Continued….. Crouzet is now a whistleblower who also writes spy novels based on his time in the DGSE. The 60-year-old spent much of his career in Mozambique, South Africa, and especially in Angola, where he worked to support Jonas Savimbi and the anti-communist National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) rebel forces. His latest novel is about a proxy war between Russian operatives and the DGSE in Mali and the Central African Republic.

Niger is the latest African country to end military ties with France after an anti-imperialist coup in July 2023 connected Niger to the revolution unfolding across the Sahel. Niger has also been revoking France’s mining contracts over its large uranium deposits. The landlocked state is the first African country to cut ties with US Africa Command (AFRICOM), which hosts US military bases and military-to-military activities across the continent.

U.S. PRESIDENTS’ HISTORICAL IMMUNITY IN WAR CRIMES

TikTok influencer Afeni (@factsandfire) reminded people that US presidents have perpetrated destruction worldwide with impunity.

Just a few examples include the illegal CIA global torture programme launched during the Bush administration. Then, in 2017, International Criminal Court prosecutor Fatou Bensouda requested an investigation into war crimes committed in Afghanistan since the US/NATO invasion in 2001. However, former President Donald Trump’s administration revoked her US entry visa in 2019 and followed up with financial sanctions in 2020.

Continued….. Meanwhile, the US, under former President Barack Obama, with the support of NATO, overthrew Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, plunging one of the wealthiest African countries at the time into a civil war still divided among factions. The US has historically aided assassinations, questioned other countries’ election results and overthrown governments to install Western-aligned leaders. And, most recently, many have called out US President Joe Biden’s administration for funding and arming Israel in its onslaught on the Gaza Strip that has k*lled more than 39,000 Palestinians and as many as 186,000, per a Lancet medical journal report released in early July. 

Will the US ever be held accountable for its crimes against humanity? Let us know in the comments.

Video credit: @factsandfire (TikTok)

HIGHWAY HORROR: BUS TEAR-GASSED DURING NIGERIA PROTESTS

This shows the moment tear gas is fired into a bus during anti-government protests in Nigeria. Amazingly, the vehicle stays on the road as a passenger hangs out of the window for air.

Amnesty International reports 21 people have so far been killed during week-long nationwide demonstrations over a cost-of-living crisis. The hardship’s being blamed on IMF-backed economic reforms introduced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu that saw fuel subsidies slashed and the Naira currency devalued. Annual inflation is just below 35 per cent and around 31 percent of Nigerians live below the poverty line, according to the UN.

The video was posted by the Peter Obi Grassroots Mobilisation, a mass movement aimed at supporting the Labour Party’s presidential candidate Peter Obi.

video credits : Peter Obi Grassroots Mobilization

NIGER CUTS TIES WITH UKRAINE

In an act of solidarity with its neighbour, Mali, Niger cut all diplomatic ties with Ukraine on 6 August. And, in this video, Nigerien spokesperson and minister @colonelabdraman (X) laid out why.

The move follows two incidents last week: Firstly, Ukrainian ambassador to Senegal Yurii Pyvovarov wrote a Facebook comment in support of a Tuareg rebel group and jihadists notorious for attacking Malian civilians and military forces. The embassy has since deleted the video he commented on. Secondly, a Ukrainian Defence Ministry intelligence agency press representative, Andriy Yusov, appeared to boast about the attack on Ukrainian television and stated Ukraine had supplied the rebel forces with intelligence. 

While not yet joining its neighbours in cutting diplomatic ties, Burkina Faso has issued a press release condemning Ukraine’s support of terrorism in Africa’s Sahel region.

Continued….. All three African states announced they’d depart the Western-supported Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and recently established the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) confederation, which seeks to eventually create a federated state in the arid region they occupy south of the Sahara Desert. As a confederation, they share a collective policy on defence, economics and foreign affairs.

For years after the 2011 NATO-led invasion that helped oust Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, a network of terrorist paramilitaries took hold across Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad and beyond. Western militaries occupying the region had not countered the violence, with the Global Terrorism Index calling the Sahel the world’s most terror-ridden area, counting 43 per cent of global terrorism deaths in 2022.

Considering the impact on West Africa, do you think leaders from the AES and ECOWAS should take action to publicly condemn Ukraine’s support for these terrorist organisations? Should they cut diplomatic ties and close Ukrainian embassies, too? Let us know in the comments.

NIGERIAN: ‘TINUBU MAKES ME MISS BUHARI’

Nigerian lawyer and activist Deji Adeyanju recently criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership, saying, ‘His suposed supporters said, ‘Ah, don’t worry. He’s a master strategist. He built Lagos. He’s coming to build Nigeria.’’

The former Lagos state governor has a reputation for building the coastal state into an economic hub, but he has not kept the promise of prosperity to all of Nigeria. During his first year as president, Tinubu’s policies have driven thousands of Nigerians to protest in cities such as Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt against a high cost of living. Inflation is at its peak in almost three decades, leaving many Nigerians hungry. According to the Nigerian government, 40 per cent of people are below the poverty line.

Continued……During the 10 days of scheduled protests that kicked off 1 August, at least 40 protesters have been k*lled, while police have arrested and detained hundreds during the #EndBadGovernance protests, according to the Youth Rights Campaign (YRC).

Video credit: @thehonestbunchpodcast / @glitterafricastudios (YouTube and IG)

Botswana is celebrating Letsile Tebogo’s sensational Olympic gold in the men’s 200m. The country’s President, Mokgweetsi Masisi, has declared Friday a half-working day after their sprint king ran his way into the record books.

Tebogo blew away his American rivals to win Africa’s first-ever gold in the event and Botswana’s first at an Olympics. He crossed the line with room to spare, clocking 19.46 seconds, to comfortably beat Kenneth Bednarek and the much-fancied Noah Lyles, who later revealed he had covid.

Continued….. Tebogo dedicated his victory to his mother, who died in May and was a staunch supporter of his career, having accompanied him to the 2023 World Athletics Championship in Budapest, Hungary. He displayed his spikes to reveal her date of birth and painted her name on his fingernails. In a post-race interview, he said, 'I believe she could be one of the happiest people on the planet.'

The 21-year-old's victory has set the Southern African nation into a celebratory frenzy that will likely continue into the weekend. And Masisi's decision to give citizens an afternoon off will definitely come in handy in giving Tebogo the toast he deserves. Rest assured, we think the entire continent will be celebrating this momentous victory with them.

NIGERIA: RICH GETTING RICHER, POOR GETTING POORER

In the latest episode of ‘This Week in Africa,’ Adebayo Adedeji, an organiser with @mmovement4africanemancipation (@arise4freedom on X), broke down the reality of wealth disparity in Nigeria. 

The Nigerian working class has revolted in a 10-day protest that kicked off on 1 August. Class consciousness is snowballing as Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, just a year in office, has made life unbearable. His International Monetary Fund-based economic policy has resulted in the highest inflation in almost three decades, driving up the cost of living. Plus, Tinubu removed fuel subsidies, rocking the economy. The high fuel cost means millions of Nigerians who rely on gasoline for their electric generators find themselves without lights on at home.

Continued….. However, thousands of Nigerians are getting organised in the face of this economic violence.

For more information about this, check out the latest episode of ‘This Week in Africa’ noscriptd, ‘Nigerian ‘Days Of Rage’ 13 protesters killed | Calls For President Tinubu To Step Down’ on our YouTube channel under the ‘Live’ tab.

BRIGHT STARS HOMECOMING

South Sudan’s national basketball team have enjoyed a jubilant homecoming after their stunning Olympic run. Cheering crowds greeted them at Juba International Airport after they narrowly missed out on a quarter-final spot in Paris. Among the well-wishers was the country’s Vice President, Rebecca Nyandeng.

The team’s success is largely credited to former NBA star Luol Deng, who heads South Sudan’s Basketball Federation. Speaking after he got off the plane, he praised his players for putting their country on the sporting map. He also highlighted what sets them apart, saying: ‘What makes us so unique? We are playing for something different than just basketball.’

Continued….. He can say that again. South Sudan is the world’s youngest country, and after gaining independence in 2011, Deng set about creating a national basketball side. Like himself, a lot of players are refugees and have shown a resilience that’s got them competing with the world’s best. The Bright Stars beat Puerto Rico in their Olympic opener and narrowly lost to the USA and Serbia. They also came within a whisker of beating the USA in a pre-Olympic friendly.

It’s an amazing story that’s made them a symbol of unity, pride and hope for South Sudanese people. Their achievement is perfectly summed up by Deng in this clip, as he speaks with thousands of fans.

In solidarity with a French-born Pan-Africanist, Niger recently granted Kémi Séba of @urgencepanafricaniste a special diplomatic passport following France stripping him of French nationality.

Reports say French authorities cited Séba's 'hostile' remarks against France, calling him a foreign agent because he has been part of the struggle against French imperialism in Africa. In March, a video circulated of Séba burning his French passport at a conference.

Continued……According to article 23-7 of the French Civil Code, 'A French person who actually behaves as a national of a foreign country may, if he has the nationality of that country, be declared to have lost French nationality by decree with assent of the Conseil d'État.' 

The 42-year-old (@KemiSeba1 on X, @kemisebaofficial on IG and TikTok) also is a citizen of his parent's home country, Benin. Séba has spent 25 years advocating against French military occupation of the African continent, the French-controlled CFA franc currency and African statues and street names bearing the names of French colonists. He has met with officials and important actors from countries such as Venezuela, Russia and Iran, which he views as better partners for Africa. The end goal of his organisation, Urgences Panafricanistes, African liberation from imperialism and total African unification.

Niger is a member of the Alliance of Sahel States, a confederation of anti-imperialist states that have broken military ties with France following successful coups d'état against Western-aligned leaders.

TRUMP GLAZES ELON MUSK

Given America’s multiple woes right now - domestic and foreign - you might think a presidential candidate who’d called a media conference would like to get his message out on these matters. But, true to form, it was ‘me, me, me’ at Donald Trump’s latest Mar-a-Lago press blitz. Besides rambling incoherently on a host of tropics - such as crowd size and ‘would he, wouldn’t he?’ debate Dem rival Kamala Harris - he took the opportunity to boast that he had ‘full-throated’ support from ‘the’ Elon Musk, owner of X. In fact, he said ‘the’ Elon Musk would be interviewing him Monday. From an African - or African-in-America - perspective, what would you ask him?

Video credit: @WFAA

BRITISH MEDIA’S SYSTEMIC RACISM

Many around the world, including in Africa, have been disgusted by the racist violence witnessed in the UK lately. And lots of people inside Britain have been pointing the finger at their country’s press and media generally. In this clip, writer and broadcaster Afua Hirsch (@afuahirsch)- speaking a few years back - explains clearly why ‘journalism’ is systemically racist in the UK. Along the way, she relates an incident when she was a panel-debate guest that will strike a chord with many of you.

Video credit: @Penguin Books UK

AFRICA WARNS CITIZENS UK IS TOO RA… RAINY?

What’s good for the goose is good for the gander.

Following the race riots in Britain, Nigeria, Kenya, and the African Union issued travel advisories against the former colonial power, which has often targeted African countries with travel warnings.

This is an African Stream skit - written by @ahmedkaballo and presented by @erickgavala.

According to a new Human Rights Watch report, the impact of the - effectively forced - relocation of indigenous Maasai in Tanzania is “like killing culture.” The Tanzanian government launched a programme in 2022 to evict 82,000 people from their ancestral land in Ngorongoro and move them to Msomera, roughly 600 km away.

Between August 2022 and December 2023, @hrw interviewed close to 100 residents, including some of those who’d been resettled, and learned that what had been touted as a ‘voluntary’ relocation was far from it.

Continued……To ‘encourage’ those unwilling to comply, the government’s been systematically reducing essential services in the Ngorongoro area, while also taking measures to restrict the grazing of animals. There were also allegations of intimidation from park rangers.

Activists are calling on the government to desist from pressuring Maasai people to relocate - and instead, to consult those affected, seek their consent and put measures in place to adequately compensate those who do agree to move.

What’s your gut reaction to what’s happening to Tanzania’s Maasai?