EUROPEAN COLONISATION UNDERDEVELOPED AFRICA

Guyanese historian Walter Rodney’s book, ‘How Europe Underdeveloped Africa’ (1972) examines the wealth disparity between the West and much of the world, highlighting how the former has extensively exploited the latter. This illuminating work sheds light on the impact of European colonialism in Africa, the effects of which can be seen today in corrupt African governments aligned with the West. Meanwhile, the masses lack adequate infrastructure, jobs, and access to food, medicines and fuel.

Continued……In this clip from a recent video, content creator @_rathbone (X) shared his insights while reading the book. Rodney (1942-80) argued that as long as those who once exploited and oppressed African nations continue to hold economic power in these countries, Africa’s wealth will keep flowing outwards. Rathbone concluded that while countries like the US often complain about immigrants taking their resources and labour, they frequently overlook that colonialism did the same.

Video credit: @_rathbone (X)
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Our troubles may be significant, but we can overcome them with perseverance. That’s the optimistic content of this week’s African proverb: dawn always follows night. No matter how challenging the night was, dawn symbolises the arrival of a new day where anything can happen.

Our thoughts in the morning versus our thoughts in the evening can be worlds apart.

AFRICANS ARE TOO CONCERNED WITH WHITE PEOPLE?

Kwame Ture (1941-98) is one of the greatest Pan-African voices of the 21st century. Like many Pan-Africanists in the Western Hemisphere, he came to his political convictions through the Black Power movement. 

In this video clip, Ture calls out Africans fighting in the so-called ‘American Revolution,’ explaining why Black people should not have served on the side of the settlers. This is consistent with Ture’s stance that Africans around the world (including in the United States) should strive for self-determination and autonomy from the imperialist capitalist system or the ‘white power structure,’ as it was known at the time.  

Another Pan-Africanist who has addressed this topic is historian Gerald Horne, who wrote the book, ‘The Counter-Revolution of 1776: Slave Resistance and the Origins of the United States of America’ (2014).

Continued……However, he argues that Africans overwhelmingly and rightfully sided with the British over the US colonists. Horne calls the ‘American Revolution’ a fight to preserve slavery amidst Britain’s call to abolish the practice, leading Africans to side against the colonial settlers.

Do you believe that the ‘American Revolution’ was a revolution or a counter-revolution? And how should Africans have responded?
Sources;

http://www.aavw.org/special_features/speeches_speech_carmichael01.html

https://revolutionaryspaces.org/the-legacy-of-crispus-attucks-part-iii-patriot-or-fool-crispus-attucks-and-the-civil-rights-movement

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_DnVvcYCW0s

AMÍLCAR CABRAL: COLONIAL PORTUGAL’S NIGHTMARE

Fifty-two years ago today, on 20 January 1973, Amílcar Cabral was shot dead, about eight months before Guinea-Bissau’s unilateral declaration of independence. The great revolutionary pan-Africanist Cabral became an icon and a hero of the liberation struggle as leader of the African Party for the Independence of Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde. The PAIGC (for short) fought an armed struggle against Portuguese colonialism, organising rural farmers in Guinea-Bissau and training them both ideologically and militarily for the fight.

In addition to this, Cabral was also a founding member of The People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), having met Angolan militants such as Agostinho Neto while studying in Portugal.

Continued……. Cabral was educated as an agricultural engineer in Lisbon, but he decided to give up a comfortable career in order to dedicate his life to liberating his people. This perhaps inspired his theory of ‘class suicide,’ referring to the act of sacrificing one’s higher-class status to struggle alongside the most oppressed sectors of society.

Cabral was not just a strategic warrior; he was also a brilliant theorist who developed a framework to understand the importance of culture in the struggle for national liberation. Today, oppressed and colonised people worldwide study Cabral’s speeches to learn from his wisdom.

If you’ve read him, let us know in the comments what inspired you most.

Sources:

https://www.blackpast.org/global-african-history/cabral-amilcar-lopes-1924-1973/

https://www.buala.org/en/to-read/amilcar-cabral-and-decolonization-today

BRAVE JOURNO PRESSES BLINKEN

Many will remember two journalists’ bold inquiries at outgoing US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s final press briefing. Max Blumenthal (@maxblumenthal on X) from the @thegrayzonenews and Sam Husseini (@samhusseini on X), the communications director at the US-based Institute for Public Accuracy (@accuracy on X), challenged Blinken on Washington’s support for Israel’s military actions in Gaza, leading to their forceful ejection from the US State Department briefing room.

Continued……. In this viral clip, Husseini questions Blinken, a fitting conclusion to Blinken’s four-year tenure marred by accusations of complicity in what Amnesty International has labelled a gen*cide. In January 2024, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued a ruling that included six provisional measures, ordering Israel to refrain from actions under the UN Gen*cide Convention, prevent and punish incitement to gen*cide, and ensure immediate humanitarian assistance for civilians.

Calls for Blinken’s resignation intensified after @ProPublica revealed through leaked documents that he misled Congress regarding the delivery of US aid to Gaza, claiming, ‘We do not currently assess that the Israeli government is prohibiting or otherwise restricting the transport or delivery of U.S. humanitarian assistance.’ However, both the State Department’s Population, Refugees and Migration Bureau and the US Agency for International Development (USAID) found that Israel was intentionally obstructing humanitarian aid to Gaza.

Under the US Foreign Assistance Act, the shocking report would have prompted an immediate halt to nearly $830 million in weapons and bomb shipments to Israel.

Do you agree with Husseini that Blinken should be prosecuted for war crimes?

Video credits: @willy_lowry, @naderabed and @thetimes on X

Sources:

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/hecklers-interrupt-blinken-over-gaza-policy-his-final-news-conference-2025-01-16/

https://www.propublica.org/article/gaza-palestine-israel-blocked-humanitarian-aid-blinken

https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2024/12/amnesty-international-concludes-israel-is-committing-genocide-against-palestinians-in-gaza/

https://accuracy.org/about-us/staff/

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/16/world/middleeast/blinken-israel-hamas-gaza-ceasefire.html

DR. KING ON THE BOOTSTRAP MYTH

Today, 20 January, is when the US government observes Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday, which falls on 15 January.

Every third Monday in January since 1986, the US government has called on citizens to participate in a day of service dedicated to the memory of King (1929-68), a minister, activist and philosopher.

Some people argue the US federal government has attempted to appropriate King's legacy by observing his birthday. King's wife, Coretta Scott King, said there was 'abundant evidence of a major high level [government] conspiracy' in her husband's killing. The FBI, however, denies involvement.

Mainstream media and pundits commonly reduce King's legacy to fight for racial equality within the US by celebrating his famous 'I Have a Dream' speech. Yet, it is essential to remember that King's vision extended far beyond civil rights. 

Continued……. As he grew in political awareness, King began to address economic issues, championing a more equitable distribution of wealth and resources. He recognised that poverty and unemployment were not personal failures but systemic injustices that demanded comprehensive solutions. One of his last public acts was standing in solidarity with striking Black sanitation workers in Memphis, Tennessee. King's decision to go to Memphis reflected his evolving consciousness regarding the true nature of the United States.

In his later years, he began standing against imperialism and capitalism, a perspective that many believe contributed to his tragic assassination on 4 April 1968.

In a poignant address noscriptd 'Beyond Vietnam: A Time to Break Silence,' delivered at Riverside Church in New York City just a year before his death, King took the bold step of criticising what he termed the 'giant triplets' of American society: Militarism, materialism, and racism. He called for a 'radical revolution of values' prioritising human dignity over profit.

Throughout his speeches, King challenged the 'bootstrap mentality', suggesting that anyone can succeed in the United States through hard work and determination. He argued that the ruling class that profited from US capitalism and imperialism profited from the hard work of others, whether it be Vietnamese in the Global South or Black people in America.

Reflecting on today's economic dynamics between Western powers and African states, one can only wonder what insights Dr. King would offer, given his unwavering commitment to justice and equality.

Sources:

https://nmaahc.si.edu/explore/stories/15-year-battle-martin-luther-king-jr-day

https://www.theparisreview.org/blog/2018/01/15/remembering-martin-luther-kings-radical-class-politics/

https://www.greenleft.org.au/content/martin-luther-king-jr-took-capitalism-and-was-killed

https://wagingnonviolence.org/2018/04/martin-luther-king-capitalism/

On 19 January, 217 Kenyan police officers arrived in Haiti, increasing the number of Kenyan personnel deployed to the Caribbean country to over 600. This comes despite the mission—launched with the US promising $200 million—being chronically underfunded, leading to paycheck delays for officers, some of whom have reportedly abandoned their posts.

An additional 400 officers are expected to deploy in the future, fulfilling Kenyan President William Ruto’s commitment to send 1,000 officers to assist in addressing alleged escalating gang violence in Haiti. This deployment follows a UN human rights report showing a 20 per cent rise in gang-related homicides despite the presence of the Kenya-led multinational security force. Alleged gang violence k*lled over 5,600 Haitians in 2024, with more than 2,000 injured and nearly 1,500 kidnapped.

Continued……Some sources say the Haitian bourgeoisie funds gang vi*lence.

In January 2024, the Kenyan High Court ruled the mission unconstitutional. Nevertheless, on 1 March 2024, Ruto and then-Haitian Interim Prime Minister Ariel Henry signed a ‘reciprocal agreement’ that authorised the deployment.

Critics have cited the historical interference of the US, France, Britain and Canada in Haiti’s affairs since it ousted French enslavers, becoming the first Black republic in 1804. Past peacekeeping efforts in Haiti have resulted in more harm than good. For instance, a cholera outbreak in 2010, linked to UN Nepalese peacekeepers, led to the deaths of up to 30,000 Haitians after they contaminated the Artibonite River.

After winning independence, Haiti fought to maintain its sovereignty against foreign interference. In 1825, France imposed a staggering indemnity of 150 million francs ($90 million in unadjusted terms) on Haiti as compensation for the loss of the colony. This payment hindered the country’s development. (For perspective, the US acquired France’s Louisiana Territory in 1803 for just $15 million.)

Additionally, from 1915 to 1934, the US invaded and occupied Haiti. Then it backed the overthrow of democratically-elected Haitian president, Jean-Bertrand Aristide, in 1991 and again in 2004.

Kenyans opposed to deployment have remarked on their country’s insecurity problem with bandits, abductions and alleged extrajudicial k*llings. Given that, how can the East African state succeed in pacifying Haiti?

Sources:

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-68090488

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/mar/01/haiti-police-officers

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/3/1/kenya-haiti-sign-reciprocal-agreement-on-police-deployment-ruto

https://news.un.org/en/story/2025/01/1158781

https://www.nationalpolice.go.ke/arrival-third-contingent-kenyan-police-officers-haiti-mission

https://www.thenewhumanitarian.org/news/2024/02/02/kenya-haiti-leaders-force-police-mission-despite-court-ruling

https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2016/dec/01/haiti-cholera-outbreak-stain-on-reputation-un-says

https://www.history.navy.mil/research/library/online-reading-room/noscript-list-alphabetically/u/us-occupation-of-haiti-1915-1934.html

https://www.npr.org/sections/money/2021/10/05/1042518732/-the-greatest-heist-in-history-how-haiti-was-forced-to-pay-reparations-for-freed

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/louisiana-purchase-bargain-came-great-human-cost

https://responsiblestatecraft.org/us-haiti-coup

https://marxist.com/the-gangs-of-haiti-and-the-failure-of-bourgeois-rule.htm

https://edition.cnn.com/2024/08/26/americas/kenyan-police-haiti-delayed-pay-intl-latam/index.html

A Statista report has revealed that Kenyan President William Ruto has the highest salary among world leaders compared to his country's economic capacity. According to the report, Ruto's income is nearly 2,000 per cent of Kenya's per capita GDP (based on purchasing power parity), which is only $6,300. This makes his pay not only disproportionate to Kenya's economic output but also one of the most controversial, considering Kenya's financial struggles. While heads of state from economic superpowers may report higher salaries, Ruto's pay is significantly high given Kenya's per capita GDP in 2023.

Continued……In June 2023, Kenya’s Salaries and Remuneration Commission increased Ruto's monthly salary from $11,148 (KES 1,443,750) to $12,741 (KES 1,650,000). The commission justified the 14 per cent raise to attract skilled Kenyans to public service. However, this increase came at a time when nearly 33 per cent of Kenyans were living below the poverty line, and the country's youth unemployment rate hovered around 13.5 per cent.

This report followed 2024’s nationwide anti-government protests, during which dissatisfied Kenyans demonstrated against the introduction of a controversial International Monetary Fund-backed finance bill that required tax hikes in a country riddled by foreign debt and a cost-of-living crisis.

Beyond the president's salary, the financial burden of Kenya's bloated public sector further compounds public frustration. Government officials and parliamentarians are among the highest-paid globally, with Kenyan MPs earning a salary of approximately $65,000 annually, 10 times the country’s per capita GDP. This has sparked long-standing criticism, as public funds are being directed toward elite privileges while basic services, such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure, remain underfunded.

Sources:

https://eastleighvoice.co.ke/national/87069/ruto-ranked-highest-paid-world-leader-by-gdp-ratio-report

https://www.kenyans.co.ke/news/105984-william-ruto-ranks-first-best-paid-world-leaders-capita-gdp

https://www.statista.com/chart/3350/pay-levels-of-world-leaders-in-perspective

https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2024-07-16-gen-z-revolt-now-turns-to-mps-hefty-salaries-allowances

https://sites.uab.edu/humanrights/2023/09/12/understand-the-impact-of-poverty-on-kenyan-society-unveiling-the-struggles-faced-by-vulnerable-communities

BIDEN PARDONS MARCUS GARVEY 102 YEARS LATER

On his last day in office, US President Joe Biden posthumously pardoned Marcus Garvey, 102 years after his controversial conviction on dubious mail fraud charges. The pardon follows years of advocacy by civil-rights groups and lawmakers seeking to honour the Jamaican-born leader, who championed pan-Africanism and the liberation of African people.

Garvey’s Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) was targeted by the FBI, which saw Black activism as a national security threat, leading to his imprisonment.

While the pardon acknowledges a miscarriage of justice, many see it as mere tokenism. Other figures, such as Mumia Abu-Jamal and Assata Shakur, remain entangled in the US justice system.

The pardon also fails to go far enough: an exoneration would be more apt, as it would declare his innocence, rather than simply forgiving a conviction.

Continued……. Garvey’s legacy endures. His teachings inspired leaders such as Ghana’s first president, Kwame Nkrumah, and Malcolm X, who credited him with initiating America’s freedom movements. The Rastafarian movement revered Garvey for his prophecy tied to Ethiopian emperor Haile Selassie, while the pan-African flag - his creation - symbolises the blood, skin and soil of Africa. Garvey died at just 52, yet his impact resonates generations after. For Africans, Garvey’s greatness needs no external validation.

NATIONWIDE CURFEW IN SOUTH SUDAN

South Sudan has imposed a dusk-to-dawn nationwide curfew after revenge attacks killed 16 Sudanese nationals. The violence erupted in the capital Juba and other towns after videos emerged, allegedly showing the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) in Al Jazira harassing and killing South Sudanese citizens. According to reports three Sudanese people were killed in Central Equatoria state, nine in Northern Bahr el-Ghazal, three in Western Bahr el-Ghazal and one in Upper Nile.

South Sudan is home to many Sudanese refugees who fled the proxy war being fought in their country. South Sudanese president Salva Kiir has urged his citizens to refrain from violence, while also demanding accountability from Khartoum.

The African Union has also called on Sudan’s government to investigate and bring the perpetrators of the killings of South Sudanese to justice, sending condolences to the victims’ families.

Continued……. Sources:

https://au.int/en/pressreleases/20250118/auc-chairperson-strongly-condemns-brutal-killings-south-sudanese-civilians

https://www.newarab.com/news/south-sudan-imposes-curfew-after-looting-sudanese-shops

https://www.radiotamazuj.org/en/news/article/juba-summons-sudan-envoy-over-wad-madani-atrocities

https://sudantribune.com/article296100/#google_vignette

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/dec/10/airstrike-north-darfur-market-kills-people-sudan

https://www.barrons.com/news/sudan-army-denies-involvement-in-al-jazira-state-civilian-assaults-8c38dc92?refsec=topics_afp-news

https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/sudanese-army-says-advancing-key-rsf-held-capital-al-jazira-state

https://x.com/african_stream/status/1869404365674467526?s=46

HOW ISRAEL COST KAMALA HARRIS THE U.S. PRESIDENCY

A recent YouGov poll showed that 29 per cent of people who voted for US President Joe Biden in 2020 said the number one reason for not voting for Vice President Kamala Harris was her refusal to break from Biden’s policy on Gaza. 

Further, 20 per cent of voters in states that swung from Biden in 2020 to Donald Trump in 2024 said they would have voted for Harris if she hadn’t expressed unconditional support for Israel.

Following Donald Trump’s victory on 5 November, Democrats blamed people who voted for independent parties. However, vote tallies show that these parties garnered too few votes to affect either Harris or Trump.

Continued….. Trump is likely to be as pro-Israel, if not worse, than Biden-Harris and has already made some disturbing remarks, although he did manage to get a ceasefire before his inauguration. Let’s not forget that during his first term, he recognised Occupied Jerusalem as Israel’s capital city and the Syrian-occupied Golen Heights as part of Israel. But the difference, is that Republican Trump supporters, by and large, couldn’t give a toss about Palestine, while traditional Democratic voters do. That’s why Harris and Biden’s complete capitulation to Netanyahu and the Israeli regime cost them votes.

What do you think?

Sources:
https://www.commondreams.org/news/harris-gaza