Continued….. Ivory Coast’s first president, Félix Houphouët-Boigny, was a staunch anti-communist and opponent of Pan-Africanism. He positioned himself in firm opposition to leaders such as Kwame Nkrumah, Ahmed Sékou Touré and, later, Thomas Sankara. Today, the current president of Ivory Coast continues that legacy by staunchly opposing the Alliance of Sahel States (consisting of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger), which has shown France the door. But the country’s hyper-conservatism is not only hurting neighbouring states.

Writing about the inequality in, and European neo-colonial development of, Abidjan, Peter Schwab, the author of ‘Designing West Africa’ states the following:

“Abidjan, the commercial centre of the Ivory Coast and until some years ago its capital, is the focus of Ivorian elites, and was where the French ensconced themselves… the metropolis is, in fact, largely divided into an African quarter, Treichville, and a European one, Cocody. In the French quarter sits the Hotel Ivoire, once the outstanding jewel of Ivorian elites, French expatriates and foreign tourists... It stood as a symbol of what Ivorian elites subscribed to, and how European culture impressed itself on Africa.”

The question is: when will the Ivorian working-class see the benefits of the country’s proclaimed economic development? Your insights in the comments are appreciated.

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CHEVRON’S LAGOS TAKEOVER

US oil giant Chevron has a long, chequered history in Nigeria dating back to the 1960s. But apart from huge oil fields, it’s also built one the biggest neighbourhoods in Lagos for its workers. The thing is, it’s named it after itself. Another example of shameless imperialism, or just harmless self-promotion?

African Stream’s Poloum David takes to the streets of the country’s biggest city to find out.

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UK CAMPUS EXPELS CASH-STRAPPED NIGERIAN STUDENTS

Nigerian students in the UK are facing deportation. Teesside University expelled them after they fell behind on fee payments caused by the plummeting naira, their home country’s national currency. The institution reported the distressed students to the Home Office, citing their failure to pay fees as a breach of visa-sponsorship requirements. They’ve been ordered to leave the UK and denied the right to appeal against the decision.

Nigeria’s worsening economic crisis is impacting students abroad as the collapsing naira eats away at their savings. Runaway inflation is more than 30% one year after President Bola Tinubu scrapped a fuel subsidy to shore up the government’s finances.

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BURKINA COUP SCARE MOBILISES LOCALS

There were fears of another coup In Burkina Faso last week, after gunshots were heard near the presidential palace. Reports say an individual tried to attack a guard to gain entry.

Nothing serious transpired, but the response from locals was eye-catching. Dozens ran onto the streets ready to defend their leader Ibrahim Traoré .

African Stream’s Inem Richardson was also there and witnessed the spontaneous show of support.

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PALESTINE AND AFRICA UNITED BY ADVERSITY

Ok, so many of you keep asking why African Stream backs the Palestinian cause and why it’s relevant to Africans? Well, here’s your answer. In this clip @aaprp organiser Ahjamu Umi explains how both share a common fight against Zionist and Western imperialism. And it’s been that way for decades.

There’s a long and rich history of solidarity and collaboration between the African and Palestinian freedom movements. Thomas Sankara, Nelson Mandela, Samora Machel, and Julius Nyerere are just a few revolutionary African heads of state who had a great relationship with the Palestinian Liberation Organisation (PLO). Black revolutionaries of the diaspora, including Huey P. Newton and Malcolm X, also worked with and learned from Palestinians. Even in more recent times, Palestinians have taught Black Lives Matter protesters how to stay safe from tear gas and other dangers tied to protesting.

Continued.....
However, according to Ahjamu, it’s not down to friendship. Even if Palestinians disliked Africans (which they don’t) he’d still support their struggle as it weakens the common enemy of imperialism. To him it’s logical. Do you see it that way too?

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NIGERIANS PROTEST SHELL'S SHADY EXIT

On 21 May, Nigerians rallied against Shell in front of one of its offices in Lagos, demanding the British oil giant pay reparations and clean pollution before it divests by selling $2.4 billion in holdings to an umbrella company led by Africa-based former Shell executives. In January, a Nigerian court rejected the deal, which environmentalists have dubbed another example of greenwashing. However, an April news report indicates Nigeria's oil regulation agency is reviewing divestments.

Protesters like Zikora Ibeh, a member of Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (@cappafrica), say Shell isn't leaving but more so seeking to operate through a shell company (no pun intended) that could alleviate liability.

Continued.....Indeed, of the $2.4 billion deal, Shell is financing $1.2 billion and has agreed to an additional $1.3 billion in future loans. Shell has been trying to sell its Nigerian operations to five companies under an umbrella called Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited. According to the company's list of its African leaders, at least three have held high-ranking positions in Shell or in a British oil and gas company, BG Group, which Shell acquired in 2015. Shell would hold a 30 per cent stake in the new company.

The British oil giant says it will remain a 'major investor in Nigeria's energy sector' because it is transitioning to other extraction activities.

Since 1958, Shell's extraction operations have ravaged land and waters leading into the Atlantic Ocean. While the delta region only makes up 7.5 per cent of Nigeria, it is home to 45 million people or 20 per cent of Nigerians.

The National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency reported oil companies had spilt 19,058 barrels of oil, or the equivalent of around 95 oil tanker trucks, in 2023 alone. Two Swiss researchers have calculated nearby oil spills that occur before conception double newborn mortality. And, while Nigeria's life expectancy is 53, Niger River Delta residents only live to 41 years.

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APPLE SQUEEZED OVER CONGO MINERALS

The Democratic Republic of the Congo has hired lawyers to press Apple about its supply chain after evidence emerged that the tech giant could be sourcing minerals from conflict areas in the east of the country. It’s alleged that people who worked on Apple’s supply-chain verification in Congo had their contracts terminated after they raised concerns over ’blood’ minerals.

On April 22nd, 2024, the group of lawyers gave Apple CEO Tim Cook and the company’s French subsidiaries three weeks to respond to queries about the matter. Apple has neither acknowledged receipt of, nor responded to the queries. It has previously said it does not directly buy, procure or source primary minerals.

Rebels from the M23 rebel group captured DRC’s Rubaya town, a key mining base for coltan used in smartphones and other appliances. UN reports have said M23 is supported by Rwanda.

Do you have an iPhone?

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The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has today, 24 May, ordered Israel to halt a military assault on the southern Gaza city of Rafah that began on 6 May.

ICJ judges ruled 13-2 in favour of an urgent request South Africa lodged on 10 May, asking the court to stop the offensive as it would further endanger more than 1.4 million Palestinians taking refuge in the city.

Uganda’s Julia Sebutinde and Israel’s Aharon Barak dissented, as they had done with most decisions in the 26 January provisional ruling.

The court also said today that Tel Aviv’s claim that it had taken enough measures to avoid civilian casualties was unsatisfactory. Between 26 January and today, Israel has k*lled more than 9,000 Palestinians, bringing the death total to over 35,000. The majority are women and children.

Continued….. In their application, South African lawyers stated, ‘The very manner in which Israel is pursuing its military operations in Rafah, and elsewhere in Gaza, is itself g*n*cidal.’

The court has also ordered Israel to allow humanitarian aid through the Rafah border crossing and fact-finding missions into the Gaza Strip. The court called for Israel to provide a report showing adherence to these measures within a month.

The urgent request is an addition to South Africa’s case against Israel, charging it with violating the 1948 UN G*n*cide Convention in its military assault and escalated siege on Gaza.

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U.S. NETWORKS CUT OFF RUTO SPEECH

Kenya’s President Ruto failed to wow the US media during his state visit to Washington. Two networks cut away from the African leader as he took to the podium to speak after President Biden. And from this clip, it does look like Fox News and MSNBC couldn’t pull the plug quick enough.

To be fair, CNN did broadcast the address given by Ruto who’s the first African leader to make a state visit to Washington in 16 years. He says he wants to strengthen ties with the US, which will designate Nairobi a major non-NATO ally. Ruto also needs deals to help bolster his country’s economy hit by massive inflation and tax hikes. Although he didn’t do himself any favours by flying to the US in a private jet costing his taxpayers $1.5m. A move that’s sparked plenty of criticism back home. So, loads to talk about, but obviously not enough for some networks!

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KENYA BECOMES A MAJOR NON-NATO ALLY

Kenya has moved closer to NATO after U.S. President Biden said he’s working with Congress to designate the East African country a non-NATO ally. It would make Kenya the fourth African country to have the status, after Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt. While some see it as a win for President Ruto, others say the Kenyan leader is abandoning a non-alignment policy favoured by previous administrations. It also represents a growing security divide in Africa, with Sahelian states going the other way and ditching Washington’s military deals and bases. Something that concerns the US amid growing Russian and Chinese influence on the continent.

Ruto’s three-day US state visit also spotlights the deployment of 1,000 Kenyan police to Haiti. They’ll form part of a Washington-funded, UN-backed multinational force to ‘restore order’ on the Caribbean island. The U.S. has pledged $200m for the mission, but it’s been delayed amid last-minute legal challenges in Kenya.

SUDAN: WHERE IS OUR FAULT IN THIS WAR?

Here’s a reminder that war is raging in Sudan and doing untold damage to civilians. Sudanese are furious with the two generals inflicting hostilities on their beautiful land and its innocent people.

These are Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti) and Abdel Fattah al-Burahn - and the man in this clip says God will judge them.

Do you think they will be punished for their crime?

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The top picture is of nine-year-old Robby Novak - famous for playing Kid President in a YouTube series - looking up at then-president Barrack Obama. Below, sporting a far more childish grin, is Kenya’s William Ruto, who’s currently in the States - and who’s been allowed to sit on US president Joe Biden’s chair in the Oval Office. Ruto’s been a good boy. He’s signed up to be imperial America’s Blackface in Haiti by agreeing to send Kenyan police to the troubled island nation (the US knows sending its own men would be a bad look). If you ask us, young Novak looks far more composed and in control. Perhaps he should lead Kenya?

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NYPD ATTACKS PRO-PALESTINE PROTESTERS

This @statuscoup video shows New York Police Department (NYPD) officers assaulting pro-Palestine supporters in Brooklyn during an 18 May march marking the 76th anniversary of the Nakba, the Arabic word describing when Israeli settlers expelled about 750,000 Palestinians after establishing the state of Israel with the UK’s support.

The video shows NYPD officers shoving women, confiscating flags, slamming people onto concrete to arrest them, and punching a man, bloodying his face while handcuffing him. They are also seen in the video harassing and grabbing journalists covering what appeared to be a peaceful procession through the streets of Bay Ridge, a Brooklyn neighbourhood with a large Arab population, including Palestinians.

Continued….. This is not the first time the NYPD has violently repressed pro-Palestine demonstrations. Other street protests over several months have met police violence. Plus, the student encampment a few miles north at Columbia University experienced a similar fate in recent weeks as police arrested more than 200 people while disbanding students’ tents on campus. US police agencies have arrested more than 2,900 students throughout the United States during more than 60 university campus protests, according to a New York Times tally. 

However, many forms of pro-Palestine actions continue from New York City to San Francisco, as the US population demands its government stop shipping arms and funding Israel’s military onslaught on the Gaza Strip.

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HAITIANS IN U.S. PROTEST KENYA’S RUTO

A group of Haitians called Kenyan President William Ruto a ‘slave’ on 23 May for trying to push through a US-backed and -funded deployment of Kenyan police officers to the Caribbean state that Western enslavement, occupation and interference has ravaged for centuries.

Kenyan critics’ litigation to stop the government’s plan has delayed Ruto’s effort to deploy police. Haitians, too, have said they don’t want foreign police or military on their soil, as past occupations have brought deaths, sexual assaults and diseases. Further, many have questioned how Haiti can agree to a deployment without a working national assembly.

This protest in Washington occurred during Ruto’s state visit to the United States

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AFRICAN LIBERATION DAY

Happy African Liberation Day! It’s an annual call to action, a time to renew our commitments to the struggle for liberation and unity. Some people wrongly think it celebrates the founding of the African Union. It was actually started in support of African national liberation struggles against settler or Portuguese colonialism in the 1960s and 1970s. And it still has huge relevance today. Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger have formed the Alliance of Sahel States to push back against French neocolonialism. Resource-rich DRC, Sudan and the diaspora in Haiti are other examples where Africans continue to be oppressed.

While some refer to it as ‘Africa Day’, we’ll refer to the full noscript until the continent has freed itself from imperialism. To learn more about African Liberation Day or to see if there is an event near you, check out africanliberationday.net.

Are you observing African Liberation Day this year? Let us know how in the comments.

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FIFA WEIGHS ISRAEL BAN

A footballing ban against Israel is on the cards. World governing body FIFA is seeking legal advice over a Palestinian request to bar Israeli teams from international matches. FIFA members will decide what action to take at an extraordinary council meeting to be held within two months.
It’s hard to imagine why they wouldn’t sanction Israel. Palestinian football chiefs say nearly 200 Palestinian players are among the thousands dead following Israel’s bombardment of Gaza. Sporting infrastructure in the Strip has been obliterated. Even before the massacre, Palestinian players have faced years of discrimination and travel restrictions by Tel Aviv. However, up until now, FIFA has failed to act. Surely, isn't this the moment to take a stand?

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WALTER RODNEY’S AFRICAN LIBERATION DAY SPEECH

At an African Liberation Day event held in San Francisco in 1972, the great Pan-African Marxist historian Walter Rodney delivered a clear message to his African brothers and sisters. The Guyanese-born author of ‘How Europe Underdeveloped Africa’ makes it clear: Africans of the diaspora are indeed Africans!

While Rodney was born in the Caribbean and educated in Jamaica and the United Kingdom, he identified strongly with Africa and chose to spend a formative part of his career in Tanzania. His scholarship has long served as a bridge linking Mama Africa to her scattered children across the world.