SACHS: DEMOCRATS & REPUBLICANS BEAT WAR DRUMS

The US political spectrum has been described as two sides of the same coin. While the Democratic Party and the Republican Party may differ on issues like LGBTQ rights, women's rights and migration, they almost always see eye to eye on US foreign policy. This is partly what is driving up the country’s debt burden, explained economist Jeffrey Sachs several months ago on Democracy Now.

According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, US defence spending in 2022 accounted for almost 40 per cent of global military expenditures. That year, US military support for Ukraine required a $71 billion increase in expenditures, pushing the United States to spend more than the next ten countries combined, compared to surpassing the next nine countries in 2021.

Continued….US military violence has been unleashed under various pretences to line the pockets of the military-industrial complex, a term used to describe the US military establishment as well as private companies that develop weaponry for US 'defence.'Meanwhile, the country’s infrastructure is crumbling, many cannot afford healthcare, and more than a half-million are homeless (a conservative estimate), to name a few challenges.

Rather than acknowledging that its domestic situation is unravelling, that its wars have failed and that its debt burden has ballooned, the United States is doubling. It has a military presence all across Africa through its Africa Command (AFRICOM) while goading China.

What's a failing empire to do? Let us know in the comments.

Video credit: @democracynow

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IDI AMIN WARNING TO ISRAEL, RHODESIA AND SOUTH AFRICA

Once upon a time, standing with the oppressed was a usual occurrence on the continent. In this clip, former Ugandan President Idi Amin opened the 1975 Organisation of African Unity’s summit in the Ugandan capital of Kampala with a warning to Rhodesians, South Africans and Zionists. His words came to pass more than 40 years later when, in response to decades of Israeli oppression, Palestinians in Gaza struck back, shattering the myth that Israel’s ‘deterrence’ was both necessary and effective.

As for Rhodesia (the colonial name for most of the area occupied by today’s Zimbabwe) and apartheid South Africa, those states were relegated to the dustbin of history. The white minority-ruled countries unravelled under pressure after decades of the struggle for African independence.

Continued….Countries like Angola, Tanzania and Mozambique played a key role by hosting Zimbabwean and South African rebels on their territory. Amin explained the struggle in Palestine transcends religion, and that shows that millions of people from many faiths around the world have, in recent months, flooded streets in solidarity with Palestine.

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After looting Ghana’s treasures 150 yeas ago, Britain has decided to give them back…on loan.

The British Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum called it an ‘important cultural’ collaboration. Thirty-two gold and silver artefacts thieved from the Ashanti Empire during colonial times will be returned to Ghana’s Manhyia Palace Museum.

Apparently, this neat deal skirts around UK law that prevents such stolen treasures being handed back to their country of origin. It’s not known how long the loan is for, but the items will be displayed as part of the silver jubilee of Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II. He was the ceremonial king of the Ashanti people.

Continued….Well, thanks for the ‘good-will’ gesture, but these are only a tiny fraction of the priceless treasures stolen by colonialists and still kept by European museums. From sculptures taken by France in the sacking of Abomey to the famous Benin bronzes in modern-day Nigeria. Not to mention prized ancient Egyptian collections. And as for the gold artefacts from Ghana, they are among Africa’s finest and most valuable artworks, with single pieces selling for millions of dollars. The loss of heritage and history was incalculable.

It’s time everything is given back, not just bits loaned back.

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SEAN KUTI ON AFRICA’S ‘DIRTY SECRET’

In this clip, Nigerian musician and singer Sean Anikulapo Kuti lashes out at what he calls Africa’s ‘dirty secret’ - namely, that many of its current leaders are as bad as agents of the slave trade. Their materialistic greed has made them willing to do the White man’s bidding in return for wealth, and place higher value on Western status symbols than on African lives. They drive around in luxury cars and sport designer clothes while the countries they supposedly lead linger on in poverty.

Kuti stays true to his legendary father Fela’s revolutionary roots, arguing that the situation ought to be a spur for action - for Africans to organise and change our politics and destinies. Take a look and share your thoughts?

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WHY ‘MADE IN CONGO’ IS BETTER!

Mention DR Congo, Africa’s second-largest country, and what comes to mind? Probably conflict minerals and proxy wars.

But beyond all the headlines of despair, there is a lot of colourful cultural energy and creativity and amazing potential.

We meet one Congolese entrepreneur in Goma who’s creating beautiful furniture with locally sourced wood. Additionally, she’s fighting illegal deforestation with replanting efforts, and doing her bit to find solutions to her region’s worsening humanitarian crisis. She’s calling on Africans to change their unbridled taste for foreign products and switch to made-in-Africa goods.

The DRC has been reeling from conflict for the past three decades. However, local entrepreneurs are fighting back in a bid to diversify and grow the economy, boost exports, create job opportunities and improve livelihoods.

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WORLD’S FIRST AUTO-TRANSLATOR EARBUDS

A Ghanaian-British engineer has invented the world’s first auto-translator earbuds. It means you can just put them on to understand dozens of different languages. Sounds like something out of Star Trek, but Danny Manu’s invention is literally translating conversations in real time.

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WESTERN DOUBLE-STANDARDS AT UN

The International Court of Justice recently ruled in favour of South Africa in mandating Israel to ensure it takes measures to prevent genocide in Palestine, much to the West’s chagrin. We look back to South Africa’s Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor’s comments regarding the West picking and choosing when to pay attention to African voices. Pandor argued that the war in Ukraine made people realise it’s high time to re-think the veto at the UN Security Council - and give greater weight to the General Assembly.

In the months leading up to the ICJ decision, the West has granted Israel political, military and economic cover as it continues a slaughter campaign against Palestinians in Gaza. The US has vetoed multiple calls for a ceasefire at the UN, conducted hundreds of weapon delivery flights to the occupation, and approved $14.5 billion in additional funding on top of the $3.5 billion given to Israel monthly.

Continued….Germany has also recently pledged 10,000 tank shells to be used against Palestinians fighting for their land.

Compare the active complicity in Israel’s massacre and the willingness to abuse the West’s position at the UN to support it to the wide range of measures imposed against Russia at the onset of Russo-Ukrainian hostilities. As always, your thoughts, please.

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NIGER CELEBRATES ECOWAS WITHDRAWAL

These jubilant scenes are from the streets of Niger after the country pulled out of ECOWAS. Neighbours Mali and Burkina Faso also announced their exit from West Africa’s regional bloc. All three have suffered under ECOWAS sanctions imposed after publicly-supported military coups. Their leaders accuse the 50-year-old bloc of moving away from the ‘ideals of its founding fathers and pan-Africanism.’ But the news shouldn’t have come as a great shock. Recently, the trio formed their own Alliance of Sahel States with the long-term goal of uniting under a confederation.

As for ECOWAS, it claims it wasn’t notified of the withdrawal, as its membership slumps to 12 states. A visible sign its influence in the region is being diminished. Our question to you: Has it got a future?

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RAMAPHOSA REACTS TO ICJ RULING

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has hailed the International Court of Justice (ICJ)’s 26 January provisional decision, which ordered Israel to take all possible measures to prevent genocidal acts in the Gaza Strip and allow the entry of humanitarian assistance. The president referred to it as an important step toward justice for Gazans. He also called on Israel to abide by the measures.

While many have welcome the ruling, some have expressed disappointment at the court’s failure to call for an immediate ceasefire.

South Africa’s and Israel’s legal teams gave remarks during public hearings held 11-12 January at the Hague on South Africa’s charge that Israel is violating the 1948 United Nations Genocide Convention. So far, Israel’s military operation has killed more than 26,000 people in the besieged enclave.

A final ruling may take years to issue.

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THANK THE COLONISER FOR ENGLISH?!!

African Stream recently took part in an event in Nairobi called ‘Hands off Haiti!’. It was organised by the Pan-African Socialist Alliance in opposition to Kenya’s planned deployment of 1,000 police officers to Haiti.

But also in attendance was a group claiming to represent the Africa4Haiti NGO, which supports the deployment. When our CEO Ahmed Kaballo questioned them about why they held their professed position, they had no answer - leading us to suspect they were a ‘hired crowd,’ paid to attend by some backer of the government’s plan.

Continued….Then our encounter became even more interesting. One of the Africa4Haiti ‘activists’ said he wanted to share a message with the Africans following our channel - he wanted to say ‘thank you’ to Africa’s former colonial masters for bringing us the English language! (He explained his gratitude by saying English allows Africans from all over the continent to communicate effortlessly with each other.)

It was very telling. Instead of arguing why Kenyan troops should or shouldn’t go to Haiti or why Haitians need our support, he instead decided to use his air time to ‘thank our colonial masters.’ This is an issue we see throughout Africa, where we see crowds for hire often sent by politicians or NGOs to events supporting an agenda that needs to be understood.

Have a watch, and let us know your thoughts on our encounters that day!

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BURKINA FASO, NIGER & MALI DEPART ECOWAS

Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger—members of the newly formed Alliance of Sahel States—announced during a 28 January televised joint statement that they are withdrawing from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). They accused the regional body of betraying its founding principles by imposing inhumane sanctions on the three countries after popular coups ousted Western-aligned leaders. The three states claim ECOWAS has become a threat to its members by serving foreign interests.

The 26 July coup in Niger is the latest event to have strained relations. ECOWAS had threatened military intervention to reinstate ousted President Mohamed Bazoum.

Continued….The body imposed a no-fly zone, suspended transactions and froze Niger's assets. Neighbouring Nigeria went a step further and cut off power to Niger. In the face of this, Mali and Burkina threatened a wider confrontation should Niger be invaded. Interestingly, recent coups in Chad and Gabon were not subjected to the same treatment, leading many to question what appear to be double standards.

The alliance is endowed with natural resources, such as uranium, oil and gold, as well as a strong livestock market. Insecurity has hampered stability, thus development. But, with each country booting the French military and other French entities, they are reporting more success in the fight to reclaim territorial integrity against so-called rebels. This also meant the end of unequal exchange with former colonisers, like France, that, for example, relied on Niger's uranium reserves to produce French electricity. This while 90 per cent of Nigeriens have gone without electricity.

Once an official notice is sent to ECOWAS, a withdrawal would take a year to finalise. Thus far, reports say the regional body has not received notification.

HUNDREDS MARCH AGAINST FEMICIDEIN KENYA

Thousands gathered in different parts of Kenya to protest a grim rise in killings of women in the country.

At least a dozen cases of femicide have been reported since the start of the year, prompting public outrage and debate.

Demonstrations were held in the biggest cities - including Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu. Men and women alike marched, carrying placards that called for an end to femicide and for better enforcement of laws.

Activists also want femicide to be legally recognised as a crime, saying that its conflation with murder does not account for the gender-based motivation for the killings.

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