresses dissent, and exploits neighboring countries.

In the shadow of Mondlane

After a historic election and on the eve of celebrating fifty years of independence, Mozambicans need to ask whether the values, symbols, and institutions created to give shape to “national unity” are still legitimate today.

À sombra de Mondlane

Depois de uma eleição histórica e em vésperas de celebrar os 50 anos de independência, os moçambicanos precisam de perguntar se os valores, símbolos e instituições criados para dar forma à “unidade nacional” ainda são legítimos hoje.