International Peace Operations Association's (IPOA) is holding their annual meeting in Washington DC.

If you don't know who IPOA is, don't be fooled by the word "peace" in their name. They are a coalition of mercenary groups (including DynCorp International) and this year, they have turned their sight on Africa.

"Engaging Africom" is the entire focus of the conference this year. Africom is the newest US attempt to militarily further colonize the continent of Africa (and gain access to natural resources, control governments, militarize aid, etc).

Resist Africom, which is a new dynamic coalition, has been working non-stop to prevent this massive new base from forming (and to some degree, have been successful - combined with the amazing on the ground resistance happening throughout the continent of Africa). This group includes Africa Faith and Justice Network, TransAfrica Forum, Africa Action, Malcolm X Grassroots Project, and the Institute for Policy Studies, among others.

This is our first major public event targeting these military contractors - and we would love your help and support.

Not only is this a powerful movement to stop something terrible from forming, but also in my mind, a very important moment for all peace and justice movements to work together for a common goal - to stop Africom! Tradition peace and anti-war groups coming together with groups that historical have works on issues relating to the continent and Diaspora of Africa together have the power to stop this massive expansion of US power.

Contact:
Saif Rahman
Institute for Policy Studies, Movements Coordinator
www.ips-dc.org,
Foreign Policy In Focus, Youth and Activism Editor
www.fpif.org

(o) 202.234.9382 ext. 254
(m) 860.966.2473

1112 16th St, NW
Washington, DC 20036 USA
Suite 600

United for Peace and Justice, Steering Committee
www.unitedforpeace.org