Diaspora community makes strides in Kenya’s elections

By

Kari Mugo, Mshale Staff Writer

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August 31, 2017

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Susan Kihika via Facebook Page — Susan Kihika, formerly resident in Texas is among a crop of Kenyan-Americans that ran and won in the just concluded national elections in Kenya. She won the Senate seat to represent the cosmopolitan Nakuru County in the Kenyan parliament. Photo: Susan Kihika Facebook Page

Geoffrey Ombui Ombati via Facebook Page — Geoffrey Ombui Ombati, a former Minneapolis resident moved back to Kenya to run in his hometown of Kisii County and won as a Member of County Assembly (MCA). Photo: Courtesy Facebook

Mahat Rashid Campiagn Poster on Van via FaceBook — A vehicle bearing a campaign poster of Mahat Rashid, formerly of Minneapolis. Rashid ran for an MCA seat in the Ibrahim Urey ward in the County of Wajir and won. Photo:

NAIROBI – With results tallied from Kenya’s Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission IEBC), electoral candidates across the country are celebrating their wins and mourning their losses. With a reported 16,259 Kenyans vying for 1,882 seats, there were no shortages of candidates for Kenyans to rally behind this election season.

Despite the fact that Kenyan residents living in the U.S. remain unable to vote from abroad in the general election, that hasn’t hindered their political participation. Social media channels, from Facebook to Twitter, were rife with commentary from Kenyans abroad in the lead up to the August 8th vote. Many more watched through online streams as the results flooded in, reaching out to family and friends on WhatsApp to get a feel of the situation on the ground. But for a handful of Kenyans with ties to the U.S., watching from abroad simply wasn’t enough. From the Member of the County Assembly (MCA) electoral races to the presidential race, Kenyans from the diaspora were visible candidates for office during the 2017 election campaign.

The most notable of whom was Dr. Japheth Kavinga Kaluyu, a former resident of New Jersey, with a doctorate in Urban Health Policy and Research who ran as an Independent. Kaluyu, along with six other candidates, sought to oust sitting President Uhuru Kenyatta on August 8th. However, as IEBC provisional results began to flood in on August 9th, Kaluyu quickly conceded defeat. Praising the Kenyan people for their support, he touted his success as a first time presidential candidate who managed to garner over 10,000 votes from nearly every region in Kenya.

But other candidates, such as Paul Matheri Waithaka, with ties to the Boston area were not as lucky to make it to the ballot box. Waithaka, who was campaigning for an MCA position under the Jubilee Party in Kiambu’s Raibai Ward witnessed an early defeat during the nomination process. A process that he stated was marred by irregularities and in favor of incumbent, Martin Wachira Ngure.

But there also winners among candidates with ties to the U.S. Such as Nakuru Senator-elect, Susan Kihika who ran on the Jubilee Party platform. Kihika, who studied in London before moving to Texas where she gained both her law degree and a B.A. in political science clinched her Senatorial win after a nomination process than initially saw her disqualified to run. Kihika had her nomination cancelled in June following a petition to the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal, that claimed she had failed to resign from her position as Speaker of the Nakuru County Assembly before seeking the Senate nomination. A judge swiftly overruled the Tribunal’s decision, stating that the it lacked jurisdiction to rule on the matter.

A young, bright politician, Kihika is among one of the first three women lawmakers to be elected to the Senate and she is already eyeing her next political prize. As Parliament convenes on August 22nd, Kihaki is angling to become the first female Senate or Deputy Speaker.

Other winners in the just concluded general election include Mahat Rashid, a former Minneapolis resident who won the MCA seat for Wajir’s Ibrahim Urey ward. In a statement on Facebook, Rashid, like many politicians across the country urged unity as he prepared to take office.

“I promise to keep up with the robust development agenda and urge all my competitors to join hands in developing our beloved ward. As your MCA I will serve all regardless your voting preference. I will continue to stand firm in defending your rights.”

Geoffrey Ombati Ombui, who ran for office in Kisii County’s Sameta/Mokwerero Ward was another aspirant with Minnesota ties. Ombui who ran under the Jubilee Party clinched his win against 16 other candidates for MCA in Kisii’s Bobasi constituency. With an estimated over 60% of the Kenyan population in Minnesota from the Gusii community, electoral races in Kisii and Nyamira counties were closely watched by many Kenyans in Minnesota. Geoffrey Gichana, who serves as president of Mwanyagetinge, an organization representing members of the Gusii community of Kenyans in Minnesota, played a role in some of the Orange Democratic Party (ODM) campaigns in the region.

“Initially, I was going to run for Senate in Kisii County. After consultation, I dropped my bid to to Support Professor Sam Ongeri,” Gichana told Mshale.

Along with aiding in Professor Sam Ongeri’s successful campaign for Senate, Gichana supported James Ongwae’s (Governor – Kisii County) and John Nyangarama’s (Governor – Nyamira County) reelection campaigns, delivering those seats successfully. Gichana, who felt inspired to run for office after years of watching American politics in Minnesota, sees this year’s election season as the beginning of his political career.

“I am someone who likes bringing change in the community,” he stated. “I am happy I came [to Kenya] and to be part of this process. I’ve seen where I need to add value. Come 2022, I’m going to be Senator or even above.”

Amina Keinan, is yet another Minnesota resident who returned to Kenya this year seeking political office. Running for Women’s Representative in Garissa under the KANU party platform, Keinan’s bid for office attracted its fair share of attention in Minnesota and was even featured on healthcare giant, Health Partners, website, where Keinan is employed. The public health nurse who was born in Garissa ran on a manifesto whose main focus would be improving access to quality health care for Garissa residents.

Keinan, who faced off with five other candidates for Women’s Representative on August 8th faced an uphill battle locally, with opponents criticizing her of being out of touch with residents of Garissa County, having spent the last 18 years living in the U.S. In addition, Keinan failed to secure the endorsement of clan elders who still play a crucial role in politics in the region. Despite her online popularity, Keinan failed to beat Jubilee’s Anab Gure, whose Abduwak clan chose her to run for the seat, earning 8,602 votes to Gure’s 39,141 votes.

Sierra Leone Mudslides: Journalist Issa Mansarray calls on community to go beyond donations

By

Ibrahim Hirsi, MinnPost

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August 30, 2017

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issa_mansaray — Issa Mansarray. Photo: Courtesy of DART Center for Journalism & Trauma

SierraLeoneFundraiser640 — MinnPost photo by Ibrahim Hirsi
A group of West African leaders meeting at Brooklyn Center’s Brookdale Library for a fundraiser event aimed at supporting victims of mudslides in Sierra Leone. Photro: Ibrahim Hirsi/MinnPost

After deadly mudslides swept through Sierra Leone earlier this month, numerous events were held throughout Twin Cities metro area — meetings that both raised money for relief efforts in the west African country and detailed how the disaster had impacted many of the estimated 8,000 members of the Sierra Leone community in Minnesota.

And yet, Issa Mansaray, a leader and journalist who’s well-known among the Sierra Leone community in Minnesota, skipped many of those meetings. Not because he wasn’t sympathetic, but because he thinks the community needs to start going beyond fundraisers. That also why, next month, he’s organizing a community gathering to push Sierra Leonean leaders to more effectively address some of the country’s recurring problems.

“We’re trying to bring the issue into the international spotlight,” said Mansaray, who runs the Brooklyn Center-based Africa Institute for International Reporting, which advocates for freedom of the press and provides media training for journalists. “The issues in Sierra Leone have been going on for many years, but certain things have never been addressed; this is why the solutions are not there.”

‘Having a genuine conversation’

In the morning of Aug. 14, a hilltop on the outskirts of Freetown, Sierra Leone’s capital, collapsed after a heavy downpour that overflowed the city, killing more than 600 people and leaving 3,000 more homeless.

Over the past three decades, Mansaray said, Freetown has become increasingly congested, as more and more people left villages and towns across the country for the city. That’s meant more and more informal resettlements in and around mountain areas that have long been prone to mudslides.

Making matters worse, says Mansaray, was the country’s lack of emergency personnel or sophisticated weather monitoring system. “People were not able to save themselves,” he said. “They were washed away.”

And though it’s important to support the needy, he said, it’s equally important that leaders — home and abroad — come up with a plan to more effectively prevent such tragedies and mitigate their consequences in the future. All of which led Mansaray to create a forum to bring together African intellectuals and academics in Minnesota for talks about the recurring disasters in the region, and the roles Sierra Leonean leaders in Minnesota can play in address those issues.

Business Spotlight: Abdirahman Kahin of Afro Deli

By

Bethel Gessesse, Mshale Photojournalist

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August 24, 2017

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Kahin_Web — Abdirahman Kahin, owner of Afro Deli discusses expansion plans in Mshale's latest Business Spotlight. Photo: Bethel Gessesse/Mshale

In our latest Business Spotlight, Bethel Gessesse sat down with Abdirahman Kahin, the owner of the thriving Afro Deli to discuss the state of his widely celebrated eateries and future plans. Afro Deli has two locations in the Twin Cities, one in the East Bank of the University of Minnesota and another one in St. Paul. To be considered for a feature in our Business Spotlight, send an email to the editor.

Q. You opened Afro Deli 6 years ago

A. Yes. 2010.

What inspired you to open a restaurant?

A lot of things. Lack of African restaurants in the Twin Cities —that’s one of the reasons, and I just wanted to be in the restaurant business; that was a hidden passion. I saw a possibility. Also, when you open a restaurant, you bring people together. So that was my main thing.

What struggles have you encountered in keeping your business running?

You know, there is always trials and downsides but it’s mainly starting, bringing people in— those are the challenges. Also, staffing, finding the right people is a challenge, and maintaining the quality and the consistency is also a challenge. But challenge is always good, because it makes you improve.

I know there were some challenges leading up to the closing of the West Bank location.

Yes, I settled with them (African Development Center) so I can’t talk too much about it. It’s been in the newspaper, you can find the court papers, but I cannot say much about it. That’s just how legal things work. So we moved on, we are very happy where we are. We are very fortunate to be in this location (West Bank of the University of Minnesota).

There is a lot of business here?

Yes, a lot of business, bigger location space wise, we expanded our hours, we are open seven days. It was a blessing in disguise, and I see a bright future.

You were invited to the State of the Union Address last year. How was that experience?

It was amazing. Oh my goodness. I can’t describe it. It’s the number one political event the whole year. People wait years and years to be invited so for me it was an honor and a privilege. And I think that reflects the work we’re doing as Africans in the state of Minnesota and in this country. That shows we are doing something positive. It shows our impact whether it is social or economic. We are very productive. I’m blessed to be the person who shows that success, but the work of the African community in the Twin Cities— that’s what I was representing. If there was no great African community, I may not have gotten that chance. So this is a collective effort. They needed someone to represent, it happened to be me.

What advice would you give to aspiring restaurant owners or entrepreneurs?

Open your doors wide. Don’t limit yourself to one particular group or community. If you open a restaurant, that means everyone wants to rest inside. So you don’t want to choose who you’re bringing in. Make sure you target everyone. There’s a lot of opportunity in the restaurant business. If you believe your food concept will fly, make sure you make your place inviting to everyone.

I understand you are going to be a vendor for the upcoming Super Bowl?

Yes!

Congratulations. How did that happen?

Thank you, we have been going through the process for a while and it has been a long one. They have to really pick the right food.

Meaning the Super Bowl Committee is very selective?

Very selective. This is a very diverse society. We have to reflect [that], we have to have some presence. Afro Deli was the restaurant they selected, especially since there is a large Somali community. They really wanted to have that taste represented. It wasn’t easy to get in. We had so many interviews, so many trials, so many times they came to visit the restaurant. I had to cater to the host committee of the NFL. They were sold when they tasted the food. They were very particular. There were about 10 people. All executives of the NFL and the Super Bowl. So we were sold that day. The Super Bowl is like ten days. There’s over a million people in town. Afro Deli is in the NFL Newspaper, we are in the business directory of The Super Bowl.

It’s going to be a fun ride (laughing). You can come volunteer for us.

We will be on the lookout for that. Last question: What is next for you and Afro Deli?

We are going to open [new locations] in 2018; we are selecting sites. We are re looking in Uptown or Edina. Those are our next targeted locations for Afro Deli. We are also opening a new restaurant on the West Bank. You know Mapps Coffee Shop? This is breaking news.

I get to break the story? Thank you.

Yes, I’m partnering with Mapps. We are going to come up with a Turkish concept. They are from Turkey, so they have really good food. I think they have one of the best foods in the world. In the east coast and west coast, people eat it all the time. And Europe too. Minnesota knows Greek — it’s similar to Greek, maybe better because it has Middle Eastern influence too. So we’re bringing a chef from Turkey. We’re going to have kebabs, shawarma, falafel, baklava, and Turkish pizza. At the same time, we are going to maintain their coffee, and it’s going to happen this fall, 2017. It’s going to be the end of September. So that’s what I’m up to right now. And then, 2019 for sure, we’re going to open in Djibouti.

That is where you are originally from (Djibouti)?

Yes, and then we’re going to expand to Kenya, Ethiopia— I see most of our growth will be in Africa. We want to sharpen our skills, our systems— not just the food. That’s in our future —Kenya and Djibouti. We’re building the team now.

That must be inspiring when you can go home and help the community there?

Yeah, because Africa is a growing market and hospitality right now— there’s room for improvement. So that’s my biggest goal, is to improve the restaurant operation, hospitality, and service. That’s the ultimate goal.

Gessesse: Thank you so much for your time.

Afro Deli: www.AfroDeli.com

Rep. Ilhan Omar: Let’s work on building a better Minnesota for all

By

Rep. Ilhan Omar

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August 21, 2017

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Minnesota State Capitol Building Image_MshaleWeb — The Minnesota State Capitol building in St. Paul. Photo: Courtesy Minnesota Historical Society

State Representative Ilhan Omar reviews her first legislative session.

The 2017 regular and first special session are now over, as a newly elected member of the Minnesota House of Representatives – the first Somali-American, Muslim woman in the nation to hold office at this level – I want to take a moment to share my impressions of what took place as well as to update you on the most recent developments.

As you may have heard, Governor Dayton has signed into law all of the major budget and tax bills passed by the Legislature this year. However, he did so with great reservations given some of the bills’ more troubling provisions. In doing so, he line-item vetoed funding for the Legislature in hopes of securing legislative cooperation in addressing his concerns. The Governor is requesting Republican legislative leaders revisit huge tax cuts for the wealthy that jeopardize our balanced budget, teacher licensing changes that could weaken the profession, and language that would permanently deny any Minnesotan who is undocumented from legally accessing a driver’s license. For Minnesotans who need to drive to get to work, school, or to take care of family members, safe and legal access to driver’s licenses is essential.

Given the state’s projected $1.65 billion surplus, I was hopeful that my first year serving in the legislature would be an extremely productive—one that would bring needed investments to our state’s economy and also reflect Minnesota’s aging and diversifying population, while focusing on the values that have always made this state a great place to live. Unfortunately, that did not happen, and Republican majorities in the Minnesota House and Senate demonstrated the first priority this session was tax cuts. They prioritized tax cuts ahead of public education, health care and services for the vulnerable, improving our transportation system, and many other important needs. The result was over a billion dollars in tax cuts for the rich, big tobacco companies, and subsidies to insurance companies, leaving behind the majority of Minnesotans.

The halls of the Capitol were a unique environment to navigate as a Muslim-American and as a woman of color. As a person representing the urban core and its many diverse communities, it can often feel like no one is listening in a Republican-controlled legislature led by men, whose electoral base is substantially more white and rural. However, as often as that is true, it’s also sometimes irrational. Instead, I stood up and spoke out on issues that mattered, both on the floor and in committee meetings. As an Assistant Leader in our minority caucus, I was able to provide important insight and understanding on important issues our community cares about. We can’t stand by silently and assume that people won’t listen. I forged relationships with colleagues across the aisle (and in my own party), with whom I know I have disagreements on many policy matters. I wanted to learn more about them, and I was pleased to find that they also wanted to learn more about me, about my community, and about the experiences that shaped me.

Building relationships leads to getting things done, and so we were able to pass some legislative accomplishments. Given my focus on creating good paying jobs and a better economy both for residents of our district and for newly graduated students, I was pleased we could take action on enhancing our state’s infrastructure. Together, the legislature passed a bipartisan $988 million capital investment package that includes significant investments for the U of M and for Minneapolis neighborhoods, including: $330,000 for the redesign and expansion of the Brian Coyle Center; $31 million for the 10^th Ave Bridge over the Mississippi; $66 million for the U of M Medical School Health Sciences facility, $2 million for the People’s Center and numerous other investments to help critical non-profits with infrastructure needs that helps thousands of Minneapolis families.

I did find success working with my colleagues on the Higher Education Committee, and I was appointed to serve on the Conference Committee that drafted the final bill. One major priority of mine coming into my role on Higher Education was to improve the ability of student parents to graduate. As a former student parent myself, I prioritized passing legislation that strengthened supports for student parents like increasing the child care grant for student parents to $3,000 as well as increasing the length of eligibility to ten semesters. An increase in funds will assist with the rising cost of child care, and the extension of eligibility may allow student parents to spend more time with their families and graduate on time. Both of which will result in a positive lasting change for student parents and their families. I also passed funding for summer enrichment programs that will help expose students to a college experience that might not receive that exposure in their home life.

Also this session I authored a bill for the Somali Museum of Minnesota to secure funding for a $400,000 grant spread over four years to support Somali-based collaborative programs for arts and cultural heritage. This grant will have a significant impact throughout our Somali-Minnesotan community.

Throughout my first session, I was inspired and impressed by the amount of activism and support I received from local constituents and organizations on a number of different issues our community faces. I have enjoyed interacting with all of you and I encourage you to stay active and apply pressure to your elected representatives by calling, emailing, and taking part in collective action to get the results you expect from your elected leaders. They are listening. I was pleased to see so many of you at my monthly Coffee and Kulan sessions, and I look forward to more in the future.

As a young Muslim woman, an immigrant, and the sole voice representing an entire community in the legislature, I will admit there were times where I questioned why I was doing all of this. There were moments of intense pressure, but I was constantly reminded by your activism and support that our nation is a nation of immigrants – people who came here to seek a better life and provide a good opportunity for their children and families. That’s our story, and even though the work of getting elected and serving can be difficult at times, it was a joy for me to know that this work is in constant pursuit of a better life for everyone in our community. We must keep working and building a better life for all Minnesotans!

United Nations urges Kenyan leaders to act responsibly, avoid further violence

By

UN News Service

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August 15, 2017

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Human Rights Council - 35th Session — Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, United Nations, High Commissioner for Human Rights at a 35th Session of the Human Rights Council. 6 June 2017. UN Photo: Jean-Marc Ferré/United Nations

Calling on the Kenyan authorities to avoid violence, the United Nations human rights chief today urged the Government to make an immediate announcement that it will cooperate and ensure accountability for reported abuse by security forces which has led to deaths and injures, including among children.

“Kenya is at a critical juncture,” said UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein. “The country’s political leaders must do their utmost to calm a volatile political climate. If there are claims to make about the conduct of the elections, they should be made through constitutional and legal means.”

He noted that people have the right to assemble and protest peacefully, and the authorities have a responsibility to ensure they can do so.

“The Government also has a responsibility to ensure that security forces prioritize dialogue, non-violent means and exercise restraint, using proportionate force only when unavoidable,” the Un High Commissioner said.

He decried the use of violence by protesters, but also stressed that political leaders should send clear messages to their supporters urging peaceful conduct.

“All acts of violence, including the serious allegations of excessive use of force by security forces, must be promptly and independently investigated,” he added.

As part of that effort, the High Commissioner called on the Government to make an immediate announcement that it will cooperate fully and unequivocally with the Independent Policing Oversight Authority and with subsequent efforts to ensure accountability.

There are media reports that Kenyan security forces used live ammunition against protesters, and stories of alleged police brutality, leading to several deaths and injuries, including children.

Protests erupted after the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) announced on 11 August that Uhuru Kenyatta was the President-elect.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres this weekend stressed the importance of dialogue to diffuse the conflict.

He said the UN, in close collaboration with the African Union and other multilateral and bilateral partners, is fully engaged with Kenya’s political leadership and relevant stakeholders to facilitate the successful conclusion of the electoral process.

Advertorial: BeautifulLieUglyTruth

By

Mshale Staff

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July 28, 2017

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The following is a paid message by the coalition in Minnesota that is spreading the message about the effects of tobacco and especially menthol cigarettes on minority communities.

The Mandela Washington Fellowship observes Mandela Day at Books for Africa

By

Tom Gitaa, Editor-in-Chief

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July 18, 2017

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New Brighton Students_Web — Youth from the Community Partners in Youth of New Brighton got an unplanned surprise lesson from Mandela Washington Fellows fellows Abena Yeboaa Tannor of Ghana and Nangoh Nangoh Maweo of Cameroon when the youth came to drop off books at the Books for Africa warehouse in St. Paul, Minnesota on Mandela Day July 18 2017. The Mandela fellows were there to volunteer sorting and packing books bound for Africa. Photo: Tom Gitaa/Mshale

Roné Deléne McFarlane of South Africa and Immaculate Willbroad Kyamanywa of Tanzania Web — Mandela Washington Fellows Roné Deléne McFarlane of South Africa and Immaculate Willbroad Kyamanywa of Tanzania as they sorted and packed books destined for Acfrica at the Books for Africa warehouse in Saint Paul Minnesota on Mandela Day July 18 2017. Photo: Tom Gitaa/Mshale

Inside Box — Hezouwe Moise Akebim of Togo steps into a box to pack books bound for Africa at the Books for Africa warehouse in St. Paul, Minnesota on Mandela Day July 18 2017. He is part of the 25 fellows that are part of the Mandela Washington Fellowship on a six week residency at the Humphrey School. Photo: Tom Gitaa/Mshale

Zambian and Kenyan Web — One of the fellows with the Mandela Washington Fellowship that is on a six week residency at the Humphrey School include Ian Banda of Zambia (in wheelchair) seen here as he sorts books during Mandela Day at the Books for Africa warehouse in St. Paul, Minnesota on July 18 2017. In Zambia, Banda advocates for the rights of children with disabilities. Photo: Tom Gitaa/Mshale

Instructions and Welcome Web — April Gilbert (right), Books for Africa St. paul warehouse manager gives instructions to Mandela Washington Fellows as they get ready to sort and pack books bound for Africa during Mandela Day on July 18 2017 in St. Paul, Minnesota. Gilbert is flacked to her left by Books for Africa board president Luanne Nyberg. Photo: Tom Gitaa/Mshale

Group Photo Web — Mandela Washington fellows after concluding a day of volunteering packing books destined for Africa on Mandela Day at the Books for Africa warehouse in St. Paul, Minnesota on July 18 2017. Photo: Tom Gitaa/Mshale

ST. PAUL, Minn. (Mshale) – Today, July 18, would have been the late Nelson Mandela’s 99th birthday. The late Mandela fought for equality and democracy and spent 27 years in prison for his fight for the majority of black South Africans to participate in governing their country.

25 fellows with the Mandela Washington Fellowship, which is run by the U.S. State Department, observed Mandela Day by converging at the Saint Paul warehouse of Books for Africa to sort and pack books that are bound for Africa. The State Department runs the fellowship through the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) which this year has brought 1,000 promising African leaders for six-week long residencies at universities across the country. This was one of former president Barack Obama’s signature initiatives targeting the African continent.

The universities across the United States that host the fellows focus on different disciplines with the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey School of Public Affairs focusing on public administration.

After a brief welcome and instructions from the warehouse manager April Gilbert and Books for Africa board president Luanne Nyberg, the fellows worked in groups in sorting and packing books and by the end of their volunteer activity had packed over 20 boxes.

Books for Africa is the largest shipper of donated school text books to the African continent and has shipped over 39 million books since its founding in 1988.

Most of the fellows at the warehouse today admitted to not knowing about Books for Africa before coming to the U.S. for the fellowship but all signed up enthusiastically for the Mandela Day activity.

The one exception was Immaculate Willbroad Kyamanywa, a human resource officer with Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA). Her organization has been a recipient in the past of books from Books for Africa that TANAPA then distributed to schools bordering the national parks.

“When I heard we were coming to Books for Africa I could not wait as I knew the books we were going to pack will end up in Africa as I have seen it,” Kyamanywa said.

Her enthusiasm rubbed off on her colleague from Togo, Hezouwe Moise Akebim, who as he carefully packed books into a box said he is now a convert and that he will make sure “this initiative succeeds.” Back in his country, he doubles as a linguist and grammar school teacher as well as a clerk of the court so he seemed to be quite at home with volumes of books as he got inside one of the boxes to call out for books to be handed to him for proper packing.

One particular fellow was practically giddy from the whole exercise. Winnie Anyango Singwa of Kenya who heads an NGO called Wing It Up-Kenya that serves young girls in her country by providing sanitary towels. She said one of the initiatives she has is book drives to provide that much needed resource for the girls.

“Look at all these books, I wish I could take all of them,” she said as she gestured towards the boxes they had just finished packing. She said she looks forward to working with the organization to get more books into the hands of the young girls she works with.

As he passed books to go into a box from his wheelchair, Ian Banda, who advocates for the rights of children with disabilities, said it is important to promote the reading culture in his native Zambia even with “the very few libraries we have.”

As much as the Mandela Fellows got a lot of satisfaction from the volunteer activity the warehouse, they probably did not top the look of excitement children from the Community Partners in Youth of New Brighton. The dozen or so children aged around 7 had come to donate books they had collected and ended up getting a full lesson on Africa. Pulling out a map of Africa with the number of containers each have received, Mandela fellows Abena Yeboaa Tannor of Ghana and Nangoh Nangoh Maweo of Cameroon, conducted an interactive lesson with the children as they helped them identify and learn about the 54 African countries. A lesson that ended with broad smiles on the children and a new friendship.

“Since they came for the six-week residency, service has been part of their experience here and this definitely is one of them,” said Merrie Benasutti who heads the Mandela Washington Fellowship at the Humphrey School

East African actors needed by July 10

By

Mshale Staff

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July 7, 2017

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ahmed_ismail_yusuf_web — The play, A Crack in the Sky, that will open this coming winter, is based on the life of Ahmed Ismail Yusuf (pictured above) as he moves from Somalia to Minnesota in search of a better life. Photo: Ibrahim Hirsi

The History Theatre in St. Paul is seeking East African actors for a new play about Somali immigration. The play, A Crack In The Sky, is written by Ahmed Ismail Yusuf and Harrison David Rivers. It is directed by Faye Price

Audition dates are this coming Monday, July 10 and Tuesday July 11 from 5pm-8pm on both days at the History Theatre, 30 E. 10th Street, St. Paul, MN 55101.

Auditions will involve reading sides from the script – you can download the slides here to prepare, or arrive early to the audition to preview printed copies.

It is a tale of Somali-American Ahmed Ismail Yusuf who, inspired by Maya Angelou, discovers the power of the written word as he traveled from Somalia to Minnesota in search of a better life.

Rehearsals will begin on January 18, 2018 in the evenings including weekends.

The play will open February 10 through March 4, 2018.

To sign up for the July 10 audition, go here.

Deputy UN chief highlights stronger AU-UN partnership to benefit Africa’s youth

By

UN News Service

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July 7, 2017

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Amina J Mohammed of Nigeria — Amina J. Mohammed of Nigeria. Photo: Mark Garten/UN

Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed on Monday called for strengthening the relationship between the African Union (AU) and the United Nations to deliver on promised development for Africa’s youth.

Addressing her first African Union Summit since taking office, Ms. Mohammed said that the AU’s thematic focus this year on youth is a “powerful reminder” of the core principle at the heart of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the AU’s strategic framework known as Agenda 2063 and other global agreements, namely, creating a better world for the next generation.

“For the 226 million young people aged 15 to 24 living in Africa today, these agendas address challenges and opportunities that are integral to their futures,” she said.

“Today you are here taking decisions that will ensure that Africa benefits from the full potential of all its people, including young women and men,” she added, in a nod to this year’s theme of Harnessing the Demographic Dividend through investments in Youth.

“Investing in our youth today reaps the dividend of a peaceful and prosperous Africa tomorrow.”

Addressing leaders from across the continent who have gathered at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Ms. Mohammed called for “building new bridges between us, and fortifying the ones that already exist” to deliver on the promises of the development agenda for Africa and its people.

In April, the UN-AU annual conference in New York resulted in a joint framework for enhanced partnership on peace and security. The two organizations are now preparing a joint framework on sustainable development, focusing on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and of Agenda 2063, according to Ms. Mohammed.

She also noted that the UN will be collaborating with the AU on a new UN-European Union initiative to be launched at the UN General Assembly this September to end gender-based violence around the world.

The deputy UN chief also highlighted some of the other areas where the UN and the AU are working more closely, including on efforts to enhance the UN’s partnership with Africa’s regional economic communities in areas of peacekeeping, elections and democratic transitions.

Secretary-General António Guterres recently reiterated the need for “predictable, reliable and sustainable” financing for AU peace operations, and is said to be working on a set of concrete proposals for the UN Security Council.

“Our efforts should continue to be based on urgency, flexibility and innovation to improve complementarity, cost-effectiveness and impact,” Ms. Mohammed said.

She also echoed Mr. Guterres’ call at the G7 summit in Italy, where he urged world leaders to invest in young people, with stronger investment in technology, relevant education and capacity-building in Africa.

“The challenge of strengthening Africa’s human capital, starting with its young people, has galvanized commitments to promote their rights and invest in quality and relevant education at all levels, health, science and technology and innovation,” said Ms. Mohammed.

Former Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Linda Thomas-Greenfield receives Hubert H. Humphrey Public Leadership Award

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Tom Gitaa, Editor-in-Chief

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June 29, 2017

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Linda Thomas-Greenfield at U — Former US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Linda Thomas-Greenfield speaking at the University of Minnesota on June 28 2017 after she was awarded the Hubert H. Humphrey Public Leadership Award. Photo: Bethel Gessesse/Mshale

MINNEAPOLIS – The annual Hubert H. Humphrey Public Leadership Awards honored former Obama administration’s Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Linda Thomas-Greenfield on Wednesday night for her more than three decades of work promoting the values of humanitarianism and responsible global engagement.

The awards are presented by the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota.

“I am humbled and puzzled by my selection for this award but absolutely elated,” Thomas-Greenfield said during her acceptance speech as she mentioned the “giants” that have been past recipients of the award which includes former US vice president Walter Mondale.

Greenfield quoted Hubert Humphrey who once said that we can all make a difference “and that is exactly what I have strived to do as a public servant and as a foreign service officer,” she said.

Before becoming Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs during the second term of the Obama administration, Thomas-Greenfield was the US ambassador to Liberia. That country’s president, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, surprised Greenfield with a video tribute where she praised her for a “distinguished career in service to the United States, Liberia, Africa and the world.

“In the time in our history when many of our young people and future leaders are questioning on whether they want to serve, I would say there is no better time as your nation and the world needs you,” Thomas-Greenfield said.

Present during the awards were this year’s Fellows of the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders who are attending the University of Minnesota which is a host university. The fellowship is a brainchild of president Obama.

Also honored were:

Monica Meyer, the executive director of OutFront Minnesota, for her leadership in grassroots organizing and in political strategy and advocacy, building coalitions among community activists around Minnesota. Under her leadership, OutFront co-founded Minnesotans United for All Families, the campaign that defeated the state’s proposed constitutional amendment to limit the freedom to marry in 2012 and the push thereafter to legalize same sex marriage in 2013.

Tom Swain, the former Lilydale mayor and former University of Minnesota vice president, for his long and distinguished life of active citizenship, and his commitment to education and government, developing opportunities for future civic leaders.

Thor Companies, which most Minnesotans might know as Thor Construction, was founded in 1980 and is the state’s largest black-owned corporation and one of the largest African American owned general contractors in the United States. The company was honored for its innovative approach to economic development, bringing opportunity and revitalization to north Minneapolis through strategic partnerships and investments. The company is currently building its new $30 million national headquarters in the predominantly black neighborhood of north Minneapolis. The company’s founder and chairman, Richard Copeland and Ravi Norman, CEO of Thor for the last eight years received the award on behalf of the company.

African Summer in Minneapolis

By

Bethel Gessesse, Mshale Photojournalist

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June 28, 2017

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Amadou and Mariam — The Mshale sponsored African Summer music series returns to the Cedar Cultural Center for the ninth year starting on Friday, June 30 2017. Grammy-nominated Malian husband/wife duo, Amadou & Mariam (pictured) performs live on Thursday, July 27 2017. Photo: Courtesy of Amadou & Mariam

The African Summer music series returns to the Twin Cities for a ninth year, celebrating the diversity in music and culture of Africa. The series will consist of three concerts throughout the summer with a free kick off performance from local Somali collective, HARBI, and Rahmo Rose Band at The Cedar Community Plaza at 11 AM on Friday, June 30th.

The African Summer Music Series will kick off Friday with a performance from afrobeat sensation, Alma Afrobeat Ensemble. Founded by Aaron Feder, Spain’s top afrobeat band has since put out three albums, taking inspiration from musical legends like Fela Kuti, the Ethiopique Series, and a Tribe Called Quest. The ensemble consists of several musicians from around the world and Nigerian lead singer, Joe Psalmist. Alma Afrobeat Ensemble will bring their eclectic hip-hop and jazz infused afrobeat sound to The Cedar on Friday, June 30th at 7PM.

The series will continue with a highly-anticipated concert from Grammy-nominated Malian husband/wife duo, Amadou & Mariam. Amadou Bagayoko and Mariam Doumbia first met in Mali’s Institute for the Young Blind, where they connected over their shared musical talents. After meeting legendary singer-songwriter and musician, Stevie Wonder, in 1986, the duo began performing at music festivals around the world, and have since released seven hit studio albums, with the eighth scheduled to release later in 2017. Amadou & Mariam made their Minnesota debut in 2012 at The Cedar and will return on July 27th with another lively set of their world renowned fusion of Western pop and traditional African rhythms.

The series will conclude with a performance from international drum sensation, Paa Kow. Born and raised in the village of Enyan Denkyira near Cape Coast in Ghana, Paa Kow began making music with his family band from an early age and has since grown to international recognition for his unique and sensational skills on the drum set. Paa Kow’s vision is to spread the music and culture of his homeland by touring the world with his Afro-Fusion orchestra. His third album “Cookpot” will be released in October of 2017. Nicknamed The Groove Master, Paa Kow’s music combines his Ghanaian roots with African Pop, international jazz, and funk to create an unforgettable and infectious groove. Paa Kow will make his Minneapolis debut at The Cedar on August 28th for the last performance of the African Summer Series.

“We have some great shows that are part of The Cedar’s African Summer this year! We’re proud to celebrate African music and culture through this series which brings some of the best artists from around the world to Minnesota. Many thanks to Mshale for their support of the series…Coming up in the fall, mark your calendars for Bideew Bou Bess, a group of Senegalese brothers performing hip-hop mixed with traditional beats in September, and the return of Songhoy Blues, Malian desert blues rockers in October,” said Grace Evenson of The Cedar.

For tickets and more information, visit The Cedar’s website here.

Below is the full line-up for the summer:
Friday, June 30th – Alma Afrobeat Ensemble
Thursday, July 27th – Amadou & Mariam
Monday, August 28th – Paa Kow

Mshale