Association of Concerned Africa Scholars
Analysis and Action on Policies Impacting Africa

Boycott Conflict Diamonds

By ACAS | March 2000

We the undersigned human rights, religious, development, humanitarian, and consumer organizations call upon the international diamond industry to announce immediate, practical measures to end the international trade in conflict diamonds. We are dismayed that despite clear evidence that international trade in rebel-controlled diamonds has ignited, fueled, and sustained cruel conflicts in Sierra Leone, Angola and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, for many years, to date neither the diamond industry nor diamond importing governments have taken actions to successfully limit or end that trade.

Breifing paper on the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act

By ACAS | July 1999

The Association of Concerned Africa Scholars July 19, 1999 Africa Growth and Opportunity Act Passes House Efforts to Oppose Economic Conditionality Defeated Opponents Focus on Senate The House of Representatives in mid-July approved the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (H.R. 2489), legislation that if it became law would link new trade preferences for Africa to [...]

Action Alerts: Need to Oppose the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act

By ACAS | July 1998

By Bill Martin, Co-Chair ACAS 20 July 1998 The trade and investment legislation known as the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act has already been approved by the House and is coming up for a vote in the Senate Finance Committee this week. ACAS, along with many of our African allies and US groups like TransAfrica, [...]

Dictated Trade: The Case Against the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act

By ACAS | July 1998

Dictated Trade: The Case Against the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act [H.R. 1432, S. 778] President Bill Clinton and the U.S. Congress should be applauded for seeking to define a new U.S. foreign policy toward Africa that recognizes the demands from the continent for political, social and economic change. ACAS also welcomes the legislation’s intent [...]

Action Alert: Act Now on Africa Growth and Opportunity Bill

By ACAS | March 1998

Association of Concerned Africa Scholars March 9, 1998 To: ACAS Members From: Bill Martin, Co-Chair Date: March 9, 1998 Re: Act Now on Africa Growth and Opportunity Bill I am writing to urge ACAS members to ask their members of Congress to vote against the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act that the House of Representatives [...]

The Case Against the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act

By ACAS | March 1998

Since the end of the Cold War, US policy toward Africa has drifted and become increasingly erratic. ACAS thus welcomes new thinking and initiatives. Unfortunately our analysis suggests that the new Africa Growth and Opportunity Act does not represent a step forward in US-African relations. And many Africans agree.

Action Alert: Ban Landmines

By ACAS | November 1997

Members of ACAS have given strong support to the campaign to ban landmines and remove the 100,000,000 mines from the ground in 66 countries of the world, mostly developing countries where women and children (mostly people of color) are the casualties. The time has come for a final showdown in favor of a total ban.

The Case Against DoD and CIA Involvement in Funding the Study of Africa

By ACAS | November 1997

Since the 1970s, many scholars of Africa have rejected all connections with intelligence and military agencies based on a long-standing commitment to honesty and integrity in their relationships with African institutions and individuals. The hard-won protection of African studies from military and intelligence agencies’ agendas is now threatened by the implementation of the National Security Education Program (NSEP).

Action Alert: Sudan

By ACAS | March 1997

A military tribunal in Sudan, which has been set to try 31 persons accused of attempting to overthrow the government, ordered the defense council today to submit their final defense statement immediately. When the defense council asked for time to prepare the statement they were told that the tribunal should finish by the end of the day–and that they will file the trial for judgment whether the defence statement is submitted or not.