Thousands march at anti-globalisation forum
January 20 2007 at 01:31PM
By Karen Calabria
Nairobi - Thousands of anti-globalisation activists began marching through Nairobi on Saturday at the start of the World Social Forum, billed as one of the largest mass protests against global capitalism.
Around 5 000 activists were taking part in the march, well down on predictions by organisers that it would attract tens of thousands from around the world.
The seventh annual WSF is the first time the event has been staged in its entirety on the world's poorest continent where complaints about the impact of globalisation are often the loudest.
The protesters began their rally in the shanty town of Kibera, one of the largest slums in the whole of Africa, and the setting for the 2005 film The Constant Gardener that took aim at the pharmaceutical industry's practices in Africa.
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It was due to culiminate in Uhuru (independence) park in downtown Nairobi, a distance of around 8km.
Protestors at the head of the march carried a giant banner which read: "Make another world possible"
Others banged makeshift drums, denouncing US President George Bush as "terrorist number one" in what was a largely festive atmosphere.
High on the agenda during the January 20-25 meet will be topics with particular concern for Africa, including the Aids epidemic, conflict resolution, debt levels and migration.
Among the better known personalities due to attend the forum are Zambia's founding president Kenneth Kaunda, former UN high commissioner for human rights Mary Robinson and Kenya's 2004 Nobel peace prize winner Wangari Maathai.
"We are all here to look together at the problems. We have to come together to fight poverty. People are suffering everywhere," Kaunda, the self-styled Gandhi of Africa, said in a brief address at the start of the march.
"Once we come together like this, God Almighty will guide us - regardless of religion," added the 82-year-old.
Patricia Murray, representing the Irish-based Loreto organisation which campaigns against environmental damage, said the forum was a chance for the concerns of Africa to be aired and heard.
"The WSF in Nairobi will bring Africa and Africans' needs onto the world stage. This is the platform for the continent to have a voice," said Murray.
"Africa is the big example of how people and resources are exploited and human and social rights."
Anne Nyawira, who lives in the Soweto township on the outskirts of Johannesburg, said Africa rarely had a chance to voice its concerns.
"The world ignores African issues and the forum is the only way we can make them listen," said the South African health worker. - Sapa-AFP
