Upcoming Africa Event
Goucher College presents their annual “A Glimpse of Africa Celebration.”
This cultural exhibition and fundraising event will feature amazing hip hop, theater and dance performances. Participants will learn about Africa and meet with local African organizations including Ivorian Hope Charity.
The event will take place at Goucher College on Sat. Feb. 25, at 7pm.
Blog: On the Ground
By: Pren-Tsilya Boa-Guehe, Assistant Program Director
Hello World!
It has officially been one week since arrival to Cote d’Ivoire and the trip is already proving fruitful. I am currently in Abidjan, the capital of Cote d’Ivoire, where there seems to be very few visible marks of a civil conflict. The streets are filled with bright lights from the New Years parade, there are now street cleaners that sweep the streets daily, and plenty of vendors working in the street markets. Taxi drivers still do not obey traffic laws and the food is still amazingly, delicious. However, the political tension is almost palpable.
Saturday, January 21, 2012, a political gathering took place five minutes from my residence. The gathering was comprised of members from the former president, Laurent Gbagbo’s political party, the FPI. The FPI received approval for the Ministry of the Interior to conduct a peaceable gathering one month prior to the event. UN peacekeepers and local police forces were present. Speakers from the FPI spoke about the significant presence of Gbagbo supporters that still exist in the city and called for continued patience and organization despite provocation. One hour into the conference, suspected members of the current president’s party in civilian clothing created a disastrous and physically combative scene. According to local newspapers, one person died and as many as 60 were injured from the rocks thrown, machetes used, and tear gas used.The incident occurred two days after Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s visit in which she called for increased dialogue between the current president’s political party and the former president’s opposition party.
The events were definitely frightening, deplorable, and unfortunate. Local residents have informed me that this is not the first time that this has happened since President Ouattara came to power. However, members of both parties acknowledged the deplorable nature of the events in local newspapers. The president has not made any official comments on the matter. Nonetheless, I am grateful to be here and hopeful for the future of Cote d’Ivoire because of the resilience of the people here.Democracy never came without a fight.
“Free Ivory Coast Now”
Join us for RI Panafricain-USA presents the “Free Africa, Free Ivory Coast Now” Conference on Saturday, Jan. 28th.
The conference will discuss the current situation of Ivory Coast and give participants a chance to learn and share information with various activist organizations. Among the special guests Toussaint Alain, the former advisor to former President Laurent Gbagbo, is scheduled to speak at this event. Minister Akbar Muhammad, a scholar on African Affairs and International Representative of the Nation of Islam will provide the keynote speech.
The event will take place at the Hilton Embassy Suites located at 900 10th St NW in Washington DC and will begin promptly at 2 pm.
Clinton Approves of IC Progress
After arriving in Ivory Coast on Tuesday, Jan. 17, Hillary Clinton, the US Secretary of State declared that Ivory Coast was on the right path to democracy and stabilization.
According to CNN, while meeting with President Alassane Ouattara she expressed “admiration for the progress achieved and gradual return to normality, which is a bearer of hope for peace and security.”
Clinton’s visit marks the first visit by a US secretary of state to the country in about a quarter of a century. Ouattara welcomed her to the country in the presidential palace in Abidjan.
In addition to her approval of Ouattara’s efforts toward stability, she also highlighted the importance of his collaborating with all sides and opinions in the country “for the purpose of the political dialogue.”
Ouattara affirmed that he and Clinton discussed fully Africa’s position on the global platform and his role in leading Ivory Coast in the future.
CNN reports that he told Clinton peace in Ivory Coast was essential for the entirety of the African continent and the world.
After meeting with Ouattara, Clinton left Ivory Coast to finish her mini-tour in West Africa in Togo and Cape Verde.
Winter Lights
Join Us At the Winter Lights Festival as Gaithersburg, MD begins its annual Winter Festival featuring Ivorian Hope Charity!
Ivorian Hope Charity will take part in the Winter Festival’s Jingle Jubilee this Saturday, December 3rd at the Gaithersburg City Hall Concert Pavilion in Olde Towne. The festivities will begin at 6 pm. Please join us on this night of family as we all welcome the holiday season with free hot chocolate, caroling, a tree lighting ceremony and visits with Santa. Along with that, the charity will be setting up a booth with fun children activities, informational fliers about the organization, along with a donation box to collect money for our upcoming outreach projects this holiday season. Feel free to stop by and join us on this great night of fun. All help is greatly appreciated.
Admission to the Jingle Jubilee is FREE. The City Hall Concert Pavilion is located at 31 South Summit Avenue. For more information on the Jingle Jubilee, contact the City of Gaithersburg at 301-258-6350.
