NO SILVER LINING TO THE IMF CLOUD

European powers appear set on perpetuating their arbitrary “entitlement” to the position of Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund in the wake of the controversy that precipitated the resignation of Managing Director, Dominique Strauss-Kahn. Despite claims from the IMF that the selection this time around would “take place in an open, merit-based, and transparent manner” as well as a longstanding commitment to open the position to nationals of all member states, most developed country representatives had expressed clear preferences for European candidates even before nominations opened on May 23. Their stances will do nothing to allay fears among developing countries and civil society that pledges to address unrepresentative governance at the Bretton Woods institutions are mere window dressing. They are in direct contravention of the explicit recommendation that resulted from extensive civil society consultations last year that the election would be conducted “without pre-selection by any sub-group of powerful countries”. Particularly since the arguments being proffered in favour of European candidates fly in the face of reason and logic.

TERROR VS. CONSENT

You would have to be living in a cave in Tora Bora or North Waziristan to avoid the news of the killing of Osama bin Laden that dominated virtually all media this week. Reactions ranged from juvenile triumphalism through conspiracy theories to the scoring of cheap political points.

TERROR VS. CONSENT

You would have to be living in a cave in Tora Bora or North Waziristan to avoid the news of the killing of Osama bin Laden that dominated virtually all media this week. Reactions ranged from juvenile triumphalism through conspiracy theories to the scoring of cheap political points.

THE 2010 WORLD CUP: A MISSED OPPORTUNITY FOR CIVIL SOCIETY?

The past 30 days of World Cup euphoria and patriotism have been a chance to distract ourselves from the unemployment rate, the HIV rate, worsening income disparities, and corruption in the ranks that rule South Africa. But it's time now to put away our yellow and green Bafana Bafana (South Africa's soccer team) jerseys and contemplate just what sort of legacy the World Cup has brought us.