ZIMBABWE FORUM

AFRICA AGENDA HOSTS FORUM AND COMMUNITY DIALOGUE ON ZIMBABWE:

EYOND THE CRISIS, CITIZEN MOVEMENTS, THE MEDIA, DEMOCRACY AND THE FORCES OF CHANGE IN ZIMBABWE”

Saturday, April 26, 2008, 2 pm-4:30 pm in the Community Room of the Aurora Central Library

(14949 E. Alameda Pkwy, Aurora, CO 80012)

For the last decade or so, Zimbabwe, formerly Southern Rhodesia, has been labeled by the media as a failed state. Among the reasons, the Zimbabwe economy, characterized by widespread food shortages. The economy is in shambles with inflation levels measuring about 24,470 percent. That is acording to recently released figures by the country’s reserve bank.

Current unemployment levels reportedly stand at about 80% with citizens fleeing into neighboring South Africa and elsewhere for better opportunities. Furthermore, Zimbabweans say their country remains under the tight grip of one man, President Robert Mugabe, and his ZANU-PF party.

HISTORY OF ZIMBABWE

At independence in 1980, Mugabe was a freedom fighter.  He helped liberate Zimbabwe from British colonial rule. Today, he is considered a dictator whose 28-year rule has ruined a once-prosperous nation. The country is facing huge challenges stemming from HIV-AIDS, isolation, and sanctions from the Commonwealth, the US, and other nations concerned with human rights abuses, and a controversial 2000 government land reform program.

MARCH 29 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS

The results of the March 29 presidential elections are being contested by the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party.  The MDC and its leader are calling for the president’s resignation. Today, there is an impasse in Zimbabwe that has raised questions about peace and stability in the country.

There are many questions on the table. These questions include:

Is the stream of negative news about this nation of over 13 million people all we know about it?

Is there something else that Zimbabweans should be doing to help improve the image?

ZIMBABWE COMMUNITY IN COLORADO

This forum will gather Colorado communities together to discuss ways that African-Americans, Africans, and their allies living in America can support a peaceful resolution in Zimbabwe. Participants will learn about what Zimbabwe leaders in Colorado are doing to support the end of the impasse and how Africa Agenda supports this vision.

Panelists Include:
George Bamu, Founder & CEO, Africa Agenda
Eliakim Sibanda (Ph.D.), the University of Winnipeg in Canada
Derrick Hudson (Ph.D.), Metropolitan State College of Denver
Lucas Shamala (Ph.D.), Metropolitan State College of Denver
Pius Kamau (MD) Columnist with the Denver Post