‘WEST CAN’T LECTURE US ABOUT COUPS’

Condemning coups is back in fashion! France, whose allies - from Mali to Gabon - have been targets lately, has condemned each one. For a long time, it had no problems subverting democracy, deposing democratically elected leaders who chose their people’s interests over French ones. France is alleged to have had a hand in the overthrow of 22 African leaders since 1963.

It’s something to remember whenever we hear hypocritical calls for democracy. The West only cares about democracy if it serves its interests - and has no problem with hijacking governments if that better serves them.

It’s a point brilliantly made here by Zambian socialist politician Fred M’Membe.

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SANCTIONS SHACKLING AFRICA

Africa is sanctioned more than any other continent. Over a dozen of its countries are under restrictions that cripple the economy and hit local populations hard. Those behind them - mainly the US - believe the measures can bully sovereign states into aligning with Western policy. History shows that rarely happens, but what does happen is the destruction of ordinary people’s lives. Here’s what you need to know about how sanctions work and who suffers.

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DRC'S GOLDEN DEAL?

The UAE has emerged as a new player in Eastern DRC’s mineral market. Kinshasa says the billion-dollar deal struck between the two nations will help clamp down on illegal operations as a source of funding for militias in the region as well as boost local incomes. But is Abu Dhabi the best partner? After all, it was embroiled in the Gold Mafia scandal that saw tonnes of gold illegally smuggled out of South Africa and Zimbabwe.

We look at what’s being promised.

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KWAME TURE ON AMERICAN ANTI-SOCIALISM

Americans have a pretty low opinion of socialism - and Pan-African icon Kwame Ture had an idea why. Here he argues that US capitalism basically brainwashes society to think things like communism are bad - without ever really giving people an inkling of what it’s really about. Obviously, this suits a system that profits from exploiting the Global South nicely: Americans can enjoy their consumerism, blissfully unaware of the devastating impact U.S imperialism has on others.

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FRANCE GETTING THE BOOT

An anti-French wave is gathering momentum across African countries currently in the grip of French neocolonialism.

France's excessive influence in its former colonies and support for unpopular governments have fuelled a desire for change.

There is also growing anger at theft of resources and the Paris-controlled West African currency, the CFA, which transfers wealth directly to the French treasury.

Here's a list of pro-France leaders recently kicked out of power:

1) Gabon - Ali Bongo Ondimba

2) Niger - Mohamed Bazoum

3) Burkina Faso - Blaise Compaoré, Roch Kaboré

4) Guinea - Alpha Conde

5) Mali - Ibrahim Boubacar Keita

So who could be next on the list? Let us know.

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FRENCH FINANCIAL ENSLAVEMENT

If you need a reminder of France’s oppressive actions in Africa, this clip is as good as any. The former African Union representative to the United States, Arikana Chihombori-Quao, lays out what the former colonial power has done and still does. From coups and assassinations to continued acts of financial tyranny. Think we’re kidding? In order to get their independence, French colonies had to agree to use the CFA franc and transfer huge amounts of their reserves to the French Central Bank. Oh, and if they want any of it back - they have to withdraw it as a ‘loan’ and pay interest.

Take a listen.

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BONGO EXIT BRINGS HOPE

So what do the people of Gabon think of this week’s coup in their country? Many celebrated the end of Ali Bongo’s rule and his family’s grip on power for over fifty years. And in these clips, you’ll get a sense of the relief people are feeling. Not hard to understand when you consider more than 40 per cent of the population lives in poverty in this oil-rich country. A fact made harder to swallow by the contrasting life of luxury the Bongo’s enjoyed. Expensive cars, multiple properties and millions of dollars in dozens of bank accounts around the world.

On top of that are claims of rigged elections and corrupt links with French companies and politicians. The man in charge now is General Nguema, who’s believed to be a relative of Ali Bongo. But that last point hasn’t dampened enthusiasm on the streets for the power grab.

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FRANCE’S DEMOCRACY HYPOCRISY

France’s Macron got very defensive recently when he was accused of getting too involved in Niger and efforts to have ousted President Mohamed Bazoum reinstated - suggesting that it was all about defending a fellow democracy. So here’s a little reminder of all the non-democratically elected African leaders Marcon and French presidents before him were more than happy to keep about and be chummy with.

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At a 1980 meeting with Margaret Thatcher, Omar Bongo proposed greater British-Gabon cooperation. He encouraged private investors to come, assuring them they could take their profits in full and that his country would not go the nationalization route. Why would an African leader be against greater African ownership of resources, especially in the decades after independence? He surely knew that such a position only served foreign interests and perpetuated inequality inherited from colonialism. But for Omar Bongo, the former colonial powers were the solution and not the problem, infamously saying, 'Africa without France is like a car without a driver'. In reality, he knew the 'West' would not only tolerate his rampant corruption but would facilitate it, allowing him to obtain multiple properties and bank accounts across Europe and America.

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Continued - His son continued his father's legacy and famously sided with the West against the AU by backing sanctions and imposing a no-fly zone in Libya. Bongo seemed to thirst for foreign private enterprise and was richly rewarded.
He was accused of striking a dodgy deal with French oil firm ELF and taking huge kickbacks.

A Paris trial of ELF's former chairman revealed that his company could operate "like a state within a state". This 1980 Downing Street document (below) shows how Omar Bongo pitched his country to potential UK investors. It sounds like a free-for-all, but given his record, there was probably something in it for him.

As for the people of Gabon, they remained in poverty and still do to this day following years under Omar's son, Ali. All this in a country blessed with natural resources. Will last week's coup bring a change in fortunes to its people?

MALEMA: CHINA WILL NEVER COLONIZE AFRICA

It is frequently said that China's investments in Africa are a plan to eventually colonise Africa. However, Julius Malema, the leader of South Africa's Pan-African political movement The Economic Freedom Fighters, says no such a thing will happen. In this video, he argues that some of the problems associated with deals between Beijing and African countries are a result of African leaders putting their personal interests and gains ahead of those of their citizens.

Do you agree with him?

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AKALA ON CULTURAL APPROPRIATION

Nothing wrong with enjoying another person’s culture or adopting some of its trappings and rituals - so long as you respect that culture. So argues British rapper and activist Akala in this clip from an Oxford Union debate.

One of the examples he gives is the Notting Hill Carnival. The event began in response to race riots in the area and the murder of a local Black man - something that its modern incarnation seems sometimes to have forgotten. Another example Akala cites is people wanting Caribbean music and food but being upset when there are actual Caribbeans in the establishment.

Kingslee James McLean Daley - aka Akala - is also an author and a poet. In 2006, he was voted the Best Hip Hop Act at the MOBO Awards and has been included on the annual Powerlist of the 100 most influential Black British people in the UK.

Akala is loved by many for his powerful lyrics and speeches, where he sheds light on injustices and socio-economic issues in the UK and beyond.

ACTIVIST: NIGER SANCTIONS INHUMANE

Niger is under heavy sanctions since the coup in Niamey. But while ECOWAS claims its punitive measures target the country’s military leaders and administration, it’s ordinary people bearing the brunt. Listen to activist Nourdine Aouade, from Tous Pour la Republique, outline how the masses are being hit. However, it seems many Nigeriens are prepared to suffer and unite behind their new government.

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