Continued….. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken quickly latched onto the opposition allegations and said, 'the result announced does not reflect the will or the votes of the Venezuelan people.'
However, White House spokesperson John Kirby was more cautious, stating Washington will only take a position once it's received more information.

DEMS FORGOT DEMOCRACY BEGINS AT HOME

In the US, there’s been a surge of enthusiasm for Kamala Harris, and not just among dyed-in-the-wool Democrats: the lates polling suggests she’s caught up with Donald Trump in key swing states for a dead heat.

But Afeni - and anti-imperialist TikToker - is not convinced, for three main reasons: Harris will be handed the nomination on a plate (i.e., undemocratically), she’s complicit in the death and destruction being visited on Palestinians, and she ruined Black families’ lives in California as AG. We couldn’t agree more, sister!

Video credit: @factsandfire

US SANCTIONS STRANGLE VENEZUELA ECONOMY

We often hear Venezuela’s economic crisis being blamed on 'corruption and mismanagement.' What we don’t hear is the devastating impact US sanctions have had on the country.

In this clip, former US National Security Advisor, John Bolton, announces measures designed to cost Venezuela billions of dollars. And they're just a few of the steps the West has taken to collapse the economy and force 'regime change'.

The first round of sanctions went into effect under the Barack Obama administration in 2015; Donald Trump added more in 2017 before turning up the dial again in 2019. The measures include an embargo on the oil industry, Venezuela’s most significant source of revenue.

Continued….. Washington has also grabbed Venezuelan national assets such as Citgo, a U.S.-based oil refining, transportation and marketing company valued at $13-billion.

These measures have significantly shrunk the national coffers, making it nearly impossible to provide essential services such as health and food.

According to former UN Special Rapporteur Alfred de Zayas, the sanctions have led to the deaths of more 100,000 people between 2017 and 2020.

US officials claim to support a two-state solution to the 76-year Israeli occupation of Palestine despite continuing to provide diplomatic, financial and military support to the Israeli occupation of the Gaza Strip, the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

The US position remains even as the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled on 19 July for Israel to 'immediately and unconditionally withdraw' from the Palestinian territories.

So, why such brazen disregard?

Continued…. Well, US officials and the ruling class invest in the business and geopolitical strong-arming of Israeli settler-colonialism. That makes sense, given the US started as a settler colony and expanded its territories beyond the original 13 British colonies to the Pacific Ocean coastline and to island nations throughout the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean.

Perhaps you've heard of the vibrant kingdom of Hawai'i, a nation that, before US occupation in 1898, had embassies and consulates in 90 countries? The indigenous Hawaiian people's demand for independence mirrors that of Palestinians. Plus, we hear no mention of the Northern Mariana Islands, where @wikileaks founder Julian Assange (@julianassange_ on X) pleaded guilty to an espionage charge in a US court of law, well over 9,000 kilometres from the US mainland.

Continued….. And then there's Puerto Rico, another US colony, where austerity measures have made life miserable, causing an exodus in recent years. Other US 'territories' include the Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, the Marshall Islands, Navassa Island, Palau, Samoa, the Virgin Islands, Bajo Nuevo Bank, Baker Island, Howland Island, Jarvis Island, Johnston Atoll, Kingman Reef, Midway Islands and Palmyra Atoll.

What do you think of this contradiction between US settler-colonialism and its support for a two-state solution in occupied Palestine? Let us know in the comments.

Image credits: Willis Cola and US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (@NOAA)

MUSK VERSUS MADURO

Elon Musk’s had his fair share of online spats - for example, when he accused South African opposition party the Economic Freedom Fighters of “pushing genocide” for chanting "Kill the Boer, the farmer" (part of an anti-apartheid song) at a rally in Soweto… only to be branded “illiterate” by its leader, Julius Malema.

Well, now it’s Venezuela’s freshly re-elected president Nicolás Maduro who’s felt the need to blast the Tesla boss. Musk had used his social-media platform X to accuse the socialist leader of election fraud. Maduro hit back by alleging the billionaire was seeking to control the world through his companies.

Continued…. He cited the example of Ecuador, which is already in Musk's deep pocket, and warned Argentina, which has the largest share of the world's salt-lake lithium resources, to be wary of the lithium-hungry tech investor.

Venezuela's been hit by post-election riots following the 28th-July vote. Given his influence and reach, Musk's tweets are seen by some as pouring gasoline on the fire, especially as he posted misinformation about ballots being stolen when they were actually air conditioner units.

Which side of the spat are you on and why?

Video Credit: La Tercera

KENYAN POLICE MISSION IN HAITI - LATEST PICS

Here are pictures from Haiti showing the arrival of US equipment for the so-called Kenyan-led peace mission..
Around 400 Kenyan police officers are already in the capital Port-au-Prince, with another 600 due. They’re part of an UN-backed plan to establish ‘stability’ on the island. Many Haitians are against what’s viewed as another foreign military intervention bankrolled by the United States.

DESPITE ICJ RULING UK STICKS WITH ISRAEL

It’s been nearly two weeks since the UN’s top court declared Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories was illegal under international law. And the non-binding opinion saw UN human rights experts call on countries to review diplomatic relations with Tel Aviv. So far, though, Israel’s main allies are sticking by Netanyahu’s administration, including the UK.

Former Labour Party leader and now Independent Member of Parliament Jeremy Corbyn asked if the UK will take any measures in line with the ICJ’s ruling. Predictably, Under-Secretary of State Hamish Falconer said it’s too early to act on the International Criminal Court’s judgement, arguing the 90-page findings were ‘complex’. But how complicated can it be?

Credit: @JeremyCorbyn

TRUMP'S SECURITY ADVISOR:
'I HELPED PLAN VENEZUELA COUP'

The US has been casting doubt on the election outcome in Venezuela. But how credible is its voice, given it’s been engaged in a decades-long attempt at regime change in Venezuela - with the aim of getting rid of the country’s socialist leadership, which threw a spanner in the works of US oil ambitions?

Washington has never forgiven Caracas for nationalising its oil. Here’s a reminder of America’s brazen interference in the sovereign Latin American nation: when Trump was US president, this man tried to do a coup on Venezuela… and failed. It’s amusing and enraging to watch. If that’s how they behave close to home, what are they up to in geopolitically key, mineral-rich Africa? Answers on a postcard—or in the comments, please.

Video credit: CNN

ROCK STAR SLAMS MUSK’S
PUSH TO OUST MADURO

Yet one more voice of reason to address what now appears to be a concerted regime change effort in Venezuela. Here’s rock musician Roger Waters telling Elon Musk to ‘calm down’ after the billionaire called for President Nicolas Maduro’s removal on X.

Maduro was declared the winner of Sunday's election with 51 one per cent of the vote, amid opposition claims of fraud. He's now called for the country’s Supreme Court to carry out an audit of the ballot and says electoral authorities will release detailed vote counts. However, that hasn’t quelled violence on the streets where armed gangs are fighting government troops. Maduro's described the unrest as ‘a criminal attempt to seize power.’ He's also blamed Musk for fanning rumours of election fraud.

Continued…
Musk’s demand for the removal of a foreign leader isn’t new. In July 2020, the Tesla CEO said, ‘We will coup whoever we want’ in response to accusations the US government plotted to overthrow Bolivia’s Evo Morales to secure lithium reserves for Tesla.

This marriage between American oligarchs and the state goes back decades. Corporate interests led to wars in Iraq, Libya and Guatemala, where the CIA intervened in United Fruit Company’s favour and overthrew a democratically elected president.

Venezuela’s oil is nationalised and makes up the world's biggest reserves. Considering the importance of energy markets in propping up the dollar, one can understand why the US would be invested in a ‘friendly’ regime.

SUDANESE WOMAN BREAKS DOWN REPORT ON SEXUAL VIOLENCE IN KHARTOUM

Human Rights Watch has released a report detailing extensive sexual violence committed by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan’s capital, Khartoum, since the onset of the current conflict. The 89-page report, noscriptd “Khartoum is Not Safe for Women,” documents cases of rape, gang rape and forced marriages involving women and girls. Victims have also reported being held by the RSF under conditions that amount to sexual slavery.

Healthcare providers interviewed by Human Rights Watch have treated numerous survivors of sexual violence, some as young as nine years old. Many survivors face debilitating injuries and psychological trauma.

Continued……Despite fewer reports of sexual violence by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), an increase in cases was noted after the SAF gained control of Omdurman in early 2024. Both warring parties have obstructed access to critical healthcare and humanitarian aid, exacerbating the suffering of the survivors.

While this is happening, bodies like the African Union are nowhere to be seen - as ever, unresponsive unless a grant from a Western capital is made available to address issues affecting African people. History doesn’t repeat, but it often rhymes. Libya was in a similar situation in 2011. As Western-backed rebels fought Gaddafi, the African Union sat by as Africa’s wealthiest country was turned into an open slave market. Today, the RSF acts as an Emirati proxy, threatening to break up Sudan, and once again, where is the African Union?

Video credit: @ Sara | Bs

HOW RWANDAN GENOCIDE LED TO DRC’S

With more than 6 million killed and over 7-million internally displaced, the situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo is a moral stain on Africa. Today, the eastern part of the country remains at war - amid overwhelming evidence that rebel groups like the M23 receive support from neighbouring Rwanda and Uganda.

The origins of DRC’s crisis can be traced to the Rwandan genocide and its aftermath. The international community sat back as 800,000 Rwandans were killed, with millions fleeing to neighbouring. The instability there today suits multinational corporations eager to exploit the country’s riches just fine.

SUDAN GENERAL DEFIANT AFTER DRONE STRIKE MISS

Another spanner in the efforts to achieve peace in Sudan after Sudanese military general Abdel Fattah al-Burhan survived a drone strike in the town of Gibeit. He vowed no retreat nor negotiations in the 15 month war that has seen more than 150,000 Sudanese killed according to the US envoy. The Rapid Support Forces has distanced itself from the incident, blaming it on internal disagreements.

What do you think can peace talks still be achieved after the assassination attempt?

FELA KUTI: A TRUE REVOLUTIONARY

Fela Kuti, born Olufela Olusegun Oludotun Ransome-Kuti on 15th October 1938, in Abeokuta, Nigeria, was a pioneering musician and revolutionary icon who reshaped the music landscape with his creation of Afrobeat. Blending traditional African rhythms with jazz, funk and highlife, Kuti’s innovative sound captivated audiences and became a powerful medium for his socio-political messages. His music was more than just entertainment: it was a form of resistance against corruption and injustice in Nigeria, capturing the struggles and aspirations of ordinary people with a unique fusion of rhythm and activism.

Once again, the youth of Nigeria are in a time of revolution as they try to fight for their rights against a political administration that seems determined to ignore them.

As a political activist, Kuti used his fame to challenge the Nigerian government. His lyrics were direct and provocative, critiquing the government’s corruption, human rights abuses, and failures.

Continued….. His assertive stance earned him both admiration and ire, making him a prominent revolutionary figure. His performances were not just musical acts but bold declarations of resistance, often involving elaborate stage shows that mirrored his defiance against the status quo.

The Nigerian government’s response to Kuti’s activism was brutal and relentless. He faced numerous arrests, beatings and even the razing of his commune, Kalakuta Republic, by government forces. Despite these hardships, he remained undeterred, continuing to use his platform to advocate for change and challenge injustice until his death on 2nd August 1997. His legacy lives on through his revolutionary spirit and the enduring impact of Afrobeat, solidifying his place as a legendary figure in both music and activism.

In Nigeria, where ethno-religious politics have historically taken centre stage, Christian protesters in Jos on Thursday guarded Muslim protesters, as they observed noon prayers.

This is especially noteworthy, given that Jos, located in North-Central Nigeria, is a region where tensions between Christians and Muslims are high. These tensions began in the early ‘90s, resulting in a conflict in 2001.

The African continent is witnessing a new era of political consciousness, with young people at the helm. They are no longer falling for the lazy tactic of division the political classes have historically relied on. In Sudan and Kenya, for example, nations where ethnic and religious tensions have led to war and violence, respectively, the sentiments encapsulated by this image are shared.