Continued......He claimed it could 'jeopardise international relations and trade opportunities.' He also decried that Ramaphosa had not consulted his coalition partners before issuing the statement.

However, the ANC has come to Ramaphosa's defence. Party Deputy Secretary-General Nomvula Mokonyane argued that Steenhuisen does not understand how the coalition works. Mokonyane said the agreement between the parties showed Ramaphosa did not need to consult the DA regarding foreign policy issues.

In the last few weeks, the DA and the ANC have clashed over various policy matters, including health and labour laws. Many worry about the coalition's instability, which they see as a marriage of convenience between parties with significant fundamental differences on almost every issue. The DA has historically taken a pro-West capitalist stance, while the ANC leans towards Global South organisations and allies. For instance, in 2023, the DA ridiculed BRICS as a mere 'talk-shop' unlikely to benefit South Africa.

SOURCES:


https://www.ewn.co.za/2024/10/24/das-statement-on-russia-shows-limited-understanding-of-how-gnu-works-mokonyane

https://www.primediaplus.com/2024/10/24/brics-summit-president-cyril-ramaphosa-speaks-for-the-gnu-not-the-anc-da

https://www.news24.com/news24/politics/russia-is-not-an-ally-of-our-nation-says-steenhuisen-in-reponse-to-ramaphosas-brics-comment-20241023

https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-09-15-bela-bill-controversy-the-anc-da-gnu-dance-is-still-being-designed-but-ramaphosa-leads/

https://www.da.org.za/2023/10/anc-government-blows-r180-million-on-brics-talk-shop

BRITISH SOLDIERS BUY SEX DESPITE MILITARY BAN

The UK military’s 2022 ‘zero tolerance’ policy on s*xual exploitation abroad has failed at preventing soldiers from paying for s*x and abusing local women, especially in Kenya, according to British news outlet openDemocracy. Despite the UK Ministry of Defence stating no military personnel who were investigated were found to have violated this policy, openDemocracy’s Freedom of Information (FOI) request forced open the ministry's records, which showed it had dismissed 184 soldiers for s*xual offences since 2022.

Continued......Still, local women, particularly in Kenya, find it nearly impossible to bring claims forward or win justice because of British ‘sovereignty’ and lack of jurisdiction to pursue charges. Esther Nkoji, whose 21-year-old aunt was allegedly k*lled by British soldiers, described the military’s actions as a form of neo-colonialism, where African women are marginalised and unable to seek justice. An ITV documentary exposed that soldiers admit to continuing this behaviour, viewing the transactional s*x ban as a ‘grey area.’ For the decades before the ban, between 1965 and 2001, Amnesty International estimated 650 r*pe cases in the Samburu and Umoja regions.

Globally, British military personnel have been implicated in s*xual crimes and misconduct in various countries with no accountability. 

How best can Africa protect women? Let us know what you think.

Source:
https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/british-army-sexual-exploitation-abroad-soldiers-sex-workers-kenya

INTREPID SOMALI SCHOLAR-FARMER MURDERED

Many in Somalia are shocked by reports of masked gunmen k*lling Amun Abdullahi, a Somali scholar, journalist and agricultural entrepreneur.

The incident reportedly occurred on 19 October at her farm in the township of Afgooye, 30 kilometres northwest of the capital, Mogadishu.
Social media users have speculated Abdullahi was in the crosshairs of al-Shabaab because of a 2009 exposé she produced for Swedish TV about the group's undercover recruitment programme in the Stockholm suburb of Rinkeby.

Continued......Abdullahi sought asylum in Sweden in 1992 and worked at Radio Sweden's Somali language department for many years. While in Sweden, she acquired an education in modern agricultural practices. Upon her return to Somalia, she started a farm called 'Abdule-Biroole,' drilled a water borehole and obtained heavy farm machinery. Some speculated that Abdullahi teaching farming skills to locals significantly reduced their dependency, threatening NGOs that rely on foreign aid to operate.

Video credits: @elishmael (X)

SOURCES:

https://sverigesradio.se/artikel/former-radio-sweden-journalist-shot-dead-in-somalia

https://sunatimes.com/articles/6335/Sweden-journalist-killed-by-gunmen-in-Somalia

https://swedenherald.se/article/swedishsomali-journalist-killed-in-somalia

https://www.instagram.com/somalisnaps/p/DBazphmRBEj/?img_index=1

https://x.com/smssomalitv1/status/1848478101430538507?s=46&t=iY7Y41bAKZkx8BGhTubdhA

FORMER IVORIAN PRESIDENT DONATED MONEY TO FRANCE?

Former Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo recently admitted again that while serving as head of state, he provided former French President Jacques Chirac with 2 billion CFA francs, or roughly 3 million euros. Robert Bourgi, special French political advisor on African affairs, shared that African presidents would give millions of euros to Paris.

To quote one French magazine, L'Express, 'For over thirty years, Robert Bourgi, a Franco-Lebanese born in Senegal, was on first-name terms with all the heads of state in French-speaking Africa: Félix Houphouët-Boigny and Laurent Gbagbo (Ivory Coast), Mobutu Sese Seko (DRC), Denis Sassou-Nguesso (Congo Brazzaville), Blaise Compaoré (Burkina Faso), Mathieu Kérékou (Benin) and Abdoulaye Wade and Macky Sall (Senegal). Taken together, these presidents sent at least 10 million euros in cash to Paris before each election. Clandestine operations in which Bourgi was an essential cog, as he himself recounts.'

Continued.......
How did France repay Gbagbo? France rushed to pick a side when disputes broke out between Gbagbo and his opponent, the current Ivorian president, Alassane Ouattara, over the 2011 presidential election. It was not Gbagbo's. According to some, French troops arrested Gbagbo when fighting broke out over the disputed election. France denies having arrested Gbagbo, instead stating that Ouattara's presidential guard had arrested and handed him over to French troops. Either way, France intervened swiftly and with a heavy hand in favour of Ouattara. Both French and UN troops then proceeded to attack Gbagbo's residence, reducing part of it to rubble. Missiles rained down from their helicopters, not just on Gbagbo's presidential residence but also on his supporters. In the midst of this chaos, former French President Nicolas Sarkozy took a personal phone call with Ouattara, whom the UN had decided was the legitimate president, to the dismay of many in the Ivory Coast. Gbagbo was then brought before the International Criminal Court and accused of war crimes following the election dispute. Then, in 2019, Gbagbo was acquitted of all charges and the ICC released him.

So what did Gbagbo's payments to France mean in the end? Relations were good when the money was generously flowing in their direction. But, when Gbagbo started talking about nationalising French banks and getting rid of the French-controlled CFA-franc currency, it appeared Paris would stop at nothing to see him ousted.

Video credit: @alainfoka2005 (X)

SOURCES:

https://westafricaweekly.com/cote-divoire-ex-president-gbagbo-reveals-ex-french-president-chirac-asked-him-for-e3-million-to-fund-election-campaign/

https://www.lexpress.fr/monde/robert-bourgi-et-la-francafrique-sous-jacques-chirac-jai-vu-du-cash-arriver-a-lelysee-par-millions-RRK3NHIAX5DSLIXDS2UMRCEEUU/

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/apr/11/sarkozy-ivory-coast-vote-winner

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-12960308

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-46875757

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-56595150

https://www.bbc.com/afrique/region/2011/02/110218_ivory_banks

ETHIOPIA EXPLAINS BRICS IMPORTANCE

Since the end of World War II, Bretton Woods institutions have occupied an influential position in global affairs. This has, however, given a lot of power to Western countries, usually at the expense of the Global South.

For instance, this has meant many African countries are forced to disinvest in public services such as healthcare and education, privatisation, and liberalise their economies to qualify for loans from institutions such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Western powers such as the US can veto any decision taken by the IMF.

As Mamo Mihiretu, Governor of the National Bank of Ethiopia, points out, there is a pressing need for an alternative to the Western-dominated Bretton Woods institutions. For Ethiopia, this alternative is found in BRICS, a platform that aligns with the country's focus on multilateralism that delivers.

Continued........Ethiopia, as one of the new member states of BRICS, is actively participating in the ongoing BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia.

Video credit: CGTN Africa


Sources
Bretton Woods influence
http://socialsciences.in/article/world-bank-and-imf

IMF conditionalities
https://taxjustice.net/2018/07/06/the-damage-of-international-monetary-fund-conditionality-call-for-urgent-rethink/

US veto IMF
https://library.fiveable.me/key-terms/international-organization/us-veto-power-in-imf#:~:text=The%20US%20veto%20power%20in,linked%20to%20its%20financial%20contributions

ISRAEL EYES SOMALILAND BASE WITH UAE HELP

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is facilitating Israel's plans to establish a military base in Somaliland, lobbying on its behalf and agreeing to finance the base's construction on the Red Sea coast. In return, Somaliland, which is not internationally recognised as an independent state despite its attempts to break away from Somalia, expects to receive Israel's recognition and investments. Somaliland's strategic location near the Gulf of Aden and the Bab al-Mandab Strait makes it an attractive site for both Tel Aviv and Abu Dhabi, given their shared opposition to Yemen's Ansar Allah movement, otherwise known as the 'Houthis.' The UAE has been fighting Ansar Allah for years. At the same time, the Yemeni forces have attacked Israeli ships passing through the Red Sea as an act of solidarity with Palestinians suffering Israel's military onslaught in Gaza.

Continued......This move is likely to provoke opposition, especially from Somaliland's majority-Muslim population, as it may be seen as a betrayal of the Palestinian cause. It also risks escalating regional tensions, as Somaliland is not internationally recognised as a state but as a region within Somalia. Egypt has pledged support to Somalia's territorial integrity, opposing efforts to fracture Somalia. The growing involvement of Israel and the UAE could also make Somaliland a target for attacks by forces opposing an Israeli presence in the region.

Sources:
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20241015-israels-quest-for-strategic-depth-in-the-horn-of-africa-through-somaliland/

https://allafrica.com/stories/202410220121.html

On 20 October, Rwanda-backed M23 rebels claimed control of the eastern Congolese town of Kalembe after battles that pushed out the Democratic Republic of the Congo's armed forces and a government-backed coalition of local militia known as the 'Wazalendo' (Swahili for 'patriots'). 

According to news agency Reuters, Congolese army spokesman Sylvain Ekenge said the army retook the town a day later. Residents say fighting continues, and many of them have fled the embattled town. 

Kalembe sits on one of two main roads leading to the mineral-rich Walikale territory in the western part of North Kivu province, where there are vast gold, coltan and diamond deposits. The US government estimates the DRC holds $24 trillion in mineral reserves.

The UN says M23 militia generate around $300,000 in monthly revenue in the Rubaya coltan-mining region, which they captured in April after intense fighting. Coltan is used to power devices like smartphones and computers. 

Continued……Some 2.6 million residents of the war-torn North Kivu province have been displaced as of September 2024, according to the UN. With over 7 million people in total forced to flee their homes, the Democratic Republic of Congo has the world's second-largest internal displacement crisis after Sudan. Rwanda still denies supporting M23 but says it has taken so-called denfesive measures

https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/news/east-africa/m23-rebels-seize-kalembe-town-in-east-dr-congo-4799588

https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/news/east-africa/dr-congo-army-takes-kalembe-town-back-from-m23-rebels-4799846

https://www.rfi.fr/en/africa/20240804-slim-prospects-for-peace-as-drc-rwanda-ceasefire-takes-force

https://thedefensepost.com/2024/10/20/fighting-drc-m23-militia/

https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/business-tech/un-says-congo-rebels-generating-300-000-monthly-mining-area-4782344

https://www.barrons.com/news/m23-seizes-east-dr-congo-town-in-ceasefire-violation-206e872b

https://trtafrika.com/africa/m23-claims-control-of-drc-town-in-ceasefire-violation-18223879

https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/democratic-republic-congo-market-overview

https://www.iom.int/news/world-must-not-ignore-dr-congos-worsening-humanitarian-crisis-iom

https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/dr-congo-army-takes-kalembe-town-back-m23-rebels-spokesman-says-2024-10-22

African revolutionary activist Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti was born on October 25, 1900. If the fountain of youth were available, she would be 124 years old today! Her legacy is one for the books, and her life story is truly worth telling.

Funmilayo was a tireless champion for civil rights during Nigeria's anti-colonial struggles. She founded the Abeokuta Women's Union, which had over 20,000 members and fought hard for female political representation and access to education throughout the country.

Funmilayo was a formidable force who refused to back down. Her remarkable activism for women’s rights earned her well-deserved respect. She tirelessly fought against unjust taxes and demanded equal representation for women in decision-making, including the fundamental right to vote.

Continued……Leading a powerful protest march of nearly 10,000 women against unfair market taxes that affected them, she amplified her influence, inspiring change both in Nigeria and beyond. Her extensive travels allowed her to establish branches of the Nigerian Women's Union, further solidifying her impact.

Not only was Funmilayo a revolutionary in her own right, but she was also a devoted mother. Her son, the pan-African revolutionary and musician Fela Kuti, often credited her as his inspiration. He recalls her leading marches against the British regime, particularly the time she led a protest against the local colonial administration. During that protest, an arrogant White official insulted her, but she stood her ground, calling him a "rude little rat" and a "b*stard." Fela later shared, "Imagine insulting the highest representative of the British imperial crown in Abeokuta; oh man! I was proud. People in Abeokuta talked about nothing else but that incident."

Continued…..However, Funmilayo's courageous activism faced severe backlash during a time when Nigeria's brutal military reigned supreme. On February 18, 1977, around 1,000 soldiers stormed the home of her son, Fela Kuti. In a shocking act during the raid, Kuti’s 76-year-old mother, Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, was violently thrown from a second-story window. She suffered injuries that ultimately led to her death at the General Hospital in Lagos on April 13, 1978.

Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti was a force to be reckoned with. Her unwavering commitment to justice was also recognized when she was honoured with the traditional noscript of “Beere,” meaning "first of equals"—a noscript reserved for pioneering female leaders.
On what would have been her 124th birthday, we celebrate her life, her legacy, and the impact she continues to have. Happy birthday, Mama Funmilayo. May you continue to rest in peace and power!

MALI RETAKES CONTROL OF RESOURCES, PUTS SQUEEZE ON WESTERN MINING FIRMS

Mali, along with its Alliance of Sahel States counterparts—Burkina Faso and Niger—is actively reclaiming control over its mineral resources, challenging the dominance of Western multinational mining firms extracting wealth from its territory. 

A central figure in this shift is Canada-based mining giant Barrick Gold, which recently faced scrutiny when Mali arrested four employees over alleged financial misconduct. Mali has slapped Barrick Gold with a $500 million tax bill and has also raised the possibility of suspending the company’s licence, citing non-compliance with social, environmental and financial commitments. 

The country’s new mining code enacted in August 2023 gives the state a 10 per cent stake in projects (with an option to increase to 20 per cent within two years) and up to a 35 per cent stake in new ventures, which has led Barrick’s CEO to warn that excessive state intervention could ‘compromise the benefits,’

Continued.....while implying local authorities lack expertise. ‘We’re dealing with people that are not particularly competent in the mining industry.’

Amid these regulatory changes, Mali has nationalised a gold mine previously operated by South Africa-based AngloGold Ashanti and Canada-based Iamgold, each holding 40 per cent stakes alongside Mali’s 20 per cent interest. The companies gave up the mine for a ‘symbolic franc.’ While AngloGold Ashanti cited low profit margins as a reason for the sale, Mali argued the site still contains substantial untapped reserves. As part of the deal, Mali is set to receive $36 million to close and rehabilitate the mine and an additional payment of 2.5 billion CFA francs (approximately $4.1 million) to the treasury. Australian mining group Firefinch also transferred the Morila gold mine to Mali state-owned company SOREM, created in 2022 to secure a more equitable share of gold for its citizens, marking another shift away from foreign-operated mining projects.

Continued.....Mali’s moves reflect initiatives to reclaim resources across the Alliance of Sahel States. Burkina Faso recently nationalised two gold mines and announced plans to withdraw mining permits from some foreign firms to increase its share of local resources. Niger has also stepped up by revoking French nuclear giant Orano’s mining licence. Burkina Faso President Ibrahim Traore asserted the new military government’s commitment to sovereignty over resources by stating, ‘We know how to mine our gold, and I don’t understand why we’re going to let multinationals come and mine it.’

SOURCES:https://canadiandimension.com/articles/view/in-west-africa-canadian-mining-firms-come-up-against-bloc-of-independent-states

https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/mali-junta-arrests-four-employees-barrick-gold-say-sources-2024-09-27

https://africa.businessinsider.com/local/markets/top-gold-producing-countries-in-africa/z3kmxbz

https://oec.world/en/profile/country/mli

Continued......https://www.barrons.com/news/canadian-mining-firm-employees-arrested-in-mali-sources-3e682292

https://en.sputniknews.africa/20240928/four-employees-of-canadian-miner-barrick-gold-reportedly-arrested-in-mali-for-financial-crimes-1068456430.html

https://archive.ph/BDsaN

https://www.africanews.com/2024/08/28/burkina-faso-nationalises-two-gold-mines-ending-legal-dispute-between-rival-companies

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/6/21/niger-revokes-french-nuclear-groups-licence-at-major-uranium-mine

https://www.orano.group/en/news/news-group/2024/october/niger-growing-financial-difficulties-will-force-somair-to-suspend-operations

Canadian companies in Africa

https://natural-resources.canada.ca/maps-tools-and-publications/publications/minerals-mining-publications/canadian-mining-assets/19323 

Mali concludes nationalisation

https://www.barrons.com/news/mali-concludes-gold-mine-nationalisation-deal-d387390d

MALEMA: EFF WILL NOT STOP EXPOSING THE TRUTH

In this clip from a recent Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) press conference, EFF President Julius Malema said white people ‘hate’ him because he tells the truth about South Africa’s apartheid past and unequal present.

The official end of apartheid in 1994 did not transform the unequal system as the disparity between South Africa’s white and Black people is so severe that in 2022, the World Bank ranked the country as the most unequal in the world. The average Black household owns only about 5 per cent of the average white household’s wealth, while white South Africans earn three times as much as the average Black South African. Further, white South Africans are three times more likely to attain higher education than Black and coloured South Africans.