AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK: A TROJAN HORSE

They call it the African Development Bank. But what if Africa’s financial future is being steered by a Trojan horse? Foreign powers block projects, sabotage leadership and shape policy to keep Africa dependent. The African Union faces the same trap: foreign money and foreign strings. Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

WHEN GERMANY TURNED AFRICA INTO A LABORATORY

Colonial Germany’s genocide in Namibia, which saw at least 70-thousand innocent Nama and Ovaherero people killed, is slowly attracting long-denied attention. But the imperialist power also did other despicable things in its East African ‘possessions’ that are even less widely known about.

One of its most revered scientists - Robert Koch, who won a Nobel Prize for his work on tuberculosis - used Africans, kept in concentration-like conditions, as guinea pigs for trials of a dangerous experimental drug for sleeping sickness.

While some might put it all down to the ‘bad old past,’ as African Stream’s Clinton Nzala here explains, some things haven’t really changed.

Would you agree?

FROM BROTHERS IN BUTCHERY TO MORTAL FOES

They are the faces of Sudan's proxy-war. However, did you know that al-Burhan and Hemedti - before their power struggle devastated the nation - were ‘brothers in butchery’? African Stream’s @sannario_ breaks down their decades-long genocidal bromance.

Continued……. Sources

https://www.crisisgroup.org/africa/horn-africa/sudan/two-years-sudans-war-spreading

https://english.aawsat.com/arab-world/5035295-uncertainty-surrounds-fate-burhan-hemedti-meeting-kampala

https://www.dabangasudan.org/en/all-news/article/el-burhan-freezes-rsf-bank-accounts-amidst-ongoing-clashes-in-sudan

https://www.aa.com.tr/en/africa/hemedti-from-camel-herder-to-sudans-de-facto-ruler/1543961

https://menasolidaritynetwork.com/2025/06/03/six-years-since-the-2019-sudanese-massacres-the-war-on-revolution-continues/

https://carnegieendowment.org/middle-east/diwan/2021/10/the-military-has-taken-power-in-sudan-and-dissolved-its-transitional-government?lang=en

https://www.clingendael.org/publication/military-coup-betrays-sudans-revolution

https://www.altaghyeer.info/en/2021/10/20/together-against-al-burhan-and-hemedtis-coup/

https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/sudans-burhan-declares-state-emergency-dissolves-government-2021-10-25/

https://www.arabnews.com/node/2308416/middle-east

https://www.sudaninthenews.com/framework-agreement/framework-agreement-power-struggle-military

https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/sudans-army-warns-rsf-movements-khartoum-other-cities-2023-04-13/

https://www.cfr.org/global-conflict-tracker/conflict/power-struggle-sudan

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/apr/15/sudan-in-worlds-largest-humanitarian-crisis-after-two-years-of-civil-war

WAS THERE A PLOT TO WIPE OUT BLACK S. AFRICANS WITH HIV?

For decades, the Southern African region has been grappling with a severe HIV/AIDS epidemic, a crisis of urgent proportions. Most of the countries in the region have HIV prevalence rates of over 10% - versus a global prevalence rate of 0.8%. For example, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime says 18.8% of South Africans between the ages of 15 and 49 were HIV positive as of 2024. The figure for neighbouring Eswatini is even worse - at 25.9%.

For a long time, scientists and policymakers have been baffled as to why the region is more affected by the virus than other parts of the world. Several theories have emerged regarding the potential causes of this high prevalence rate. One of the most shocking - seen by some as a conspiracy - is the claim that White supremacist forces deliberately spread HIV among Black South Africans during the apartheid era, a theory that is as shocking as it is controversial.

Continued……In this video, African Stream’s Clinton Nzala takes a closer look at this jaw-dropping allegation.

Sources

https://newafricanmagazine.com/18285/
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jan/27/south-african-intelligence-officers-spread-aids-black-communities
https://www.unodc.org/newsletter/en/perspectives/no02/page005.html#:~:text=With%20a%20national%20HIV%20prevalence,:%20Zapiro/Mail%20and%20Guardian.

AFRIQUIZ LIVE ON IG 1 JULY 2025
3 PM E.A.T.

As we say goodbye to African Stream, we invite you to join us for one last ride. As a token of our appreciation for your loyalty to the pan-African revolution - your love, support and commitment to our content - we're hosting a special live edition of Afriquiz, where we’ll be giving away African Stream t-shirts! If you want a chance to win by showing off your knowledge about our beloved Africa, join us live via Instagram on 1 July 2025 at 3:00 pm E.A.T

BURKINA LESSONS: SANKARA, COMPAORÉ AND TRAORÉ

Thomas Sankara dreamed of an Africa that stood tall, unbent and un-bought. A Burkina Faso free from neocolonial chains, where land belonged to the people, where women were leaders, where the West didn’t dictate our destiny. He dared to speak the truth - and for that, he was murdered.

By whom? Not just by imperialism. But by betrayal from within.

Blaise Compaoré, Sankara’s closest comrade, turned the revolution into a funeral. He opened the door wide to French influence, handed the economy to foreign interests and ruled for 27 years with the backing of the same powers Sankara had defied. That’s how imperialism survives - not just through bombs, but through Black faces serving White interests.

But the people never forgot. In 2014, it was ordinary Burkinabe who brought down Compaoré. They rose up. They set fire to a corrupt legacy. And now, a new chapter has begun, led by Captain Ibrahim Traoré: young, a solider, charismatic, anti-imperialist.

Continued……. Sound familiar? Traoré has expelled foreign troops, challenged the IMF model and called out neocolonial meddling for what it is. He speaks Sankara’s language not just in words, but in actions. And yet, history has taught us to be cautious. Because allies can be co-opted. And revolutions can be stolen, again.

That’s why this story isn’t just about Sankara, Compaoré or Traoré. It’s about us. Because the dream Sankara died for won’t survive on hope alone. It needs vigilance. It needs pressure from below. And it needs a united people who understand that Africa’s enemies don’t always wear uniforms: sometimes they wear suits, smile wide and call themselves ‘partners.’

Sources

https://www.sierraeyemagazine.com/is-captain-ibrahim-traore-burkina-fasos-next-sankara/

https://mronline.org/2025/05/09/the-rising-star-of-cpt-ibrahim-traore-burkina-fasos-spirit-of-sankara/


https://noirpress.org/the-sankara-blueprint-how-we-build-on-the-traore-movement/


https://medium.com/@ghanaba.amos/blaise-compaor%C3%A9-a-betrayal-forged-in-greed-and-foreign-interference-13d9ff36a4ff

https://panafricanreview.com/sankara-campaore-friendship-and-trust-in-the-life-of-the-african-christian-part-i/

UGANDAN JEWS DENIED ISRAELI CITIZENSHIP

Did you know that Uganda is home to an African Jewish community (the Abayudaya) that has been denied Israeli citizenship, primarily due to its Interior Ministry’s r*cism? 

The Abayudaya, meaning ‘People of Judah’ in Luganda, is a community that traces its origins to Semei Kakungulu (1869-1928), a prominent military leader in the early 20th century. Initially converted to Christianity by British missionaries, Kakungulu became disillusioned with the British after they failed to make him king of territories he had helped them conquer. He then embarked on a deeper study of the Bible, leading him to believe that only the Old Testament was true. 

Continued…….. Out of antisemitism, British colonial authorities had designated Uganda as a potential home for unwanted Jews from Eastern Europe. In 1903, Z*onist leader Theodor Herzl (1860-1904) met with Joseph Chamberlain (1836-1914), the British colonial secretary of state, and other senior officials who agreed in principle to the idea of settling European Jews in East Africa. They also considered neighbouring Kenya a suitable place for resettlement, but British settlers strongly opposed the plan, so it did not come to fruition.

In 1913, Kakungulu declared his community to be Jewish and urged his followers to observe the laws of the Hebrew Bible strictly. With time, the Abayudaya deepened their practice of Judaism, learning customary blessings, observing Kashrut (dietary laws), and celebrating Shabbat and holidays. In 2002, many Abayudaya underwent formal conversions overseen by US Conservative rabbis, further solidifying their Jewish identity.

While the Jewish Agency for Israel formally recognised the Abayudaya as a ‘recognised Jewish community’ in 2009 and reaffirmed this status in 2016, Israel's Interior Ministry has often taken a different stance, as the ultra-Orthodox Chief Rabbinate usually influences it.

However, white South African converts to Judaism are more easily granted citizenship, unlike Black converts. 

Video credit: @lumumba.amin / TikTok

Sources

https://israeled.org/uganda-proposal/

https://www.newvision.co.ug/news/1428141/britain-gifted-uganda-creation-israel-territory

https://www.rabbinicalassembly.org/story/shall-state-israel-recognize-abayudaya-jews-uganda-summary-hearing-israels-high-court-justice


https://www.middleeasteye.net/opinion/israel-south-africa-home-white-colonialists

https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2021-09-30/ty-article/.highlight/cleansed-by-the-torah-why-these-afrikaners-became-jews-and-moved-to-israel/0000017f-e2bb-d9aa-afff-fbfb151f0000

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/feb/28/ethiopian-women-given-contraceptives-israel

https://www.timesofisrael.com/ugandan-jews-get-official-recognition-from-jewish-agency/

5% FOR NIGER, 95% FOR FRANCE

The people-backed coup in Niger in 2023 against Western favourite Mohamed Bazoum spoiled the party for actors that had robbed the country for decades. While exploitation is a serious issue, humour can shed light on the situation. Here's a skit we made in 2022 to illustrate how France kept Niger in poverty - despite being dependent on its resources.

Niger's new leadership expelled French and US troops from its soil and took control of the uranium sector, including plans for nationalisation from French state-owned miner Orano. For decades, France had exploited Niger's uranium resources, buying them at minimal cost - while Niger imported 70% of its electricity from Nigeria. This exploitation was a key factor behind the 26 July 2023 coup, which had nationwide support.

Continued…….. The anti-colonial revolution in Niger is already showing positive results. According to Statista, Niger achieved a 10.3% growth rate in 2024, making it among the world's fastest-growing economies, despite pressure from international and regional players.

Sources
https://africanarguments.org/2023/08/niger-the-resource-politics-of-a-post-colonial-revolt/

https://www.statista.com/statistics/448600/gross-domestic-product-gdp-growth-rate-in-niger/

https://www.aa.com.tr/en/energy/energy-diplomacy/nigeria-cuts-off-electricity-supply-to-niger-following-coup/38644

Continued……. In 1961, he formed ZAPU with other anti-colonial activists. The party was founded on Marxist and nationalist principles and would gain nationwide acceptance. In 1963, the party suffered a significant split, with leaders such as Robert Mugabe, Ndabaningi Sithole, and Herbert Chitepo leaving to form the rival Zimbabwe African National Union (ZANU). In 1964, Nkomo was arrested by colonial authorities and jailed for ten years. Upon his release in 1974, he moved to Zambia, from where he led ZAPU’s anti-colonial activities.

ZAPU’s armed wing, the Zimbabwe People’s Revolutionary Army (ZIPRA), achieved significant military victories against the Rhodesian army, thereby weakening the colonial regime and compelling it to the negotiating table at the Lancaster House talks. These talks led to the first non-racial election in Zimbabwe. Nkomo lost to ZANU’s Mugabe, who went on to become the country’s first post-independence prime minister.

In 1982, Nkomo was appointed to Mugabe’s cabinet, but the two quickly fell out. Nkomo would later be accused of plotting a coup. The state restricted his movements, but he managed to flee into exile a few months later.
The two leaders reconciled in 1987 and merged their parties to form ZANU-PF. In 1990, Mugabe appointed Nkomo as Vice President, a position he held until he died in 1999.

CASTRO: AFRICA’S HERO

Since the overthrow of US-backed dictator Batista in Cuba, the Caribbean island has been a steadfast friend to Africa. Under the leadership of revolutionary icon Fidel Castro, Cuba was a key player in the fight against apartheid, colonialism and exploitation in Africa.

During his tenure, he sent Cuban soldiers to fight side by side with Africans to secure their independence and sent civil support as well.

His unwavering commitment to the struggle against Western imperialism earned him love and respect across the continent.

Sources

https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/mono/10.4324/9780203009246/cuban-intervention-angola-1965-1991-edward-george

THE CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC: AFRICA'S MOST COVETED COUNTRY?

The Central African Republic (CAR) is not a country that receives much coverage in the English-language press. Yet, it may be one of the most important countries in Africa and the world at large due to its coveted natural resources. While many around the world have begun to pay attention to the political developments in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, the evolving relationship between France and the Central African Republic is less well known. In this video, African Stream's Inemesit Richardson break down the long history of France's vie for control over the CAR.

JESUS WAS NOT A WHITE MAN

Across Africa, churches are still adorned with the image of a White Jesus, an image that is historically inaccurate but remains deeply ingrained in Christian spaces. How did this portrayal come to dominate, and why does it persist today?

In this video, we visit a church in Kenya and explore how European colonialism shaped the way Jesus is depicted in Africa. The story reveals how these images weren't just about faith - they were tools of control, reinforcing colonial power structures and cultural superiority.

The White Jesus myth is not just a harmless cultural difference. It's a legacy of colonialism that continues to shape African identity and faith. But there's a growing movement across the continent to reclaim a Biblically more accurate and authentic depiction of Christ.

Continued….. Sources

1. https://sc.edu/uofsc/posts/2020/07/conversation_white_jesus.php


2. https://africasacountry.com/2019/08/beyond-white-jesus


3. https://medium.com/@ben_mmari/the-negative-effects-of-white-jesus-on-the-african-community-b883320b3cc4


4. https://broadview.org/black-jesus-colonialism/

5. https://christianstandard.com/2022/09/the-white-jesus-myth/

TURKEY-SOMALIA: FRIENDSHIP OR COLONISATION?

They say Turkey is ‘helping’ Somalia. But what kind of help is it if, in return, Ankara gets to keep Somali ports and oil, and expand its military footprint in the region?

For over a decade, Turkey has presented itself as Africa’s ‘Muslim brother,’ stepping into Somalia with aid, business deals and military training. But behind the humanitarian PR, who really benefits?

In Mogadishu, Turkey now runs two of Somalia’s most strategic assets: the airport and the seaport. A Turkish firm gets 45% of port revenues. That’s nearly half of Somalia’s maritime income going to a foreign country. Moreover, since signing a ten-year oil-exploration deal with Somalia, Turkey has made a 20-billion-barrel discovery worth 1.6 trillion dollars. And Ankara also has its biggest overseas military base in Somalia.