The Economist and other western journals are bemoaning the loss of democracy in Africa. But how are they defining democracy? For the first time in decades African civilians are pouring out into the streets of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger to rally behind their governments with leadership that is more popular than ever. Meanwhile the "democratic" leaders that the west supports seem to be eternally submissive to the IMF and the World Bank. Does the west miss "democracy" in Africa or do they miss African submission to the US, France and the rest of the EU? Did The Economist decry the undemocratic NATO invasion of Libya? What side did the Economist take during western covert regime change operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo under Lumumba or in Ghana under Nkrumah or in Burkina Faso under Sankara?
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Continued - Those operations certainly weren't democratic. It seems as the word democracy has come to mean "governments favourable to western interests" and if a government isn't favourable... well... who cares whether or not they're supported by African people. Only the west is allowed to call the shots. How's that for democracy.
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ODINGA: I STAND FOR THE OPPRESSED!
Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga has torn into President Ruto over the latter’s failure to condemn Israel. Speaking at a prayer service in Kajiado, Odinga said the mass civilian death and destruction inflicted on Gaza by Tel Aviv should be condemned by all humanity - adding that it’s the only way to bring about peace.
While Ruto unequivocally condemned attacks by Hamas carried out in southern Israel, he's remained tight-lipped during Tel Aviv’s brutal bombing campaign in Gaza, which has killed more than 5,100 Palestinian civilians - including over 2,000 children.
His stance triggered an avalanche of criticism. While some objected to his pro-Israel position, others said Kenya shouldn’t take sides. But many share Odinga’s sentiment.
Do you agree with Odinga?
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Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga has torn into President Ruto over the latter’s failure to condemn Israel. Speaking at a prayer service in Kajiado, Odinga said the mass civilian death and destruction inflicted on Gaza by Tel Aviv should be condemned by all humanity - adding that it’s the only way to bring about peace.
While Ruto unequivocally condemned attacks by Hamas carried out in southern Israel, he's remained tight-lipped during Tel Aviv’s brutal bombing campaign in Gaza, which has killed more than 5,100 Palestinian civilians - including over 2,000 children.
His stance triggered an avalanche of criticism. While some objected to his pro-Israel position, others said Kenya shouldn’t take sides. But many share Odinga’s sentiment.
Do you agree with Odinga?
Hear Us Roar: https://t.me/AfricanStream
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Zambia gained its independence on this day in 1964. But its path to freedom was different from most other African countries.
Instead of being colonised by a foreign nation, it was ruled by a private firm. The British South African Company (BSAC) was based in London and run by imperialist John Cecil Rhodes. He used it to expand the UK’s empire deep into the African continent.
In 1899 the British government allowed BSAC to acquire and administer territories in South-Central Africa north of the Limpopo River. And that saw Rhodes control a vast area- covering modern-day Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe. He ruled it until 1923 when the region became a British protectorate.
With its huge copper and cobalt reserves, Northern Rhodesia grew as a mining economy. By the 1930s the industry employed thousands of British settlers and Africans and spurred the struggle for independence.
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Instead of being colonised by a foreign nation, it was ruled by a private firm. The British South African Company (BSAC) was based in London and run by imperialist John Cecil Rhodes. He used it to expand the UK’s empire deep into the African continent.
In 1899 the British government allowed BSAC to acquire and administer territories in South-Central Africa north of the Limpopo River. And that saw Rhodes control a vast area- covering modern-day Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe. He ruled it until 1923 when the region became a British protectorate.
With its huge copper and cobalt reserves, Northern Rhodesia grew as a mining economy. By the 1930s the industry employed thousands of British settlers and Africans and spurred the struggle for independence.
Hear Us Roar: https://t.me/AfricanStream
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Continued- In 1935, thousands of miners went on strike over low wages and the so-called ‘native tax’ levied by colonial officials. The protest lasted only a few days after a violent crackdown by authorities.
However, it was the first form of organised pressure against the colonial government and gave rise to trade unions, which became resistance movements.
The most prominent was the Northern Rhodesia African National Congress (NRANC), the political home of anti-colonial leaders such as Godwin Lewanika, Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula and Kenneth Kaunda. However, the United Nations Independence Party (UNIP), a breakaway party from NRANC, would lead Zambia to independence in October 1964. Kaunda was UNIP's leader, and the teacher-turned-politician became the country's first president.
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However, it was the first form of organised pressure against the colonial government and gave rise to trade unions, which became resistance movements.
The most prominent was the Northern Rhodesia African National Congress (NRANC), the political home of anti-colonial leaders such as Godwin Lewanika, Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula and Kenneth Kaunda. However, the United Nations Independence Party (UNIP), a breakaway party from NRANC, would lead Zambia to independence in October 1964. Kaunda was UNIP's leader, and the teacher-turned-politician became the country's first president.
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Continued - The most prominent was the Northern Rhodesia African National Congress (NRANC), the political home of anti-colonial leaders such as Godwin Lewanika, Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula and Kenneth Kaunda. However, the United Nations Independence Party (UNIP), a breakaway party from NRANC, would lead Zambia to independence in October 1964. Kaunda was UNIP's leader, and the teacher-turned-politician became the country's first president.
Zambia’s progress was a game-changer for the region. It was the first country in Southern Africa to be liberated and acted as a safe haven for similar movements in neighbouring Zimbabwe, Namibia and South Africa.
To mark the special day, we've found some pictures of Kaunda's time in power. From the independence ceremony to police inspection duties, he led the nation until 1991.
Hear Us Roar: https://t.me/AfricanStream
Zambia’s progress was a game-changer for the region. It was the first country in Southern Africa to be liberated and acted as a safe haven for similar movements in neighbouring Zimbabwe, Namibia and South Africa.
To mark the special day, we've found some pictures of Kaunda's time in power. From the independence ceremony to police inspection duties, he led the nation until 1991.
Hear Us Roar: https://t.me/AfricanStream
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FRENCH PULL-OUT NIGER UPDATE
France has formalised its troop withdrawal from Niger. Army chiefs from both countries met over the weekend to thrash out details of the agreement. Some of the 1,500 French troops stationed in the West African country have already left; all should be gone by the end of the year.
Niger authorities also confirmed they’d foiled an attempt by ousted President Bazoum to escape to neighbouring Nigeria. Here's an update on events in the Sahelian country.
Hear Us Roar: https://t.me/AfricanStream
France has formalised its troop withdrawal from Niger. Army chiefs from both countries met over the weekend to thrash out details of the agreement. Some of the 1,500 French troops stationed in the West African country have already left; all should be gone by the end of the year.
Niger authorities also confirmed they’d foiled an attempt by ousted President Bazoum to escape to neighbouring Nigeria. Here's an update on events in the Sahelian country.
Hear Us Roar: https://t.me/AfricanStream
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WILL GAZANS BE FORCED INTO EGYPT’S SINAI?
Emotions are high over Israel’s bombing campaign in Gaza. Amid widespread horror at the mass civilian death and destruction of critical infrastructure and homes, there are fears that the people of Gaza are slowly being pushed out of their homeland - after Tel Aviv ordered the inhabitants of the northern part of the Strip to relocate to the southern part, which is closer to Egypt, as a ‘safety measure.’ Some of the recent remarks from top Israeli officials are fanning these suspicions - suggesting Gazans be ‘temporarily’ relocated to tent refugee camps in the Sinai desert. In fact, Israel’s Netanyahu once proposed to Egypt's Mubarak that Palestinians be moved out of Gaza and into the Sinai Peninsula; African Stream’s Ahmed Ghoneim asks what’s behind the mass relocation order in his latest edition of Africa in 90 Seconds.
Hear Us Roar: https://t.me/AfricanStream
Emotions are high over Israel’s bombing campaign in Gaza. Amid widespread horror at the mass civilian death and destruction of critical infrastructure and homes, there are fears that the people of Gaza are slowly being pushed out of their homeland - after Tel Aviv ordered the inhabitants of the northern part of the Strip to relocate to the southern part, which is closer to Egypt, as a ‘safety measure.’ Some of the recent remarks from top Israeli officials are fanning these suspicions - suggesting Gazans be ‘temporarily’ relocated to tent refugee camps in the Sinai desert. In fact, Israel’s Netanyahu once proposed to Egypt's Mubarak that Palestinians be moved out of Gaza and into the Sinai Peninsula; African Stream’s Ahmed Ghoneim asks what’s behind the mass relocation order in his latest edition of Africa in 90 Seconds.
Hear Us Roar: https://t.me/AfricanStream
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REMEMBERING FUNMILAYO RANSOME-KUTI
Today, we're happy to remember the famous anti-colonial African revolutionary activist Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti.
She was born on October 25, 1900, and became
a tireless champion for civil rights during Nigeria's anti-colonial struggles.
Funmilayo founded the Abeokuta Women's Union, which boasted over 20,000 members and campaigned hard for female political representation and access to education in Nigeria.
Her late son was Pan-African revolutionary and musician Fela Kuti, who many regard as the pioneer of Afrobeats.
He proudly recalls his mother leading marches against the British regime,
and in particular the time she led aprotest against the local colonial administration. Funmilayo was insulted by an arrogant White official, but she put him in his place, calling him a “rude little rat” and a “bast**d.”
Today, we're happy to remember the famous anti-colonial African revolutionary activist Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti.
She was born on October 25, 1900, and became
a tireless champion for civil rights during Nigeria's anti-colonial struggles.
Funmilayo founded the Abeokuta Women's Union, which boasted over 20,000 members and campaigned hard for female political representation and access to education in Nigeria.
Her late son was Pan-African revolutionary and musician Fela Kuti, who many regard as the pioneer of Afrobeats.
He proudly recalls his mother leading marches against the British regime,
and in particular the time she led aprotest against the local colonial administration. Funmilayo was insulted by an arrogant White official, but she put him in his place, calling him a “rude little rat” and a “bast**d.”
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Continued- "REMEMBERING FUNMILAYO RANSOME-KUTI"
Fela said, '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.'
May she continue to rest in peace and power!
Hear Us Roar: https://t.me/AfricanStream
Fela said, '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.'
May she continue to rest in peace and power!
Hear Us Roar: https://t.me/AfricanStream
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GET RISHI QUICK: WHY UK PM IS NO WIN FOR DIVERSITY
It's been one year since Rishi Sunak became Britain's prime minister. He's the first non-White person in the job. As with Obama (another disappointment!) in the US, some expected that he'd look out for the interests of the masses, including those fleeing to the UK in search of asylum or a better life - like his parents, who came from East Africa in the ‘60s. But Sunak is no man of the people - not Black or Brown or any people for that matter (unless they’re rich!). Here's a reminder of why.
Hear Us Roar: https://t.me/AfricanStream
It's been one year since Rishi Sunak became Britain's prime minister. He's the first non-White person in the job. As with Obama (another disappointment!) in the US, some expected that he'd look out for the interests of the masses, including those fleeing to the UK in search of asylum or a better life - like his parents, who came from East Africa in the ‘60s. But Sunak is no man of the people - not Black or Brown or any people for that matter (unless they’re rich!). Here's a reminder of why.
Hear Us Roar: https://t.me/AfricanStream
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