HOW THE WEST SUPPORTS ISLAMIST EXTREMIST GROUPS

In recent decades, radical Islamist groups have proliferated across Africa, from Egypt to Libya, Nigeria, Burkina Faso and beyond. But whose interests do these groups truly serve? While some claim to be fighting the West, the reality is far more complex. Many of these movements have played into the hands of imperialists and neo-colonial forces by destabilising anti-imperial secular nationalist leaders, ultimately advancing Western-backed agendas.

Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood, Libya's Islamic fighters, ISIS in Sinai, ISIS in the Sahel and Boko Haram in Nigeria all highlight the uncomfortable truth that these groups often deepen divisions and fuel conflict rather than achieve their stated goals.

From Boko Haram's mysterious funding to the US-backed overthrow of Gaddafi, to terrorist groups targeting the Alliance of Sahel States - history shows how these violent movements often serve imperial interests.

Continued………For a deeper understanding of how these so-called Islamist groups continue to advance neocolonial interests, it's crucial to question who truly benefits from the chaos. Watch African Stream's Ahmed Kaballo break down a list of extremist groups that have all served imperialist interests in Africa and beyond.

Hear Us Roar: https://news.1rj.ru/str/AfricanStream

MOROCCANS PROTEST AGAINST SHIP CARRYING ALLEGED WEAPONS FOR ISRAEL

In the port city of Tangier, about 1,000 Moroccans took to the streets to protest the arrival of the Maersk Detroit ship, which reportedly transported components for F-35 fighter jets destined for Israel. 

Furious dockworkers’ unions and pro-Palestine activists marched toward the Tangier port. While port authorities at Tanger Med claimed ignorance about what was on board, Maersk confirmed that the ship was handling ‘US government cargo’ and that its policy doesn’t prohibit it from carrying military goods. However, it refuted claims that it was bound for Israel.

Continued……. On 6 April, an estimated tens of thousands of demonstrators rallied in Rabat against Israel’s military onslaught in Gaza, one of the largest protests in recent months. Moroccans also called for an end to normalisation with Israel, brokered by the United States in 2020. Many Moroccans expressed their frustration with US foreign policy, particularly US President Donald Trump’s proposal to relocate displaced Palestinians to develop Gaza into the ‘Riviera of the Middle East.’ 

The Moroccan people’s commitment to supporting the Palestinian liberation struggle dates back to the 1920s, according to Pan-African journal Souffles (@soufflesmonde on IG and X).

Video credit: @aljazeera, @africanews

Sources

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/4/6/mass-protests-in-morocco-against-israels-war-in-gaza-and-us-support

https://www.newarab.com/news/moroccans-protest-maersk-ship-carrying-f-35-parts-israel

https://www.soufflesmonde.com/posts/introduction-moroccos-palestine

NICARAGUA: RESISTING U.S IMPERALISM!

This week marks the Western-backed attempted coup in Nicaragua in 2018 that aimed to overthrow the socialist government of Daniel Ortega and strip back the various social programs aimed at reducing poverty and providing educational support. African Stream's CEO and founder, Ahmed Kaballo, visited Nicaragua in 2021 to cover its presidential elections. He also used the opportunity to gain deeper insights into how the foreign-backed coup attempt impacted the nation that had already been attacked so viciously in the 1980s by US-backed Contra rebels. He travelled throughout the country and spoke to Nicaraguans from all walks of life to get their perspective on the events that almost brought them to the brink of war for a second time. This documentary was the outcome (apologies if the camera work is a bit rough and ready in places - he went there on a limited budget).

Continued…….. Sources

https://www.scmp.com/news/world/africa/article/3306505/ghana-bans-foreigners-local-gold-trading-major-overhaul

https://apnews.com/article/ghana-gold-board-mining-857b3be91b8a9e649de6097b23cabcb2

https://www.reuters.com/markets/commodities/ghana-orders-foreigners-exit-gold-market-by-april-30-2025-04-14/

https://miningconnection.com/coal_prep/news/article/ghana_closes_the_door_to_foreign_participation_in_local_gold_markets/

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cpvr0x3mkl1o

WHO IS FUNDING TERRORIST GROUPS IN AFRICA?

How are t*rrorist groups able to finance their activities? That’s the question raised by Nigerian General Christopher Musa after captured Boko Haram fighters were found in possession of hard currency. The level of organisation and logistics required to maintain operations for 15 years is no mean feat - likely beyond the capacities of mere rag-tag militias.

A plausible explanation is external support, and precedent exists to warrant suspicion. The Sahel’s t*rrorism crisis post-2011 can be directly linked to Libya, where insurgents, armed and funded by Western powers to overthrow pan-African icon Muammar Gaddafi, trickled south after the job was done.

Continued……This turned the Sahel into the world’s new epicentre of t*rrorism, with countries such as Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger most affected.

Western support for t*rrorist groups is also documented elsewhere. Leaks concerning the State Department revealed correspondence between Jake Sullivan and his then-boss Hillary Clinton, with one email reading, "AQ [Al Qaeda] is on our side in Syria." The US and the UK also armed and funded Mujihadeen in Afghanistan to fight its adversary, the Soviet Union.

Back to Africa, countries like Mali have directly accused France of violating Malian airspace and delivering weapons to armed groups in 2022, and of training t*rrorists in 2021.

Have a watch, and let us know where you think Boko Haram gets its money.

Sources

https://en.reseauinternational.net/terrorisme-dans-le-sahel-et-le-role-de-washington/

https://www.capitalfm.co.ke/news/2024/03/central-sahel-emerges-as-new-epicenter-of-global-terrorism/

https://www.realclearinvestigations.com/articles/2022/04/20/al_qaeda_is_on_our_side_how_obamabiden_officials_helped_create_a_safe_haven_for_terrorists_in_syria_827477.html

https://thegrayzone.com/2021/08/24/propaganda-today-ben-norton-afghanistan-war/

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/8/17/mali-accuses-france-of-arming-non-state-actors

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/10/8/mali-accuses-france-of-training-terrorists-in-country

COULD THIS BE ORANIA’S FIRST BLACK RESIDENT?

South Africa’s apartheid regime may have collapsed over three decades ago, but Black citizens still have to fight to live in de-facto Whites-only parts of the country. The Northern Cape town of Orania refuses to accept any would-be residents who are not descended from Dutch settlers - citing locals’ right to preserve their cultural traditions. The very existence of the town in post-apartheid South Africa is now being challenged by the local branch of the Economic Freedom Fighters party, with chairman Shadrack Tlhaole leading a protest on 22 April and presenting a petition to the regional government.

Continued….. He vows to be the first Black resident of Orania if the authorities refuse to rule it illegal, arguing the town currently violates South Africa’s constitution, which is anchored in the principles of inclusivity and non-racialism. In the past, Orania residents have claimed that their enclave’s existence is protected by Article 235 of the South African constitution, which guarantees self-determination. However, opponents insist that the cited part of the constitution does not permit people of a particular racial, religious or cultural group to live in a secluded place away from other South Africans. In 2000, the Northern Cape High Court adjourned ‘sine die’ (without a further hearing date) after Orania’s proponents challenged attempts by the government to incorporate the town into the nearby municipal authority, leaving the town’s legal status in limbo and a subject of debate. But in 2025, should it even be debatable whether Black South Africans can purchase property in certain parts of their country - simply because they are Black?

Video credits: SABC News and EyeWitness News

Sources

https://x.com/SABCNews/status/1914705848527396927

https://www.ewn.co.za/2025/04/22/i-am-going-to-be-a-resident-of-orania-nc-eff-leader-tlhaole
https://mg.co.za/article/2007-07-04-orania-and-n-cape-govt-to-discuss-future-of-enclave/

Pan-Africanist forces are mobilising behind Burkina Faso’s president, Ibrahim Traoré, as a credible threat of a Western-backed coup d’état looms against his government following US Africa Command (AFRICOM)’s General Michael Langley inaccurately claiming Traoré’s government is nationalising gold to prop up a ‘junta regime.’

Langley’s comments have riled many online, as the evidence shows Burkina Faso—as well as the other member-states of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), Mali and Niger—have been reclaiming their natural resources following successful people-backed coups d’état in recent years.

Since 30 September 2022, Burkina Faso has booted French troops, terminated military cooperation with France, nationalised two gold mines, cooperated with China to build a teaching hospital and worked with Russia to beat back armed t*rrorism that traces its origins to the 2011 NATO invasion of Libya.

Continued……Like X user @mhondoronehanda, many across the Pan-Africanist political spectrum have praised Traoré, including, Kenyan advocate Miguna Miguna (@migunamiguna via X) and Economic Freedom Fighters (@effsouthafrica) President Julius Malema (@Julius_s_malema via X). Africans across the continent and in the diaspora believe Burkina Faso’s struggle is part of an Africa-wide struggle for sovereignty.

AFRICOM’s website says the US military maintains a presence on the continent to ‘advance US national interests.’ Its 2024 Posture Statement says the US uses AFRICOM to gain access to ‘Africa’s critical minerals and maritime shipping lanes.’ 

It’s clear from Langley’s comments during a US Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on 3 April that the US empire will continue to use ‘Black faces in high places’ to advance its agenda under the guise of fighting t*rrorism and defending democracy and human rights.

The demand is growing louder, as Africans will no longer accept military occupations disguised as peacekeeping or Black generals peddling colonial agendas.

Note: We updated the original tweet with brackets to correct a typographical error.

Post credit: @mhondoronehanda (X)

Sources

https://globalpost.com/stories/three-west-african-states-strenghten-ties-as-breakaway-bloc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bADkurlZbaY

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DIui8yIydpH

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tT4K3ONxEP4

https://mg.co.za/article/2020-05-01-exclusive-the-us-militarys-plans-to-cement-its-network-of-african-bases

https://www.africom.mil/document/35430/usafricom-fy25-posture-statement-iso-sasc-hearing-7-mar-24pdf