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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HOW UAE ARMS RSF

The UAE says it's helping Sudan with humanitarian aid but in reality it’s fuelling the war by supporting the Rapid Security Forces. The Persian Gulf State is accused of sending arms through an elaborate route spanning Uganda and Chad. And these weapons are ending up in the hands of soldiers accused of war crimes. We break down how and why UAE supports the RSF which remains locked in conflict with Sudan’s Army.

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5 WORST U.S. PRESIDENTS FOR AFRICA

When you think of the exploitation of Africans, powers like Britain, France and Germany spring first and foremost to mind. But let’s not forget that America has a longstanding history of meddling and aggression towards our continent. And it’s US presidents who bear the bulk of the blame. Our man Salifu has selected five he thinks should be regarded as Africa’s biggest OPPs. He’s got clear reasons for each. Hear him out and let us know if you agree.

Which American leader was/is Africa’s greatest opponent in your book?

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WOMEN'S WEDNESDAY - THE FORMIDABLE AOUA KEITA!

For this Women’s Wednesday, we celebrate a radical Pan-African activist who never minced her words. Aoua Keita's journey was one marked by an unyielding commitment to justice. She fearlessly fought for gender equality, pushing against the tide of prejudice and discrimination that sought to stifle the voices of women in her society. Through her tireless efforts, she shattered glass ceilings and opened doors for future generations to walk through unencumbered.

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‘CHINA, RUSSIA AFRICA’S ENEMIES? YOU CRAZY?’

The West frequently admonishes African countries for their warm relations with Russia and China, two nations that it’s been trying to isolate. For instance, South Africa took a lot of flak in February, when it held naval drills with the two. However, despite the pressure, some African countries have made it clear that they won’t be drawn into the West's geopolitical rivalry with Beijing and Moscow. And, according to Britain's ex-MP and political commentator George Galloway, they have good reason. Watch him here explain why there are solid historical bonds between China, Russia and South Africa - forged when the rest of the world was happy to aid and abet the apartheid regime that held sway in Pretoria until the mid-'90s. That’s why, he says, “it’s crazy” to think South Africans would regard Beijing and Moscow as enemies. Let us know if you agree. Does the same hold for other African nations?

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FRENCH IN NIGER ‘FORCED TO EAT DOG FOOD’?

A possibly tongue-in-cheek video’s emerged online of actor Thierry Samitier claiming French troops stationed in Niger have been reduced to eating dog food—and that sniffer dogs could be next on the menu!

He says his son-in-law is stationed in the country and has been complaining about just how bad it’s got.

While impossible to confirm, it’s not an altogether implausible (perhaps future) scenario. Niger’s military leadership has already blocked food deliveries to the French embassy after Paris’ envoy refused to comply with an order to leave the country. And now a deadline for a French troop withdrawal has also expired—with thousands of locals protesting outside the base.

Samitier’s video ends with a promise of more ‘top secret’ news and a sly wink, so perhaps we shouldn’t attach too much significance to it. At least not yet!

Let us know your take in the comments.

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BRICS: LAID IN SHARED HISTORY

The BRICS economic club may be of relatively recent vintage, but its current member states - 🇧🇷 🇷🇺 🇮🇳 🇨🇳 🇿🇦 - have trading links that go back through the ages, from the Silk Road to maritime routes. There are also cultural ties - from music to poetry - as well as more troubled, colonial-era connections.

Watch South African Trade Minister Ebrahim Patel give us a crash course in this rich history, delivered at the recent BRICS summit in Johannesburg. How do you think this shared past bodes for future cooperation?

Let us know in the comments.

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NKRUMAH’S AMAZING DEEDS

On this day in 1909, a Pan-African legend was born. Yes, September 21st is Kwame Nkrumah's birthday. He lived an incredible life, dedicated to the liberation of African people at home and abroad. His accomplishments aren’t as well known as they should be - so we’ve collected together some of the main ones. Share, and let us know your favourite Nkrumah facts in the comments… perhaps we can build a Kwame encyclopaedia there!

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AFRICANS, RECLAIM THE NARRATIVE!

Africa’s got an image problem. It always has had. Whether it’s colonialists portraying us as 'savages' - or mainstream media today focusing only on poverty, disease and terrorism. African Stream’s Ahmed Ghoneim breaks down the root cause, and the solution, in his latest edition of Africa in 90 Seconds. In short: we need to reclaim the narrative, and tell our own stories! Let us know if you think we at African Stream are doing enough to make that happen - and what we and others could do to help reshape the narrative.


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STARVATION DEATH CULT TRIAL LATEST

429 bodies have now been found in the mass graves in Kenya’s Shakahola Forest. They are believed to have been driven to suicide - and in some cases murdered - while under the sway of a death cult that preached starvation as an entry-ticket to heaven. Children’s corpses with signs of abuse were among those unearthed, as well as the bodies of entire ‘nuclear’ families.

Alleged cult leader pastor Paul Mackenzie and his accomplices are suspected of numerous crimes in connection with the ‘massacre’ - though no formal charges have been brought. Prosecutors have now asked to keep them in detention for another six months while forensic teams try to identify the victims and assemble more evidence in the case.

Mackenzie‘s lawyer managed to get a decision on that postponed. There’ll be a hearing on October 12th.

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PROTESTERS BURN MAYOR'S HOUSE IN LIBYA OVER FLOOD RESPONSE

Libyan protesters burned down a mayor's house in what has been days of protests over what they deem inadequate government action in response to recent floods that hit Derna city in the country's east. The floods wreaked havoc when two dams burst and flooded Derna, claiming thousands of lives and destroying homes. Angry protesters claim the local government did not warn them of the impending floods and are demanding punitive action. Since the deadly overthrow of former Libyan President Muammar Gaddafi in 2011 in a NATO-backed regime-change operation, the country has been in a power struggle between two rival governments, one in the capital of Tripoli that runs western Libya and another in the city of Benghazi presiding over the country's eastern half. Sources on the ground say the east is bearing the brunt of the government neglecting to renovate dams, which was one of the plans Gaddafi had determined a priority in 2007, before his demise.

DR CONGO WANTS UN TROOPS GONE

Felix Tshisekedi, the president of the Democratic Republic of Congo, has asked the United Nations to start withdrawing its forces from his country by the end of this year, 12 months earlier than the date the Security Council agreed upon in 2020. In an address to the UN General Assembly, Tshisekedi said the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, MONUSCO, an acronym based on its French name has not only failed to carry out its mandate of ending violence in the country, but it is also creating tension with citizens. Despite costing nearly $1 billion per year, the 18,000-strong mission has failed to protect civilians from the menace of the dozens of armed groups that operate in country's eastern region. Its troops have also faced a plethora of allegations that they have commited atrocities against the very civilians they are meant to protect.

What do you think about Tshisekedi's request? Let us know below.

GUYANA PRESIDENT DROPS MIC ON TV HOST

It's a scene we've seen on mainstream television several times: A condescending journalist getting the knives out for a global south leader who dares to question former colonial powers.

Richard Madeley thought he would have Guyana's president for breakfast on his show, "Good Morning Britain." But President Mohamed Irfaan Ali gave him a taste of his cool and confident leadership.

The British journalist appeared to be speaking for many racist Europeans when he questioned President Ali's insistence that descendants of slave traders pay reparations to the current generation of victims.

At one point, Madeley can be heard laughing in the background. But then he loses his cool, banging the table in defense of the "royal family." Perhaps the seriousness of the topic was lost on him, but the exchange offers a window into the minds of colonial establishments who have zero intention of righting the wrongs of their inglorious past.

MALI UNUSUAL INDEPENDENCE DAY

Today marks 63 years since Mali attained independence from its former coloniser, France. In a speech, military leader, Colonel Assimi Goita, reaffirmed his determination in bringing security and peace to the country. While the celebrations are not being marked through the usual festivities due to the resumption of hostilities in the country's restive north, the memory of French colonialism, defined by brutal military campaigns, forced labour, widespread repression, cultural erasure, racial segregation, forced displacement and neo colonialism is still very much alive in the nation of 23 million. The country has been grappling with armed conflict since 2012 when political and ethnic-led insurgent groups took up arms against the government over battle for territorial control. Operation Barkhane, the French military counter-began in 2013, but was almost universally interpreted as a massive failure.


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Continued - MALI UNUSUAL INDEPENDENCE DAY

Operation Barkhane, the French military counter-began in 2013, but was almost universally interpreted as a massive failure. Mali not only expelled the French troops but didn't stop there, they are also currently in the process of kicking out a 13,000 strong UN mission from their territory. Meanwhile, Wagner entered the Sahel with a promise to complete the important job France, and with it the rest of the West, failed to do.

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RADIANT ROOTS: GLASSBLOWING + PÉTANQUE!

Welcome to our inaugural edition of Radiant Roots - positive stories and vibes from our beloved Africa. To kick things off, we have local craftsmen in Egypt who are preserving the centuries-old tradition of glassblowing. And then to Benin - which has finally snatched a gold medal in its favourite sport: Pétanque!

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MALI INDEPENDENCE IN A NUTSHELL

Sixty-three years ago, Mali severed it’s colonial shackles to France. Under the leadership of communist President Modibo Keïta, the country enacted pro-people reforms and attempted to form a federation with its neighbours, albeit unsuccessfully.

As the country celebrates its 63rd birthday, it’s recently reemerged as a powerful force in West Africa. It has taken the initiative to liberate the country from neocolonialism, booting out French troops, French propaganda outlets and even the French ambassador.

Further, in a move that would get a nod of approval from Keïta himself, the country is deepening ties with its neighbours Burkina Faso, Guinea and Niger. This has immense potential to improve the lives of Africans in the region - as united we stand, divided we fall.

Join us in wishing the home of Mansa Musa and the University of Timbuktu a happy 63rd birthday! Here’s a two-minute look back at how it gained its freedom.

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BIDEN PRAISES RUTO - CAUSE FOR CONCERN?

At the UN, American president Joe Biden heaped praise on Kenya for offering to send 1,000 police officers to Haiti to ‘keep order’ and tackle ‘gang violence.’ And he asked the UN Security Council to rubber-stamp it.

But is this just confirmation Kenya’s William Ruto is effectively becoming the Black face of US foreign policy?

He’s pledged to lead a UN-backed peacekeeping force to the Caribbean Island - despite security issues at home, including nationwide anti-government protests over a cost-of-living crisis.

What’s more, Haitians have consistently protested against the presence of foreign troops on their soil - a presence that’s failed to deliver peace since the US/Canadian-backed coup deposing democratically elected former Haitian president Jean Bertrand Aristide.

GLOBAL DECLARATION AGAINST NIGER SANCTIONS

Dozens of Pan-African organisations worldwide are calling for the lifting of sanctions against Niger. They include African Stream and have signed a declaration denouncing the ECOWAS restrictions as illegitimate and inhumane.
Here’s a breakdown of what the declaration says, and the misery being imposed on Nigeriens.

TIGRAYAN WOMEN CELEBRATE AFTER WAR HIATUS

Tigrayans celebrate Ashenda festival after a two-year war hiatus. The festival, which is held after a two-week fast, is celebrated by young unmarried women to commemorate the ascension of Virgin Mary. Tigrayan women adorn themselves with traditional attire to sing and dance, as they honour their culture and identity.

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