Suppression of freedom of expression by Rhodes Scholars at Oxford University

The Africa Society and the Rhodes Scholars Southern Africa Forum at Oxford university has refused to allow Fahamu to sell copies of its new book ‘African Perspectives on China in Africa’ at a forthcoming seminar on China in Africa, despite a long established tradition of allowing booksellers to sell books at such events.

The organisers at St. Antony's College at Oxford University wrote to Fahamu to say that in their view the new book presents a monolithic, one sided view, and therefore would not be allowed to have the book displayed at the seminar. But how do they know it is monolithic? The book was only printed in Nairobi last week, and no copies are yet available in the UK.

Despite protests being lodged, Fahamu has still been refused the right to display the book.

We believe that this is an affront to academic freedom and an attempt at suppression of freedom of expression.