MUGABE ON U.N. BIAS

The United Nations is routinely touted as a robust, impartial and balanced international body. But, the truth is the body is at the mercy of the whims and wishes of the five countries that are permanent members of its Security Council (UNSC): China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States. These countries have the power to veto decisions taken by the other 188 member states.

Pleas to reform the UNSC have repeatedly been ignored. Almost eight decades after it was formed, mostly World War II victors and their vassals sit on the UNSC, which does not reflect global demographics. For instance, how does one justify that France—with a population of less than 70 million—has permanent representation, while the entire African continent—with over 1.2 billion people—does not?

Continued…..Robert Mugabe, former Zimbabwean prime minister (1980-87) and, later, president (1987-2017), never shied away from calling out Western hypocrisy. In this clip from the 26th African Union Summit, held in 2016 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Mugabe said the UN—as it exists—is a mainly ceremonial organisation. His comments were directed at then-UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who had attended.

Let us know if you agree with Mugabe.

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SOULFUL TAARAB!

The coastal regions of East Africa have a genre of music that is not only poetic, but soulful. We take a look at the history of the beautiful genre known as taarab.

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SLAVE TRADERS WARPED HISTORY

In order to justify the slave trade, European powers had to demonise Africans. And that meant re-writing or ignoring large parts of history.

Here, Afro-American historian, Professor John Henrik Clarke, uses Christianity as an example. African countries were some of the first in the world to adopt it as an official religion. A fact avoided by colonialists who pushed the narrative Africans were heathens.

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ZIONISM IS ANTI-SEMITISM?

Israel as a nation-state is the result of racial displacement. Have a listen to American poet and scholar Fred Moten, explain why he sides with Palestinians. And why criticism of Israel is not necessarily anti-Semitic.

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BIOTERRORISM AGAINST AFRICANS IN U.S.

Between the 1950s and 1970s, the CIA spearheaded numerous covert operations under the umbrella of its MKULTRA and MKNAOMI programs. The programs developed psychological- and medical-torture methods to advance US interests during the Cold War against the former Soviet Union. Operation Big Buzz was one such example, deploying mosquitos to target Africans in the US states of Florida and Georgia. Author Harriet A. Washington’s book, ‘Medical Apartheid,’ demonstrates how Operation Big Buzz fits into the US history of experimenting on African people, both inside and outside of the United States.

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U.S. POLICY: DESTROY HUMANE SOCIETIES

Close to 30 years ago, former CIA officer Philip Agee was interviewed about the United States’ role in destabilising countries, such as Cuba and Nicaragua.

Fascinatingly enough, he explained how, when governments prioritise social justice and equality by providing education and healthcare, as Cuba does, the United States moves to disrupt their processes.

Countries like Nicaragua, Cuba, Grenada and others that have challenged US hegemony, so they can provide a good quality of life to their people, were or are being destroyed militarily or economically. This comes as the US government oppresses its population.

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STRONGEST AFRICAN PASSPORTS!

Did you know that the two small island countries of Mauritius and Seychelles have the strongest passports in Africa? We break down why citizens of these nations enjoy more visa-free travel than other Africans.

Let us know what you think in the comments.

AFRICA’S ANCIENT BEAUTY SECRETS

Most of us like to be pampered, but next time you step into your local spa, be aware you could be stepping back in time too.

There are many treatments that originate from ancient Africa. From smoke baths to Turkish baths, the desire to look and feel good was just as strong back then as it is today.

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LIGHTHOUSE OF ALEXANDRIA: LOST WONDER OF WORLD

The lighthouse of Alexandria in Egypt is one of the world’s lost wonders. Here’s a quick video explaining its brilliant architecture, rise and eventual demise.

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SCRAMBLE FOR AFRICA 2.0

Pan-African PLO Lumumba has warned of a new scramble for Africa. And says the appearance of investment from China, Qatar, Turkey and Russia is not necessarily a good thing. In his words, ‘Africans somehow believe when we remove one slave master and then bring in another, then it is better’

It’s not just the size of investment that matters either, it’s about the terms of any deal. And whether it’s exploitative, or one that benefits Africa in the long-term.

European firms remain the largest holders of foreign assets in Africa, according to the UN. And that’s still led by the UK ($65-billion) and France ($60-billion).

Here, the law professor urges the continent to remain wary of neo-colonial projects.

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ETHIOPIAN CHRISTMAS

Millions of Ethiopian Orthodox faithful celebrate Christmas almost two weeks after much of the rest of the world, in keeping with the Julian calendar.

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VIOLENTLY IN LOVE?

The Hamar people are an ethnic group inhabiting southwestern Ethiopia, particularly the Omo Valley. They are known for their unique culture, customs, and traditional way of life. One of those cultural practices is flogging. A ritual that the women and men of Hamar take on with pride. In this unusual cultural practice women taunt the men to get flogged as a show of courage and a mark of readiness for marriage.

Before judging it harshly, please understand that this is a ritual that has been passed down through the generations and although modern culture today may see otherwise, Africa has had unusual cultural practices that have spanned hundreds of years before colonization.

What are your thoughts on this cultural practice?

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WHY DEBT SINKS AFRICA NOT AMERICA

Why is it that America can run up huge debts and survive, but African countries cannot? Well, it's simple. The US can print the greenback, while the rest of the world can't. Listen to economist David Hudson explain how that basic fact underpins the world order and keeps Uncle Sam on top.

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AFRICANS IN AMERICA BEFORE COLUMBUS

Christopher Columbus is widely credited as the first person to sail to the Americas. But, evidence suggests Africans sailed there and settled long before him. Columbus himself observed ‘black-skinned people’ trading gold-tipped spears. Plus, Olmec head statues in Central and South America depict African facial features.

Which story do you believe? Let us know in the comments.

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REST IN POWER, MAMA AIDOO

One of Africa's finest literary minds has sadly joined the ancestors. Ama Ata Aidoo, Ghanaian author, poet and academic passed after a short illness. She was 81.

Her work foregrounded the lived experiences of African women and promoted the idea of a unique African identity.

She first made her name with the play Dilemma of a Ghost, which - in 1965 - also made her the first African female dramatist to get published. It’s about a Ghanaian man who brings his Black-American wife to live with him in Africa, and the challenges and culture clash this creates.

Other notable works include Our Sister Killjoy (1970), Changes: A Love Story (1991) and An Angry Letter in January and Other Poems (1992). Her repertoire earned her widespread recognition and a string of awards - including the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize and the Nelson Mandela Prize for Poetry.

Aidoo was also committed to improving education for young Africans - becoming Ghana’s education minister in 1982.

Continued….She resigned after a year and a half, after failing to push through universally free schooling. She was then hired by Zimbabwe to develop school curriculums.

As an academic, she held posts at a number of American and Ghanaian institutions. In 2000, she set up the Mbaasem Foundation, which supports African women writers.

Though she may be gone, the African giantess will be fondly remembered by many that learnt at her feet. She helped us see our own importance and reminded us of African responsibilities in ensuring our survival.

We join Africans everywhere in celebrating her life by sharing this memorable video - in which she picks apart Western mistreatment of Africans, and in which her personality shines. Rest in power, Mama Aidoo.

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WINNIE VS NELSON

Too often, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela is remembered as ‘Nelson Mandela’s wife.’ That is only one part of her legacy. Winnie Mandela was a freedom fighter and organiser who was in many ways, more uncompromising than Nelson. Winnie, too, was a political prisoner during the struggle, including a brief sentence she served while pregnant. Her position was that African people must free ourselves by any means necessary. Winnie unwavering on oppressed peoples having a right to use revolutionary violence in the face of colonial exploitative violence. This led to a growing distance between her and the African National Congress (ANC) during the 1990s. She also believed that land in Azania (a name to describe parts of southern Africa, including South Africa) and Zimbabwe must be redistributed to African peoples.