Maatschappij

Editorial

‘The gap between election rhetoric and much-needed policies is widening’

22 June 2023 -

'While economic migrants have long been a scapegoat, the labour shortage — decades after our search for "guest" workers — has brought them back into demand,' notes MO* editor-in-chief Jago Kosolosky. This reality clashes with the anti-immigration discourse that politicians continue to resort to.

Opinion

‘The shift to a post-growth economy is not just a matter of survival, but above all a matter of progress’

15 May 2023 -

As political leaders gather for a conference at the European Parliament on how to move “beyond growth”, a group of academics and civil society organisations see the geopolitical crisis as an opportunity to disengage from the socially and ecologically harmful growth competition.

Interview

‘Belgium in danger of missing the train of truth and reconciliation’

15 May 2023 -

Without apologies, reparations are incomplete, believes professor of African history and human rights expert Bonny Ibhawoh. If Belgium wants to offer credible criticism of human rights violations in Africa, it must also be able to name its own past violations. ‘Human rights are no selection menu.’

Report

The absurd life story of stateless Salim

8 May 2023 -

Salim was born in Saudi Arabia, just like his parents. Beyond their genes, he unfortunately also inherited their statelessness. Belgium recognised Salim as stateless but refuses to grant him a residence permit. Salim cannot return. Nor can he stay. Read his story here.

Analysis

Fake news throws heavy smokescreens over eastern Congo

23 March 2023 -

Fake news is used purposefully and very strategically in Congo today — to score politically and diplomatically, to create a certain psychological climate, or simply to cover up hard facts. The greater the insecurity, the harder the rumour mill turns.

Analysis

‘If I want to, I can change my identity tomorrow’

21 March 2023 -

Congo’s official documents exist in a virtual reality. It takes a lot of time and money to obtain them. The failing administration widens the gap between the haves and the have-nots.

Review

Give Africa the place it deserves

18 January 2023 -

Looking for strong arguments in the decolonisation debate, MO* journalist Kris Berwouts stumbled upon three books in different languages, by authors from different backgrounds (an African, a European, and an African-American). All three want to put Africa back at the centre of its history.

Analysis

Russian mercenaries in exchange for African natural resources

12 December 2022 -

Two phenomena have been on the rise in recent years: privatised warfare and ultra-nationalist extremism in Russia. Its outflow is the infamous Wagner Group, the private military company that does not even officially exist. In recent years, Wagner has occupied more and more space in Africa.

Report

The French colonial who fell in love with Morocco

28 November 2022 -

He is buried next to his compatriot Napoleon, but his name still only rings a bell with few Europeans: Hubert Lyautey, France's first resident-general in Morocco. The French colonial left a special mark on Morocco a hundred years ago, which still lingers today.

Analysis

‘We want to digitally prepare the youth so they also can have a voice’

17 May 2022 -

Digital storytelling as a tool for empowerment. This is the goal of the Belgian non-profit organisation Comundos. The organisation provides media literacy courses for young people worldwide. ‘By letting people from the Global South make their own story, you relinquish control.’

Interview

‘Ecosocialism (including degrowth) is the way forward’

17 January 2022 -

Jonas Van der Slycken, guest lecturer on sustainable development and columnist for mo.be, where he writes articles on the topic, believes in an ecosocialism that says farewell to the growth economy. ‘Ecosocialism does not need to be as counter-hegemonic as the degrowth movement, but as system-changing.’

Interview

Conflict, Borders, and Division: The Fallout from the Climate Crisis

6 September 2021 -

From uncontrollable fires in southern Europe to unprecedented flooding in Belgium and Germany, the summer of 2021 witnessed a string of environmental disasters. In his book, "The New Border Wars", Klaus Dodds predicts that floods will continue to ravage our continents, with devastating consequences.