NO FOREIGN MODELS

Nigeria made headlines when it imposed a ban on foreign models within its borders. The move, which has sparked both support and controversy, aims to promote and empower local talents.

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DIASPORA NEEDS AN AFRICAN CULTURAL RENAISSANCE

Activist and academic Ramona Edelin - who’s famous for popularising the term ‘African-American’ (though we prefer ‘Africans in America’!) - once made the case that the diaspora needs to draw inspiration from its African roots. Too much emphasis is given, she says, to the dark side of our history - especially slavery and the socio-economic problems faced by Africans in America. In this clip from a TV appearance a while back, she urges us to draw inspiration from our African past, which was rich with mathematics, science, music, art and religion. Doing so, she says, could lead to a cultural renaissance within diaspora communities. What do you think? Does the diaspora need to re-connect with the ‘land base’?

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THE CIA 'LIES, CHEATS AND STEALS'

With CIA drones operating out of Niger, and renewed calls post-coup for the US base there to be shut down, let’s remember what the agency’s former boss Mike Pompeo once publicly admitted: we lie, we steal and we cheat.

The brazen confession confirmed what many had suspected: that the CIA will shamelessly flout international law to get its way. But it’s rare to hear it straight from the horses mouth.

The CIA drone base in Dirkou, Niger gives the US the ability to launch an attack anywhere in West Africa at any time, as well as easy access to Libya, North Africa and much of Central Africa.

The CIA has a long history of political intervention across the African continent, and is implicated in the overthrow of numerous popular African leaders.

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THE BOOK THAT GOT NKRUMAH DEPOSED?

Today is the 75th anniversary of the formation of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). In those 75 years, the agency has wreaked havoc across the world, especially in Africa. To the CIA, revolutionary Pan-African leaders like Kwame Nkrumah were a threat that needed to be 'neutralised'. Even their words were perceived to threaten the U.S. establishment - don't take our word for it; take it from Kwame Nkrumah's editorial assistant, June Milne. She says his book 'Neo-Colonialism, The Last Stage of Imperialism' spurred the U.S. into sponsoring the coup that removed him. It caused such a stir on its release that America cancelled its aid to Ghana before the CIA sponsored a coup to remove Nkrumah from office.

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HOW THE CIA ASSASSINATED LUMUMBA

On this day, 75 years ago, America’s Central Intelligence Agency was formed. And over the last seven decades it’s wreaked havoc on the world stage. Countless coups, assassinations and regime changes among the horrors it’s perpetrated. But few countries have been impacted like the Democratic Republic of Congo.

After its independence the CIA began pulling strings behind the scenes. And shortly after becoming the country’s first Prime Minister, Patrice Lumumba was killed. Some argue the CIA wanted him dead after his speech warning against mineral-rich Katanga from seceding.

Here’s a reminder of the chilling details surrounding the assassination, one of the most significant in the 20th century.

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HOW THE CIA ASSASSINATED LUMUMBA

On this day, 75 years ago, America’s Central Intelligence Agency was formed. And over the last seven decades it’s wreaked havoc on the world stage. Countless coups, assassinations and regime changes among the horrors it’s perpetrated. But few countries have been impacted like the Democratic Republic of Congo.

After its independence the CIA began pulling strings behind the scenes. And shortly after becoming the country’s first Prime Minister, Patrice Lumumba was killed. Some argue the CIA wanted him dead after his speech warning against mineral-rich Katanga from seceding.

Here’s a reminder of the chilling details surrounding the assassination, one of the most significant in the 20th century.

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NIGER, MALI, BURKINA SECURITY ALLIANCE

A mutual defence pact has been agreed between Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso. It considers an attack on one as an attack on all and follows ECOWAS threats against Niger following this summers coup in Niamey.

The new pact will also see cooperation in the fight against terrorism. A previous G5 Sahel security alliance had included all three countries along with Chad and Mauritania. That’s now been dissolved and the latest agreement's been reached without interference from former coloniser France.

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BENIN ARRESTS PAN-AFRICAN ACTIVIST KEMI SEBA

Pan-African political orginser Kemi Seba whose ancestry comes from Benin has hit back at Beninese authorities after his latest arrest.
In a social media post, the Pan-Africanist accused Benin of being part of the “Francafrique mafia” and a servant to French interests.

While en route to Niger he was detained at Cotonou airport for inciting insurrection and money laundering, which he denies.
Seba is the president of NGO Urgences Panafricanistes and supports the popular military coup in Niamey, which ECOWAS member Benin opposes.

He’s also backed the revolutionary military leadership in Burkina Faso and Mali.

Seba’s lawyer confirmed his release but warned he still faces charges and is “under significant threat.”

Collaboration with https://www.instagram.com/kemisebaofficial/

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FRANCE’S ‘COUPS’ IN AFRICA

There’s been a lot of noisy outrage over the coup in Niger - both from the West and from African states in its (in particular, France’s) pockets. But there’s been radio silence about a number of other ‘coups.’ That’s what Arikana Chihombori-Quao calls Paris’ economic power-grab in 14 African nations via the CFA franc, its military ‘occupations’ in the form of multiple military bases across Africa, and its seizure of effective control over Niger’s valuable uranium deposits. These ‘coups,’ says the African Union’s former ambassador to the US, should command just as much outrage from the likes of West African bloc ECOWAS as the coup in Niger has done.

Chihombori was relieved of her role as envoy to America by the AU in 2019. Some suspect it was her clear anti-imperialist sympathies that got her forced out, possibly under pressure from external players.

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FRANÇAFRIQUE EXPOSED..BY FRANCE 24?

Even a broken clock is right twice a day. France 24, the principal mouthpiece for French imperialism, did an extraordinary thing a few years ago and told the truth about French imperialism! Surprised? We were, too, when we saw a rare moment of honesty about French designs; the government-owned and -funded broadcaster let the mask slip, detailing France’s exploitative relationship with its former colonies that ensure Paris gets its hands on raw materials at bargain-basement rates. In contrast, its military gets to enforce French interests with boots on the ground.

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Continued- FRANÇAFRIQUE EXPOSED..BY FRANCE 24?

French propaganda has tried to sell the relationship under the ‘Françafrique’ rubric, but - as the (normally line-toeing) France 24 hosts here point out - this term can also be heard as ‘France à fric,’ where ‘fric’ is slang for cash, so that Africa is basically just a cash cow for France.

One thing they did forget to mention, though, is France 24’s own role in promoting regime change and intervention in Africa. Another is the controversial CFA franc currency that’s used by 14 African countries (15 if you count the very similar Comorian franc). Nations that use this currency are obliged to hold 50% of their national reserves in the French treasury in Paris. France also has voting and veto power in the regional banks of West and Central Africa.

Let us know your thoughts on why France 24 got it right for once in the comments section.

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KWAME NKRUMAH WARNED US

Pan-African scholar PLO Lumumba recently spoke of revolutionary Ghanian leader Kwame Nkrumah's warning to the continent and people of Africa that if we, as a people, don’t unite, the outside powers that never want to see us progress will continue to interfere with us in every aspect of our lives. We have seen this interference in our food with the recent campaigns encouraging the adoption of GMOs; in our health, with trojan-horse organizations like the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation pushing so-called family planning campaigns throughout Africa; and in our politics, with Western support of crooked leaders who make shady deals on African resources. The list goes on regarding how much outsiders interfere in our affairs. Kwame saw this interference almost 60 years ago, yet our leaders continue to be blind.

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ANTI-UN PROTEST VICTIMS BURIED

Families of victims massacred during protests against the presence UN peacekeepers in DRC have finally buried their loved ones.

Three weeks ago 57 civilians were killed when troops broke up demonstrations in the eastern city of Goma. Their bodies were laid to rest in a local cemetery on Monday.

Interior minister Peter Kazadi attended the ceremony and said the government had covered funeral expenses. He appealed for calm and vowed justice would be done.

Six soldiers, including two high-ranking officers, are standing trial over the killings.

For years the UN troops and Congolese army has faced allegations of atrocities against civilians in the DRC. However, very few have been held accountable.

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LIBYANS PROTEST GOVT FAILURE ON DERNA FLOODING

In the wake of a devastating flood that claimed thousands of lives and destroyed the city of Derna in eastern Libya, hundreds of protesters took to the streets demanding accountability from authorities. The demonstrators targeted officials, including Aguila Saleh, head of the eastern-based Libyan parliament, for what they deem a failure to manage the crisis. They also set fire to the house of former mayor, Abdulmenam al-Ghaithi, who was in office during the floods. The death toll remains uncertain, with thousands of people still missing, and varying official reports. The World Health Organization has confirmed 3,922 deaths.

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Continued- LIBYANS PROTEST GOVT FAILURE ON DERNA FLOODING

These protests underscore the frustration of Libyans with their government's response to the disaster, but the West’s role in its severity should not be ignored. Prior to the overthrow of President Muammar Gaddafi during the 2011 NATO invasion, Libya was one of Africa’s wealthiest countries, with the capacity to address emerging crises. The NATO-backed deposure rolled back many material gains and stripped the state’s capacity for disaster response. Now, rival factions vie for control of the country, and coordinating governance has become an uphill battle.

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FRENCH TWO WEEK NIGER SIEGE

Nigeriens have made good on their threat to occupy a French military base in their territory until the occupants leave. Two weeks later, the base remains under siege 24/7. Nigeriens have even used the grounds around the base as venue for Friday prayers.

This is happening as French President Emmanuel Macron accuses Niger of holding his ambassador hostage. Deliveries of food and water have been intercepted, with Nigeriens insisting the ambassador is free to leave. France refuses to comply with the new government's demands on the grounds it is illegitimate.

It is a different story, however, as Nigeriens have showed support for the military government in the weeks following the July 26 coup. This certainly complicates the casus belli of a Western intervention to "restore democracy," as the Nigerien people point to France's neocolonial policies as the cause for its expulsion.

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