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.

Continued….Winnie spoke out at a time when Nelson Mandela felt the need to compromise on the land question, which has led to perpetual inequality and prolonged settler colonialism.

In her own words, ‘I have a good relationship with Mandela. But I am not Mandela’s product. I am the product of the masses of my country and the product of my enemy.’

In this 29 November 1993 lecture given at Kean College in New Jersey (USA), Pan-Africanist and former Nation of Islam leader Khalid Muhammad railed against Nelson and expressed his support for Winnie.

Let us know what you think of Muhammad’s remarks.

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On this day in 1811, the largest slave uprising in the US got underway in (what is present-day) Louisiana.

Led by Charles, an enslaved labourer from the Deslonde plantation, over 500 Africans from diverse backgrounds sought to capture New Orleans and create a new republic. Inspired by the Haitian Revolution, the rebels intended to form a slave army, liberate thousands of enslaved individuals in Louisiana and overthrow the system of slavery. But despite their determination, the revolt was quelled by brute force 3 days in. Many leaders were captured, tried and executed - their heads displayed on poles along the river to intimidate others.

Continued….The sacrifices of these heroes were not in vain. The uprising reasserted humanity and weakened the institution of slavery. Subsequent revolts were inspired, and it set the stage for the Civil War. The descendants of the 1811 revolt contributed significantly to the Union Army during the Civil War, with Louisiana providing over 28,000 soldiers.

These ancestors exemplified courage and dedication, understanding that the emancipation of everyone is crucial for individual freedom.

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South Africa’s genocide case against Israel will be heard by the International Court of Justice this week. 22,835 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza in the last three months. Pretoria claims the bloodshed puts Israel in breach of the Genocide Convention and accuses Tel Aviv of trying to ‘bring about the destruction of a substantial part of the Palestinian national, racial and ethnical group.’

An initial two-day hearing at the Hague-based court will begin on Thursday, 11th January. Although the court does not have the power to prosecute, South Africa wants it to issue a legally binding interim order forcing Israel to suspend its military action against Gaza while the case proceeds.

Israel says South Africa’s claims are ‘absurd’ and has vowed to fight the ‘blood libel’. Meanwhile, John Kirby, the U.S. National Security Council spokesman, has also played down the case, describing it as ‘meritless’ and ‘counterproductive.’

Continued….South Africa has long been in solidarity with Palestine, with many seeing similarities between their historic fight against apartheid and the Palestinian liberation struggle.

Following the escalation in fighting after Hamas’ attacks on October 7th, South Africa demanded a ceasefire and withdrew its diplomats from Israel.

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ETHIOPIA’S DANGEROUS DEAL WITH SOMALILAND

Tensions are ramping up on the Horn of Africa after Ethiopia struck a deal to recognise Somaliland as an independent state. Internationally, the autonomous region is considered part of Somalia which has now accused Addis Ababa of violating its sovereignty. For Ethiopia, though, it’s a calculated gamble. The agreement will see it gain access to a stretch of the Red Sea and open up new naval and commercial opportunities. However, the wider question is at what cost? There are fears the provocative move could spark another war in a region already grappling with internal armed conflicts.

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SEAN IN TOTTENHAM, PT 2: ISRAEL VIOLATES INT’L LAW

Thanks to popular demand, we’re dropping part 2 of Sean, our man in Tottenham, England, dropping truth bombs during a recent call into an LBC radio programme.

He shines a spotlight on Israel’s clear violation of international law, violations that its Western backers have chosen to do nothing about, despite their self-appointed position as upholders of the ‘rules-based order.’

Sean reminds us of the West’s main reasons for invading Iraq and Libya: Supposed violations of international law. Yet, they turn a blind eye to even worse violations by Israel.

If the United Kingdom moved in to stop Iraq’s former leader, Saddam Hussein, after he allegedly bombed 110 Kurds, why haven’t they done anything to stop Israel’s genocide of Palestinians, whose death count so far has exceeded 22,000? And after it had been calculated, a Palestinian child is killed every 10 minutes?

Continued….And as millions starve as Israel throttles delivery of relief supplies to a mere trickle? And while hospitals, schools and refugee camps are routinely bombed as part of an ethnic cleansing campaign?

The radio host tamely replies that the European Union’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, has asked Israel to exercise its right to self-defence within international law.

As Sean puts it, it’s all talk and no action because all the West has done is provide bombs and financial support to Israel, thus being complicit in the ongoing genocide.

Let us know what you think by sharing your comments.

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REMEMBERING SÉKOU TOURÉ

On what would have been Ahmed Sékou Touré’s 102nd birthday, we look at the achievements of the first president of a free Guinea and why he was admired by Pan-Africans worldwide.

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A two-year investigation by the BBC has uncovered evidence of torture and abuse by the late Temitope Balogun Joshua, founder of a Nigerian megachurch - the Synagogue Church of All Nations.

The popular preacher - who died in 2021 - has been accused by multiple ex-members of the church of sexual assault, forced abortions, physical violence and fake miracle cures.

TB Joshua was a charismatic pastor whose televised 'miracles' and enthralling sermons attracted followers globally. Sporting celebrities and some African presidents have also visited his church.

The megachurch has been dogged by controversy since its founding in the late 1980s. In 2014, a guesthouse operated by the church within its premises in Lagos collapsed, killing 116 followers, 84 of them from South Africa. A Lagos court charged the megachurch with criminal negligence after finding out that the building had not received planning approval from authorities.

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