SDLP Youth have today urged people to sign a petition calling for ex-President of Zimbabwe Robert Mugabe to resign from his autocratic post.

It is four and a half months since Morgan Tsvangirai and the MDC won power, but they have been denied their seats by Robert Mugabe who controls the army.

Most of the country is starving, but the media can’t see the real situation while they are banned. Humanitarian agencies are not allowed to distribute food themselves, and must give it to the government to distribute. Inflation has gone up by 40,000,000% and probably more while you read this.

Zanu PF and its army operate torture camps in former primary schools, and 12 opposition MPs are currently in jail on false charges.

Once Mugabe is removed, the EU, US and UK have pledged $1.9 billion in finance to support Zimbabwe’s economy and feed it’s starving citizens.

This weekend in S Africa, Mugabe meets with 15 other African leaders to discuss the progress of talks with the opposition. A massive group of trade unionists will march through Johannesburg calling for Mugabe to resign, supported by 100,000 people who have signed the Avaaz petition. The trade unionists are also threatening to stop handling any Zimbabwean goods, therefore cutting off trade to the country, if the talks do not have a satisfactory result.

Please take a moment to sign these petition:

Call for Red Card for Mugabe - during this weekend’s talks in South Africa

Call for No Guns for Zimbabwe - stop countries like China from supplying weapons.

On the 21st August 1970 the Social Democratic and Labour Party was created. Six MPs and one Senator got together to change the country, to promote civil rights, to represent the people, to stop the IRA war, to campaign for a new Ireland and supporting a principle of consent.

The seven men had worked together since the 1969 elections. They were John Hume MP elected in Foyle, Paddy O’Hanlon MP in South Armagh, Ivan Cooper MP in Mid Londonderry, and Austin Currie MP re-elected in East Tyrone, Paddy Devlin MP in Falls, Gerry Fitt MP in Dock, and Senator Paddy Wilson (who was brutally murdered in 1973 by the UFF).

Please read more on The Belfast Stoop blog. Also, here are the SDLP’s founding principles:

Cllr Niall Kelly, or Nelly as he’s known to SDLP Youth, was elected to Belfast City Council on 1st July 2008, co-opted to Carmel Hanna’s seat. He represents the Balmoral Ward in South Belfast. Incase you’re wondering, the Balmoral Ward represents Malone, Upper Malone, Finaghy, Musgrave, Windsor and Blackstaff areas of Belfast.

Niall has his own blog called The Belfast Stoop where he discusses council business, SDLP issues, and just general ranting.

Niall has just done a YouTube interview for WIMPS (Where Is My Public Servant?) which you can see above! It’s a good interview - Niall speaks up for young people who get an unwarranted bad press, he talks about homophobic MP Iris Robinson, and he explains how young people can get involved in politics through different groups, youth wings and political parties.

(from http://thesdlp.bebo.com/ )

SDLP Cllr Colin McGrath, who was recently elected Chairman of Down District Counci, discusses recent events and council duties in Down District, in his 2nd YouTube diary.

The SDLP E-Newsletter August edition is now available on their website.

It includes Mark Durkan’s speech to Youth Conference, pieces on Gerard Diver and Colin McGrath becoming First Citizens of Derry City and Down District Councils, and details of the recent gala dinner to celebrate Eddie McGrady’s 21st year as MP for South Down.

The SDLP has just announced Rosemary Flanagan as their candidate to contest the Enniskillen by-election.

Rosemary is an Education adviser working in post-primary schools. The SDLP site describes her as “a longstanding member of the party since the 1970s and is currently chair of Enniskillen Branch and Fermanagh District Executive and also served as Chair of Policy Committee for a number of years”.

The SDLP is focusing on delivering real commitments, at a time when other parties are doing all talk and no action.

Part of the SDLP’s mission and their manifesto commitment will be to put people before politics, and work to make Enniskillen the best it can be - economically, socially, politically, culturally and environmentally.

For a better Ireland and a better Enniskillen, vote Rosemary Flanagan No. 1!

The latest polls from the US continue to suggest a 3-5 point lead for Obama! There are 80 days to election day, and even though Obama is on holiday in Hawaii, the press continue to follow him over McCain. Go Obama!

Via Stony River Farm, the Dover company reports that their Obama Paper Dolls are out-selling the McCain Paper Dolls!

For only $7.99 you can own “beautifully rendered paper dolls featuring Presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama, his wife, Michelle, and their two daughters. The elegantly designed set includes a complete wardrobe of authentic outfits worn by the couple on the campaign trail.”

The Political Youthwings Conference takes place next weekend (22-24th August). Parties from across Ireland + GB will be attending this conference, being held in Belfast. The theme is young people and mental health. The organisers are providing food/accomodation but NOT travel expenses.

SDLP Youth have two places at the conference and we must decide who to send by Tuesday 19th @ 5pm (please note this is a deadline!). This is open to ALL sdlp youth members.

Please note it’s on the same date as the McClusky Civil Rights weekend.

You can put your name forward or just find out more information on our youth forum @ http://forum.sdlp.ie/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=346 OR by contacting us.

10 years ago today Real IRA terrorists slaughtered 29 people and two unborn baby girls when they detonated a bomb in Omagh town centre. A misleading bomb warning phone-call sent people closer to the bomb, further maximising the death toll.

The people murdered by the Real IRA were going about their everyday business on what should have been an ordinary day. They were Irish, British and Spanish. They were many different religions. They were parents, grandparents and children. Twelve of the victims were aged 18 or under.

El Blogador carries a full list of the Omagh bomb victims.

As well as those killed, many survivors were scarred for life, physically and emotionally, their lives would never be the same.

It is time that the Real IRA realise they have no support what-so-ever. Communities do not want them. The PSNI believe there are 80-100 active members. We don’t know what they are fighting for. They are certainly not Irish republicans. They are not fighting for any Irish cause.

On 10th August 1998, Deputy First Minister Seamus Mallon, standing in the rubble, said it was the worst carnage he’d seen in 30 years. He said: “I’ve just seen grown policemen standing in their uniforms covered in blood and crying.”

Today, Mark Durkan, leader of the SDLP said: “The Omagh bomb was a dreadful atrocity which epitomised the brutality and futility of all terrorism. Today we remember the horror and the hurt, and honour the memory of all those who were robbed of their lives and their loves on that day.”

Today we remember them. Rest in peace.

SDLP Education Spokesperson Dominic Bradley MLA has congratulated students on their success at A-level and wished them success in their future endeavours and I also thank their teachers and parents for their hard work and support.

Mr Bradley stated:

“Once again students have produced excellent results in their A-level

And I congratulate every student on their individual achievements - each of them has made an important step in their life long learning journey.

It is very heartening that Northern Ireland A-Level students have again outperformed those in England and Wales, with 35.4% gaining an A grade compared to the 25.9% overall figure – an achievement which is contributed to by a variety of schools of different types.

“A-level results continue to improve and it is unfortunate that some have attempted to denigrate the work of students and teachers but I believe that we should salute teachers and pupils for their hard work and dedication which has meant that many ‘A’ Level students have reached their full potential.

“Results day is not an easy time for any student and some students may find that their results unfortunately do not match their expectations. It is important that they contact their careers’ teacher to explore the many possibilities still open to them nad that they do not make hasty decisions. I wish all students well in whatever direction they choose to take.”