To exchange, develop, discuss, demonstrate ; in favor of food self-sufficiency, peace, democracy; against poverty and Economic Partnership Agreements (EPA) which aim to establish free trade between African countries and the European Union. The World social Forum [1], decentralized this year, took place worldwide from the 25 th to 27 th of January 2008. The following is an account of those two days of decentralised mobilization and action, held in Togo, Cameroon and South Africa.
Conferences, workshops and events for food self-sufficiency in West Africa
Two thousand people, from 15 different countries and mostly citizens of West Africa, participated in the celebrations in Lome, Togo, where the fourth edition of the West African Social Forum took place. Faced with the establishment of EPA, the themes of government and food self-sufficiency constituted the main issues of this year’s Forum. Demonstrators marched on the 26 th and 27 th of January, demanding an end to the EPA. At the same time, conferences, workshops and meetings were held in the Exhibition and Trade Fair Center in Lomé; these were attended by adults, young people and children who participated in the broadcasting of Deriwo per radio (Childrens’ radio). “The fourth edition of the West African Social Forum was a success on the whole, thanks to the active participation of different delegations from West Africa and thanks to the relevance of the chosen theme and the remarkable contributions of citizens, as well as the added value brought by the activities of the Youth Section” said E.K. Amegadze, one of the organizers of the Forum.
Another West Africa is possible! Another world is possible! © FSOA
Sensitize consumers at the markets of Yaoundé
In Cameroon, Central Africa, demonstrations were organized around the theme of food self-sufficiency: 300 peasants, including members and sympathizers of the Rural Organizations and Cameroonian Farmers’ Collective (Cordap, engaged consumers in a direct dialogue at the markets of Yaoundé, in Nfoundi the 23 rd January, and in Mokolo on the 26 th January. “Raising awareness in about 2000 Cameroonians that local production capability depends on their choice of food consumption, the initiative was a great success”, says Pascal Nkwe Makongo, president of Cordap and organizer of these days of action in Cameroun: “The Cordap has received and continues to receive the congratulations of farmers and consumers for its campaign for consciousness raising, denunciation, and for its demonstration of the harmful effects of neo-liberal politics.”
United against poverty
In South Africa, a march in support of the fight against world poverty was organized by the Congress of South African Trade Unions in Johannesburg, demanding in particular that the South African government address the topic of poverty. “The march has established a general consensus in favor of increasing this type of event, especially as we are marked by a history of fragmentation of movements in civil South African society” reports Silumko Radebe, participant and member of the anti-privatization Forum , khethokuhle@gmail.com. Several thousand civilians, as well as many African associations, concerned with justice and socio-economic development, demonstrated together for the future of their continent.
Also read: Resonances Africa N° 23 - April 2008
