Nina Simone is among the most famous musical figures of the 20th century. Today, the 21st of February, is her birthday, a good occasion to highlight the radical politics woven throughout her songs.

Her political life went beyond the usual civil rights narratives dominating US discourse. Simone aligned herself with communism’s promise of true liberation. Malcolm X’s influence moved her to embrace Pan-Africanism, while advocating for Black nationalism and supporting armed action. Songs like ‘To Be Young Gifted and Black’ and ‘Backlash Blues’ reflect this shift.

Conversations with figures like playwright and writer Lorraine Hansberry influenced Simone, whom she cites in her ‘real girls’ talk’ quote. These discussions fueled songs like ‘Mississippi Goddam,’ which addressed racism, imperialism and global solidarity.

Continued…..Despite allegedly facing FBI scrutiny and industry pressure, Simone remained unwavering. Songs like ‘Ain’t Got No / I Got Life’ were poignant commentaries on poverty and societal marginalisation, while ‘Feeling Good’ offered a flicker of hope amidst struggle. Simone’s legacy transcends music, reminding us that art can be a powerful tool for demanding a just world.

Simone later renounced the United States, calling it, ‘the United Snakes of America.’ She moved to France in 1993, and passed away in 2003.

Please join us in wishing our revolutionary ancestor a happy birthday!

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ALGERIA: ISRAEL BLOCKING PALESTINIAN STATE

This week, 52 states and three multi-state organisations are presenting arguments at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) about the legal consequences of Israel occupying the Palestinian territories.

The six days of hearings started on 19 February and came after the UN General Assembly asked the court in 2022 for an advisory—non-binding—opinion on the occupation.

In this clip, Ahmed Laraba, who represents Algeria’s legal team, asserted Israel wants to make sure a Palestinian state is impossible.

Algeria has long opposed normalisation with Israel. Plus, its own experience with French colonisation fuels its longstanding solidarity with the Palestinian struggle for self-determination and against Israel’s illegal occupation.

What do you think about Laraba’s argument? Let us know in the comments.

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AFRO HAIR DAY! BLACK IS BEAUTIFUL

As part of Black History Month, we celebrate Afro hair. It’s hard to imagine now, but even our beautiful, natural curls were used against people of African descent - mocked by Whites to such an extent that many in our community felt compelled to imitate their styles, using straighteners (along with skin lighteners) to conform to an imposed ideal.

One of those who did her utmost to raise our consciousness and self-image about Afro hair was the Black Power movement that was led by the Black Panthers and included revolutionary sisters like Kathleen Cleaver. She saw every coil, kink and curl as a testament to resilience and authenticity.

Watch her here express her pride in her brothers’ and sisters’ hair and looks, and extol the fact that Black is beautiful. Decades on, do we need a resurgence of this movement? Leave your thoughts below.

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This image of the US ambassador’s hand covered in blood has gone viral online.

That’s because the United States has, for the third time, vetoed a UN Security Council resolution for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. An Algerian-drafted resolution on 20 February called for an immediate ceasefire. So far, Israel’s military operation has killed nearly 30,000 Palestinians since the escalation in the Palestine-Israel conflict began on 7 October.

Explaining Washington’s lone vote, US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield said the resolution would undermine negotiations for the release of hostages. However, US allies such as France, Switzerland, Slovenia, South Korea and Japan voted to support the resolution. Meanwhile, the UK abstained.

Calls have been growing to reform the UN Security Council to reflect current global dynamics, which have changed since the UNSC was set up at the end of World War II in 1945.

Let us know what you think of the United States’ third veto.

WIKILEAKS: THE AFRICAN ANGLE

It’s a critical moment for Julian Assange - who this week is making one final appeal to the UK’s high court to block his extradition to the US, which is pursuing the publisher for alleged espionage.

His real ‘crime,’ many would argue, is simply lifting the lid on US wrongdoings - by publishing a trove of diplomatic cables that implicate Washington in atrocities and alleged war crimes. Many of these relate directly to Africa.

Here’s a reminder of some of Assange’s key revelations concerning American foul play on the African continent - and of why the UK should free him immediately.

Make some noise in the comments!

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ISRAELI POLITICIAN: HUNGER & THIRST HELP RECRUIT COLLABORATORS

An Israeli politician made headlines when she said blockading the Gaza Strip, thereby starving Palestinians, would help Israel cultivate collaborators to gather intelligence. The Likud Party’s Revital Gotliv shocked many with this 23 October speech to the Knesset, Israel’s legislative body.

Continued…On 26 January, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) found it plausible that Israel’s acts could amount to genocide and issued a provisional ruling, ordering Israel to take all measures within its power to prevent genocidal acts. That includes punishing incitement to commit genocide, ensuring aid and services reach Palestinians under siege in Gaza, and for Israel to report to the ICJ within a month on its progress.

Tel Aviv appears to have ignored the UN court’s directive, continuing to throttle the flow of humanitarian aid into the besieged enclave. Israel has bombed Palestinians at the Rafah border crossing near Egypt, while Israeli protesters have blocked aid trucks. The death toll has also risen, with Israel now having killed almost 30,000 Palestinians since the 7 October escalation in the 75-year Palestine-Israel conflict. Meanwhile, 1.5 million people have been displaced, and over 70 per cent of housing has been destroyed.

What do you think of the Israeli lawmaker’s remarks? Please share your thoughts in the comments.

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ALL UN MEMBERS MUST STOP AIDING ISRAEL

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is holding advisory proceedings this week regarding Israel’s military assault against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. On 19 February, legal scholar Philippe Sands delivered this message as he represented Palestine: Every UN member state providing material support or aid to Israel must stop.

Israel is the largest cumulative recipient of US foreign aid since the end of World War II, having received $150 billion (not adjusted for inflation) between 1948 and 2022. Just this month, the US House of Representatives voted down an additional $17.6 billion ‘stand-alone’ package to Israel. Another $14 billion in military aid to Israel, part of a larger $95 billion package to several countries, faces uncertainty in the House after passing in the Senate.

Continued…..The ICJ ordered Israel on 26 January to refrain from acts that would amount to genocide after hearing South Africa’s case. However, the bombardments and siege have continued, with the death toll surpassing 29,000.

How do you think the world can bring Israel’s bombardment and siege to a halt? Let us know in the comments.

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SOUTH AFRICA IMPLORES CJ TO END ISRAEL’S APARTHEID

The ICJ is holding a six day hearing based on a UN General Assembly request for a non-binding advisory on the legality of Israel’s policies in Palestine. Fifty-two countries will present their arguments- the largest number to participate in a single international court case.

South Africa opened the second day of hearings with ironclad arguments presented by Vusimuzi Madonsela, South Africa’s ambassador to the Netherlands. He reiterated that Israel was responsible for perpetrating “apartheid” against the Palestinians, likening its occupation to what South Africans suffered under the oppressive settler colonial regime in their country. Such a shared pain, recalled Madonsela, demands a “special obligation” to call out apartheid wherever it occurs and ensure an “immediate end” to the current assault on the Gaza strip.

Continued…..To date, Israel’s assault in Gaza has killed nearly 30,000 Palestinians, mainly women and children.

South Africa has a long history of support for Palestine, thus spearheading the ICJ case which has accused Israel of “genocidal” acts in its incessant and widespread bombardment of Gaza. Representatives from the South African government have called for the total withdrawal of Israeli troops with an immediate end to the illegal occupation.

Israel declined to attend the current proceedings and has continuously refused to recognize the legitimacy of the ICJ hearings.

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SEUN KUTI TALKS REVOLUTION

Seun Kuti, the youngest son of Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti, discussed the need for a revolution in Nigeria. He said the current system teaches the masses to think and behave like the oppressors.

In January 2012, Kuti participated in the Occupy Nigeria protests against then-President Goodluck Jonathan’s proposal to remove a fuel subsidy. After the SARS movement in October 2020, he helped revive his father’s political party, Movement of the People, a left-wing Pan-African movement. In late 2023, he signed the Artists Against Apartheid statement that expressed support for Palestinians.

What do you think of Kuti’s remarks on revolution? Let us know in the comments.

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‘IT IS SO PAINFUL TO BE A PALESTINIAN TODAY’

“It is so painful to be a Palestinian today” - that was the heartfelt message of the Palestinian ambassador to the UN, addressing the International Court of Justice. In a moving speech, Riyad Mansour had to fight back the tears and pause to compose himself.

The UN-instigated ICJ trial at which he spoke is looking into Israel’s annexation of lands in the West Bank and East Jerusalem - but his words also evoked the plight of Gazans, especially Gaza’s young, amid Tel Aviv’s brutal war, which has claimed over 10,000 children’s lives.

South Africa recently asked the same court to order a ceasefire - accusing Israel of genocide. But the ICJ ruled only that Tel Aviv must do all it can to prevent atrocities.

Mansour‘s plea is a powerful watch. Please share and let us know your reactions.

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REBELS CUT OFF SUPPLIES TO GOMA

As M23 rebels step up their vicious campaign of terror in eastern DR Congo, seizing territories and choking supply routes by cutting off transport on major roads, food supplies to the regional capital Goma have been disrupted, condemning over two-million residents and displaced individuals to a gruelling humanitarian crisis.

This vast country has grappled with decades-long militia violence, indirectly financed with Western funds, which has killed an untold number of people and uprooted about 7 million from their homes.

However, in the east’s largest city, Goma, the situation is rapidly deteriorating. Commodity prices are sharply rising as day-to-day essentials such as food and fuel are not getting into the city, which appears to be under a blockade from the rebels. For now, supplies are still making it in via canoes from villages around the shores of Lake Kivu.

African Stream’s Erick Gavala reports from the ground.

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ISRAEL KICKED OUT OF AFRICA

African nations are turning their backs towards Israel. The African Union, whose chair used to be very keen to have Tel Aviv join its sessions as observer, has now revoked that honour - amid growing condemnation within the bloc of the war in Gaza. That’s not at all how Benjamin Netanyahu had hoped things would go - a few years back, the Israeli Prime Minister had promised another African alliance, ECOWAS, that Israel was “coming back” to our continent. African Stream’s Ahmed Ghoneim breaks the new state of relations down in 90 seconds.

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SAMANTHA POWER PRESSED ON HYPOCRITICAL US POLICIES

U.S. authorities are finding it increasingly difficult to sell their policies to Millennials as the younger generation is more inclined to question establishment politics. In that vein, former U.S. envoy to the UN and current head of USAID, Samantha Power, found herself on the hot seat during a Question and Answer session at Johns Hopkins University where she was a guest speaker on climate policies.

Continued….During the talk, a young contract specialist at USAID, an organisation known for its food-diplomacy (or dependency) in exchange for towing US foreign policy,” asked her about Washington’s conflicting policies in Gaza, labelling them “hypocritical.” Power’s unconvincing, half-hearted response served to highlight the growing gap between U.S. political elite and young Americans. The divide has increased in recent months, especially due to Washington’s continued support for Israel in its assault on the Gaza Strip, which has killed nearly 30,000 Palestinians, mainly women and children.

Again, keep in mind, USAID is just one tool in the US foreign policymakers bag of tricks. Not only has it been used to weaponise food aid, making it mightier than bombs, missiles and foreign intervention in places like Africa, but some Global South governments have even accused the agency of being a CIA front. In recent years, USAID has expanded its operations, creating a social media network in Cuba called ZunZuneo in the hopes of undermining, weakening, or even overthrowing the government.

Do you think the detachment of U.S. policymakers from their young citizens will affect global politics?

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REMAINS OF S.AFRICAN SOLDIERS KILLED IN D.R.C ARRIVE HOME

On 21 February, the bodies of two South African soldiers killed while on a peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) arrived back home. Their remains were received amid sombre military salutations at Waterkloof Air Force Base in Pretoria, the capital of South Africa.

Captain Simon Mkhulu Bobe and Lance Corporal Irven Thabang Semono were killed last week when a mortar bomb hit a camp housing a South African military contingent. It’s the first fatalities for South Africa since it began deploying 2,900 soldiers to the Eastern Congo to help put an end to increasing rebel violence in the region. The mortar attack also left three soldiers with serious injuries.

Continued….At the invitation of Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) agreed to deploy a regional peacekeeping mission to the Eastern DRC. In mid 2023, Tshisekedi announced that a SADC military battalion would replace soldiers from the East African Community (EAC) who had been deployed to Eastern Congo months earlier. Their role was to help fight the M23 rebels who are blamed for the rise in violence in the region. However, Tshisekedi accused the EAC forces of not only being ineffective against the M23 but also colluding with them. Equally unsatisfied with a two-decade-long United Nations (UN) peacekeeping mission in his country, Tshisekedi has demanded their total withdrawal from the Congo by the end of this year.

Several stakeholders, including the UN and the Congolese government, have accused neighbouring Rwanda of funding and arming M23, a charge that Kigali has repeatedly denied.

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MYSTERY DEATH: FAMILY DENIED ACCESS TO KENYAN HAITI-MISSION COP FOUND IN U.S. HOTEL

The family of a Kenyan police inspector found dead in mysterious circumstances in the US says it’s being denied access to the body.

Walter Nyankieya Nyamwato - along with a group of other officers - was en route from Kenya to Haiti, where Nairobi controversially intends to deploy 1,000 police on a security mission. He was found lying on his stomach, unresponsive, in his Washington hotel room. No explanation has been offered for his death.

Nyamwato’s father says another family member living in the US was turned away by police when he made enquiries - and was told that this would be a ‘government-to-government’ matter.

In this clip, the father relates what happened.

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