BIND Associates’ Post

The Significance of December 16th in South Africa December 16th holds profound historical importance in South Africa, marked by two key events that shaped the nation’s history. During apartheid, December 16th was known as the Day of the Vow. This commemorated the Voortrekkers’ pledge to God in 1838, made in preparation for the Battle of Blood River against the Zulus. They vowed to build a church and observe the day as one of thanksgiving if granted victory. The second pivotal event occurred on December 16th, 1961, with the formation of Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK), the military wing of the African National Congress (ANC). Before this, the ANC’s resistance to apartheid was predominantly passive. However, the Sharpeville Massacre of 1960, where peaceful protesters were brutally shot by police, led to the realization that nonviolent methods alone would not end apartheid. MK focused on acts of sabotage but faced challenges, including organizational difficulties and the arrest of its leaders in 1963. Despite these setbacks, MK’s establishment was commemorated annually. With the advent of democracy, December 16th remained a public holiday but was reimagined as the Day of Reconciliation. South Africa's first non-racial and democratic government sought to promote unity and healing by recognizing the day’s significance in both Afrikaner and liberation struggle traditions. The first official Day of Reconciliation was celebrated on December 16th, 1995. In 2024, Reconciliation Month will be observed under the theme “Healing Historical Wounds and Forging New Futures”. This theme underscores the government’s ongoing commitment to democracy, reconciliation, social cohesion, and inclusivity. This year’s focus is on collective healing, nation-building, and unity among South Africans, anchored by the enduring legacy of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC). The TRC’s critical role in advancing national healing and forgiveness aligns with the theme’s vision of creating new futures for a united South Africa

So true, so good…

https://lnkd.in/dtYb_k37 Fellow Sierra Leoneans, African Compatriots, as the God fearing, unyielding and robustly patriotic, *Salone4Bette Campaign* continues to ponder, deeply, over this question - *Why is Government going to the ends of the world as well as the country to borrow money to promote socioeconomic development when all it needs to do as by law established is, to GIVE PRIORITY, SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGEMENT to Sierra Leoneans to be the movers and shakers of the process as PARTICIPANTS AND BENEFICIARIES IN GROWING THE ECONOMY as LOCAL DIRECT INVESTORS*, it is heartening to showcase the following reaction to our comments on the hugely respected and impactful *LinkedIn platform* with millions of subscribers, by a highly trained and qualified African Solicitor based in Perth, Western Australia : *Osmond Hanciles Woow, thanks a lot for such a truthful and candid contribution about most of us Africans. Wouldn't have said it any better. You could write a book about it and I will be the first one to buy! God help us* (*Langton Chirinda, MBA Juris Doctor (Law) Bond University*) What further motivation does yours truly need to not relent in the divinely inspired, patriotically loaded *Salone4Bette Campaign* in total disregard of the naysayers who have been given far more details about the innovative game changer model⁉️😥⁉️😰🇸🇱😰⁉️🇸🇱 Bottomline is, the unfortunate and untenable *OVER DEPENDENCY POSITION OF GOVERNMENT* in its pursuits of socioeconomic development has simply got to be changed to that of *SHARED PROSPERITY* which is simply to genuinely involve *EVERY SIERRA LEONEAN* in growing the sustainable socioeconomic development of the economy and benefitting directly from it- *LEAVING NO ONE BEHIND; AS A GOVERNMENT, OUR PRIMARY FOCUS TO GROWING THE ECONOMY TO ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF LIFE* - H. E Rtd Brigadier Dr Julius Maada Bio, President, Republic of Sierra Leone God bless 🇸🇱🇸🇱🇸🇱

When times are tough, we need to step up and be the ones who bring change and hope. Right now, Palestine faces some really tough challenges, and it's up to each of us to make a difference. Palestine needs more than just our attention – it needs us to take real action. People there are going through really hard times because of ongoing conflicts and humanitarian crises. But even in the middle of all this trouble, there's still hope. And that hope lies in what we can do together. Here's how we can be that hope for Palestine: Spread the Word: Learn and help others understand what's really going on in Palestine. Knowing the facts is the first step to making things better. Speak Up and Support: Raise your voice for peace, fairness, and human rights for Palestinians. Whether it's posting on social media, joining rallies, or backing organizations working in Palestine, every little bit helps. Show You Care: Stand with the people of Palestine by understanding their struggles and making their voices heard. Let them know they're not alone in their fight for dignity and freedom. Help from the Ground Up: Support local projects that give aid, education, healthcare, and sustainable help in Palestine. Even small acts can make a big difference to people's lives. Talk it Out: Encourage positive conversations and understanding between different groups to find peaceful solutions to the conflict. Talking and working together are key to making lasting changes. Together, we have the power to bring hope and change to Palestine. Let's stand together, take action, and build a brighter future for everyone. Feel free to add your own touch to make it fit your style and audience better. Thanks 😊

A STATEMENT FROM THE CENTER FOR MIDDLE EAST STUDIES, UNIVERSITY OF DENVER In Memory of Those Lost on October 7 and Beyond A year after the tragic events of October 7, reflecting on the loss of life and enduring suffering, both Palestinian and Israeli, is a difficult task. This anniversary serves as a reminder that the pursuit of justice, dignity, and lasting peace is more pressing than ever. For Israelis, the first anniversary of October 7 is a day of deep sorrow—a time to remember the more than 1,200 Israelis brutally killed and over 250 people taken hostage by Hamas. This terrible tragedy marked the beginning of ongoing horrors, including the immense suffering in Gaza, where over 40,000 lives have been lost, the majority of whom were civilians. Now, as fighting escalates along the Israel-Lebanon border, the toll on civilians is rising on yet another front. As we look back, October 7 stands as a stark reminder that the burden of violence is largely carried by ordinary people, whose lives are shaped by forces beyond their control. In honoring the memory of those lost, we reaffirm our commitment to peace and reconciliation for all, no matter the flag under which they live. Though elusive, peace must remain the ultimate goal, for the sake of all those who continue to suffer and for everyone in that troubled region. The Center for Middle East Studies will continue to host events dedicated to informing and exploring pathways to coexistence, grounded in universal human rights. Our next event will feature two leading peace activists, Israeli Maoz Inon and Palestinian Aziz Abu Sarah, who will share their personal journeys from grief to the pursuit of Israeli-Palestinian peace. Join us on October 16 for this special event. For additional information and registration for the webinar or in-person, please see the links below. Micheline Ishay (Director, CMES) Ahmed Abd Rabou (Associate Director, CMES) IN PERSON: https://lnkd.in/g-PZHD-z VIRTUAL: https://lnkd.in/gpWvcCXZ

The Unyielding Call for Justice, Peace, and Humanity: Ending the Violence on Palestinians. In our shared world, one principle must stand resolute: the sanctity of human life is paramount. Regardless of one's background, nationality, or faith, the cycle of violence and suffering endured by Palestinians in Gaza and beyond calls for our urgent attention, compassion, and action. The staggering civilian toll, particularly on women and children, is not only heartbreaking but deeply alarming—a grave reminder that cycles of violence yield only trauma, destruction, and a lingering legacy of hatred. This is not just a political conflict; it is a humanitarian catastrophe. The relentless bombardments, the destruction of homes, hospitals, schools, and essential infrastructure—these actions have severed the fundamental rights of millions to live in dignity and safety. While the roots of this conflict are complex and historically deep, the core issue today is clear: civilians are paying the ultimate price. This suffering does not create security; it only deepens wounds and fractures any hope for a peaceful, shared future. We must ask ourselves: When does 'security' justify the obliteration of entire neighborhoods? When does self-defense end and aggression begin? These are questions that extend beyond borders and politics and speak to our collective conscience as a global community. It is our duty to challenge actions that contravene human rights and the basic moral fabric that binds us. To continue this cycle of violence is to abandon our humanity. The path forward demands restraint, diplomacy, and the courage to pursue justice. Governments, organizations, and individuals worldwide have a responsibility to speak up and demand a halt to the violence, to advocate for an end to the blockade, and to push for meaningful peace negotiations. We cannot accept that generations of Palestinians continue to grow up knowing only fear, loss, and despair. Let us raise our voices not in partisan support, but in an unwavering demand for the protection of human life and dignity. Because a just peace—one that respects the rights and safety of both Palestinians and Israelis—is the only path forward. We owe it to the innocent, to future generations, and to ourselves to break this devastating cycle. Peace, justice, and humanity cannot be luxuries reserved for some and denied to others. Anyone who supports this war should rather send their own children, friends and family the front lines instead.😤

Why is no one talking about Sudan? Since April 2023, there has been conflict in Sudan, yet it’s rarely discussed. News coverage is minimal and all too often fades into the background. At best, Sudan and Congo are briefly mentioned alongside statements of solidarity with Palestinians. We’re guilty of this, and for that, we apologise. It’s easy to follow headlines, and we haven't practiced what we preach. This week, we looked deeper. The suffering in Sudan is intolerable. Tens of thousands have been killed, and millions displaced. It’s been called "the world’s worst displacement crisis." In August, famine was confirmed in Darfur. Cholera is rampant. A recent UN report detailed atrocities that "may amount to war crimes." It holds the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) accountable for attacks on civilians. It also reveals that RSF and allied militias are committing “numerous crimes against humanity,” including murder, torture, enslavement, rape, sexual slavery, persecution based on ethnicity and gender, and forcible displacement. In a BBC interview, WHO’s Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated Sudan "is not getting the attention it deserves," comparing it to how the world reacts to other African conflicts. “I think race is at play here. That’s what I feel. We see the pattern.” We’d go further: anti-Black racism is at play. For hundreds of years, our society has been conditioned to see Africa as “uncivilized” and ”savage”. This became part of the excuses white people told themselves to convince themselves that chattel slavery and colonisation were morally ok. We were told that Black people were different, that they didn’t feel pain like white people did. The legacy of that does not just go away. The way the international community responds to what is happening in Sudan is influenced by this legacy. Why do we respond differently when Black people face war and crimes against humanity? Why is our empathy so limited when it comes to Black pain, Black lives? Why do we not care? Sit with these questions. Then read about Sudan. Make space for Sudan in your activism. We’ll be doing the same.

A statement on the forgotten conflict in Sudan from our Executive Director, Selma Taha - Southall Black Sisters (SBS) strongly condemns the horrific campaign of violence that is devastating civilians in war-torn Sudan. As a Sudanese woman, I speak on behalf of SBS with both a personal and shared outrage at the brutal violence, torture, forcible displacement, and unimaginable suffering inflicted upon Sudanese communities. We are witnessing a humanitarian catastrophe in which innocent civilians, including women and children, are subjected to unimaginable violence, their homes and markets looted, their farms destroyed, and millions forced into hunger and displacement. The toll on women and children, is particularly appalling. Out of the estimated 14 million displaced people—an outstanding 30% of Sudan’s population—half are estimated to be women, and over a quarter are estimated to be children under the age of 5. We are horrified by the rampant sexual violence against women and girls as young as 8 and as old as 75, used as a vile weapon of control in the agenda of ethnic cleansing and silencing of resistance. This brutality represents undeniable breaches of international humanitarian and human rights laws, atrocities for which perpetrators must be held accountable. The international community cannot stand by in silence. As a former colonial power in Sudan, the UK bears a particular historical and moral responsibility. The legacies of imperialism are still felt in the lives of Sudanese communities today. We urge the UK government to treat the demand for a ceasefire in Sudan as an urgent diplomatic priority, to work alongside international partners to ensure safe passage for civilians, guarantee unimpeded access to humanitarian aid, and prevent the supply of arms to those fuelling this conflict. https://lnkd.in/gYw79ABm

Micheline Ishay In Memory of Those Lost on October 7 and Beyond A year after the tragic events of October 7, reflecting on the loss of life and enduring suffering, both Palestinian and Israeli, is a difficult task. This anniversary serves as a reminder that the pursuit of justice, dignity, and lasting peace is more pressing than ever. For Israelis, the first anniversary of October 7 is a day of deep sorrow—a time to remember the more than 1,200 Israelis brutally killed and over 250 people taken hostage by Hamas. This terrible tragedy marked the beginning of ongoing horrors, including the immense suffering in Gaza, where over 40,000 lives have been lost, the majority of whom were civilians. Now, as fighting escalates along the Israel-Lebanon border, the toll on civilians is rising on yet another front. As we look back, October 7 stands as a stark reminder that the burden of violence is largely carried by ordinary people, whose lives are shaped by forces beyond their control. In honoring the memory of those lost, we reaffirm our commitment to peace and reconciliation for all, no matter the flag under which they live. Though elusive, peace must remain the ultimate goal, for the sake of all those who continue to suffer and for everyone in that troubled region. The Center for Middle East Studies will continue to host events dedicated to informing and exploring pathways to coexistence, grounded in universal human rights. Our next event will feature two leading peace activists, Israeli Maoz Inon and Palestinian Aziz Abu Sarah, who will share their personal journeys from grief to the pursuit of Israeli-Palestinian peace. Join us on October 16 for this special event. For additional information and registration for the webinar or in-person, please see the links below. Micheline Ishay (Director, CMES) Ahmed Abd Rabou (Associate Director, CMES) In-Person Event: https://lnkd.in/gMp-CdeE Webinar: https://lnkd.in/gW5aEWgz

Yesterday served as a poignant reminder of the ongoing global struggle to combat slavery as it marked the Day of Abolition of International Slavery. This day invites contemplation on the persistent issue of modern slavery that continues to affect numerous countries around the world, highlighting the relentless efforts required to eradicate these practices. In Eritrea, with its relatively modest population size of approximately 3.5 million people, the prevalence of modern slavery is alarmingly high, impacting more than 9% of its citizens. This distressing statistic illustrates that a notable segment of the Eritrean population is subjected to conditions that parallel slavery, underscoring a severe humanitarian crisis within the nation. Simultaneously, Nigeria confronts its own severe crisis, grappling with the highest absolute number of individuals experiencing modern slavery across the African continent. This sobering fact is exacerbated by Nigeria’s large population, making the scale of the problem particularly daunting. These daunting figures serve as a critical and sobering acknowledgment of the complex and enduring nature of slavery in today’s world. They emphasize the imperative for robust, targeted international and local strategies to address and ultimately eliminate this gross human rights violation in various African regions, as well as globally.