RAISI DEATH AFRICAN ANGLE

African leaders have been reacting to the death of Iran’s president who was killed in a helicopter crash yesterday (May 19th). Ebrahim Raisi’s aircraft came down in a mountainous region in the north of the country during bad weather.

South Africa’s leader, Cyril Ramaphosa, described it as an ‘unthinkable tragedy that has claimed a remarkable leader of a nation with whom South Africa enjoys strong bilateral relations.’

The Persian nation has worked hard to deepen political and economic ties with Africa in recent months.
In July, 2023, Raisi visited Kenya, Uganda and Zimbabwe, signing new agreements and memorandums of understanding. During the trip, the Iranian Foreign Ministry said relations were at 'a new turning point.’

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U.S. CITIZENS AMONG FOILED CONGO COUP PLOTTERS

On May 19th, 2024, a coup attempt was quashed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Fifty people were arrested - including, notably, three American citizens.

Most of the coup participants are believed to be followers of Christian Malanga, an opposition figure who was present during the bid to seize power. He was killed when refusing arrest after infiltrating the presidential palace in Kinshasa. The coup participants made clear their desire to bring down Congolese president Félix Tshisekedi, who was away from Kinshasa at the time.

Continued…. Many are speculating about a possible US role in the coup, given the presence of American citizens and Malanga’s ties to the United States. While some wonder if the DRC is being targeted for threatening war against major US and Western ally Rwanda, others point out that Congolese president Félix Tshisekedi also maintains generally positive relations with Western countries. He recently visited France to request support from President Emmanuel Macron. But Christian Malanga, only has a very fringe following - further driving speculation that other players are operating behind the scenes.

What’s your take on the drama in Kinshasa?

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ON AMERICA’S ‘HIT LIST’ OF NATIONS

According to state media, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi was killed after his helicopter crashed in poor weather near the Azerbaijan border. The wreckage, which included Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian and six others, was found early Monday after an overnight search in blizzard conditions.

The crash comes amid growing Western pressure on Iran over Tehran's disputed nuclear programme and its military ties with Russia.

In this video, retired senior US military officer Wesley Clark relates how he first found out about an early 2000s US hit list of places to be “taken out.” Most, if not all, of the counties he names have since been on the receiving end of some heavy-duty US meddling. And sure enough, Iran is on that hit list. Which might make you wonder…

President Ebrahim Raisi led Iran's backing of groups in the Middle East, such as Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen, and groups in Iraq and Syria.

Continued……The US views these groups as destabilising forces and threats to its interests and allies, particularly Israel and Saudi Arabia.

Raisi was known for his conservative and anti-Western rhetoric, prioritising resistance to Western influence and policies, which conflicted with US interests. His administration was committed to advancing Iran's nuclear programme, perceived by the US and its allies as a significant threat. In March, senior US officials raised concerns over a potential deal giving Iran access to Nigerien uranium, leading to the expulsion of Americans from Niger.

Under Raisi's leadership, there was little indication of willingness for diplomatic concessions or reforms to improve US-Iran relations. Instead, he emphasised resistance and self-reliance in the face of US sanctions.

Have a watch of Wesley Clark relating his story about the US hit list. The discussion is mainly in the context of the Iraq invasion, but Iran gets a mention. Your insights in the comments are always appreciated.

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SCIENTIFIC RACISM IN A NUTSHELL

Here’s the perfect example of how White supremacy has worked in the world of science. Astrophysicist, Neil deGrasse Tyson, says he remembers when being called a neanderthal was an insult. However, when science discovered Europeans were more closely related to neanderthals than Africans, suddenly the narrative changed. Reports on the creativity of the extinct human species began to appear. Decades of associating non-Whites with lower evolutionary levels and lower intelligence had boomeranged on Western scientists who then changed their story.

For decades, science was used to argue the superiority of White Europeans over other races. In the US, it fuelled fears of ‘race suicide’ and a decline in the White population due to growing migrant numbers.

Continued….. Sterilisation and ant-migrants policies followed. The 1924 Johnson-Reed Act, which almost completely excluded immigrants from Asia, is just one example.

But it is not a yesterday problem. Eugenics practices, such as involuntary sterilisation, forced institutionalisation, social ostracisation and stigma were common in the US until at least the 1970s. In some instances, they continue today in various forms.

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Ousmane Sonko, Senegal’s newly appointed prime minister, is known for his strong stance against France’s ongoing influence in the country. Currently, about 350 French troops are stationed in Senegal. Speaking at Dakar University alongside French leftist leader Jean-Luc Melenchon, Sonko questioned the necessity of French military bases in Senegal more than six decades after independence, emphasising that his country’s pursuit of security autonomy is incompatible with the enduring presence of foreign troops.

Continued….. Sonko also expressed solidarity with fellow West African countries Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, which have expelled French forces and turned to Russia for assistance against jihadist insurgencies. These countries, having distanced themselves from the regional ECOWAS bloc, have formed their own Sahel alliance. Sonko vowed that Senegal would strengthen ties with these nations, stating, “We will not abandon our brothers in the Sahel.”

In terms of economic policy, Sonko highlighted Senegal’s intention to negotiate a flexible currency pegged to at least two currencies to improve economic stability and export competitiveness. He also reiterated plans to renegotiate the country’s oil and gas contracts as production begins this year. On social issues, Sonko called for Western nations to respect Senegal’s cultural approach to LGBTQ+ rights.

Do you like the cut of Sonko’s jib? Let’s hear it in the comments if you do!

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SPREAD THE WORD: BURKINA IS GREAT - PREZ TRAORÉ

Spread the word - Burkina Faso is a wonderful place that‘s rich in culture and well worth visiting and living in.

That was the message of the country’s president Ibrahim Traoré to a delegation from the African Diaspora Development Institute, led by Dr. Arikana Chihombori-Quao.

They had been invited to experience the sights and sounds of Burkina’s Week of Natural Culture.

In his address to the guests, Traoré said the world’s media had it in for his country and Africa in general, painting our continent as a bad place where only terrible things happen. He urged his audience to counter that narrative by acting as ambassadors for Burkina back at home and telling the truth about what they experienced during their stay.

Continued…. His message is that Burkina Faso is home to all Africans, including in the diaspora. Traoré isn’t blind to Burkina’s - or Africa’s - problems. But he’s clear that outside meddling has fanned divisions - and that Pan-African unity is the best way forward.

See you in Ouagadougou?

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Z*ON*SM WAS AGAINST JEWISH PEOPLE’

In this exclusive African Stream interview, Pan-African organiser with @aaprpinternational, Ajamu Umi, argues Zionism was created and used AGAINST Jewish people.

He says Zionists believed the persecution of Jews and expulsion from Europe strengthened the case for a Jewish national state in Palestine. On that basis, the movement’s founders encouraged countries, including N*zi Germany, to target them.

Ajamu mentions Lenni Brenner’s book, Zionism in the Age of Dictators. It sheds light on the movement’s relationship with f*scist and N*zi regimes in the early 20th century. And this clip certainly spells out what it’s about. A history lesson you won’t get in school.

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CAMEROON MEDICS HELP CONGO REFUGEES

In the spirit of Pan-African unity and solidarity, a group of medical personnel from Cameroon has travelled to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to offer much-needed healthcare services to victims of the resource conflict in the country's eastern region.

Personnel work voluntarily under the auspices of a humanitarian organisation called Association Chrétiennes des Humanitaristes (ACH).

The United Nations and other human rights groups have blamed the M23 militia group's attacks for forcing millions of people to flee their homes for refugee camps, which lack adequate essential services, such as water and healthcare. According to the UN and others, Rwanda backs the M23.

Continued......Unfortunately, refugees do not find the safety they seek. On 3 May, at least five rockets targeted camps on the outskirts of the city of Goma, killing 35 people and injuring 37, according to the North Kivu province’s government, which blamed M23.

Please visit ACH’s social media accounts to find out how you can support their important work in the Congo.

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‘ICC IS FOR AFRICA’, SENIOR LEADER TOLD ME -KARIM KHAN

‘The ICC [International Criminal Court] is built for Africa and thugs like [Russian President Vladimir] Putin.’ That’s allegedly what one unnamed leader told the ICC’s Prosecutor, Karim Khan.

Khan recently spoke to CNN journalist Christiane Amanpour following his headline-grabbing move to issue arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his defence minister, Yoav Gallant. Khan also issued warrants against three H*mas officials. 

However, Khan’s statement alludes to threats he may have faced over the court’s decision, saying the ICC has ‘reasonable grounds to believe’ the Israeli officials and H*mas’ ‘bear criminal responsibility for … war crimes and crimes against humanity.’ Members of the US Congress who’ve supported Israel’s military onslaught on Gaza have joined Netanyahu in condemning the ICC. US President Joe Biden has characterised Khan’s move as ‘outrageous,’ affirming Washington’s support for Israel.

Continued……The Rome Statute, an international treaty that 124 states are party to, entered into force on 1 July 2002, forming the International Criminal Court. Based in The Hague, Netherlands, it is the first and only permanent international tribunal for violations of international law, including war crimes, genocide, and crimes against humanity.

The ICC has been accused of having an ‘African problem,’ taking advantage of the continent’s weak global position to target its leaders, yet turning a blind eye to Western countries’ illegal wars in places like Iraq.

In its first 13 years, the ICC prosecuted only Africans. Kenya’s Uhuru Kenyatta and current president, William Ruto; Sudan’s Omar al-Bashir; the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo; Liberia’s Charles Taylor; Libya’s Muammar Gaddafi and his son, Saif Al-Islam, are some of the notable African defendants wanted by the court in the past.

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CAIRO’S DOUBLE-DEALING OVER GAZA

When it comes to Israel and Palestine, which side is Egypt on? Cairo says it will join South Africa’s case of g*n*cide against Tel Aviv at the International Court of Justice. But at the same time, pro-Palestinian protesters have faced a crackdown in the North African country. According to the Egyptian Network for Human Rights, dozens of citizens have been detained. On top of that, Gazans seeking refuge in Egypt are reportedly being charged $5,000 dollars to cross the border.

Ahmed Gonheim looks at the duplicitous stance of Israel’s neighbour.

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Zimbabwe says four leading lithium mining companies have finally submitted plans to start processing the mineral within the country's borders.

This follows a government directive issued in November, ordering companies to prepare to end exports of the mineral in its raw form. They were given until the end of March 2024 to submit plans to set up lithium refineries inside Zimbabwe. The ultimatum was then extended for two months.

The move aims to ensure that the mineral is exported as battery-grade lithium, which fetches higher prices - and hence, should yield more cash for the country's coffers.

Continued….. Lithium is in high demand around the world and is used in appliances from mobile phones to electric cars. It’s a market that’s only set to grow, as countries switch from fossil fuels to greener sources of energy.

Zimbabwe holds the largest lithium reserves in Africa and the seventh largest in the world. Between January and September 2023, it sold raw supplies worth $209m.

Why isn’t every mineral-rich African nation fast-tracking plans like this?

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BIBI BLASTS ICC ARREST THREAT

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has blasted a bid for his arrest for war crimes. The chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court wants him detained, along with his defence minister, Yoav Gallant, for a list of alleged atrocities. They include the ‘starvation of civilians’ and ‘intentionally directing attacks against a civilian population’. Netanyahu accused the ICC of creating ‘a twisted and false moral equivalence’ with H*mas.

Karim Khan also filed applications for the arrest of three H*mas leaders, accusing them of murder, taking hostages, rape and other acts of sexual violence. The resistance group also hit back, saying Khan was trying to ‘equate the victim with the executioner.’

US President Joe Biden doubled down on support for Tel Aviv, saying the allegations against its ally were ‘outrageous’.

Continued….. In terms of what happens next, ICC pre-trial judges will now weigh up if there’s enough evidence to issue arrest warrants. It could take months before a decision is made.

Meanwhile, the death toll in Gaza has hit 35,562 - mostly women and children- since the October 7 escalation in the 76-year occupation of Palestine by Israel. Over 7,000 are missing, believed to be buried under the rubble. Ninety-seven journalists and 224 humanitarian aid workers, including 179 staff from UN relief agency UNRWA, have also been killed.

Israel’s 17-year blockade of the strip has caused a catastrophic humanitarian crisis, where the entire population is starving, and one in three children is severely malnourished. On Friday, a UN agency report said only 300 aid trucks had entered Gaza since Israel began its recent assault on Rafah. Its population of 1.3-million desperate Palestinians are trapped on the border with Egypt.

Whatever Netanyahu says, he cannot hide the scale of devastation he’s unleashed.

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