The V&A is lending 17 items including an Asante gold ring (top left), a gold badge worn by the king’s “soul washer” and a ceremonial pipe (Source: V&A / BBC)
Last week, the Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A) and the British Museum “returned” some artifacts looted from the Ashanti Kingdom in modern-day Ghana, after over 150 years. When one reads the headlines in the news, one can only clap, until learning that this is a “long-term loan“! Wait! What? About 32 gold and silver items which had been stolen from the court of the Asantehene (Asante king) in the 19th century, have been sent on a long-term loan back to the Asante court. First, how long is a “long-term loan”? Second, why is it a loan, when these objects were looted from the Asantehene’s court back in the 19thcentury? They were not gifted, they were not sold, they were STOLEN! And to top it off, there has been a chief negotiator on the Ghanaian side to ensure that the objects will be in safe hands in Ghana! What? So, these objects do not belong to Ghanaians, and if something were to happen to these Ghanaian objects that were stolen by the British but are now hosted in British museums while on Ghanaian soil on long-term loan, then one can only bet that the British would make the Ghanaians pay for something that is theirs! Which world are we living in? Knowing the treacherous nature of these people, who is to say that they will not orchestrate a new theft of these objects so as to further deepen the debts under which Ghanaians are already crumbling? Actually, long-term in this case means 3 years, with the option of renewing for 3 years! This loan is probably not even free! Why, oh why, do we, Africans, agree to such deals?
The UK has returned [how can it be called return when it is a loan?] dozens of artefacts looted from what is today Ghana – more than 150 years after they were taken [i.e. stolen].
Some 32 gold and silver items have been sent on long-term loan to the country by the Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A) and the British Museum.
They were stolen from the court of the Asante king, known as the Asantehene, during 19th century conflicts between the British and powerful Asante people.
The objects are expected to be returned [loaned – see how the writer of this piece wants to create confusion in our minds?] to the current king on Friday.
His chief negotiator, Ivor Agyeman-Duah, told the BBC that the objects are currently in “safe hands” in Ghana ahead of them being formally received. They are due to go on display next month at the Manhyia Palace Museum in Kumasi, the capital of the Ashanti region, as part of celebrations to mark the silver jubilee of the current Asante King Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.
British troops ransacking Fomena Palace en route to Kumasi in 1874
… Among the returned artefacts are a gold peace pipe, a sword of state and gold badges worn by officials charged with cleansing the soul of the king. The gold artefacts are the ultimate symbol of the Asante royal government and are believed to be invested with the spirits of former Asante kings.
… The loan, which was negotiated with the king and not with the Ghanaian government [always the divide-and-conquer scheme – negotiate with smaller entities, so as to exert more bending power over them], will last for threeyears with the option to extend for a further three years. [and they have the audacity to call it “long-term”! and for what belongs to you!]… The return of the Asante items comes a month ahead of celebrations marking the silver jubilee of the Asantehene.
The Asante people built what was once one of the most powerful and formidable states in west Africa – trading in, among others, gold, textiles and enslaved people. The kingdom was famed for its military might and wealth.
About a month ago, we saw the government of Niger revoke military accords with the United States, and ordering the US withdrawal of its military personnel and drone base from Niger [Niger suspends military “cooperation” with the US, effective immediately]. Among Niger’s grievances, were the non-respect of Niger, but above all was a treaty imposed upon Niger by the US to implant their largest drone base in the country. The spokesman of Niger’s government, Colonel Amadou Abdramane, exposed the fact that the military “cooperation” with the US was not even a real one, i.e. the US had installed their largest drone base in Africa, and possibly in the world, in Niger via a verbal agreement only, and the Niger people had to pay for the American base in their country, while the Americans never raised a hand to help Niger fight against the terrorist attacks that were maiming their citizens.
We have previously discussed here, on Afrolegends.com, other treaties signed during colonial era in the Liptako, Zinder, and Gaya regions of Niger between the French and the local kingdoms (mostly under duress). We have found the above-mentioned treaty between Niger and the US, and it is only about 13-pages long, more like 10, and really reminiscent of colonial era treaties that have no respect for the local governments and impose upon them unfair rules.
Flag of the United States of America
In the July 6, 2012 treaty between the US and Niger, US citizens are subject to American laws, and the government of Niger has no power over them on Niger soil, so if for instance, an American citizen hurts or kills a Niger citizen on Niger’s soil, s/he will face no retribution about this from Niger. They do not pay taxes to the country. While reading, it is understood that this document was unilaterally and entirely written by the American side; no accord, agreement/discussion went in front of the Niger parliament. By the way, guess who was the Niger counterpart who signed this traitorous document? Mohamed Bazoum who was, back then under President Mahamadou Issoufou, Minister of Foreign Affairs… Both puppets signed the document … do you understand now why all these foreign powers have been screaming and begging for the return of Bazoum to office?
In the document, the American army makes Niger foot the bills for all American army vehicles and planes that enter the Niger’s airspace. There is no sharing of information with the Niger government who does not know the exact number of American troops on its soil, or the number of its drones, or the equipment, etc. More importantly, there is no obligation of support from the US to Niger in its fight against the terrorism that has engulfed Niger’s northern territories for several years.
In summary, someone installs a base on your territory, you have no say about it; as one of the poorest countries on earth, you have to foot the bills for his planes entering your territory; this someone is not subject to your laws, taxes, and looks the other way as you are mired in a conflict for your survival; yet this someone has installed a military force or your soil! How is this not reminiscent of colonial treaties? How fair is it? As you read this treaty, what is Niger’s gain in it? Are these treaties always outrageous like that, or is it just in Africa?
The Embassy of the United States of America presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation, African Integration, and Nigeriens Abroad of the Republic of Niger, and has the honor to refer to recent discussions between representatives of, our two Governments regarding issues related to United States military and civilian personnel …
… As a result Of these discussions, the Embassy proposes that United States personnel be accorded the privileges, exemptions, and immunities equivalent to those accorded to the administrative and technical staff of a diplomatic mission under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of April 18, 1961.
… The Government of the Republic of Niger … authorizes the Government of the United States to exercise criminal jurisdiction over United States military personnel while in the Republic of Niger.
… The Embassy further proposes that the United States Department of Defense and United States personnel shall not be liable to pay any tax or similar charge assessed within the Republic of Niger and that the United States Department’of Defense and United States personnel may import into, export out of, and Use in the Republic of Niger any personal property, equipment, supplies, materiel, technology, training, or services in connection with activities under this Agreement. Such importation, exportation, and use shall be exempt from any inspection, license, other restrictions, customs, duties, taxes, or any other charges assessed within the Republic of Niger.
… The Embassy proposes that vehicles operated by or, at the time, exclusively for the United States Department of Defense may enter, exit, and move freely within the territory of the Republic of Niger, and that such vehicles (whether self-propelled or towed) shall not be subject to the payment of overland transit tolls. Aircraft owned or operated by or, at the time, exclusively for the United States Department of Defense shall not be subject to the payment of landing or parking fees at facilities owned and operated by the Government of the Republic of Niger. Aircraft owned and operated by or, at the time, exclusively for the United States Department of Defense shall not be subject to payment of navigation, overflight, terminal, or similar charges When in the territory of the Republic of Niger.
… Further, the Embassy proposes that the Parties waive any and all claims (other than contractual claims) against each other for damage to, loss, or destruction of the other’s property or injury or death to personnel of either Party’s armed forces or their civilian personnel arising out of the performance of their official duties in connection with activities under this Agreement.
…
Embassy of the United States of America
Niamey, July 6, 2012.
A few weeks ago, the son of Africa’s revered writer, Ngugi wa Thiong’o: world acclaimed Kenyan writer, took to X and wrote about his father being an abusive husband, “My father Ngugi wa Thiong’o physically abused my late mother. He would beat her up. Some of my earliest memories are of me going to visit her at my grandmother’s where she would seek refuge.” The tweet went viral, and took everyone by surprise. Surprise, because human tendency makes it so that we tend to place our heroes on pedestal as if they were no longer human; surprise, because Ngugi wa Thiong’o alongside Chinua Achebe is one of Africa’s greatest writers worthy of the Nobel prize of literature; surprise, because Ngugi wa Thiong’o work has been denouncing colonialism, imperialism, nepotism, neo-colonialism, and African governments’ repression and mismanagement, but never has he denounced the conditions of the African woman; lastly, surprise because, in Africa, and in Kikuyu culture particularly, it is not so common to air one’s dirty laundry in public, particularly against an elder. Sure enough, the son, Mukoma wa Ngugi responded to the backlash, “We cannot use African culture to hide atrocities,” he wrote on X. “My father beat up my mother. What is African about that?”
I, like so many, am against violence in general, and violence against women in particular. As we digest the news about Ngugi wa Thiong’o, is it not time for our acclaimed African writer who is in his twilight years to give us one masterpiece which focuses on patriarchy, women condition, and women in general, as an atonement? Is it not time for this to open up a dialogue?
Below is an excerpt from Al Jazeera. Enjoy, it is a nice read!
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Ngugi wa Thiong’o (Source: TTbook.org)
On March 12, Mukoma wa Ngugi, the Kenyan American poet and author, who is the son of Ngugi wa Thiong’o, the famed writer widely seen as a giant of African literature, took to X, formerly Twitter, to allege that his father was an abusive husband. “My father Ngugi wa Thiong’o physically abused my late mother. He would beat her up. Some of my earliest memories are of me going to visit her at my grandmother’s where she would seek refuge.”
Mukoma’s tweet went viral and solicited hundreds of responses that exposed the long, dark shadow patriarchy continues to cast over many African societies. Sure, many commentators thanked Mukoma for sharing his account of a man who is not only his father, but an African cultural icon. Others, however, were less complimentary and appeared to be gravely offended by his openness. They accused him of embarrassing his father and seeking validation from Westerners.
… Ten days after his initial statement, on March 23, Mukoma responded to the criticism he received for speaking up for his mother. “We cannot use African culture to hide atrocities,” he wrote on X. “My father beat up my mother. What is African about that?” In another post, he described the culture of violence against women that underpins Kenyan society as a “patriarchal cancer”.
Chinua Achebe (Source: AP Photo)
Ngugi is a literary genius, a storyteller par excellence and a respected revolutionary. Before there was the internet, video on-demand platforms, TV or even radio in most households, two African giants dominated African literature: Chinua Achebe, the Nigerian author, and, of course, Ngugi. From the 1960s, AchebeandNgugiarticulated African identity and consciousness amid the anti-colonial struggle. They stood up for the human rights of Africans with their words.
Through novels like Things Fall Apart and Arrow of God, to name a few, Achebe chronicled the impact of colonialism on Igbo culture, religion and sociopolitical systems. And in a Man of the People, he explored the failings of postcolonial leadership and states.
“Weep not Child” by Ngugi wa Thiong’o
Ngugi, who went by the name James early in his career, also focused on African opposition to colonial rule. Weep not Child, for instance, deals with the so-called Mau Mau Uprising, while A grain of wheatlooks at the state of emergency in Kenya’s struggle for independence (1952–60). Through these and other novels, Ngugi advocated for resistance against colonial oppression and repression in the independence era. In 1978, he was arrested and detained for a year without trial by the administration of former Kenyan President Jomo Kenyatta over a play titled Ngahlika Ndenda (I will marry when I want). Over the years, Ngugi was regularly harassed and victimised by authorities in Kenya for voicing his opposition to corruption, misrule and the abuse of power. He has stayed the course and today, at the age of 86, continues to advocate for freedom from neocolonialism and political oppression. With 13 honorary degrees from institutions around the world, as well as countless awards, including the 2022: PEN/Nabokov Award for Achievement in International Literature, Ngugi is a certified literary genius. But, for all of his achievements in the last 60 years, the famed author appears to have failed where it counted most: protecting African women.
He produced many timeless literary classics, and became a leading voice in the fight against colonialism and post-colonial repression, but according to his own son, could not liberate his dear wife, sons and daughters from the extreme ravages of toxic masculinity and domestic violence. Of course, in the wake of Mukoma’s public disclosures, Africans could choose to label Ngugi a flawed genius. He is, after all, human. They could – as many tried to do in lashing out at [Mukoma] – brush his alleged abuse of his wife under the carpet in the name of protecting his literary and revolutionary legacy. This would be an easy and convenient position to take.
But it wouldn’t be right.
“The wizard of crow” by Ngugi wa Thiong’o
… Ngugi, it seems, wanted women to experience liberty from colonialism and post-colonial subjugation, but remain bonded to the steely constraints of Kikuyu culture. … To his mind, it seems, there were limits to women’s human rights. For a long time, under the guise of tradition, African men have been allowed and even encouraged to discipline “their women” and children with violence [this does not apply to all African men]. Thus, many argue Ngugi is just a product of his times and what he is said to have done to his late wife should not be judged through a 21st-century progressive lens.
… Ngugi’s alleged violence is, unfortunately, a window to a continental(and, frankly global) problem. Hence, his son’s revelations should not become a point of contention. This should instead be a teaching moment.
Senegal opposition presidential candidate Bassirou Diomaye Faye, a political newcomer popular among the masses, came out of Sunday’s elections in Senegal with a strong lead. On Monday morning, his main rival, Amadou Ba conceded defeat. Faye who has been brought to the front of the Senegalese politics just over a week after he was released from prison, has been mentored by the true candidate of the masses Ousmane Sonko who everybody loved, but who the government had managed to disqualify from standing for election because of a bogus conviction. Faye contested the elections as an independent given that his party Patriots of Senegal (PASTEF), founded by Ousmane Sonko, had been dissolved. He ran under the slogan of “Diomaye mooy Ousmane” (meaning, Diomaye is Ousmane in Wolof) given that most Senegalese who voted for him, were in reality voting for his beloved mentor Sonko. At 44 years-old, he will be the youngest African president, and fifth president of Senegal.
Ousmane Sonko (Source: Leral.net)
We applaud the victory of the people of Senegal who stood strong in the face of Macky Sall, the incumbent’s holdup tactics on the constitution and the power. We applaud the victory of the Senegalese masses who have shown that they would not stand still while their democracy is torn into pieces. We hope that Bassirou Diomaye Faye will keep his promises of including Sonko whom the people voted; Sonko campaigned by telling all that voting for Faye was like voting for him. We hope that Faye will keep the promises made of weeding out corruption, getting out of the CFA Franc zone, renegotiating mining and hydrocarbon contracts. The country is expected to start hydrocarbon production this year. He has his work cut out for him, with the high unemployment rate. Senegal is a young nation, and Senegalese dream of finally helping their country launch into the 21st century with pride; they are ready, and hopefully Faye will offer new opportunities to the disillusioned youth.
Below are excerpts from the BBC.
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Diomaye mooy Ousmane (Source: Kalenews.net)
Few had heard of him a year ago, and now he is set to become president.
Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s extraordinary rise caps a rollercoaster period in Senegalese politics that caught many off-guard. Months in jail alongside ally and kingmaker Ousmane Sonko ended suddenly, with the pair released the week before the presidential election.
Now Mr Clean, as he’s nicknamed, must get to work on the sweeping reforms he has promised.
“Methodical” and “modest” are words often used to describe the tax collector, who celebrates his 44th birthday on Monday.
… Fighting poverty, injustice and corruption are top of Mr Faye’s agenda. While working at the Treasury, he and Mr Sonko created a union taskforce to tackle graft.
Gas, oil, fishing and defence deals must all be negotiated to better serve the Senegalese people, says Mr Faye. He is ushering in an era of “sovereignty” and “rupture” as opposed to more of the same, he told voters, and that is especially true of ties to France. Senegal’s president-elect says he will drop the much-criticised CFA franc currency, which is pegged to the euro and backed by former colonial power France. Mr Faye wants to replace it with a new Senegalese, or regional West African, currency, although this will not be easy… Strengthening judicial independence and creating jobs for Senegal’s large young population are also key priorities for Mr Faye …
Bassirou Diomaye Faye was announced in February as the so-called “Plan B” candidate, replacing the charismatic opposition firebrand Ousmane Sonko.
Both men founded the now-disbanded Pastef party, both men are tax collectors, and both men found themselves jailed last year on charges they said were politically motivated.
Mr Sonko ended up being convicted of two offences, which meant he was barred from the election, so Mr Faye stepped in.
Flag of Senegal
“Bassirou is me,” Mr Sonko told supporters recently. “They are two sides of the same coin,” Pastef colleague Moustapha Sarré agrees.
… the pair’s relationship could usher in a new style of leadership.
“Maybe they will establish a tandem and break away from the hyper-presidential model of having an all-powerful head of state.
“Sonko is of course the uncontested leader of Pastef – an icon, even… [But] the two have had a [dynamic of] complicity and collusion.”
Despite the shortened campaign period, Senegal’s citizens were adamant they would turn out and use their vote, Christopher Fomunyoh – of the National Democratic Institute for international affairs – told BBC Newsday.
“Senegal is in the process of confirming that democracies can self-correct and come out stronger and more resilient.”
Over the weekend, Niger suspended military “cooperation” with the USA, with immediate effect. As one who follows the progress in the region, it comes as no surprise, after Niger had previously kicked out the French troops from its territory [Bye Bye to French Troops in Niger, France set to Withdraw Troops and Ambassador from Niger]. It actually feels like the normal evolution of things. Operating from years of condescending treatments of those deemed inferior, particularly of Africans, the Americans had decided to dictate their will, like the French before, to Niger people and deny their sovereign rights to choose partnerships in their fight against terrorism. The spokesman of Niger’s government, Colonel Amadou Abdramane, exposed the fact that the military “cooperation” with the US was not even a real one, i.e. the US had installed their largest drone base in Africa, and possibly in the world, in Niger via a verbal agreement only, and the Niger people had to pay for the American base in their country, while the Americans never raised a hand to help Niger fight against terrorist attacks that were maiming their citizens. So, this was not really a partnership to help Niger at all, but rather an imposition on Niger, deemed the poorest country on earth, to pay for US military on its soil. Many call it a huge blow to the US, but as Americans had already refused to recognize the government of Niger back in October, and imposed sanctions against it, they should not have expected much else.
Below is an excerpt from Al Jazeera. Please also take the time to read the good article written on Reason website.
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Flag of Niger
Niger has suspended its military agreement with the United States “with immediate effect”, according to the ruling military spokesman Colonel Amadou Abdramane, in a blow to US security interests in the region.
The pact allowed US military personnel and civilian defence staff to operate from Niger, which plays a central role in the US military’s operations in Africa’s Sahel region and is home to a major airbase.
… Speaking on local television, Abdramane said the US delegation did not follow diplomatic protocol, and that Niger was not informed about the composition of the delegation, the date of its arrival or the agenda [in their eyes, we, Africans are not humans, and do not deserve minimum courtesy].
“Niger regrets the intention of the American delegation to deny the sovereign Nigerien people the right to choose their partners and types of partnerships capable of truly helping them fight against terrorism,” Abdramane said [similar to the French politics in Niger, Niger is not supposed to think on its own, but every partnership must be done in agreement with the metropolis].
… The US military had some 650 personnel working in Niger in December, according to a White House report to Congress. The US military operates a major airbase in the Niger city of Agadez, some 920km (572 miles) from the capital of Niamey, using it for manned and unmanned surveillance flights and other operations.
A drone base known as Air Base 201 near Agadez was built at a cost of more than $100m. Since 2018 the base has been used to target ISIL (ISIS) fighters and Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimeen (JNIM), an al-Qaeda affiliate, in the Sahel region.
Reporting from Washington, DC, Al Jazeera correspondent Shihab Rattansi said the move is “a huge blow to the US”.
“Niger is the centre of US operations in west and north Africa, notably at its Air Base 201, the most expensive construction project ever undertaken by the US government. It’s there for war on terror operations but it’s really there also for great power projection against countries like Russia and China.”
Last October, Washington officially designated the military takeover as a coup. But in December, the top US envoy for Africa, Phee, said the US was willing to restore aid and security ties if Niger met certain conditions.
The military said the delegation had accused Niger of partnering with Russia and Iran on “secret” deals, which the government denies. Officials also said the US had “threatened” action against Niger if the Niamey fails to cut ties with both countries.
The military government “forcefully denounces the condescending attitude accompanied by the threat of retaliation from the head of the American delegation towards the Nigerien government and people”, spokesman Abdramane added.
An African King who was called King of Almamany [Dalmanny] “had entirely prohibited the Slave trade throughout his whole Kingdom, so that they could no longer contact the French slave traders anchored in the mouth of the Senegal [river].” He also banned the sale of alcohol. However, the Senegal Company [Compagnie du Sénégal], a French company which administered the territories of Saint-Louis and Gorée island as part of French Senegal, initially attempted to bribe the King to change his policy on the trade in people, but he refused their presents. Consequently, the Senegal Company resorted to bribing the lighter-skinned Moors to attack and kidnap Dalmanny’s subjects. The Company supplied the Moors with the necessary arms, gunpowder and ammunition to carry out the raids [does it not remind of something today in West Africa with all these jihadists? History repeats itself]. Many of his subjects were made prisoners and taken into slavery. Wadstrom himself had seen a few in the enclosures. They were chained two by two by the ankles; wounded in combat, they did not receive any kind of care. There were also individual kidnappings. Wardstrom said that “Negroes never venture to go out into the fields unless very well armed.”
From Bwemba Bong, Quand l’Africain etait l’or noir de l’Europe. L’Afrique: actrice ou victime de la traite des noirs? MedouNeter (2022), p. 165; George Kay, La Traite des Noirs, Robert Laffont (1968) p.129
The Elephants are winners of the Africa Cup of Nations 2023 (Source: CAFonline.com)
The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations or Coupe d’Afrique des Nations CAN2023 has ended with a new champion: the Elephants of Côte d’Ivoire, the host country, which took home the trophy for the third time in its history, defeating the Super Eagles of Nigeria 2-1. The Elephants have really given us a thrill from being redeemed in the knockout stage with 2 defeats (among which a 4-0 loss against Equatorial Guinea) that left them open to elimination, and a redemption that came from being one of the four best 3rd-placed team, a coach sacking, and a coach change. The change in coach, and the redemption really made the Elephants more serious. The Ivorians add to their previous Nations Cup wins in 1992 and 2015 (Côte d’Ivoire wins the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations) and become the first tournament hosts to triumph since Egypt lifted the trophy in 2006. The Elephants pick up $7m (£5.54m) in prize money, while the Super Eagles get $4m by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). The Bafana Bafana of South Africa took home the third place after defeating the Leopards of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Akwaba, the elephant welcomes you to Cote d’Ivoire (Source: COCAN2023.ci)
This year’s mascot, the elephant, named “Akwaba“, which means “Welcome” in Baoulé language, has been a testimony to the welcome and legendary Ivorian hospitality felt by teams and visitors throughout the tournament. There were quite a few upsets in the competition’s group stage, Algeria, Tunisia, and Ghana were the big ones, getting knocked out in the first round. The cup also allowed us to see or reveal some strong teams like Cape Verde, Mali, Angola, Mauritania, Equatorial Guinea, and Democratic Republic of Congo. It was a tournament that uncovered some great teams and plays.
Elephants celebrating their win (Source: Eurosport.com)
Ivory Coast’s unlikely progression through the knockout stage as it overcame setback after setback convinced many devout Ivorians that God was on the team’s side. As the naming goes, the team inherited the nickname “Zombies” as they really came from behind to win, never giving up, to triumph as the 34th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations. Interim coach Emerse Faé, who took the head of the team after the French coach was sacked due to the very poor results in the group stage knockout, rightfully said, “It was an extraordinary tournament.” Indeed, it was an extraordinary tournament, and we salute all the teams that made us vibrate for the whole month, and ultimately congratulate the Elephants on their win.
A few weeks ago, the Namibian government then represented by President Hage Geingob issued one of the strongest expressions of solidarity to the Palestinians facing the blows of Israel’s ongoing destruction of Gaza on January 13, in support of South Africa’s case bringing the charge of genocide against Israel to the International Court of Justice. It issued the following statement in response to the German government’s decision to officially support Israel’s denial of these charges [Namibia criticizes Germany]:
Namibia rejects Germany’s support of the genocidal intent of the racist Israeli state against innocent civilians in Gaza. Germany committed the first genocide of the twentieth century in 1904–1908, in which tens of thousands of innocent Namibians died in the most inhumane and brutal conditions . . . President [Hage] Geingob appeals to the German Government to reconsider its untimely decision to intervene as a third-party in defense and support of the genocidal acts of Israel before the International Court of Justice.
The German Government is yet to fully atone for the genocide it committed on Namibian soil…
The authorities of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have announced simultaneously on 28 January 2024, their decision “incomplete sovereignty on the immediate withdrawal” from the regional economic bloc that is the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger stated, ECOWAS “under the influence of foreign powers, betraying its founding principles, has become a threat to its member states and its population.” The three countries have accused the regional bloc of failing to support their fight against “terrorism and insecurity,” while imposing “illegal, illegitimate, inhumane, and irresponsible sanctions.” All three countries were founding members of ECOWAS over 50 years ago.
Burkina Faso
In reality, this comes as no surprise as it is the normal evolution of the state of things. After the coup in their respective countries, the ECOWAS has suffocated these countries by suspending all three countries and imposing heavy sanctions on Mali and Niger that have only served to exacerbate the populations’ sentiments that it is a puppet organization serving foreign interests. Niger even tried to amend the situations by inviting ECOWAS representatives to the country last week, but only the member from Togo showed up. Why should anybody remain a member of an organization that punishes the populations? Are they trying to pressurize the three landlocked countries? It is sad that we, Africans, have organizations that only work to serve the interests of others. It should not even be allowed for coastal countries to use sea access to landlocked ones as a pressure point! That is totally inhumane!
Map of Niger
We all joined these organizations thinking that they would serve common African goals…. unfortunately, under external orders, they instead impose heavy sanctions on sister states. It is about time that we, Africans, unite around the cause of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, to free our continent. Their fight should be our fight, as they are fighting for our freedom, particularly that of Francophone Africa. Since the coup in Niger and rupture with France, Niger’s economy has been doing better even with all the sanctions, than since independence. Does that not tell us something? No wonder, all the European generals have been having meetings in West Africa in recent weeks, and even the American Secretary of State Anthony Blinken was in Cote d’Ivoire just a few days ago, while the populations are focused on the African Cup of Nations. We should not forget that now is the New Scramble for Africa, and Africans should not allow history to repeat itself!
Thomas Sankara a Ouagadougou
And of course, the Western media predict all doom to these countries. Freedom is not cheap, but it is best to be free of one’s destiny than being a slave at the mercy of someone else… Like Thomas Sankara said, “… the slave who is not capable of assuming his rebellion does not deserve that we feel sorry for himself. This slave will respond only to his misfortune if he is deluding himself about the suspect condescension of a master who claims to free him. Only struggle liberates …” [«… l’esclave qui n’est pas capable d’assumer sa révolte ne mérite pas que l’on s’apitoie sur son sort.Cet esclave répondra seul de son malheur s’il se fait des illusions sur la condescendance suspecte d’un maître qui prétend l’affranchir.Seule la lutte libère …»] Discours de Sankara à l’ONU le 4 octobre 1984 (texte intégral)
Asante ceremonial cap worn by courtiers at coronations is among the items that will be loaned back to Ghana (Source: British Museum / BBC)
The news is everywhere, Asante gold artifacts are returning home after 150 years … on loan from the UK to Ghana. Let’s repeat that, Ghanaian artifacts looted 150 years by British forces in modern-day Ghana, are now being returned to Ghana on a loan from the UK. What the heck? So someone comes to your house, steals from you, and then years later, after you have begged, says “I am returning some of the stuff I stole from you on loan only!” How does that make sense? People say, “it is a step forward, we need to acknowledge it, and be grateful for progress.” Grateful? Grateful for what? Because the British are loaning things they stole from the Asante kingdom of Ghana, back to Ghana? Some of these loaned items are like the crown jewels of the kingdom, and have high spiritual values as well. And this comes after Ghanaians have negotiated for very long … can you imagine? … a loan!
The V&A is lending 17 items including an Asante gold ring (top left), a gold badge worn by the king’s “soul washer” and a ceremonial pipe (Source: V&A Museum / BBC)
The UK is sending some of Ghana’s “crown jewels” back home, 150 years after looting them from the court of the Asante king.
A gold peace pipe is among 32 items returning under long-term loan deals, the BBC can reveal.
The Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A) is lending 17 pieces and 15 are from the British Museum.
Ghana’s chief negotiator said he hoped for “a new sense of cultural co-operation” after generations of anger.
Some national museums in the UK – including the V&A and the British Museum – are banned by law from permanently giving back contested items in their collections [somehow, they are not banned by law from taking stolen goods], and loan deals such as this are seen as a way to allow objects to return to their countries of origin .
But some countries laying claim to disputed artefacts fear that loans may be used to imply they accept the UK’s ownership. Tristram Hunt, director of the V&A, told the BBC that the gold items of court regalia are the equivalent of “our Crown Jewels“.
The items to be loaned, most of which were taken during 19th-Century wars between the British and the Asante [known as the Anglo-Ashanti wars, series of conflict wars which lasted from 1824 to 1900], include a sword of state and gold badges worn by officials charged with cleansing the soul of the king.
British troops ransacking Fomena Palace en route to Kumasi in 1874
Mr Hunt said when museums hold “objects with origins in war and looting in military campaigns, we have a responsibility to the countries of origin to think about how we can share those more fairly today. It doesn’t seem to me that all of our museums will fall down if we build up these kind of partnerships and exchanges.” [that’s why they only loan a minuscule number at a time … so their museums don’t fall apart].
However, Mr Hunt insisted the new cultural partnership “is not restitution by the back door” – meaning it is not a way to return permanent ownership back to Ghana. [The UK are still the owners of these Ghanaian artifacts stolen from Ghana].
The three-year loan agreements, with an option to extend for a further three years, are not with the Ghanaian government but with Otumfo Osei Tutu II – the current Asante king known as the Asantehene – who attended the Coronation of King Charles last year. [Did the negotiation include attending the British King’s coronation, as a condition for loaning?]
… The items will go on display at the Manhyia Palace Museum in Kumasi, the capital of the Asante region, to celebrate the Asantehene’s silver jubilee.
The Asante gold artefacts are the ultimate symbol of the Asante royal government and are believed to be invested with the spirits of former Asante kings.
They have an importance to Ghana comparable to the Benin Bronzes – thousands of sculptures and plaques looted by Britain from the palace of the Kingdom of Benin (Benin City: the Majestic City the British burnt to the ground), in modern-day southern Nigeria. Nigeria has been calling for their return for decades.
Nana Oforiatta Ayim, special adviser to Ghana’s culture minister, told the BBC: “They’re not just objects, they have spiritual importance as well. They are part of the soul of the nation. It’s pieces of ourselves returning.” She said the loan was “a good starting point” on the anniversary of the looting and “a sign of some kind of healing and commemoration for the violence that happened“.
UK museums hold many more items taken from Ghana, including a gold trophy head that is among the most famous pieces of Asante regalia. The Asante built what was once one of the most powerful and formidable states in west Africa, trading in, among others, gold, textiles and enslaved people. The kingdom was famed for its military might and wealth. …
Burning of Kumasi by British troops in 1874
Europeans were attracted to what they later named the Gold Coast by the stories of African wealth and Britain fought repeated battles with the Asante in the 19th Century. In 1874 after an Asante attack, British troops launched a “punitive expedition”, in the colonial language of the time, ransacking Kumasi and taking many of the palace treasures.
[The items on loan] include three heavy cast-gold items known as soul washers’ badges (Akrafokonmu), which were worn around the necks of high ranking officials at court who were responsible for cleansing the soul of the king. …
The British Museum is also returning on loan a total of 15 items, some of them looted during a later conflict in 1895-96, including a sword of state known as the Mpomponsuo.
African Heritage 