Continued……. Yet, between 1904-08, Germany committed the 20th century’s first g*nocide against the Namaqua and Herero peoples in Namibia. Today, Germany is the second-largest supplier of weaponry to Israel after the United States.

Many people say South Africa rescued humanity and international law. The question is whether states will continue to follow international law.

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https://youtu.be/e46Nmw1neZc

HARRIET ‘MOSES’ TUBMAN!

Abolitionist and suffragist Harriet Tubman was nicknamed “Moses” because she led enslaved people to freedom. One hundred seventy-three years ago, in December 1850, Harriet orchestrated and led her first rescue mission. Having escaped slavery on the Eastern Shore of Maryland in September 1849, Tubman dedicated her life to rescuing others, all while risking her own life in the process. History books hail Tubman as the first woman to lead an armed raid into enemy territory as she guided Union troops up the Combahee River in South Carolina to destroy Confederate stockpiles of weapons, food and cotton and freed more than 700 enslaved African Americans. She was also referred to as a “train conductor” because she guided escapees along a network of safe houses and secret routes in the United States that were used by African Americans seeking to reach Canada, known as the “Underground Railroad.” Catch a ride down the tracks of history to learn more about this inspirational African woman.

SANKARA LIVES ON

One of Africa's most significant leaders, Thomas Sankara, would have turned 75 today. We remember his life and legacy but also pose serious questions about his death. While the CIA and France have been asked to disclose their records, much remains classified. How was Thomas Sankara assassinated? Who was involved? Here's what we know so far ...

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TWO KITES REACTION: HUMANISING GLOBAL SOUTH VICTIMS

With much of what passes as music, especially hip-hop, glorifying inter-communal killings, drug use and abuse of women and vulnerable groups, UK rapper Lowkey’s recent track Two Kites is a breath of fresh air. 

In this video, we react to part of his new album, Soundtrack to the Struggle 3 - noting how he humanises victims of conflict in a manner largely missing from the mainstream’s narrative around the Global South.

The story @Lowkey0nline (X) tells here reminds us that war victims are more than just numbers. They are teachers, students and loved ones with dreams and relationships. Two Kites also shows audiences the emotional resilience that persists in these harsh realities.

You can find more African Stream content on Bluesky, Patreon, Rumble, Telegram, and X.

TOXIC U.S. PESTERING NIGERIA TO GO GMO

Another day, another revelation about how the US will not let African nations determine their own policies.

A new investigative report reveals how activists against pesticides and GMOs in Nigeria are being smeared with the help of dollars stumped up by Washington - much to the delight of US agrochemical giants such as the health-scandal-embroiled Monsanto.

Having been at the receiving end of a US State Department smear campaign ourselves, we can only relate too well with what the activists targeted are going through. But it ultimately affects every Nigerian, as President Tinubu has already given the green light to GMO crops in his country - despite stiff opposition.

Sources:

https://x.com/GRVlagos/status/1868379150366679327

SANKARA THE ANTI-DEBT ICON

On Thomas Sankara’s birthday, we look back at one of the legendary speeches regarding foreign aid from the pan-African icon and former leader of Burkina Faso. He advocated self-sufficiency, the elimination of the entire continent’s debt, and not relying on aid, which always comes with strings attached. Burkina Faso’s Captain Ibrahim Traore is trying to keep Sankara’s legacy alive, but only with the support of the people will that dream be fulfilled.

AFRICA'S INDEPENDENCE-ERA SELL-OUTS

Africa got flag independence, while the colonisers retained the tools of power - such as control of Africa's economies via chokehold institutions like the World Bank and IMF.

For this to work, they needed compliant Africans - collaborators willing to take out true African heroes like Thomas Sankara and Patrice Lumumba.

In this report, African Stream’s William Sakawa looks at four of the worst offenders among African leaders when it comes to serving foreign interests at the expense of their own people - including DR Congo's Mobutu and Kenya's Kenyatta.

Who do you think the biggest traitor was?

STRANGE BEDFELLOWS: S. AFRICA’S CRAZY COALITION GOVT!

2024 was a year of elections. Voters in more than 60 countries went to the polls. Some incumbents hung on to power, while others got the boot.

One of the countries where elections took place on our continent was South Africa, where the ruling African National Congress (ANC) lost its majority for the first time since coming to power in 1994, after the fall of the apartheid regime.

Its failure to secure a majority saw the former liberation movement go into coalition with other political parties - including, astonishingly, with its longtime nemesis, the rightwing Democratic Alliance (DA).

The political marriage between the ANC and the DA has led to fears that the country is falling into the hands of pro-Western interests. This can only further delay efforts to emancipate the nation fully and improve the welfare of the majority-Black population, which has yet to see any social or economic mobility worth writing home about.

Continued……That’s the topic that we delve into in this extract from our bumper end-of-year review discussion. What do you think about the ANC's political gamble?

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC TRIES BLEACHING AWAY RACISM, AGAIN

Like others before him, Dominican Republic Minister of Foreign Affairs Roberto Álvarez Gil tried whitewashing his country’s historical identity in an April 2024 interview with @aljazeera. 

‘Unlike Haiti, unlike the United States and unlike most [Caribbean Community] CARICOM countries, the Dominican Republic is mestizo or mulatto,’ according to Gil, which apparently frees the island from racism. It’s a hard sell not only because the Dominican Republic has deported tens of thousands of Haitians back to their half of the Hispaniola island amidst political instability due to foreign interventions, but it fails to address what happened to Gil’s compatriot, former Major League Baseball slugger Sammy Sosa. Responding to comments about his new complexion, several shades lighter than his former self, Sosa said, ‘I do whatever I want.’ 

African Stream’s William Sakawa unpacks the contradiction. Take a look and let us know what you think in the comments.

CHICK-FIL-A VS. POPEYES: WHAT'S IN THE CHICKEN? PT. 1

Brother Nuri Muhammad (@brothernuri on X, @nurimuhammad on IG), a prominent figure within the Nation of Islam and an author, activist, mentor, life coach and entrepreneur, breaks down why many Black people in the United States are emotionally attached to fast-food restaurants, like Chick-fil-A and Popeyes.

In this August 2023 clip, the minister explained that the chemical composition of these companies’ products acts as addictive substances and destroys our health. 

What do you think of Muhammad’s remarks? Let us know in the comments.

Video credit: @ineverknewtv (YouTube)

SOMALIA & CUBA’S ROCKY RELATIONSHIP

The presidents of Cuba and Somalia were all smiles at the COP 28 summit in Dubai. They met on the sidelines as if old-time friends. But it wasn’t always like that. For decades, the relationship between their countries was on the rocks over geopolitics.

But things have been patched up, their interests have married again, and a win-win future is being promised.

Let us know your thoughts below.

Bee stings hurt, but imagine life without honey. This week’s proverb reminds us that overreacting can be self-defeating.

WHO IS DAN GETLER?

Israeli businessman Dan Gertler is a prominent figure in the exploitation and control of mineral resources in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), reportedly earning about $200,000 daily from his operations there. Allegations suggest that his profits contribute to the construction of apartheid-like walls in the West Bank. Gertler’s family has a legacy of diamond exploitation in Africa dating back to the colonial era, and he has continued this tradition. His business expanded significantly due to questionable deals made with the former ruling Kabila dynasty in the DRC.

Continued……In December 2017 and June 2018, the US Treasury imposed sanctions on Gertler and more than 30 of his companies, accusing him of leveraging his close ties with former Congo President Joseph Kabila to secure highly profitable mining contracts. However, the US administration considered easing these sanctions to allow Gertler an opportunity to sell his interests and exit Africa, purportedly to demonstrate that its enforcement actions can be effective.

So, who is Dan Gertler? Wambura Mwai from African Stream provides an overview of what you need to know.