Fellow Readers, as you saw 2026 started with a bang, and we can already tell that it will not be a year for the faint of hearts! As always, Dr. Y. at Afrolegends.com will be there for you, and we thank you for your renewed interest, love, comments, and more.
The Top post of 2025 was Samori Touré: African Leader and Resistant to French Imperialism!, which made its first come back in the top 5 since 2021. As the events in the year churn, we will be there to bring even more thought provoking articles. Keep trusting, reading, sharing, reblogging, and liking. Keep your heads up, and may your year be as vibrant as the petals of this flower, and mark the beginning of something beautiful! As always, like Agostinho Neto said, “A luta continua … a vitória é certa!”
The year 2026 started with a bang! We were awakened in the wee hours of Saturday January 3rd with a thunderous slap across the face as we heard that the US military’s elite Delta forces had kidnapped the president of Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro and his wife, from the heart of Caracas, the capital, and flown them out of the country. The news left us stunned, as it felt out-of-this world. The blatant show of force displayed by the American military and president seemed uncalled for. Yes… it showed amazing precision, all done within a few hours, over the weekend so as not to perturb the financial markets too much.
El Commandante de la Revolucion, Hugo Chavez
The excuse given by the Americans to strangle Venezuela and abduct its president, i.e. that it is a narco-terrorist state is simply that, an excuse. It is no secret that Venezuela has the largest oil reserves in the world, and it is also no secret that American governments from right to left (from Bush to Obama) have been trying to topple the Venezuelan government since Hugo Chavez gave their oil companies the boot and nationalized the country’s oil reserves. Venezuela sits atop an estimated 303 billion barrels of proven oil reserves, about 17 percent of the global total and more than Saudi Arabia, whose reserves stand at about 267 billion barrels. Moreover, Venezuela, as a member of the BRICS was planning to trade entirely in other currencies, which would have signaled the end of the dollar!
Libya, the Prey of the West
This show of force is nothing new, whether it is from the Americans or the Europeans… remember the joint NATO attacks on Libya in 2011 which destabilized the entire North and West regions of Africa and where we heard Hillary Clinton’s cackling after Colonel Gaddafi was killed; or the bombing of the Ivory Coast presidential palace in 2011 when the president and his wife were paraded in front of world cameras; or even the capture of Manuel Noriega of Panama by American forces which happened coincidentally (probably not) on January 3, 1990. It is good to note that, as admitted by HRC herself, Gaddafi was killed because he was about to launch the gold dinar, a currency that would have been adopted over all of Africa, thus providing an alternative to the FCFA in Francophone Africa, and eventually replacing the mighty dollar in trading. Thus, there are strong similarities between the fall of Gaddafi, and the abduction of Maduro: the end of the dollar as the mighty currency used by all to trade for oil.
The present kidnapping of president Maduro also makes us wonder how this could have been possible in just a few hours, without the presence of “The Cancer of Betrayal” our comrade Amilcar Cabral talked about. A Cancer of Betrayal which may have lingered in the heart of the Venezuelan security and state. After many years of embargo imposed on the country by the US and its cronies, money can sway many.
Far West Town
These actions highlight a few things. It is clear to ALL that the United Nations should either be dissolved or re-thought to serve ALL interests: it is an organization that only serves the West’s interests, the powerful North, against the South. In a statement, Antonio Guterres, UN Secretary General said “Independently of the situation in Venezuela [Guterres has previously questioned the legitimacy of Maduro’s leadership – yet he never questioned our numerous leaders who were elected with numbers out of this world] , these developments constitute a dangerous precedent. The Secretary-General continues to emphasize the importance of full respect – by all – of international law, including the UN Charter.” It is also clear to ALL, that there is no international justice… that justice works only against those of the global south who serve the interests of their people. There is no such thing as “The International Community.” It is also clear that international diplomacy or the stick to beat the weak, has been exposed for all to see… There is no international law, no respect of territorial integrity, and definitely no political independence of states. We, Africans of the global South, already knew that we were not independent, but now, even the blind can see. We have entered the era of the Far West, where the strongest can claim justice for themselves, and use the MSM to fabricate lies and tarnish, and then abduct presidents of other places. There are so many bad presidents out there, but given that they are good puppets of the West, nothing happens to them.
The message to any sensible and respectful leader is clear: beware! and more importantly strengthen yourself… for no one can face a bully without protecting oneself. This is the era of the Far West, stay alert!
We celebrated quite a few achievements in 2025 in Africa. Please find below a few that brought joy across the continent.
AES Logo
In January, our brothers of the Alliance des Etats du Sahel (AES) signed a joined military agreement. Last week in December, they held the second AES summit where they announced the creation of a radio, television, bank, and completion and progress on many more initiatives. The AES created a Joint Military Force. President Ibrahim Traoré of Burkina Faso succeeds to President Assimi Goïta of Mali for one year at the head of the confederation. We also salute the love shown by the brothers of Niger under President Tchiani who traveled over 1,400 km to bring fuel from Niamey to Bamako which has been under blockade by the terrorists. African Fraternity on Display in the AES.
In March also, archaeologists published in the journal Nature their discovery of the earliest known bone tools, showing evidence of their use 5 million years ago. These bone tools were found in the Olduvai Gorge, in Tanzania. The tools were carved on elephant and hippopotamus bones. Bone Tools found in Tanzania dated 1.5 million years ago.
Mali recovered over a billion dollar from gold companies to reinvest and give back to their populations. These are the kind of gestures that unnerve the West. Mali Recovers over a Billion $ for its Miners. What a beautiful end-of-year present to the populations!
Botswana’s 4×400 relay team celebrating their gold medal (Source: Reuters/Eloisa Lopez)
Africans shone at the 2025 Tokyo World Athletics Championships, including Botswana which cemented its place in the athletic world by winning the country and continent’s first ever gold in 4 x 400 m relay in the men’s discipline. On Sunday, Botswana’s team of Lee Bhekempilo Eppie, Letsile Tebogo, Bayapo Ndori and Busang Collen Kebinatshipi edged out the United States, the winners of the last 10 world titles, in a rain-drenched race, while South Africa took third position. Africans are starting to be present in the sprint discipline and we are proud of their hard work.
Map of the Nile River flow and the location of Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) in Africa
This year saw the inauguration of the Great Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) in September. The dam has been almost entirely domestically funded through bonds and donations of the hard working populations. The GERD has also united Ethiopian citizens across ethnic and political divides. Inauguration of the Great Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).
Namibia made history as the only country in the world where Women hold Key Positions: women make up 57% of the government! Namibia has done what no other country in the world has ever done: the country has a female president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, vice-president Lucia Witbooi, speaker of the national assembly SaaraKuugongelwa-Amadhila, and secretary general of the ruling party. To the naysayers out there, remember that most of Africa has matriarchal traditions; thus it makes sense that it would be first.
Meta bowed to Nigeria and paid up for privacy infraction. This is a first, and usually multinationals tend to do whatever in our countries… we applaud the judgment, and hope that this signals to those companies to start treating Africans like humans, with some measure of respect. Meta Bows to Nigeria and Pays for Privacy Infraction.
2025 is coming to an end, and there are a few people we said goodbye too, and situations as well. Below are some of them:
This February, on Saturday, February 8 2025, Sam Nujoma, Namibia’s first president and founding father passed away at the age of 95. Nujoma led the long fight for independence from South Africa for many years, which culminated with independence on 21 March 1990 of South West Africa, as the country was formerly known. So Long to Sam Nujoma, Namibia’s First President.
In April, Amadou, of the Malian duo Amadou and Mariam passed away at their home in Bamako, Mali. The Grammy-nominated duo Amadou & Mariam was a blind duo from Mali. They both met at the Institute for the young blind in Bamako in 1976 and their song “Je pense a toi” helped them get world fame. So Long to Malian Singer, Member of Duo Amadou & Mariam
Flag of Gabon
Brice Oligui Nguema of Gabon, the coup leader who kicked Ali Bongo out of power, the one the West lauds so much, traded his military fatigues for a suit and won the elections by a landslide with a score worthy of a Banana Republic, 90.35%! and Yes, he got all the accolades of the West! This was a total imposture! Recall that Oligui Nguema took the power when the populations protested the presidential elections when Ali Bongo was declared winner instead of the rightful winner who was Albert Ondo Ossa; thus Nguema should have stepped in to right the wrong by putting on the one the people had voted for; instead he took over under the applause of the “international community”. Gabon and the Double Standards of the International Community, and Gabon Oligui Nguema Wins by Landslide.
Raila Odinga (Source: World Economic Forum)
This year Kenya, and the whole of Africa said goodbye to Raila Odinga, the inevitable and greatest opposition leader and fighter to the end for Kenyan democracy. Raila Odinga had been a dominant unavoidable force in Kenyan politics for over 30 years. He was a baobab in Kenya’s political scene, who has always fought for the freedom and democracy in Kenya. Out of the past 5 elections, 1997, 2007, 2013, 2017, and 2022, he had always contested, came second, and even narrowly won to the point that there have always been disputes which have gone as far as civil unrest as in 2007… even the last elections which saw Ruto win were tight with the presence of Odinga. So Long to Raila Odinga, Fighter to the End for Kenyan Democracy, and Raila Odinga in His Own Words.
Flag of Cameroon
Cameroonians saw another weird presidential elections. Not sure if what happened there was a real election. Paul Biya was reelected for a 7thterm after 43 years as president of the country, with 20 before as minister and prime minister. This would mark 43 years of walking backwards for Cameroon… no electricity, no water in most places, and major cities overflowing with refuse. After a magic trick in the 11th hour, where by a switch of a virtual pen, the best and strongest opponent, Maurice Kamto, was removed from the presidential election contest; then the elections took place with another opponent who barely 2 months before was a minister to the regime Issa Tchiroma. To be honest, after 43 years, there is no doubt that anybody would win against the incumbent. Cameroon – Where Self-Hate is used to Keep a Country in Bondage, and Cameroon – History Repeats Itself ? Since then, there have been protests in the country.
President Samia Suhulu Hassan of Tanzania was elected under shady circumstances and protests. The protests were suppressed in blood; it has been said that since the October 29 elections, there have been more than 2,000 detained, vehicles and buildings burned, and hundreds of deaths. Even the lady was inaugurated under tight security. Recall that she was never elected, but rather came to power after President John Magufuli passed away in office (So Long to President John Magufuli of Tanzania: The Bulldozer). She won with another kafkaesque score of 97%, after the country’s two main opposition parties were barred and the main opposition leader, Tundu Lissu, was imprisoned. Only seen on our continent! This is a clear hijacking of the freedom of Tanzanians; which we will go as far as calling it a coup against the people’s will.
Flag of Guinea Bissau
There was a coup d’etat in Guinea-Bissau, which looks more like a fake coup. Unlike other places, the coup d’etat was not condemned by ECOWAS or other places; and nobody was called junta by the West. Thus, Guinea Bissau traded Umaro Sissoco Embalo for a general he chose. Recall that he was not even supposed to run for elections, and violated his country’s constitution. He first ran into exile in Senegal, but later moved to the Republic of Congo; he has been accused by opposition and international figures such as former Nigerian president and election monitor Goodluck Jonathan of staging the coup to avoid losing the election against Fernando Dias da Costa. Since it was staged, nobody has called the newcomers, led by Horta Inta-A Na Man, as junta like for the Sahel.
Flag of Madagascar
There was a coup in Madagascar (2025 Malagasy coup d’état) which saw the fall of President Andry Rajoelina, the DJ who had previously been installed by France, and had also come into power after a coup against Marc Ravalomanana who was not accepted by the West. Macron and France helped fly Rajoelina out to safety in Dubai where he now resides. The new man in charge is general Michael Randrianirina. This coup started by the protests of the populations against power cuts and water outages which have been very common nationwide especially in the capital Antananarivo… they were met with violence from the government police… then it went on, until the army stepped up, and took Rajoelina out. Goodbye to Rajoelina, and welcome to Randrianirina … we hope that he will work for the Malagasy people.
Flag of the Democratic Republic of Congo
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) signed a “peace” agreement with Rwanda. It started The Declaration of Principles between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda signed in June by DRC and Rwanda foreign affairs ministers including the American Secretary of State. This was later ratified in December by both presidents Felix Tshisekedi of DRC and Paul Kagame of Rwanda in presence of the American President Donald Trump. As we had pointed out, how could a peace agreement with DRC be signed which does not clearly state that Rwanda is the aggressor of the DRC? How can there be a peace agreement, if Rwanda does not admit to its crimes against the Congolese people? Why is there no mention of the close to 10 million dead Congolese from this 30-year-old conflict? What sort of a peace is that if there is no justice? Well, to prove us right, new conflicts started in the region immediately after the signature of the agreement, or rather they never stopped. Peace Agreement between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda: Is this for Real? Thus, the DRC is still under attack. We should tell all these Congolese and African politicians to stop signing documents in fear… nothing good comes out of negotiating from a position of fear!
Flag of Sudan
As the year closes, the civil war is still ongoing in Sudan, all of that under the eyes of the “international” community. Sudan’s brutal civil war has dragged on for over 2½ years, displacing millions and killing in excess of 150,000 people. This is now among one of the deadliest conflict in the world today. Our hearts go out to our Sudanese brothers and sisters.
Let us start with a lesson in geography. For those who don’t know, Sokoto is in the Northwest part of Nigeria and is the largest city before the border with Niger, one of the countries in the AES. Over the years, the Islamist State through Boko Haram have destabilized the entire region, but we all know that the area that has been destabilized is on the East, on the border with Cameroon. As a matter of fact, the whole northern part of Cameroon and northeastern of Nigeria have been plagued by Boko Haram attacks for over a decade now. Even Michelle Obama joined the #BringBackOurGirls campaign awareness for the Chibok girls who had been abducted in Nigeria in 2014; Chibok is also on the East, near Cameroon. From the news, the American government claims that the missile strikes were in response to a suicide attack against a packed mosque in Nigeria’s northeastern city of Maiduguri on Wednesday night. So why Sokoto, a mostly Muslim city … so no clear Christian vs. Muslim issue there. Isn’t this baffling? Is it an error in missile strikes, after all, who could blame these people if they don’t know our lands like us? However, it is no secret that America has one of the best intelligence services in the world… and they apparently had help from the Nigerian government itself. That same Nigerian government which cannot stop the abduction of its girls in the Northeast, yet flew fighter jets to strike positions in neighboring Benin to stop the coup against President Talon at the beginning of the month, and then landed in Burkina Faso? Thus, could it be because Sokoto, in northwest Nigeria, is on the border with Niger? Niger which booted the largest US drone base in the world out of their country (Niger suspends military “cooperation” with the US, effective immediately)? The same Niger which is part of the AES (Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger Sign a Mutual Defence Pact)? Niger which is nationalizing its uranium, and has booted France out of its land, and is developing its country, and as a part of the AES? We all saw when then US senator Gaetz asked for retaliation against Niger after the boot, … is this the beginning? or what is it? The explanation given by the American government seems quite bizarre.
The New Scramble for Africa (Source: Dr Jack & Curtis for City Press, National Institute African Studies (NIAS))
Africans need to remember that there is a New Scramble for Africa. Europe is falling apart, the West is falling apart … and the only way to stay strong is through that conglomerate of 54 countries that is Africa, with no real union or laws to protect the little ones, and even the big ones can fall prey having never dealt with some of these. They would try everything to keep us down, in-fighting and so on, so they could rise again when things are better. They are using all means, even immigration (the story for another day). This is the era of the awakening! Africa is the key to the world! There will be blood for Africa’s resources, and Africans have to be at the forefront of the battle for their own resources and take hold of what is theirs. Africans better wake up, the vultures are flying over!
As the end of the year slowly drifts in, we would like to share a word of caution to our legal governments of the AES and all those fighting for the freedom of their people around the globe. The temptation is high to party, it is the end of the year after all, and there were awesome results throughout the year; we have worked hard and rightfully deserve a break. However, these loved governments, those who fight for the dignity of their people are in the target of the well-known predators who tend to use periods like these to strike. We can all remember the Christmas coups that have happened over the years! Just ask the late Henri Konan Bédié, president of Cote d’Ivoire, who was destituted by Robert Guéï on Christmas Eve 24 December 1999, in a coup which has entered the annals of history as the Christmas Eve’s coup. Guéï said that “Noussommes venus balayer la maison” (we have come to sweep the house); he was himself swept out later on. We remember the Saint-Sylvestre coup d’état in the Central African Republic when army leader Jean-Bédel Bokassa and his military officers staged a coup against the government of President David Dacko. There are also coups that have happened in the early days of the new year. Even in Burkina Faso, there was the 1966 Upper Voltan coup d’état in Upper Volta (now Burkina Faso) which took place on 3 January when Sangoulé Lamizana overthrew Maurice Yaméogo. Or like the ones by Gnassingbé Eyadéma in Togo that took out Sylvanus Olympio on January 13, 1963, and then Nicolas Grunitzky on the same day 4 years later in 1967. The examples are countless.
After the stunt the Nigerian army pulled, flying into Burkina Faso after the so-called coup attempt against Patrice Talon at the beginning of the month, the countries of the AES should be on high alert. Our South American brothers should also be on high alert. We are not saying that coups d’état only take place at the end of the year, as there are no dates for coups, just clear opportunities and weaknesses that the enemy (who is always standing ready) exploits. We are just saying to remain on high alert! When you are doing good for your people, wherever you are, you stand for something that the enemy hates… Remain alert at all times! Don’t stop the good you are doing, but remain alert!
Today is a day of remembrance. I love this poem by Beninese author Richard Dogbeh, Te rappelleras-tu ? (Will You Remember?) published in Cap Liberté, Edition Clé, 1969. This poem is not only a love poem, but also a friendship poem, a hardship poem, and above all a future poem. Beyond the battles that a couple goes through in life, there are joys, wishes, and visions. Further, as one reads this poem, there is also a vision for the country, in this case Benin, for the development of the country which is struggling; this could be applied to the continent as a whole.
For love, the sentence “Will you remember friend that formidable night when love took us by surprise?” says it all. The deep friendship is highlighted by the togetherness and vision, “We will build our lives with faithfulness and pride” or “Look friend of the deadly shores .” One can see hardship in the journey with unity, “we will fight jealousy and envy that destroys the future, the injustice that divides…“. The future is highlighted in “In your eyes, the prophecy shone“… or “the future will be beautiful in our difficult roads…“
Enjoy! This is brought to you by Dr. Y., Afrolegends.com. Te rappelleras-tu ? (Will You Remember?) by Richard Dogbeh published in Cap Liberté, Edition Clé, 1969. Love, love, love…
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Te rappelleras-tu ? / Will You Remember by Richard Dogbeh
Te rappelleras-tu amie ce soir redoutable
Où l’amour nous a surpris tous les deux
Dans tes yeux la prophétie scintillait
Comme dans toutes les chansons
Le bonheur dépendait de nous deux
Tout simplement
Dans la tourmente de notre pays
Nous combattrons la jalousie et l’envie qui déciment l’avenir l’injustice qui divise
Nous combattrons la paresse et la routine
Nous bâtirons notre vie fidèle et fière.
Regarde
Amie des rives mortelles
Impatiente de charité
L’harmonie jaillit dans le pays
De Cotonou à Malanville
Dans nos jardins et nos maisons
Croissant des fleurs aux mille couleurs
J’ai lu dans le ciel de nos villes
Que l’avenir sera beau
Sur nos routes difficiles
Au bord de la mer en furie
Il pleuvait ce soir-là et le vent froid nous fouettait le visage
Comment se peut-il qu’un flot de bonheur naisse d’une cité d’angoisse
Ainsi va la vie
Il faut nous armer
Il faut nous cacher (…)
Will you remember my friend this formidable evening
Where love surprised us both
In your eyes the prophecy was shining
As in all songs
Happiness depended on both of us
Simply
In the turmoil of our country,
We will fight the jealousy and envy that are decimating the future and the injustice that divides us.
We will fight against laziness and routine.
We will build our lives with faithfulness and pride.
Look
Friend of the deadly shores
Impatient for charity
Harmony springs forth in the land
From Cotonou to Malanville
In our gardens and our homes
Flowers of a thousand colors are blooming
I read in the sky above our cities
That the future will be beautiful
On our difficult roads
On the edge of the raging sea
It was raining that evening and the cold wind was lashing our faces
How is it possible that a wave of happiness can arise from a city of anguish?
As AI tools become ubiquitous, many African countries are taking advantage to improve their education, economy, and much more. One such country is Mali where AI tools have been used to teach school children in the local languages. In parenthesis, this is happening while some African countries like Nigeria are moving away from teaching local languages in the curriculum; this is quite sad. Here, we are raising our hats to educators in Mali who are using AI to teach kids how to learn and write in local languages that they already speak at home with friends and family. The Education ministry is using the services of RobotsMali which has produced more than a hundred stories in Bambara, the most widely spoken local language.
Since Mali adopted a new constitution in 2023, the country has 13 official languages. AlthoughFrench is no longer part of that list, the language of the former coloniser is still present everywhere, including in classrooms.
To achieve this goal, the Education ministry has called on RobotsMali. This AI company has produced more than a hundred stories in Bambara, the most widely spoken language in the country, for students to read in schools.
“It helps me speak better with my friends. All of this is good,” said 13-year-old pupil Clarisse Yasségué Togo. “At school, we only speak French.”
“Since the stories are also illustrated, it teaches [students] to make the connections between words and their meaning very quickly,” said RobotsMali Mamadou Dembele.
The organisation hopes to provide a solution to the lack of books in Malian languages.
… “Bambara is our language. We should prioritise it,” said 17-year-old student Fatoumata Sacko.
Below are the top posts of 2025 :
African Heritage 