Continued…..In 2021, Mount Nyiragongo - north of the regional capital Goma - erupted, displacing nearly half a million and killing 50. Some 2,000 children were separated from their parents amid the chaos.
A project called ‘I Heart Africa’ has tried to provide a sanctuary for some of those impacted by the disaster. The group, which puts African concerns first, has built a small community called Lumumba Village. Our man Erick Gavala paid a visit to learn more.
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A project called ‘I Heart Africa’ has tried to provide a sanctuary for some of those impacted by the disaster. The group, which puts African concerns first, has built a small community called Lumumba Village. Our man Erick Gavala paid a visit to learn more.
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ROBBED OF 44 YEARS OF FREEDOM!
Sixty-eight-year-old Ronnie Long, who spent 44 year in a US prison on a false rape conviction, has been awarded millions in compensation. While good news, it’s also a reminder of the relentless and disproportionate injustices faced by Black people in America. Not only does this have to change, but compensation should be made available to others who’ve suffered similar wrongs at the hands of the systemically racist US judicial and prison systems. Leave your thoughts below.
Sixty-eight-year-old Ronnie Long, who spent 44 year in a US prison on a false rape conviction, has been awarded millions in compensation. While good news, it’s also a reminder of the relentless and disproportionate injustices faced by Black people in America. Not only does this have to change, but compensation should be made available to others who’ve suffered similar wrongs at the hands of the systemically racist US judicial and prison systems. Leave your thoughts below.
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SYSTEMIC RACISM IN THE LAND OF THE FREE
The so-called Jim Crow laws enforced racial segregation in the southern United States during the 19th and 20th centuries. You might have thought that their abolishment in the ‘60s would have eradicated structural racism and discrimination in US society, but sadly that’s not the case. As explained in this video, harsh drug laws and the way they’re enforced have seen Blacks disproportionately sent into the prison system - and thereby effectively disempowered, as inmates can have multiple rights removed.
The so-called Jim Crow laws enforced racial segregation in the southern United States during the 19th and 20th centuries. You might have thought that their abolishment in the ‘60s would have eradicated structural racism and discrimination in US society, but sadly that’s not the case. As explained in this video, harsh drug laws and the way they’re enforced have seen Blacks disproportionately sent into the prison system - and thereby effectively disempowered, as inmates can have multiple rights removed.
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CIA CHIEF IN SOMALIA
Mere days after touching down in Kenya, CIA Director William Burns visited Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. The president’s official Twitter account reports the 18 January deliberations centred around regional issues of ‘mutual interest and enhancing Somalia-US strategic partnership,’ as well as the ‘fight against international terrorism and promoting regional stability.’
Of course, the elephant in the room is the increasing tension between Mogadishu and Addis Ababa. Somalia has taken issue with landlocked Ethiopia recognising breakaway republic Somaliland’s statehood in exchange for maritime access. Somalia claims Somaliland is part of its territory and, as such, has no right to give Ethiopia a 20-kilometre strip to build a port in the city of Berbera, on the Gulf of Aden. Somalia has threatened war should the deal proceed. Meanwhile, the US has reiterated its support for Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Mere days after touching down in Kenya, CIA Director William Burns visited Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. The president’s official Twitter account reports the 18 January deliberations centred around regional issues of ‘mutual interest and enhancing Somalia-US strategic partnership,’ as well as the ‘fight against international terrorism and promoting regional stability.’
Of course, the elephant in the room is the increasing tension between Mogadishu and Addis Ababa. Somalia has taken issue with landlocked Ethiopia recognising breakaway republic Somaliland’s statehood in exchange for maritime access. Somalia claims Somaliland is part of its territory and, as such, has no right to give Ethiopia a 20-kilometre strip to build a port in the city of Berbera, on the Gulf of Aden. Somalia has threatened war should the deal proceed. Meanwhile, the US has reiterated its support for Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
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Continued…That two US naval personnel allegedly went missing off Somalia’s coast in the Gulf of Aden are probably a topic of discussion, too. The United States says one slipped and fell off a ladder while trying to enter a dhow (a small ship) on 11 January, in an attempt to seize Iranian arms reportedly destined for the Houthi rebel movement in Yemen. Another who tried to help went missing as well, according to the official account.
With a history of hostility between Somalia and the US—remember the film, ‘Black Hawk Down’?—it is, indeed, strange seeing the CIA chief in Mogadishu. Al Shabaab, the Islamist military and political outfit that has ravaged the region for close to two decades, owes its origins to the United States toppling in 2006 the Islamic Courts Union, formed after head of state Siad Barre was deposed in 1991.
Why else might the CIA chief visit Somalia? Let us know below.
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With a history of hostility between Somalia and the US—remember the film, ‘Black Hawk Down’?—it is, indeed, strange seeing the CIA chief in Mogadishu. Al Shabaab, the Islamist military and political outfit that has ravaged the region for close to two decades, owes its origins to the United States toppling in 2006 the Islamic Courts Union, formed after head of state Siad Barre was deposed in 1991.
Why else might the CIA chief visit Somalia? Let us know below.
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SLOVENIA TO JOIN ICJ CASE AGAINST ISRAEL
Slovenia has broken ranks with powerful European countries such as France and Germany by declaring its support for South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the ICJ.
Tanja Fajon, Slovenia’s minister of foreign and European affairs, said the scale of the death and destruction inflicted on Gaza made it clear that international law had been breached. She added that, while Slovenia cannot be enjoined in South Africa’s action at this preliminary stage, it could be possible once the ICJ decides to deliberate on the case.
Slovenia has broken ranks with powerful European countries such as France and Germany by declaring its support for South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the ICJ.
Tanja Fajon, Slovenia’s minister of foreign and European affairs, said the scale of the death and destruction inflicted on Gaza made it clear that international law had been breached. She added that, while Slovenia cannot be enjoined in South Africa’s action at this preliminary stage, it could be possible once the ICJ decides to deliberate on the case.
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Continued….Fajon also said her country would now join an earlier case at the ICJ that was initiated by a UN General Assembly vote in December 2022 - concerning the illegality of Israeli policies against Palestinians. Explaining that decision, she cited Israel’s prolonged occupation, settlement and annexation of Palestinian territory; Israel’s efforts to change the demographics, character and status of Jerusalem; and its adoption of legislation and measures that discriminate against Palestinians.
Let us know what you think of Slovenia’s support for South Africa.
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Let us know what you think of Slovenia’s support for South Africa.
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N*ZI GERMANY’S MADAGASCAR PLAN
N*zi-run Germany devised a plan in 1940 to deport the country’s Jewish population to the African island of Madagascar. At the time, it was a French colony, but Germany was desperate to be ‘cleansed’ of its prominent Jewish population. Before that, the Polish government investigated deporting Jewish people to the island in 1937. The plan reminds us of the 1903 Uganda Scheme, which proposed setting up a Jewish state in East Africa.
Now, Israel is allegedly trying to convince Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda to accept Palestinians who are fleeing Israel’s blockade and bombardment of the Gaza Strip. All three African states have denied negotiations are taking place. Meanwhile, Israel has killed close to 25,000 civilians since 7 October.
Is this another move in the vein of the ethnic cleansing attempts we have seen before? And why are African countries being considered for such plans? Let us know what you think.
Video credit: @lachaineinfo
N*zi-run Germany devised a plan in 1940 to deport the country’s Jewish population to the African island of Madagascar. At the time, it was a French colony, but Germany was desperate to be ‘cleansed’ of its prominent Jewish population. Before that, the Polish government investigated deporting Jewish people to the island in 1937. The plan reminds us of the 1903 Uganda Scheme, which proposed setting up a Jewish state in East Africa.
Now, Israel is allegedly trying to convince Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda to accept Palestinians who are fleeing Israel’s blockade and bombardment of the Gaza Strip. All three African states have denied negotiations are taking place. Meanwhile, Israel has killed close to 25,000 civilians since 7 October.
Is this another move in the vein of the ethnic cleansing attempts we have seen before? And why are African countries being considered for such plans? Let us know what you think.
Video credit: @lachaineinfo
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Shell has decided to exit the Niger Delta, after raking in billions over decades from drilling the region’s oil. The whole operation will now be sold to a local consortium and a Swiss-based trader for just over a billion dollars.
But while many factors contributed to the pull out, one thing is clear, Shell won’t be missed by the local population. Its activities have seen oil spills and fires that have destroyed the environment. They’ve clogged rivers and lakes, rendering them unsuitable for farming and fishing, activities that have supported communities for centuries.
Unsurprisingly, locals protested against the pollution - but were brutally suppressed.
But while many factors contributed to the pull out, one thing is clear, Shell won’t be missed by the local population. Its activities have seen oil spills and fires that have destroyed the environment. They’ve clogged rivers and lakes, rendering them unsuitable for farming and fishing, activities that have supported communities for centuries.
Unsurprisingly, locals protested against the pollution - but were brutally suppressed.
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Continued….In the mid 90s, Shell was accused of helping the government of late military dictator, General Sani Abacha, crackdown on non-violent demonstrators from the Ogoni tribe. Nine campaigners were hanged as a result. Shell denied complicity, but did pay millions to settle a lawsuit brought by the victims’ families in New York in 2009.
Shell’s enriched itself to the tune of billions, while making those who live in the Delta pay a catastrophic price. And that’s how most Nigerians will remember the British oil giant.
Shell’s enriched itself to the tune of billions, while making those who live in the Delta pay a catastrophic price. And that’s how most Nigerians will remember the British oil giant.
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VIOLENT CLASHES AS COMOROS ELECTION DISPUTED, 1 KILLED
Chaos in Comoros, where the recent election result is being contested in the streets. The opposition alleges only fraud can explain incumbent President Azali Assoumani’s 63% share of the vote. Young people have clashed with security forces, leaving 1 person dead and 25 injured. Assoumani was only able to run because of a controversial referendum in 2018 that removed term limits - this would be his fourth. Almost half of the 870,000 Comorans live in poverty. Do you think Assoumani will survive this challenge?
Chaos in Comoros, where the recent election result is being contested in the streets. The opposition alleges only fraud can explain incumbent President Azali Assoumani’s 63% share of the vote. Young people have clashed with security forces, leaving 1 person dead and 25 injured. Assoumani was only able to run because of a controversial referendum in 2018 that removed term limits - this would be his fourth. Almost half of the 870,000 Comorans live in poverty. Do you think Assoumani will survive this challenge?
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IVORY COAST BANS ALGERIAN RACIST
The Africa Cup of Nations football tournament that just kicked off in Yamoussoukro presents a rare opportunity for Africans from all over to meet, banter and celebrate.
However, the words of this Algerian fan have earned her a one-way ticket out of the host country, Ivory Coast. In this 13 January video, Sofia Benlemmane perpetuates anti-Black racism, saying prehistoric times are better than the current reality in Ivory Coast. The social media influencer is now banned from re-entering the country.
It would have helped if she remembered context. For example, France, which colonised Algeria and Ivory Coast, impoverished many northern, western and central African countries. Algeria faced a violent struggle in the mid-20th century to win liberation, with French colonial forces killing between 400,000 and 1.5 million Algerians, whilst burning down about 8,000 villages and moving 2 million people into concentration camps.
The Africa Cup of Nations football tournament that just kicked off in Yamoussoukro presents a rare opportunity for Africans from all over to meet, banter and celebrate.
However, the words of this Algerian fan have earned her a one-way ticket out of the host country, Ivory Coast. In this 13 January video, Sofia Benlemmane perpetuates anti-Black racism, saying prehistoric times are better than the current reality in Ivory Coast. The social media influencer is now banned from re-entering the country.
It would have helped if she remembered context. For example, France, which colonised Algeria and Ivory Coast, impoverished many northern, western and central African countries. Algeria faced a violent struggle in the mid-20th century to win liberation, with French colonial forces killing between 400,000 and 1.5 million Algerians, whilst burning down about 8,000 villages and moving 2 million people into concentration camps.
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Continued….Even though colonialism has formally ended, France has continued to control the economies of many of these countries by forcing them to use different forms of the franc as their currency for international transactions.
As a fellow African, constructive criticism could have been offered in the spirit of Pan-Africanism. But, she clutches a European white identity that she seems to forget also victimises North Africans. In so doing, she diminishes not only the struggle all Africans face, but perpetuates racism against her own people as well.
What do you think is best done with a person like this? Please share your thoughts.
Video credit: @sofia_benlemmane
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As a fellow African, constructive criticism could have been offered in the spirit of Pan-Africanism. But, she clutches a European white identity that she seems to forget also victimises North Africans. In so doing, she diminishes not only the struggle all Africans face, but perpetuates racism against her own people as well.
What do you think is best done with a person like this? Please share your thoughts.
Video credit: @sofia_benlemmane
Please follow us on Telegram, Link in Bio
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AMILCAR CABRAL COLONIAL PORTUGAL’S NIGHTMARE
He gave the Portuguese colonialists hell. And he liberated his native Guinea-Bissau. 1956 he founded the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde.
Cape Verde was another Portuguese colony - Cabral’s parents came from there.
Thanks to his political activism, he became to Portugal what Patrice Lumumba had been to Belgium: public enemy number one.
We remember Amilcar Cabral, who was assassinated on this day January in 1973.
He gave the Portuguese colonialists hell. And he liberated his native Guinea-Bissau. 1956 he founded the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde.
Cape Verde was another Portuguese colony - Cabral’s parents came from there.
Thanks to his political activism, he became to Portugal what Patrice Lumumba had been to Belgium: public enemy number one.
We remember Amilcar Cabral, who was assassinated on this day January in 1973.
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