The Revival of Pan-Africanism Conference

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You are invited to the next Pan-African conference on Ivory Coast in World Affairs: Imperialism vs. Pan-Africanism titled Gbagbo’s Trial and its Interaction with Quest for Justice, Imperialism and Pan-Africanism.

Speakers with dissenting views will discuss the crisis in Ivory Coast and former Ivorian President, Laurent Gbagbo's trial at the International Criminal Court (ICC). They will assess the state of human rights violations, discuss the impact of the Ivorian crisis on the Pan-African movement, and the struggle for justice and freedom by social activists worldwide.


When: Saturday, June 23, 2012; 3:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Where: Hilton Hotel, 1750 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 20852
(Across from Twinbrook Metro station (Red Line) Rockville, MD with free parking)

Speakers:
Brian Becker, Answer Coalition,
Matt Wells, Human Rights Watch
Gnaka Lagoke, Ph.D., Political Analyst
Abdul Karim Bangura, Ph.D., Howard University Professor

June 18, 2012 marks the beginning of the International Criminal Court (ICC) trial of former Ivory Coast president Laurent Gbagbo. The Pan-African community and the world of social activists continue to be divided between those who think his fate is deserved and those who oppose the idea of an African political leader held in an ICC prison with a precarious credibility. The 2010 electoral stalemate was “resolved” with the removal from power of Laurent Gbagbo by military intervention of French and UN troops whereas many “hoped” to see Ivory Coast on the road to peace, unity, and reconstruction.

While bringing to light the perennial contention between imperialism and Pan-Africanism, the June 23 Revival of Pan-Africanism Forum debate intends to shed light upon the complexity of the Ivorian crisis that still unfolds more than one year after the removal from power of Laurent Gbagbo. “Violence continues”; as reported by human rights organizations. In the light of such an environment, the prosecution of the deposed leader before the ICC and the incarceration of dozens of his allies have led the same international community to denounce victors’ justice. So far not one single individual from the camp of the current president of Ivory Coast, Alassane Ouattara, has been brought to justice. Thus, this has hampered the credibility of the reconciliation process which has been stalled and has dampened reconstruction efforts.

The Pan-African Forum would be honored to count you among the guests.

Contact:
Mjiba Frehiwot; Ph.D.: 202-294-5593;
Email: revivalofpanafricanism@gmail.com.
Website: www.revivalofpanafricanism.org.