HAITI'S GOOD EXAMPLE

The United Nations Security Council has just passed a resolution authored by the United States and Ecuador, authorising armed intervention in Haiti to fight alleged gangs. Thirteen members voted in favour of the resolution, while two members—China and Russia—abstained.

Many people don’t understand the geopolitical significance of Haiti, often scratching their head in confusion about why some countries and wealthy interests seem to be so keen on involving themselves where they don't belong.

To find the answer, African Stream looks back at an approximately mid-1990s interview with All-African People's Revolutionary Party organiser Kwame Ture. He reviewed the history of Haiti dating back to 1803.

Few things are more dangerous than the threat of a good example. Let us know in the comments what you think.

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A multi-national security force led by Kenya looks set to be sent to Haiti to restore ‘democratic’ order. The mission’s just been greenlighted by the UN Security Council, with 13 of its 15 members voting in favour. Among them African nations Gabon, Ghana and Mozambique, while China and Russia abstained (check out our graphic below). Kenya has pledged to send 1,000 of its own police officers, and says it will lead to a ‘renaissance’ in Haitian security. Gangs currently control most of the capital Port-au-Prince and other parts of the country. But critics argue the East African country has simply become the Black face of Western imperialism. The US, which drafted the resolution with Ecuador, will not send any personnel, but will give $200m in support. There’s also concern over the impact of the new mission. Previous foreign interventions have failed to bring peace and stability to the Caribbean island and brought new problems.

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Continued- In 2010 sewage from a UN peacekeeping camp contaminated water supplies, sparking a cholera outbreak that killed over 10,000 people. On top of that, more than 100 UN troops have faced sex abuse allegations against Haitian women and children.

And if that’s not bad enough, watchdogs have already voiced concerns about the dismal human rights record of Kenyan police. Little wonder many Haitians are against the presence of foreign forces on their resource-rich island. Back in Kenya, William Ruto’s government faces accusations of ignoring a cost-of-living crisis that’s seen nationwide protests. Prioritising a mission half way around the world seems odd, to say the least. As usual, your thoughts are welcome in the comments.

WHY IS AFRICA UNDERDEVELOPED?

We’ve been told some countries are poor because they have failed to develop on their own. That's what historian Walter Rodney referred to in his work as "underdevelopment." But the reality is these countries have historically been exploited, as he laid out in this seminal 1972 book, "How Europe Underdeveloped Africa." Take the case of Niger, it has been ranked as one of the poorest countries in the world. Yet, the country is the world’s seventh-largest producer of uranium. However, the French have extracted Niger's uranium through a monopoly on the Sahelian country's mines. About 20 per cent of the uranium used to power France comes from the Sahelian nation. Meanwhile, most Nigeriens don't have electricity in their homes. After the recent coup, some Nigeriens accused France of exploiting their resources and leaving it in the condition that it is.

Leave your thoughts below.

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'FRENCH CHICKENS COMING TO ROOST'

France is learning a painful lesson in Africa and the chickens are coming home to roost. That’s how Pan-African scholar P.L.O. Lumumba sums up the anti-French feeling sweeping parts of the Sahel. The people-backed coup in Niger follows similar events in Mali and Burkina Faso. After decades of exploiting the economies and resources of these countries, the French are being told to get out.
Ask Nigeriens who live in the world’s second-poorest nation despite supplying tonnes uranium to France for half a century. See the frustrations among those who live in the 14 African states still bound and financially oppressed by the CFA franc.

The time has come for France to acknowledge the injustices built into its system, according to Lumumba.

Listen to him explain how Paris' brutal actions on the continent are finally catching up with it.


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SOMALIA'S FEMALE ENGINEERS!

As Somalia witnesses a construction boom following security improvements, female engineers are breaking barriers in the conservative country and taking on roles that had been dominated by men. Even though there is inequality in salaries and resistance to change, two women are determined to challenge the stereotypes and forge ahead. Somali’s current and future women engineers are our power women to watch this Wednesday!

Let us know what you think in the comments.

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RUTO WELCOMES HAITI INVASION VOTE

Predictably, Kenyan President William Ruto has welcomed the October 2 UN Security Council decision to send a Kenyan-led multinational force to Haiti. The move comes after U.S.-backed Haitian leadership appealed for international help to combat escalating gang violence in the Caribbean island nation, which critics argue has been fuelled by U.S. weapons flooding the Caribbean country. Kenya has offered to deploy 1,000 police officers and has received support from the United States, which—pending congressional approval—will provide $200 million for the mission.

Let us know in the comments what you think of this move.

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CONGO COLONEL DEATH PENALTY OVER MASSACRE

A high-ranking military officer has been sentenced to death in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

He was accused of massacring 57 civilians during protests against UN peacekeepers this summer.
Three other soldiers were jailed for ten years.

There’s a long history of attacks on civilians by Congo and UN soldiers, although prosecutions are rare.

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WHY THE WEST OVERTHREW HAITI’S ELECTED GOVERNMENT

It’s official. The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has greenlighted an armed intervention to be led by Kenya into Haiti under the pretext of dealing with Haiti’s gangs. In actuality, Kenya is just the Black face of Western imperialism on the island. Previous interventions have not solved Haiti’s systemic issues, only worsened matters. That's not to mention the West is responsible for the state of dysfunction witnessed on the country today.

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Continued - WHY THE WEST OVERTHREW HAITI’S ELECTED GOVERNMENT

While 13 UNSC members voted in favor, China and Russia abstained.

African Stream recently sat down in our Nairobi studio with All-African People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee member Sobukwe Shukura. He spelled out the reasons for continued interference in Haiti. From the usual pursuit of Haiti’s mineral resources, subjugation of Haitian labour, to fears of reparations contagion, the West will not let the African Caribbean nation breathe. The pending invasion, despite being premised on Pan-African ideals, is ironically in the interests of the West, of which the United States has emerged as the chief financier, footing up to an initial $100 million payment to Kenya.

Let us know in the comments what you think about this move.

THE FUTURE POWERED BY AFRICA

Africa has huge potential to become a major energy supplier for Europe and the world, thanks to its abundant gas, oil and renewables. Europe needs cleaner and more diverse energy sources to cut emissions and reduce dependence on Russian gas. Africa could export Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) from new projects and green hydrogen, a clean fuel made from renewable electricity. Africa also has vast solar, wind and hydropower potential, which could be exported using new technologies. Africa’s energy boom faces challenges, such as security risks, political instability, corruption and poor governance, as well as centuries of its wealth being stolen, which has prevented sufficient development. All of this could deter investors and delay projects.

Continued- THE FUTURE POWERED BY AFRICA

African governments need to invest the energy revenues into infrastructure, education and health for the people’s benefit. Africa has a brief window of opportunity to seize its energy potential and become a key partner for Europe and the world. This century could be and should be our century.

Do you agree? Let us know in the comments.

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UGANDA MINISTER TAKES BACK AMBULANCE DONATION

The internet has been abuzz this week after publication Africa Facts Zone tweeted that, in 2021, a Ugandan minister took back an ambulance she had donated to the people of Koboko district after losing that year's parliamentary elections. However, Minister of Finance for Investment and Privatization Anite Evelyn tweeted in reply that she has no regrets, quoting the Bible. ‘Thank you for bringing this up. First, it's true I took back my ambulance and I have no apologies for that. Why did I do it? It’s because they didn’t vote for me. So did you expect me to walk away with nothing? Galatians 6:7, a man reaps what he sows.'

She exemplifies the leadership crisis in Africa today. The people of Koboko might have dodged a bullet.

Continued- UGANDA MINISTER TAKES BACK AMBULANCE DONATION

The 38-year-old politician is clearly not interested in the well-being of the people. One wonders how she even got to serve in the position of minister. It would be good if she read another part of the same book she quoted. Matthew 6:3: ‘But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.'

What do you think? Let us know in the comments.

Credit: Africa Facts Zone

'FRANCE BULLYING ECOWAS MEMBERS'

France is bullying ECOWAS to take military action against Niger. That’s according to Niamey's new military leader who warns only Paris would benefit from any destabilisation.
In a TV interview, General Abdourahamane Tchiani also pledged a new post-French future for Nigeriens. One that will see them finally profit from their country’s vast resources, which Paris has exploited for decades.

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LOOTING BRITS RETURN STOLEN GOODS

Hallelujah! Britain has returned some looted artefacts to Ethiopia. The bad news is they have a lot more to give back after stealing them from all over Africa centuries ago.

African Stream host Ahmed Ghoneim reminds us of the facts in 90 seconds.

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AFWERKI: CHINESE DEBT TRAP A FALLACY

Africa is sagging under the weight of debt. For a long time, Western publications have pinned the blame on China, claiming it issues debts it knows won’t be repaid. In exchange, they claim Beijing takes action like confiscating infrastructure, citing Sri Lanka’s port and Uganda’s airport as an example. Yet, there is no evidence.

China's defense of its loans to Africa often centers on the loans going into tangible projects that will benefit Africans. For example, the Asian nation has financed the construction of roads, railways, ports, power plants and other infrastructure projects in Africa. These include Kenya's Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway, a new town in Angola, a bridge in Mozambique and Egypt's new capital. These projects have helped to improve transportation, communication, and energy access, which has in turn boosted economic growth and development in the continent.

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Continued- AFWERKI: CHINESE DEBT TRAP A FALLACY

In this clip from an CCTV interview that took place in May, Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki argues that ‘debt-trap’ claims are an attempt to drive a wedge between Africa and China. According to him, the only people pushing that narrative are those who want Africa to remain marginalized and underdeveloped.

Let us know in the comments what you think of the Eritrean president's remarks.

A Kenyan senator says the deployment of his country's forces to Haiti will turn the Caribbean nation into "a land of milk and honey." According to Kiprotich Arap Cherargei, a member of President William Ruto's ruling party, Kenyan police officers were the only missing link in turning Haiti into a prosperous nation. It remains to be seen if Haitians will buy into the senator's pie-in-the-sky promise, but many Kenyans wonder how the very government and police officers who have slowly turned the country into a land of tears and misery can deliver the opposite across the Atlantic. And their skepticism is well founded. The Kenyan police service has a dismal record on human rights. They have, for decades, faced allegations of human rights abuses, especially when it comes to policing public demonstrations and protests.

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Continued- They have, for decades, faced allegations of human rights abuses, especially when it comes to policing public demonstrations and protests. Between March and July, more than 30 people died at the hands of police officers during protests over the rising cost of living. Some of its officers have also been implicated in extrajudicial killings and disappearances. These gloomy facts do not make the country's police force sound like the best candidate to bring 'milk and honey' to the Caribbean.

Let us know your thoughts on the senator's remarks.

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GHANA PROTESTERS: 'ECONOMY MISGOVERNED!'

Thousands of Ghanaian protesters—wearing the traditional funeral colors of red and black—have demanded the resignation of Bank of Ghana Governor Ernest Addison and his two deputies. The crowd marched on October 3 to the central bank head office, protesting what they say is economic mismanagement during the worst debt crisis in a generation. This follows a series of protests over the high cost of living and unemployment in a country rich with cocoa, gold and oil. In July, Ghana's central bank reported a record loss of 60.8 billion cedi ($5.3 billion) for 2022, primarily due to debt restructuring. In May, Ghana signed onto a three-year, $3 billion loan programme with the International Monetary Fund.

Let us know what you think about Ghanians' demands.

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