TALLEST STATUE IN AFRICA

Located in the bustling city of Dakar, the 49-metre African Renaissance Monument has come to symbolise Africa’s liberation for some, but a gigantic expression of extravagance for others. What do you make of it?

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PAN-AFRICANIST GREATS FOR PALESTINE

African freedom fighters have consistently taken a clear position on the liberation of Palestine. We’ve curated some highlights for you here.

Some revolutionary Pan-Africanists, such as Kwame Ture, saw Palestine as "the tip of Africa."

In South Africa, those that experienced apartheid’s brutality and cruelty have drawn parallels between the settler-colonial occupation of their lands and that of Palestine.

The great Thomas Sankara adopted an unwavering stance in support of Palestinian liberation.

Pan-Africanists were not silent then. We will not be silent now. So make some noise in the comments!

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Niger refuses to be bullied whether by France, the UN or any other international body.

After a popular coup with widespread support across the country, the west African nation was targeted by western nations and international bodies which sought to put an end to the revolutionary fervour.

Now, after Niger was barred from participating at the UN General Assembly last month, the country is pushing back by giving the UN resident coordinator 72 hours to leave the country.

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WHY SOUTH AFRICA STANDS WITH PALESTINE

The South African government and the majority of its citizens have over the years remained resolute in their support for the Palestinian people in their struggle against the Israeli occupation. If you have been wondering why it is like this, we might have an answer for you. In this interview with People's Dispatch's Zoe Alexandra, Senior African National Congress (ANC) member and former Minister for Intelligence Services Ronnie Kasrils draws parallels between South Africa's own struggle against apartheid and the Palestinian struggle against Israeli occupation.

Let us know in the comments what you think.

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EXPLAINER: GHANA PROTESTS

Thousands have been protesting in Ghana’s capital Accra - in response to the worst economic crisis to throttle the country in decades.

The government blames the Covid-19 pandemic as well as the geopolitical and economic fallout from Russia’s armed conflict with Ukraine.

But those out on the streets also blame corruption and mismanagement of public finances.

African Stream’s Miss Phyll explains how one of the continent’s brightest economic stars - is burning out.

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JULIUS NYERERE: TO THEM, I’M JUST ‘AFRICAN’!

Today marks 24 years since Julius Kambarage Nyerere joined the ancestors.

He was the president of Tanzania - not of Rwanda, Kenya, Cameroon or Zimbabwe. He was also an ardent Pan-Africanist. And yet, judging by this video, he was sufficiently irked by foreign leaders conflating all African nationalities into one, to complain about it - with characteristic wit.

His real target, of course, was the implicit racism - not the idea that Africans are one people artificially divided by imposed national borders. Nyerere strived hard to attain total African unity.

Continued…. JULIUS NYERERE: TO THEM, I’M JUST ‘AFRICAN’!

He successfully fought to unify Tanganyika and Zanzibar, and insisted that Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda should unite to form a single state. When Kwame Nkrumah was overthrown by the CIA, Nyerere picked up the torch and became a leading figure in the struggle for total African unity.

During his time in power, Tanzania was a beacon of African liberation - providing material and ideological support to the armed liberation struggles waged across southern Africa. Dar es Salaam became a hub and a base for revolutionaries from Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Angola, Namibia and South Africa.

Perhaps, in the end, Nyerere came to view himself as more than just a Tanzanian but as a champion and leader of a coming unified Africa. But no, that was no excuse for foreign leaders to assume he was omniscient about goings-on in every corner of his continent outside of Tanzania!

Rest in Power, comrade!

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MALAWI TURNS ON REFUGEE COMMUNITY

Malawi has earned itself a reputation as a safe haven for African refugees. It’s been one of the continent’s most welcoming countries, taking in thousands fleeing conflict.

But it’s made a U-turn, and is cracking down on people who’ve already arrived. Lilongwe is forcibly returning many back to an already overcrowded refugee camp - including some who have integrated into Malawian life and become citizens. Others are reportedly being illegally deported.

What’s going on? African Stream’s William Sakawa explains how corruption scandals and populist diversion tactics are causing harm to vulnerable people - and Malawi’s reputation.

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GABON EX-FIRST LADY JAILED, THE PEOPLE REACT

Gabon seems to have embarked on an anti-corruption drive, with the first domino falling being the former First Lady.

Sylvia Bongo has been handed a jail sentence for money laundering, forgery and falsification of records. Alongside her son, Noureddine Bongo, the new government claims she manipulated the former president who, for now, looks to be walking away scot free.

Rampant corruption is blamed for Gabon’s poverty crisis. Despite enjoying the status of the third richest African country in GDP per capita, over 30% of Gabon lives below the poverty line. Meanwhile, for 55 years the Bongo family has been leeching off the oil rich nation’s coffers, stashing assets abroad.

It remains to be seen whether the new military government will comprehensively deal with corruption, seeing as the new leader is himself accused of stashing proceeds of corruption in the West. Nevertheless, for Gabonese citizens, this is a step in the right direction.