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.

Continued….. In Sudan, political Islam led to decades of civil war and the independence of South Sudan in 2011. During the 2019 revolution, there was a clear agreement amongst protesters on the importance of Sudan becoming a secular state, where all Sudanese, regardless of religious or ethnic backgrounds, are equal citizens.

In the Kenyan post-election violence of 2007, many Kenyans lost their lives on ethnic lines. Fast-forward to the protests that swept the whole country in recent weeks, and Gen Z has reminded the politicians that they are ‘tribe-less,’ refusing to be divided along ethnic lines, regardless of whether they are Kikuyu or Luo.

Young Africans across borders are accepting their differences and finding their commonalities - for example, their demand for better governance, an end to impunity and government accountability. After decades of ethno-religious politics being the order of the day, there is a new sheriff in town: the people united. The African political arena is being reshaped and we do not think the political class are anywhere near prepared for this shift.

LEADERS COMPLICIT IN CONGO MISERY

The Democratic Republic of Congo’s government is complicit in the Central African country’s nearly 30-year resource conflict. That’s the verdict of Maud-Salomé Ekila, a journalist and spokesperson for Pan-Africanist Emergencies. She argues that if President Félix Tshisekedi wasn’t under Washington’s thumb, Congo would fare much better. It’s an argument that has a solid historical basis. As the late Samora Machel (1933-1986), Mozambique’s Pan-Africanist leader, put it: “If one day you hear Whites speak well of me, know that I have betrayed you.”

Continued…. Given Washington’s role in the DRC’s tragic history, such aiding and abetting the assassination of Congo’s visionary Pan-Africanist leader Patrice Lumumba in 1961, it’s pretty telling that the US State Department describes Tshisekedi as “a steadfast partner to advance our mutual global priorities.” Add Rwanda’s Paul Kagame (another Washington darling) to the mix, and it gets much worse for the long-suffering Congolese people. “Two leaders taking orders from the same master equals complicity from both sides” - is Maud-Salomé’s message.

What’s your take on her assessment? We’d love to hear from you.

Video credit: Maud-Salomé Ekila
@ekilaaa

REMEMBER WHEN TINUBU PROTESTED AGAINST CORRUPTION?

Looks like Nigerian President Bola Tinubu failed to take his own advice on how to run the country. As he faces nationwide anti-government protests, it’s worth remembering what he was saying in 2015. Back then, he joined opposition protests against President Goodluck Jonathan, accusing him of embezzlement, while not even giving the rest of the population some ‘coins.’

Forward to today, and Tinubu is facing the same accusations. He removed fuel subsidies soon after his inauguration which triggered massive inflation. He also oversaw the devaluation of the Naira currency. As a result, many are struggling to afford just one meal a day. Little wonder the country’s youth have had enough, as anger sweeps the country once more.

Video credit: ClearView Television

FELA KUTI: REVOLUTIONS PER MINUTE

Fela Anikulapo Kuti and his musical family have done much to shape Nigerian arts, culture and politics. His mother Funmilayo Kuti was a revolutionary who organised Nigerian women to fight neo-colonialism and capitalist exploitation. Fela Kuti in turn understood his role as an artist in the service of African liberation. Now his children carry on their father’s musical legacy, with son Seun Kuti also actively engaged in keeping alive the Pan-African and socialist politics of his family.

BIG TECH’S LEGAL VICTORIES OVER DR CONGO

Five major American tech companies benefiting from the Democratic Republic of Congo’s mineral wealth were held ‘not responsible’ for the cruel use of child labour in poorly equipped mines by a US Court of Appeals ruling in March. The case was filed in 2019 by International Rights Advocates on behalf of 16 Congolese children, some of whom had tragically died in the mines. Maurice Carney, executive director and co-founder of Friends of the Congo, argues that the DRC government’s non-involvement in the case demonstrates its lack of sovereignty over the giant Central African country. He also suggests that Kinshasa’s case against Apple over ‘blood minerals’ was a dubious PR stunt to cover up its complicity in the nation’s long history of exploitation by foreign interests. What are your thoughts on Carney’s assessment? Feel free to share them in the comments!

UN ‘PEACEKEEPERS’ ACCUSED OF DRC VIOLENCE

The United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), formerly known as MONUC, has been operating in the DRC since 1999. Starting as a rather passive observer mission, it evolved into one of the most expensive, most militarised and perhaps most controversial UN peace operations to date. Its main objective was to protect Congolese civilians against armed groups and support government efforts to stabilise the restive eastern part of the country. Yet, from early on, a wave of protests against the UN body for failing to prevent violence made international headlines. While MONUC’s initial mandate focused on the implementation of the Lusaka Ceasefire Agreement to end the Second Congo War, MONUSCO adopted a more comprehensive and robust approach. The active protection of civilians became the operation’s number-one priority. Nevertheless, killings continued and so did the protests.

Continued….. African Stream spoke to one Goma resident in eastern DRC who criticised the mission for failing to live up to its mandate, demonstrating how tense the relationship between the Congolese people and their supposed protectors has become - something that led to the announcement that the body would completely withdraw from the country by the end of 2024. Numerous armed groups, including the ​​Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) and M23, are active in eastern areas such as North Kivu, South Kivu and Ituri provinces, where civilians face violence and displacement.

‘POOR CAN’T SURVIVE’ NIGERIANS VENT ANGER AT TINUBU

Listen to why thousands of Nigerians have joined anti-government protests sweeping the country. These two clips sum up the anger being felt in the face of a spiralling cost-of-living crisis. Many are puzzled why the country’s vast natural wealth doesn’t alleviate the squalor faced by most of the population. Despite being among Africa’s biggest energy producers, 47% of Nigerians live in poverty. Many struggle to afford even a meal a day.

The situation’s been made worse by inflation triggered by President Tinubu’s decision to scrap fuel subsidies as part of IMF-backed reforms. The country’s Naira currency has also devalued, wiping out savings and purchasing power for Nigerians.

A police crackdown on protests has already killed at least 11 people, according to People’s Gazette, a Nigerian news outlet.

TRUMP RILED BY BLACK JOURNOS

Donald Trump has claimed he was ‘the best president for the Black population since Abraham Lincoln.’ He was responding to ABC host Rachel Scott after she rattled off plenty of examples of Trump’s racist behaviour.
She ended by asking why he thought Black people in the U.S would vote for him in November’s Presidential race. As you’ll see, Trump’s response got plenty of boos during the interview at the convention for the National Association of Black Journalists in Chicago.

The thing is, Rachel Scott’s examples are only the tip of the iceberg. As early as 1973, Donald Trump was sued for refusing to rent to Black tenants in his Trump Management Corporation. In 1989, he placed an ad in several newspaper calling for the death penalty to be legalised and used against the ‘Central Park 5,’ a group of Black teenagers who were falsely accused of r*ping a white woman and were later exonerated.