FOIA REJECTION REVEALS TINUBU'S POSSIBLE U.S. INTEL CONNECTION
In a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) case that independent media outlet West Africa Weekly pursued in the United States through legal web portal PlainSite, the CIA, FBI, and US Drug Enforcement Agency collectively resisted calls to remove redactions on records related to Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's alleged drug trafficking and money laundering, raising suspicion that he or people close to him may be US intelligence assets.
The CIA, in particular, argued that disclosing if Tinubu cooperated with the agency could compromise their ‘human intelligence’ operations, undermine US security, and inadvertently reveal the extent of the CIA's intelligence network.
In a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) case that independent media outlet West Africa Weekly pursued in the United States through legal web portal PlainSite, the CIA, FBI, and US Drug Enforcement Agency collectively resisted calls to remove redactions on records related to Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's alleged drug trafficking and money laundering, raising suspicion that he or people close to him may be US intelligence assets.
The CIA, in particular, argued that disclosing if Tinubu cooperated with the agency could compromise their ‘human intelligence’ operations, undermine US security, and inadvertently reveal the extent of the CIA's intelligence network.
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Continued……Tinubu has done little to inspire confidence. Upon taking power, he quickly adopted International Monetary Fund (IMF) recommendations by scrapping fuel subsidies and allowing the Naira currency to devalue, triggering its sharpest fall in history. Inflation has reached a 30-year peak and food prices have soared, leaving many families struggling. On the geopolitical front, Tinubu advocated for military intervention in neighbouring Niger following a popular 2023 coup d’état against Western-aligned leader Mohamed Bazoum.
Sources
News
https://x.com/davidhundeyin/status/1856379819572818210
https://saharareporters.com/2024/11/13/us-government-tells-court-tinubu-cia-asset-insists-nigerians-have-no-right-access
Documents
https://www.plainsite.org/dockets/download.html?id=334545504&a=1&z=79042c23
Sources
News
https://x.com/davidhundeyin/status/1856379819572818210
https://saharareporters.com/2024/11/13/us-government-tells-court-tinubu-cia-asset-insists-nigerians-have-no-right-access
Documents
https://www.plainsite.org/dockets/download.html?id=334545504&a=1&z=79042c23
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Continued……Tinubu implements Economic policies backed by IMF
https://foreignpolicy.com/2023/07/24/nigeria-tinubu-reform-economic-development-debt-imf-world-bank/
Tinubu threatens Niger invasion
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-66430113
Naira's fall
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/nigeria-naira-falls-record-low-194518731.html
https://foreignpolicy.com/2023/07/24/nigeria-tinubu-reform-economic-development-debt-imf-world-bank/
Tinubu threatens Niger invasion
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-66430113
Naira's fall
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/nigeria-naira-falls-record-low-194518731.html
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On 14 November, during the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly, 170 countries passed a resolution affirming the Palestinians' right to self-determination and freedom from Israeli occupation, as well as the establishment of an independent state of Palestine. Only six voted against it: Argentina, Israel, Micronesia, Nauru, Paraguay and the United States. US allies in Africa—Liberia, Rwanda and Togo—abstained.
In September, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Kenya, Liberia, Rwanda and South Sudan abstained from voting on a resolution calling for an immediate end to Israel's occupation of Palestine within 12 months, based on an International Court of Justice advisory opinion issued in July. The resolution passed despite opposition from the United States, Israel and 12 other countries.
In September, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Kenya, Liberia, Rwanda and South Sudan abstained from voting on a resolution calling for an immediate end to Israel's occupation of Palestine within 12 months, based on an International Court of Justice advisory opinion issued in July. The resolution passed despite opposition from the United States, Israel and 12 other countries.
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Continued……The United States and Israel voting against Palestine's sovereignty is not surprising, given the US provided $17.9 billion in military aid to Israel in the first year of the military onslaught in Gaza, representing the largest amount of US military support given to Israel in a year.
The 14 November resolution, noscriptd ‘The Right of the Palestinian People to Self-Determination,’ stated that Palestinian rights are unconditional and non-negotiable. It emphasised the need to urgently end the Israeli occupation that began in 1967 without delay, and to achieve a just, lasting, and comprehensive peace settlement between the Palestinian and Israeli sides. The UNGA urged all bodies and states to support the ‘early realisation of [Palestinians’] right to self-determination.’
Sources:
https://press.un.org/en/2024/gashc4430.doc.htm
https://www.ap.org/news-highlights/spotlights/2024/us-spends-a-record-17-9-billion-on-military-aid-to-israel-since-last-oct-7
https://frontpageafricaonline.com/news/liberia-abstains-from-voting-for-un-resolution-calling-for-israel-to-leave-palestine-in-12-months
https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/09/1154496
The 14 November resolution, noscriptd ‘The Right of the Palestinian People to Self-Determination,’ stated that Palestinian rights are unconditional and non-negotiable. It emphasised the need to urgently end the Israeli occupation that began in 1967 without delay, and to achieve a just, lasting, and comprehensive peace settlement between the Palestinian and Israeli sides. The UNGA urged all bodies and states to support the ‘early realisation of [Palestinians’] right to self-determination.’
Sources:
https://press.un.org/en/2024/gashc4430.doc.htm
https://www.ap.org/news-highlights/spotlights/2024/us-spends-a-record-17-9-billion-on-military-aid-to-israel-since-last-oct-7
https://frontpageafricaonline.com/news/liberia-abstains-from-voting-for-un-resolution-calling-for-israel-to-leave-palestine-in-12-months
https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/09/1154496
press.un.org
Third Committee Approves 9 Draft Resolutions, Including Texts on Eliminating Violence against Women and Promoting Palestinians’…
The Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) sent nine draft resolutions to the General Assembly today, including texts on the elimination of violence against women and girls, the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination and the report…
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ADETSHINA DEFIES TROLLS
WITH ‘MISS AFRICA’ WIN
Miss Universe Nigeria has a new crown. Chidimma Adetshina was named Miss Universe Africa and Oceania after coming second in the Miss Universe 2024 final in Mexico City. It’s been an emotional journey for the 23-year-old South African, who felt compelled to drop out of the contest in her home country after trolls and lawmakers alike started complaining about her Nigerian roots. (Worse, the authorities there are now investigating whether her mother committed identity fraud to obtain SA citizenship and want to revoke their passports.) But South Africa’s loss is a win for Nigeria. Adetshina ended up representing the nation and has now scooped for it Africa’s biggest Miss Universe win since 2019. In fact, it’s a glorious win for Africa - even if some of the trolls don’t realise it yet.
WITH ‘MISS AFRICA’ WIN
Miss Universe Nigeria has a new crown. Chidimma Adetshina was named Miss Universe Africa and Oceania after coming second in the Miss Universe 2024 final in Mexico City. It’s been an emotional journey for the 23-year-old South African, who felt compelled to drop out of the contest in her home country after trolls and lawmakers alike started complaining about her Nigerian roots. (Worse, the authorities there are now investigating whether her mother committed identity fraud to obtain SA citizenship and want to revoke their passports.) But South Africa’s loss is a win for Nigeria. Adetshina ended up representing the nation and has now scooped for it Africa’s biggest Miss Universe win since 2019. In fact, it’s a glorious win for Africa - even if some of the trolls don’t realise it yet.
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Following his victory in the 5 November election, US President-elect Donald Trump quickly announced nominations of the people who will make up his cabinet. They range from hardline Zionists to an alleged white nationalist and everything in between.
For example, Attorney General nominee Matt Gaetz called for the US to invade Niger in May after that country's government booted US troops that had been stationed there under the auspices of US Africa Command (AFRICOM). If confirmed, Gaetz will be in the company of other war hawks in Trump's cabinet, such as Marco Rubio, whom Trump nominated for secretary of state. In 2018, Rubio called for a US military attack on Venezuela.
For example, Attorney General nominee Matt Gaetz called for the US to invade Niger in May after that country's government booted US troops that had been stationed there under the auspices of US Africa Command (AFRICOM). If confirmed, Gaetz will be in the company of other war hawks in Trump's cabinet, such as Marco Rubio, whom Trump nominated for secretary of state. In 2018, Rubio called for a US military attack on Venezuela.
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Continued……. Although Rubio likes to refer to himself as a ‘son of exiles,’ his Cuban parents migrated to the US more than two years before the revolution. For as long as he’s been in the public eye, Rubio has used aggressive language against Cuba, calling the beloved communist leader, Fidel Castro, a ‘thug,’ and advocating for the US to continue a 64-year-old embargo on the island nation.
Trump’s nominees share hardline anti-Palestine positions, so much so that they may fit perfectly in the inner circles of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. For instance, Trump’s pick for US ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, is a preacher and former Arkansas governor who not only supports Tel Aviv's annexation of Palestinian territory but also claims that 'there's really no such thing as a Palestinian.' Trump's choice for Secretary of Defense is not any better. Pete Hegseth has argued that the Bible gives Israelis the right to occupy Palestine.
Trump’s nominees share hardline anti-Palestine positions, so much so that they may fit perfectly in the inner circles of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. For instance, Trump’s pick for US ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, is a preacher and former Arkansas governor who not only supports Tel Aviv's annexation of Palestinian territory but also claims that 'there's really no such thing as a Palestinian.' Trump's choice for Secretary of Defense is not any better. Pete Hegseth has argued that the Bible gives Israelis the right to occupy Palestine.
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Continued……. The pro-Israel lobby has rewarded some nominees with significant financial contributions for their hardline positions.
With such a cabinet, it is clear that the positions of the US government will continue to tilt more dangerously towards the right. Unfortunately, Israel will be, without a doubt, one of the greatest beneficiaries.
With such a cabinet, it is clear that the positions of the US government will continue to tilt more dangerously towards the right. Unfortunately, Israel will be, without a doubt, one of the greatest beneficiaries.
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Sources:
https://www.theamericanconservative.com/rubio-and-the-horrible-idea-of-attacking-venezuela/
https://americasquarterly.org/article/what-marco-rubio-has-said-about-latin-america/
https://www.palestinechronicle.com/from-stefanik-to-hucabee-donald-trumps-cabinet-is-a-pro-israel-swamp/
https://www.trtworld.com/magazine/aipac-blueprint-all-over-trumps-new-cabinet-18232443
https://www.mediamatters.org/pete-hegseth/pete-hegseths-book-includes-complaints-about-muslims-birth-rates-praise-crusaders-who
https://edition.cnn.com/2024/11/13/politics/trump-maga-cabinet-picks-analysis/index.html?iid=cnn_buildContentRecirc_end_recirc
https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/11/14/picking-mike-huckabee-for-ambassador-to-israel-spells-more-misery-for-palestinians
https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/andrewkaczynski/mike-huckabee-theres-really-no-such-thing-as-a-palestinian
https://www.npr.org/2024/11/14/nx-s1-5188521/palestinians-are-nervous-as-mike-huckabee-is-named-ambassador-to-israel
https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2024/11/trump-picks-mike-huckabee-staunch-ally-settlers-ambassado
https://x.com/KristiNoem/status/1855042808043708626
https://x.com/jacobkornbluh/status/1856474983272153166
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RIR-HYEMPU4
https://www.c-span.org/video/?c5090619/vivek-ramaswamy-israels-divine-purpose
https://x.com/michaelgwaltz/status/1787290833332379921
https://peoplesdispatch.org/2020/07/28/we-will-coup-whoever-we-want-elon-musk-and-the-overthrow-of-democracy-in-bolivia/
https://x.com/SenMarcoRubio/status/1816193696477618262
https://app.asana.com/0/1202659536484511/1208061689947189
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbNrjzg61d4
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/marco-rubios-compelling-family-story-embellishes-facts-documents-show/2011/10/20/gIQAaVHD1L_story.html
https://www.theamericanconservative.com/rubio-and-the-horrible-idea-of-attacking-venezuela/
https://americasquarterly.org/article/what-marco-rubio-has-said-about-latin-america/
https://www.palestinechronicle.com/from-stefanik-to-hucabee-donald-trumps-cabinet-is-a-pro-israel-swamp/
https://www.trtworld.com/magazine/aipac-blueprint-all-over-trumps-new-cabinet-18232443
https://www.mediamatters.org/pete-hegseth/pete-hegseths-book-includes-complaints-about-muslims-birth-rates-praise-crusaders-who
https://edition.cnn.com/2024/11/13/politics/trump-maga-cabinet-picks-analysis/index.html?iid=cnn_buildContentRecirc_end_recirc
https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/11/14/picking-mike-huckabee-for-ambassador-to-israel-spells-more-misery-for-palestinians
https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/andrewkaczynski/mike-huckabee-theres-really-no-such-thing-as-a-palestinian
https://www.npr.org/2024/11/14/nx-s1-5188521/palestinians-are-nervous-as-mike-huckabee-is-named-ambassador-to-israel
https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2024/11/trump-picks-mike-huckabee-staunch-ally-settlers-ambassado
https://x.com/KristiNoem/status/1855042808043708626
https://x.com/jacobkornbluh/status/1856474983272153166
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RIR-HYEMPU4
https://www.c-span.org/video/?c5090619/vivek-ramaswamy-israels-divine-purpose
https://x.com/michaelgwaltz/status/1787290833332379921
https://peoplesdispatch.org/2020/07/28/we-will-coup-whoever-we-want-elon-musk-and-the-overthrow-of-democracy-in-bolivia/
https://x.com/SenMarcoRubio/status/1816193696477618262
https://app.asana.com/0/1202659536484511/1208061689947189
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbNrjzg61d4
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/marco-rubios-compelling-family-story-embellishes-facts-documents-show/2011/10/20/gIQAaVHD1L_story.html
The American Conservative
Rubio and the Horrible Idea of Attacking Venezuela
None of Venezuela's neighbors wants U.S. intervention, no regional government would support it if the U.S. attacked, and attacking Venezuela would only exacerbate the country's severe economic and political problems.
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Despite the catastrophic human impact of the war on Palestinians in Gaza - widely viewed as a genocide - Western nations maintain good relations with Israel. Staunch ally the US appears intent on arming the Israeli military further, even though Tel Aviv failed to meet a deadline imposed by Washington to increase the amount of aid reaching the Strip.
This week’s words of wisdom from Black Panther Party founder Huey P. Newton (1942-1989) neatly sum up why the US & Co. seem willing to flout all their professed moral principles in the case of Israel.
Sources:
https://www.hamptonthink.org/read/the-black-panther-party-on-palestine
https://inkedresistanceislamicpublishing.com/our-blog/244-learning-the-scoop-on-the-zionist-state-of-israel
This week’s words of wisdom from Black Panther Party founder Huey P. Newton (1942-1989) neatly sum up why the US & Co. seem willing to flout all their professed moral principles in the case of Israel.
Sources:
https://www.hamptonthink.org/read/the-black-panther-party-on-palestine
https://inkedresistanceislamicpublishing.com/our-blog/244-learning-the-scoop-on-the-zionist-state-of-israel
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GHANA’S PREZ: ECOWAS NEEDS
SAHEL TRIO BACK
In this clip, Ghana’s President Nana Akufo-Addo responds to a journalist’s question about Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger’s breakaway from - and potential for rejoining - the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Akufo-Addo, who has twice served as ECOWAS chairman, says it would be better for the region if these three important Sahel nations were back in the bloc.
ECOWAS previously attempted to strong-arm the revolutionary trio into compliance through coercive tactics, including illegal and inhumane economic sanctions and threats of military intervention. But this backfired, as the three only strengthened their unity and resolve, forming the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) - ultimately forcing ECOWAS to back off.
SAHEL TRIO BACK
In this clip, Ghana’s President Nana Akufo-Addo responds to a journalist’s question about Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger’s breakaway from - and potential for rejoining - the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Akufo-Addo, who has twice served as ECOWAS chairman, says it would be better for the region if these three important Sahel nations were back in the bloc.
ECOWAS previously attempted to strong-arm the revolutionary trio into compliance through coercive tactics, including illegal and inhumane economic sanctions and threats of military intervention. But this backfired, as the three only strengthened their unity and resolve, forming the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) - ultimately forcing ECOWAS to back off.
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Continued…. As nations with clear anti-imperialist aims, they make no secret of seeking to break free from the neo-colonial stranglehold France has maintained over Francophone Africa for decades. ECOWAS, on the other hand, has proven to be a defunct institution that serves as little more than a mouthpiece and enforcement agency for French interests.
According to Samba Sylla, author of Africa’s Last Colonial Currency: The CFA Franc Story, '[France’s] capture of ECOWAS can be seen in the nature of the financial sanctions imposed on Mali in 2022 and Niger since the 2023 revolutionary putsch. No foreign country could order the central bank of a sovereign currency-issuer to prevent the government accessing its bank accounts and the domestic financial system.'
Given this context, why would the Sahel region regard ECOWAS as an ally of African people seeking liberation rather than a French-neo-colonial puppet?
Video credit: TV5Monde (YouTube)
Sources:
https://jacobin.com/2024/02/french-neocolonialism-coups-west-africa
https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2024/2/8/economic-hardship-insecurity-spirals-in-mali-as-ecowas-exit-looms
https://www.globalgovernance.eu/publications/ecowas-after-the-triple-withdrawal-and-the-creation-of-the-alliance-of-sahel-states-challenges-and-ways-ahead-for-regional-security-governance
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ue4_xBNluWI&t=502s
https://www.aljazeera.com/program/inside-story/2024/7/7/whats-behind-the-creation-of-the-alliance-of-sahel-states
https://library.fes.de/pdf-files/bueros/fes-pscc/21558.pdf
According to Samba Sylla, author of Africa’s Last Colonial Currency: The CFA Franc Story, '[France’s] capture of ECOWAS can be seen in the nature of the financial sanctions imposed on Mali in 2022 and Niger since the 2023 revolutionary putsch. No foreign country could order the central bank of a sovereign currency-issuer to prevent the government accessing its bank accounts and the domestic financial system.'
Given this context, why would the Sahel region regard ECOWAS as an ally of African people seeking liberation rather than a French-neo-colonial puppet?
Video credit: TV5Monde (YouTube)
Sources:
https://jacobin.com/2024/02/french-neocolonialism-coups-west-africa
https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2024/2/8/economic-hardship-insecurity-spirals-in-mali-as-ecowas-exit-looms
https://www.globalgovernance.eu/publications/ecowas-after-the-triple-withdrawal-and-the-creation-of-the-alliance-of-sahel-states-challenges-and-ways-ahead-for-regional-security-governance
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ue4_xBNluWI&t=502s
https://www.aljazeera.com/program/inside-story/2024/7/7/whats-behind-the-creation-of-the-alliance-of-sahel-states
https://library.fes.de/pdf-files/bueros/fes-pscc/21558.pdf
Jacobin
African Unity Can’t Take Place on France’s Terms
Last Sunday, the military rulers of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger quit West African economic union ECOWAS. It’s a major blow to the regional integration project — and a rebuke to Emmanuel Macron’s efforts to interfere in France’s former colonies.
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MOZAMBIQUE OPPOSITION LEADER: 50+ PROTESTERS KILLED
Post-election election violence in Mozambique has reportedly taken more lives amidst calls for regional leaders to help map the way forward.
On 19 November, opposition leader Venancio Mondlane appeared on a Facebook livestream (@venamondlane on FB), claiming authorities had k*lled at least 50 protesters.
The Centre for Democracy and Human Rights (@CDD_Moz on X), a civil society organisation, put the figure at 65, while the outgoing president, Filipe Nyusi, claimed only 19 deaths.
Opposition supporters have been taking to the streets in protest against the outcome of the 9 October elections. The country's electoral body declared Daniel Chapo, the candidate of the ruling Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (FRELIMO), the winner with almost 71 per cent of the vote.
Post-election election violence in Mozambique has reportedly taken more lives amidst calls for regional leaders to help map the way forward.
On 19 November, opposition leader Venancio Mondlane appeared on a Facebook livestream (@venamondlane on FB), claiming authorities had k*lled at least 50 protesters.
The Centre for Democracy and Human Rights (@CDD_Moz on X), a civil society organisation, put the figure at 65, while the outgoing president, Filipe Nyusi, claimed only 19 deaths.
Opposition supporters have been taking to the streets in protest against the outcome of the 9 October elections. The country's electoral body declared Daniel Chapo, the candidate of the ruling Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (FRELIMO), the winner with almost 71 per cent of the vote.
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