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FEBRUARY’S HEADLINE HITTERS
Our monthly news wraps are back! Africa is huge, and so much happens, it’s always good to take stock with a bird’s eye view. February saw, inter alia, the lifting of sanctions on Niger, a ban on artisanal gold exports in Burkina and a final, sorrowful send-off for Kenya’s marathon record holder. Here’s African Stream’s Erick Gavala with all that and more. What do you think was the biggest story on the continent in February and why?
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Our monthly news wraps are back! Africa is huge, and so much happens, it’s always good to take stock with a bird’s eye view. February saw, inter alia, the lifting of sanctions on Niger, a ban on artisanal gold exports in Burkina and a final, sorrowful send-off for Kenya’s marathon record holder. Here’s African Stream’s Erick Gavala with all that and more. What do you think was the biggest story on the continent in February and why?
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CONGO LATEST NEWS
President of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)Felix Tshisekedi says he’s willing to meet his Rwandese counterpart, Paul Kagame. The potential convening of the neighbouring heads of state comes on the heels of Tshisekedi’s state visit to Angola on 27 February and was confirmed by country’s foreign minister Téte António. No date has been scheduled for the talk between the two presidents.
During his stay in Luanda, Tshisekedi spoke with Angolan President João Lourenço about the ongoing crisis in the eastern Congo. Lourenço has served as a mediator between Rwanda and DRC as part of the African Union-backed “Luanda Process”. During the 37th AU Summit in mid-February, the Angolan leader convened with Kagame and Tshisekedi separately.
President of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)Felix Tshisekedi says he’s willing to meet his Rwandese counterpart, Paul Kagame. The potential convening of the neighbouring heads of state comes on the heels of Tshisekedi’s state visit to Angola on 27 February and was confirmed by country’s foreign minister Téte António. No date has been scheduled for the talk between the two presidents.
During his stay in Luanda, Tshisekedi spoke with Angolan President João Lourenço about the ongoing crisis in the eastern Congo. Lourenço has served as a mediator between Rwanda and DRC as part of the African Union-backed “Luanda Process”. During the 37th AU Summit in mid-February, the Angolan leader convened with Kagame and Tshisekedi separately.
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Continued….The DRC has long accused Rwanda of supporting the M23 rebels operating in the eastern Congo. However, Kigali has repeatedly denied the claims.
Meanwhile, the UN peace-keeping force in Congo (Monusco) has handed over the Kamanyola base, the first in a drawdown that will see its complete withdrawal from the DRC after a 25-year presence. Against a backdrop of successive anti-UN protests, Tshisekedi called for the peace-keeping force to leave the Congo. UN troops have frequently been accused of failing to protect civilians in the decades-long internal conflict, as well as committing human rights abuses. In September 2023, six Congolese soldiers were charged with killing 56 demonstrators at an anti-UN protest in the eastern Congo.
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Meanwhile, the UN peace-keeping force in Congo (Monusco) has handed over the Kamanyola base, the first in a drawdown that will see its complete withdrawal from the DRC after a 25-year presence. Against a backdrop of successive anti-UN protests, Tshisekedi called for the peace-keeping force to leave the Congo. UN troops have frequently been accused of failing to protect civilians in the decades-long internal conflict, as well as committing human rights abuses. In September 2023, six Congolese soldiers were charged with killing 56 demonstrators at an anti-UN protest in the eastern Congo.
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SUDAN ALERT: RAPE USED AS WEAPON OF WAR
Rape is increasingly being used as a weapon of war in Sudan - and the world is largely silent. The UN Human Rights Office in Sudan has tried to raise the alarm, saying the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary is the main perpetrator. In one cited case, as many as 20 women were reportedly abused in the same attack.
The actual number of those sexually assaulted is unknown because of electricity and Internet blackouts, and the conservative nature of Sudanese society - meaning many women are suffering in silence. But RSF fighters have been brazenly boasting about their crimes online.
Rape is increasingly being used as a weapon of war in Sudan - and the world is largely silent. The UN Human Rights Office in Sudan has tried to raise the alarm, saying the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary is the main perpetrator. In one cited case, as many as 20 women were reportedly abused in the same attack.
The actual number of those sexually assaulted is unknown because of electricity and Internet blackouts, and the conservative nature of Sudanese society - meaning many women are suffering in silence. But RSF fighters have been brazenly boasting about their crimes online.
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Continued….In one sickening video, a militia member praises the act of rape as something that he and his fellow RSF fighters are ennoscriptd to, arguing that Sudan is theirs and that they are ennoscriptd to anything within the country. Such material should be used as evidence at a future war crimes tribunal.
Data coming out of Sudan shows over 5,000 female recruits have joined the army, with many citing the increasing incidence of violations against women as their number-one motivation. It is worth noting, though, that the Sudanese army created the RSF and - before they were rivals - encouraged them to use rape as a weapon of war in the Darfur region of Sudan, but for many of the female recruits, there are very few options left.
They say, in all ways, women pay the heaviest price, and this is undoubtedly true in Sudan. Please keep your #eyesonSudan and raise your voice for our Sudanese sisters. They need our voices now more than ever.
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Data coming out of Sudan shows over 5,000 female recruits have joined the army, with many citing the increasing incidence of violations against women as their number-one motivation. It is worth noting, though, that the Sudanese army created the RSF and - before they were rivals - encouraged them to use rape as a weapon of war in the Darfur region of Sudan, but for many of the female recruits, there are very few options left.
They say, in all ways, women pay the heaviest price, and this is undoubtedly true in Sudan. Please keep your #eyesonSudan and raise your voice for our Sudanese sisters. They need our voices now more than ever.
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AFRICAN STREAM QUESTIONS HAITIAN PM IN NAIROBI
The former president of Haiti, Jovenel Moïse, was assassinated in 2021 - after which Prime Minister Ariel Henry took control of the country with the support of the Core Group, led by the United States and Canada, amidst mounting unrest from civilians and gangs alike.
This unrest led to the United Nations Security Council moving a motion to send a ‘peace mission’ to Haiti - ostensibly to quell the insecurity and armed gang violence.
Kenya was given a mandate to lead this mission and vowed to send 1,000 police officers to the island, prompting an outcry from both Kenyan and Haitian citizens - with the High Court in Nairobi ruling that this deployment was unconstitutional. The Kenyan president, William Ruto, insists the mission will advance despite the court ruling.
The former president of Haiti, Jovenel Moïse, was assassinated in 2021 - after which Prime Minister Ariel Henry took control of the country with the support of the Core Group, led by the United States and Canada, amidst mounting unrest from civilians and gangs alike.
This unrest led to the United Nations Security Council moving a motion to send a ‘peace mission’ to Haiti - ostensibly to quell the insecurity and armed gang violence.
Kenya was given a mandate to lead this mission and vowed to send 1,000 police officers to the island, prompting an outcry from both Kenyan and Haitian citizens - with the High Court in Nairobi ruling that this deployment was unconstitutional. The Kenyan president, William Ruto, insists the mission will advance despite the court ruling.
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Continued….Recently, Benin also pledged to send troops to Haiti as well.
On 1st March 2024, the Haitian prime minister - and acting president - was in Nairobi to give a public lecture on Haiti at the United States International University Africa. He spoke about why he still thinks it’s essential to push ahead with the proposed ‘peace mission.’
African Stream’s Sefu Sanni was in the audience and got the chance to challenge him on that. Have a watch - and please post your views on the issue in the comments.
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On 1st March 2024, the Haitian prime minister - and acting president - was in Nairobi to give a public lecture on Haiti at the United States International University Africa. He spoke about why he still thinks it’s essential to push ahead with the proposed ‘peace mission.’
African Stream’s Sefu Sanni was in the audience and got the chance to challenge him on that. Have a watch - and please post your views on the issue in the comments.
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WHAT SOVEREIGNTY?
When the colonisers ‘granted’ us independence, there were so many strings attached that it made a mockery of the idea that we’d actually attained sovereignty.
As Dr. Mojo Ablode - an adviser to the Ugandan President’s Office - explains here, when the French gave up their colonies, for example, they did so on condition that they had first pickings on a country’s mineral resources, that the ex-colony would keep half of its reserves in France’s central bank, that it would host French military bases and buy its own weapons from French arms producers, and that it’d pay back its so-called ‘colonial debt’ - that is, expenses for ‘civilising’ the ‘savage’ natives and leaving behind basic infrastructure (even though the latter was only ever built to service the colonial administrators!).
When the colonisers ‘granted’ us independence, there were so many strings attached that it made a mockery of the idea that we’d actually attained sovereignty.
As Dr. Mojo Ablode - an adviser to the Ugandan President’s Office - explains here, when the French gave up their colonies, for example, they did so on condition that they had first pickings on a country’s mineral resources, that the ex-colony would keep half of its reserves in France’s central bank, that it would host French military bases and buy its own weapons from French arms producers, and that it’d pay back its so-called ‘colonial debt’ - that is, expenses for ‘civilising’ the ‘savage’ natives and leaving behind basic infrastructure (even though the latter was only ever built to service the colonial administrators!).
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Continued…Some former French colonies - in particular, the revolutionary governments in the Sahel - have been taking decisive action to change this situation, kicking out French troops and re-asserting sovereignty over resources. But others are still in neo-colonial French chains.
Have a listen to Dr. Ablode, his words hit hard.
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Have a listen to Dr. Ablode, his words hit hard.
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PAUL KAGAME: HERO OR VILLAIN?
Paul Kagame has become a popular figure among Africans across the continent, who like and share his brilliant responses to arrogant Western interviewers. But is Rwanda’s President really the Pan-African giant that he’s made out to be?
Many think not, including in neighbouring DRC - where rebel groups allegedly funded by him are accused of perpetrating genocidal violence. He’s also been branded a puppet of capitalism. Congolese activists shared with African Stream their reasons for being very wary of Paul Kagame.
What’s your take on the Rwandan leader?
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Paul Kagame has become a popular figure among Africans across the continent, who like and share his brilliant responses to arrogant Western interviewers. But is Rwanda’s President really the Pan-African giant that he’s made out to be?
Many think not, including in neighbouring DRC - where rebel groups allegedly funded by him are accused of perpetrating genocidal violence. He’s also been branded a puppet of capitalism. Congolese activists shared with African Stream their reasons for being very wary of Paul Kagame.
What’s your take on the Rwandan leader?
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From memorials outside the Israeli embassy in Washington DC to marches against the cost-of-living crisis in Nigeria, here’s our weekly photo dump:
New York, US - Hundred gather after the death of Aaron Bushnell, who self-immolated outside the Israeli embassy in Washington in protest over Tel Aviv’s actions in Gaza.
Pretoria, South Africa - Doctors and nurses hold placards during a demonstration for unemployed health workers.
Abuja, Nigeria - Thousands rally against soaring living costs as an economic crisis leaves many struggling to afford food.
Cairo, Egypt - A shopkeeper dusts a traditional lantern outside an artisanal store as Muslims prepare for the holy month of Ramadan.
Dakar, Senegal - A symbolic ballot box is set up to protest the delayed presidential election, with people casting ballots saying ‘RIP 25th February’ (when the election was supposed to happen) and ‘President Macky Sall is burying democracy.’
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New York, US - Hundred gather after the death of Aaron Bushnell, who self-immolated outside the Israeli embassy in Washington in protest over Tel Aviv’s actions in Gaza.
Pretoria, South Africa - Doctors and nurses hold placards during a demonstration for unemployed health workers.
Abuja, Nigeria - Thousands rally against soaring living costs as an economic crisis leaves many struggling to afford food.
Cairo, Egypt - A shopkeeper dusts a traditional lantern outside an artisanal store as Muslims prepare for the holy month of Ramadan.
Dakar, Senegal - A symbolic ballot box is set up to protest the delayed presidential election, with people casting ballots saying ‘RIP 25th February’ (when the election was supposed to happen) and ‘President Macky Sall is burying democracy.’
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Misrata, Libya - Security forces participate in a military parade to commemorate the 13th anniversary of the Libyan Revolution.
Moscow, Russia - The foreign minister of Mali and his Russian counterpart hold a joint conference after their meeting in the capital.
Gedaref, Sudan - A man checks sacks of grain at a market. The UN recently said the ongoing conflict has created the ‘world’s largest displacement crisis’ and pushed the country to the ‘verge of collapse.’
Dzaoudzi, Mayotte - Members of the Forces Vives de Mayotte collective, angry about irregular migration and inadequate security measures, block the islands’ main port, unfurling banners with ‘No Justice, No Peace.’
Washington DC, US - Hundreds of people gather in front of the Israeli embassy to mourn 25-year-old US airman Aaron Bushnell.
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Moscow, Russia - The foreign minister of Mali and his Russian counterpart hold a joint conference after their meeting in the capital.
Gedaref, Sudan - A man checks sacks of grain at a market. The UN recently said the ongoing conflict has created the ‘world’s largest displacement crisis’ and pushed the country to the ‘verge of collapse.’
Dzaoudzi, Mayotte - Members of the Forces Vives de Mayotte collective, angry about irregular migration and inadequate security measures, block the islands’ main port, unfurling banners with ‘No Justice, No Peace.’
Washington DC, US - Hundreds of people gather in front of the Israeli embassy to mourn 25-year-old US airman Aaron Bushnell.
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ERITREA: AFRICA’S MOST INDEPENDENT STATE?
If you’ve ever paid attention to how Western media talks about Eritrea, you’re sure to notice that it’s not very positive. Often labelled ‘the North Korea of Africa’, Eritrea is simply a country that refuses to submit to Western demands or participate in their neo-colonial politics. It also refuses to let in Western aid workers whose image isn’t helped by the regime-change record of USAID.
If you want an example of what we mean, have a listen to this interview with Eritrea’s President Isaias Afwerki. He’s asked why his country won’t call for outside help to combat a drought ravaging the Horn of Africa in 2010. But his reply is simple. Eritrea can feed itself. Since independence, it’s strived to be self-sufficient in food and agriculture and the numbers of people suffering food insecurity has declined substantially.
If you’ve ever paid attention to how Western media talks about Eritrea, you’re sure to notice that it’s not very positive. Often labelled ‘the North Korea of Africa’, Eritrea is simply a country that refuses to submit to Western demands or participate in their neo-colonial politics. It also refuses to let in Western aid workers whose image isn’t helped by the regime-change record of USAID.
If you want an example of what we mean, have a listen to this interview with Eritrea’s President Isaias Afwerki. He’s asked why his country won’t call for outside help to combat a drought ravaging the Horn of Africa in 2010. But his reply is simple. Eritrea can feed itself. Since independence, it’s strived to be self-sufficient in food and agriculture and the numbers of people suffering food insecurity has declined substantially.
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