March 8 : International Women’s Day – Central African Women Celebrate with a Rowing Competition

On March 10, 2026March 10, 2026 By Dr. Y.In Great MomentsLeave a comment

Women in a rowing competition on the shores of the Ubangi River in Bangui (Source: Africanews)

For the International Women’s Day (IWD) this year, the women of the Central African Republic (CAR) decided to have a rowing competition in the capital Bangui, as opposed to the usual parade. I thought the idea sweet, and wanted to share. The competition took place on March 8, 2026, on the shores of the Ubangi River in Bangui. The ladies of Bangui came out in droves and participated in a 100% rowing feminine competition. In our countries, rowing competitions are usually male, rarely do we have a female competition; this might be a first! Imagine the togetherness spirit these women showed, the courage, and the fun! And the men came out to cheer the women in the race; there were thousands of spectators. This is an inspiration to other women in the country, on the continent, and around the globe, how about making IWD an action day?

Excerpts below are from Africanews.

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Women celebrating IWD by rowing in a 100% female competition in Bangui (Source: Africanews)

The women of Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic, responded enthusiastically to the call from the organizers of the all-female canoe race on the Ubangi River.

In a frenzied atmosphere, the women flexed their muscles, paddling in long canoes. This year in Bangui, they wanted to celebrate International Women’s Day in a different way. Along the riverbank, a roaring crowd cheered the arrival of the winners.

“You know, it’s usually our husbands who do the races, but for this day, we thought, why not us! We are just as capable as our husbands, and we are proud of it. I am very happy that my village, Bokassi 1, was able to take first place in this race,” declared Jupsie Mameleyabi, captain of the Bokassi women’s team.

… “I am very proud to have participated in this race. I witnessed the bravery of Central African women and girls; they were courageous, committed, and determined, and that is what March 8th is all about. March 8th is about celebrating women’s victories and their commitment, and they demonstrated that this afternoon. So, congratulations to the Central African Republic for winning, and congratulations to the women and girls of the Central African Republic. Rights, justice, and action for all the women and girls of the Central African Republic,” explains Rachel Miam Diagone, UN Women Resident Representative in the Central African Republic.

The Far West Continues ?

On March 6, 2026March 6, 2026 By Dr. Y.In Great MomentsLeave a comment

Since last Saturday, we have been witness to joint Israeli-US attacks on Iran, which killed the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, over 100 little girls, and others. At the beginning of the week, the US also engaged in a joint military effort with Ecuador against narcotrafics in Ecuador and carried out air strikes. We also know about the deployment of some 200 American troops in Nigeria. Yesterday, the American president announced that Cuba would be next. Brothers and sisters… there is no letting up! To each one of us, this is a signal to stay alert!

As it stands now, what the US has done with the blatant removal of Nicolas Maduro in Venezuela, and now the murder of the Ayatollah Khamenei in Iran (during Ramadan) has united the people of the global South in general and Muslims of all board in particular, against the United States. How long can a giant stay (over)stretched? The people of Iran are fighting for survival… while the United States are fighting to help a friend (Israel)… there is a difference! The geology of the Iranian territory makes it an almost impenetrable fortress. Remember that this is the same Iran which fought tirelessly against Iraq’s Western-backed invasion. Why does the West think that it is okay to decide for the people of a country? Why not let them decide for themselves: throw out whoever they want whenever they want without western intervention? Wouldn’t it be arrogant to want to change their condition without their participation? Who is to say what is good! We all know Western media lied about Muammar Gaddafi in Libya, claiming he was killing his own people, and that the Libyan people needed democracy… look what is left of Libya now! Is there one Libyan out there (except puppets) who can look at their country now and applaud the NATO attacks?

We will note that, as always, the West cannot be trusted. Iran was at the table of negotiations on Friday and got bombed the next day! This is so reminiscent of so many situations in the world: the recent DRC-Rwanda peace agreement treaty where the country is still occupied and attacked by Rwandan-backed M23, and countless others. Would you blame Iran for not wanting to sit at a negotiation table?

African Participation at the 2026 Winter Olympics

On March 4, 2026March 1, 2026 By Dr. Y.In Great MomentsLeave a comment

The 2026 Winter Olympics took place in Milan and Cortina, Italy this year, last month. The African participation at these Winter Olympics reached a historic high, with 15 athletes representing 8 African nations, competing across multiple winter sports. After PyeongChang 2018, this is the second time in the history of Winter Olympics that Africa is set to be represented by 8 countries. This marked the highest show from the continent at a Winter Game, reflecting steady growth in representation and investment in winter-sport pathways.

The 8 countries were Benin, Guinea-Bissau, Nigeria, Eritrea, Madagascar, Morocco, Kenya, and South Africa. Benin and Guinea-Bissau had their debut appearance. South Africa fielded its largest-ever Winter Olympic team, with 5 athletes. These 8 countries were represented by 15 athletes competing in alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, skeleton, and other individual disciplines. Mialitiana Clerc represented Madagascar, becoming the first African woman to compete in three winter olympics.

The athletes were Nathan Tchibozo of Benin and Winston Tang of Guinea-Bissau giving their country’s first time participation at the Olympics in Alpine Skiing, Samuel Ikpefan of Nigeria in Cross country skiing, Shannon-Ogbnai Abeda from Eritrea in Alpine skiing, Mialitiana Clerc and Mathieu Gravier from Madagascar in Alpine Skiing, Pietro Tranchina competing in alpine skiing and Abderrahim Kemmissa in cross-country skiing both from Morocco, Issa Laborde from Kenya in Alpine skiing; Lara Markthaler in alpine skiing, Malica Malherbe in freestyle skiing, Matthew Smith in cross country skiing, Nicole Berger in skeleton, and Thomas Weir in alpine skiing all representing South Africa.

There were no medals, but we are very proud of these athletes who showed great courage and resilience and patriotism to represent their countries.

As a side note, I would like to give a shout out to an American junior cousin duo skating pair whose parents are originally from Benin, formed by Anaelle Kouevi and Yann Homawoo. They are a rising US junior ice dance team; they won the US Novice Bronze medallists in 2024, and have not yet participated at the Olympics. They show great promise and we are also proud of them.

Iran and the Implications

On March 2, 2026March 1, 2026 By Dr. Y.In Great MomentsLeave a comment

We are only entering the third month of 2026, and so far this year has not been for the faint of heart. On February 28, 2026, the Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed by joint strikes from Israel and the United States on Iran. President Donald Trump announced the death hours earlier, saying it gave Iranians their “greatest chance” to “take back” their country. The Iranian State media reported that the 86-year-old was killed in an airstrike targeting his compound in downtown Tehran. US President Donald Trump has stated that the strikes on Iran could last for about a month, saying “It’s always been a four-week process… as strong as it is, it’s a big country, it’ll take four weeks – or less”. He also commented on the deaths of US service personnel, calling them “great people” and noting that such incidents are expected and could happen again.

It has been almost 25 years since American General Wesley Clark, following 9/11 attacks, told us that the United States were planning to attack 7 countries in 5 years: Irak, Syria, Lebanon, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Iran. As you can see from the list, Iran is the only country still standing in its entirety. We now know, in retrospective, that all these attacks had nothing to do with terrorism, but everything to do with banking and economics. Are the strikes on Iran a hit on the BRICS? What are the implications for the world? Brothers and sisters, we are in the era of the Far West, anybody could be next! I just wonder why the regimes that serve the West and oppress their people are never attacked? Suddenly, in those countries, human rights change meaning. As said before, most countries should get out of the UN, as it is an organization that does not serve the world but only the few.

Below are excerpts from the Wire

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The B in BRICS, Brazil, on February 28 itself, condemned US-Israel attacks on Iranian targets and expressed grave concern over the military action. “The attacks occurred amid a negotiation process between the parties, which is the only viable path to peace, a position traditionally defended by Brazil in the region,” the Brazil government said in a statement.

… Russia – the R – said on the same day, “the US & Israel have embarked on a perilous course, carried out airstrikes on the territory of Iran It’s a deliberate, premeditated, & unprovoked act of armed aggression against a sovereign & independent UN member state.” It said, it was “particularly reprehensible that these strikes are once again being conducted under the cover of the renewed negotiation process.”

C – China, became the one member-state, in a second statement, to specifically condemn the murder of the Supreme leader of Iran, Ayotollah Khamenei. It called it “a grave violation of Iran’s sovereignty and security. It tramples on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and basic norms in international relations. China firmly opposes and strongly condemns it. We urge for an immediate stop to the military operations, no further escalation of the tense situation and joint effort to maintain peace and stability in the Middle East and the world at large.”

S – South Africa said, in a statement issued by the presidency of South Africa, that the “developments pose a serious threat to regional and international peace and security, with far-reaching humanitarian, diplomatic and economic consequences.”

… The BRICS is a group formed by 11 countries: Brasil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia, Indonesia, and Iran. Iran was among six new members admitted in 2024-25.

The current BRICS chair is India, … On March 1, India condemned Iran’s missile strikes on the United Arab Emirates. Then, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, urging an early cessation of hostilities. New Delhi is yet to comment on the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in US-Israeli strikes. Modi has notably not spoken to Iran’s leadership. Modi also happened to have visited Israel just before the strikes, which had been planned “months in advance.”

Le choix d’un(e) compagnon(e) / The Choice of a Companion

On February 25, 2026February 24, 2026 By Dr. Y.In Great WisdomLeave a comment

Dent cariee parmi de bonnes dents / Decayed tooth amidst good ones

Une dent cariée gâte toutes les autres (Proverbe Douala, Bassa (Cameroun) – Mpongoue (Gabon)). – Un mauvais compagnon est comme une pomme pourrie dans un panier.

One decayed tooth ruins all the others (Duala, Bassa proverb (Cameroon) – Mpongwe (Gabon)). – A bad companion is like a rotten apple in the basket.

Cameroonian Musical Genius : Ekambi Brillant

On February 23, 2026February 22, 2026 By Dr. Y.In Great Music, Great PeopleLeave a comment

Ekambi Brillant on the cover of his 1987 album Reason (Source: RhythmConnection.Blogspot.com)

Ekambi Brillant was without doubt one of Cameroon’s greatest artists and one of the great African musicians. Originally from Dibombari, a village close to Douala, Brillant spent his youth with his maternal grandparents in Jebale, a suburban island of Douala. Per the words of Cameroonian author Elolongue Epanya Yondo, Jebale is known as the “emerald island, flamboyant jewel” on the Wouri estuary; no wonder, it served as the inspiration to a young Ekambi! His passion for music was born from ancestral roots and from watching and listening to fishermen singing on their way back home from the sea.

Wouri river and the Djebale island seen on the other side

In 1962, Brillant was admitted to the 6th grade in the prestigious Lycée Général Leclerc (General-Leclerc High School) of Yaoundé. It was there, under the careful attention of Mr. Daniel Zane, his French music teacher, that he learned to play music, particularly the guitar. In 1971, at the age of 23, he stopped his studies and moved to Douala, where he joined the band The Crack’s as a guitarist. He applied for and won the music contest launched by the Office of French Broadcasting Television (ORTF), judged by some of the continent’s great musical personalities such as Manu Dibango and Francis Bebey. Thanks to this prize, he was able to release his first 45 rpm record, Jonguèlè la Ndolo, which sold 20,000 copies.

In 1972, he flew to France, where, with the support of Jean Dikoto Mandengue, a Cameroonian bassist, he produced and released his second 45 rpm record with Phonogram. The album was a major success and sold 25,000 copies. As stated before, Ekambi Brillant’s love for his country, his people, and music can be felt in every single note!

In 1975, he ended his deal with Phonogram and began a collaboration with Slim Pezin, with whom he released the album Africa Oumba, which included the major hit song “Elongui.” The song became an incredible source of inspiration for several other artists, both African and European, including the Greek singer Demis Roussos, who sang it as “L.O.V.E. Got a Hold of Me.” Roussos’ version used the exact melody of Ekambi Brillant’s original makossa hit, but he never acknowledged Ekambi Brillant—not even with a tribute. It was only later that African fans (including yours truly) loudly affirmed that this was Brillant’s original work. In the past, African compositions have often been adapted/plagiarized without formal credit, especially when entering European or American markets. Roussos earned millions from Ekambi’s song, without giving him a penny. This is reminiscent of Andre Marie Tala, Cameroon’s Blind Musical Virtuoso, and his song Hot Koki which was plagiarized by James Brown, or more recently Shakira with “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)” “adapting” the “Zamina mina (Zangaléwa)” song and claiming in an interview to have gotten inspiration while walking on a beach. The album Africa Oumba reached a record of about 4 million sales (diamond disk). Further collaborations with Slim Pezin as producer yielded titles such as Soul Castel and Musunguédi. In 1976, Ekambi Brillant formed his band known as The Ebis (Ekambi Brillant Show).

Over the course of his career, Brillant released nearly 20 albums. Brillant passed away on 12 December 2022 in Douala at the age of 74, after a battle with a long-term illness. Unfortunately, like many in Cameroon, he was a brilliant soul who barely received the recognition his genius deserved. He was from a generation of outstanding Cameroonian artists.

Ekambi Brillant remained an inspiration to generations of artists, propelling several careers and guiding many musicians—both Cameroonian, such as Marthe Zambo, Valery Lobe, and Alhaji Touré, and African, such as Cella Stella and Angelique Kidjo. He was so advanced, brilliant, and inspired … going through his music portfolio is filled with great sounds and a great source of inspiration. Cameroonians should get inspired from his work and celebrate his genius.

Muna Muto (My Love, my Darling) by Ekambi Brillant

On February 14, 2026February 13, 2026 By Dr. Y.In Great Music, Great PeopleLeave a comment

Today we will celebrate a song, Muna Muto, and particularly a singer who has touched generations of musicians on the African continent, Ekambi Brillant. Brillant is a Cameroonian singer who has contributed to the emergence of outstanding African singers, such as the Beninese-French singer Angelique Kidjo, first African singer to get a Star on the Hollywood walk of fame , Cella Stella, Marthe Zambo, and countless others. To me, just like his name, he is one of the most brilliant Cameroonian singers ever, with a great voice, bass mastery, and a great teacher.

Muna Muto is a love song which focuses on deep affection, longing, and devotion. It is a love so deep that you wonder what life could have been before meeting that special one.

Just with the first note, you can tell that Ekambi is deeply patriotic, and loving of his country. He tells you that he comes from a place of abundant love “O nin mboa su nya bwam wuma ndolo mo nye no.” He further tells you that it is a place where people greet each other with warmth, a place filled with beautiful music, sounds, and dances, where joy and happiness are omnipresent (Wuma mongele mam mese ma nanga no na pi. Na ma senga so bobe mulema mu monya weya. Nyola mabola mongo na londi na isom). That sounds like a description of Africa!

He tells his lover that she is his everything, the love they share grows stronger every day. She is his everything and he cannot bear to be without her. “Muna Muto, Na petane nde ndolo po, o bola oa mo … Bo bunya mo bo poï tenge, a makusane mba mo.”

The most touching part is that he has searched far and wide, and found no one like her: he has found his center, his person, his backbone. “Na si bi ka bo bunya bo mende te nde o po, Na ma nanga nde ndoti, bulu na bulu te … Bwanga to bo bo titi, ye nde welisane” (I have searched far and wide but found no one like you. You are the only one who understands me, heart and soul. … And our love will last forever, as we journey through life together.) So deep! All this on such a deep, dancing tune, and the chorus makes you want to sing “Muna Muto” for the rest of your life!

As you go on to celebrate Valentine’s day, please sing Muna Muto to your special one, that one you have searched far and wide for, the only one, the one who understands your heart and soul, a love that will be immortal. Enjoy Mot’a Muenya love song!

Chacun a son âme soeur / Everyone has a Soulmate

On February 11, 2026February 10, 2026 By Dr. Y.In UncategorizedLeave a comment

The calabash all dried up… almost ready to be made into a bowl

Këll bu ne am na mberoom

Toute calebasse a son couvercle (proverbe Wolof – Sénégal / Gambie).

Every calabash bowl has its lid (Wolof proverb – Senegal / Gambia).

What are American Troops doing in Nigeria ?

On February 9, 2026February 6, 2026 By Dr. Y.In Great MomentsLeave a comment

Last week, the Nigerian government announced the presence of US troops on its soil. American troops were deployed for, they say, “intelligence support and training, not combat operations.” Nigerian Defense Minister Christopher Musa addressed the “partnership.” This deployment is said to strengthen counter-terrorism cooperation. The AFRICOM commander, General Dagvin Anderson, claimed that the deployment was made at Nigeria’s request to focus strictly on intelligence assistance! In the background, it is said that this is to protect Christians.

How can they talk about anti-terrorism fight, when they are the ones funding these terrorist organizations? It is no secret that almost all facade terrorists organizations were created by Western secret services. It is no secret, that Bin Ladden was once a CIA operative, and we all know who funded ISIS (the US)! They have thus created chaos in Africa to destabilize the continent, and pillage freely resources.

How can they talk about the protection of Christians? After watching the video of the Nigerian pastor who called for the Trump administration to intervene in Nigeria, a few things stand out: he says (paraphrasing) “the UN, I know you see me; US senate, I know you are watching me; special council to Trump, Please tell him to save our lives.” Before that event, how many knew this pastor? He has never had popularity like TB Joshua… so how can he have the special ears of the US government? We saw that the December 25 US strikes in Nigeria were not in the area filled with Christians but rather one filled with Muslims in the northwest part, near the border with Niger!

Is it a coincidence that this US deployment occurs just a few days after the failed attempt in Niger? On January 29, gunfire and explosions occurred at the Niamey international airport against President Tchiani of Niger? Is it a coincidence that this happens just a few weeks, barely a month, after the failed attempt against President Ibrahim Traore of Burkina Faso (Another Coup Attempt Against the President of Burkina Faso, Ibrahim Traoré)?

Is it a coincidence that this happens a few days after the Chinese mining giant Zijin bought several gold mines in Mali and other places? It is no secret that the US are trying to stop or level the Chinese, and to a certain extent Russian, expansion in Africa. We have always said that the meteoric global rise in gold prices is coming, in part, from the AES claiming back the control of their mines! We all know, since ancestral times with Emperor Kankan Musa, that Mali is one of the global key players in the gold industry… that’s how France could get their ranking as 4th in the global gold production.

Dangote Refinery (Source: Leadership.ng)

It is also no secret that Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest man, has built the biggest oil refining complex in Africa which has driven local fuel production and reduced import dependence. Africa’s richest man has built one of the world’s largest oil refineries. Who does not remember the long lines at the pump in Nigeria, when Nigeria is an oil producer? This is a total game changer for Africans, and disrupts the business of these Western companies which were re-selling our oil back to us, as polluted fuel!

Thus, it is clear why American troops were sent to Nigeria: for control! Like I have said for years, there is a new scramble for Africa, and we are watching it happen right now! Remember how the cold war happened between the United States and the Soviet Union in other countries by proxy? Angola is a clear example, where the West and the East (USSR) were fighting or rather supporting both sides. Back then, it was a fight to stop Soviet expansion in the world… Today, it is a fight to stop Chinese expansion and keep Western domination in the world … Nothing has changed!

Libya under Muammar Gaddafi

On February 6, 2026February 6, 2026 By Dr. Y.In Great Civilizations, Great MomentsLeave a comment

I would like to share some points about life in Libya under the Guide of the Libyan Revolution Muammar Gaddafi, from an African perspective, not the trash published by the Western media. Western Media Lies in Libya, NATO’s debacle in Libya, Truth Dispatch: Update on Libya. He was not a saint, but he loved his country deeply and Africa as a whole, and was fighting for our freedom and dignity as human beings!

Libya had significant reserves of crude oil and the discovery of oil changed its socio-economic landscape. Before Gaddafi, Libya had less control on the oil industry as most of the companies involved in oil exploration activities were foreign, but a few years after Gaddafi took control of the government of Libya, his administration nationalized the oil Industry which had a marked impact on the economy and development. Under Gaddafi’s leadership, Libyans enjoyed an exceptional standard of living, financed by oil revenues that were equitably redistributed.

Thanks to a bold management of oil wealth, Gaddafi transformed his desert country into a model of social and economic development, offering its citizens unparalleled benefits on the continent, and in the world (Norway is now applying his doctrines – just under a different name). While the West often portrays him as a dictator, we want to tell you about the life of Libyans under Gaddafi, and the benefits to the whole of Africa.

Below are the main benefits enjoyed by citizens (source Eurafrica, translated by Dr.Y, Afrolegends.com):

Free education for all: Access to education, from primary school to university, was entirely free. Before Gaddafi, only 20% of Libyans were literate; under his rule, this rate rose to 83%. A quarter of the population held a university degree, a record in Africa.

Free medical care: Hospitals provided free care, and the number of doctors quadrupled in a decade. Diseases like malaria were eradicated, and tuberculosis declined sharply.

Affordable electricity: Although sometimes described as free, electricity was so heavily subsidized that its cost was negligible for households.

Housing, a fundamental right: Gaddafi considered housing an inalienable human right. Massive programs were implemented to build affordable housing, and citizens could obtain interest-free loans to buy their homes. No homelessness like in the streets of some of American and European capitals!

Support for young couples: Newlyweds received financial assistance of approximately $50,000 to acquire a home and start their family life.

Support for mothers: Every woman giving birth received a bonus of $5,000 to support her family.

Car subsidies: The state covered 50% of the price of cars, making mobility accessible to all. Gasoline at a ridiculously low price: With a liter of gasoline costing only $0.14, Libyans enjoyed some of the cheapest fuel in the world.

Affordable basic necessities: Essential goods were subsidized to ensure access for all.

Support for agriculture: Aspiring farmers received land, equipment, seeds, and livestock free of charge to start their farms.

Assistance for unemployed graduates: Unemployed young graduates received an allowance equivalent to the average salary for their profession until they found a job.

Education and healthcare abroad: If local infrastructure was insufficient, the state financed studies or medical treatment abroad, providing a monthly allowance of $2,300 for housing and transportation.

Oil revenue redistribution: A portion of oil revenues was reinvested in social programs, ensuring rare economic stability.

Libya was a debt-free economy and Gaddafi had a pan-African vision. With reserves of $150 billion and no external debt, Gaddafi’s Libya was an anomaly: an African country free from the clutches of international financial institutions like the IMF. This economic independence allowed Gaddafi to dream big. His ambitious project, the Great Man-Made River, transported millions of cubic meters of water across the desert, transforming arid lands into fertile fields. Nicknamed the “eighth wonder of the world,” this irrigation network symbolized his ambition to make Libya self-sufficient.

Gaddafi went even further: he wanted to unite Africa. By proposing a gold dinar to replace the dollar in African trade, he sought to free the continent from Western powers. This project, combined with his support for the African Union, made him a threat to the global order.

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