Category: Great Moments

A Heritage of great moments in the history of the continent and the black race

Ibrahim Traoré Opens Burkina Faso’s First State-Owned Gold Refinery

On By Dr. Y.In Great Moments, Great People, Great ScienceLeave a comment
President Ibrahim Traoré with Minister of Mines, Yacouba Zabré Gouba inaugurating Burkina Faso’s first state-owned gold refinery (Source: Ecofin)

On Monday, September 28, the President of Burkina Faso, Captain Ibrahim Traoré inaugurated the country’s first state-owned gold refinery. We are so proud of Burkina Faso and its people, the land of the men of integrity is building itself step by step, showing us the way forward. The country opened its first gold refinery so it could extract it, refine it on its very own soil, certify it, and benefit from it for the whole pipeline from the soil all the way to the end product that is the gold bar, while creating jobs for its very own people. The refinery is the first of its kind in Burkina Faso, built to the highest international standards for transforming gold into ingots with a purity of 99.99%. It is set to refine 164 tonnes per year at the beginning, growing to at least 500 tonnes of gold later. As I heard the speech of members of the Faso government, I was so proud when they said we will refine our own gold, with our own capacities. The power is shifting! Such an amazing time to be alive! I remember when we kept talking about Thomas Sankara and Burkina Faso on our blog, and how some were laughing… today, we are proud of Burkina Faso, and we never stopped being proud of Sankara’s brothers and sisters. La patrie ou la mort, nous vaincrons! This reminds us of what Sankara talked about, “The National Economy: Independent, Self-Sufficient, and Planned at the Service of Democratic and Popular Society” in “We are Heirs of the World’s Revolutions, Speeches from the Burkina Faso Revolution 1983-87” .

Extracts below are from TeleSur. Enjoy!

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President Ibrahim Traoré highlighted the strategic importance of this initiative, which aims to control the entire value chain of the extractive industry, starting with gold.

The refinery, inaugurated this Monday, is expected to generate more wealth, create jobs, and improve the control of domestic financial flows.

“In everything related to the extractive industry, we want to have the entire value chain under control, and we are starting with gold,” Traoré emphasized. “As I mentioned before, there are many other metals in our subsurface that we want to extract, but we want to control everything down to the smallest detail,” he added.

Traoré stressed that Burkina Faso’s gold should be processed and certified within the country. “Refining gold in our territory will generate more wealth, create qualified jobs, strengthen the traceability of our production, and improve control over financial flows. Additionally, it will enable us to combat illicit practices more effectively, such as fraud, smuggling, and money laundering,” he stated.

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“Be Ready to Fight for Freedom” Bassolma Bazie

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Flag of Burkina Faso

In a recent speech in front of the Burkinabe troops, Minister Bassolma Bazié warned the troops, and all of us by extension, against complacency, fear, treachery, and incompetence. He warned us against being used by the enemy to betray our nations. He reminded us of the French General Rochambeau and how he punished the Haitian slaves who dared fight for freedom. He reminded us that because we stood up against the West, we should be ready, anytime for the enemy’s wrath, and we should be ready to protect our freedom, and that of our children. We should not succumb to “The Cancer of Betrayal” as Amilcar Cabral called it. Stay alert all the time.

Flag of Haiti

Fear, treachery and incompetence are very serious evils at the level of a nation. So let’s make sure that tomorrow, what we are experiencing [today], our children will not come to experience it. In any case, I said that the people have climbed on an explosive device and its fragmentation, if we don’t pay attention, if we behave like imbeciles, even our children who are not yet born, they will suffer the blow. … Look on your phones at the story of Haiti 1803 and the dogs of [Donatien de] Rochambeau the French … when France returned to repress those who tried to revolt, what did they do? It is this single example that I take to show what awaits us if we are not careful. Rochambeau arrived there with a hundred dogs that he had initially taken weeks to starve, and once in Haiti, he took one of the slaves and tied him to a post in the center and made a circle around the city… he used pliers to tear the slave so that the blood would flow… people were eaten alive like that by dogs screaming until they died.  Let everyone understand that what Rochambeau did in Haiti, Norbert Zongo said, “people carry suitcases, … they are not far away”, it has happened… What he [Rochambeau] did in Haiti… if we are not careful, whether we are military, civilian, or VDP, and the enemy goes through us to penetrate the country, there [in Haiti] it was dogs that ate them, for us it is not obvious that we will even have the opportunity to be watched being eaten alive… and that is what they are preparing for us… and as they are preparing this, all of us who are in action must consider that our future, I am not saying that it is over, but we are standing on top of embers so that our children do not experience the same thing, because if we do not assume our history [and take responsibility], the tears of the children we have given birth to will join us in the cemetery. …May God and the manes of the ancestors accompany us…. Our words, our behavior, our gestures, … should respond to true patriotism…

Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso

La peur, la traîtrise et l’incompétence sont des maux très graves au niveau d’une nation. Donc faisons en sorte que demain, ce que nous vivons, nos enfants ne viennent pas le vivre. De toutes les façons, j’ai dit que le peuple est monté sur un engin explosif et sa fragmentation, si on s’amuse, si on se comporte comme des imbéciles, même nos enfants qui ne sont pas encore nés, ils vont subir le coup. … Regardez sur vos téléphones, l’histoire de Haïti 1803 et les chiens de Daniel Rochambeau … quand la France est revenue pour reprimer ceux qui ont tenté de se révolter, qu’est-ce-qu’ils ont fait? c’est ce seul exemple que je prends pour montrer ce qui nous guette si on s’amuse. Rochambeau a debarqué là-bas avec une centaine de chiens qu’il avait d’abord mis des semaines à affamer, et une fois à Haïti, on prend un des esclaves qu’on attache sur un poteau au centre et on fait un cercle au niveau de la ville… on a utilisé des tenailles pour déchirer l’esclave afin que le sang descende … des gens ont été mangés comme ça par des chiens en criant jusqu’à aller mourir. Que chacun comprenne que ce que Rochambeau a fait en Haiti là, Norbert Zongo avait dit « les gens transportent les valises, ils ne sont pas loin ! C’est arrivé »… ce qu’il a fait a Haiti… si on s’amuse, que l’on soit militaire, civile, ou VDP, que l’ennemi passe par lui pour pénétrer le pays, eux c’est des chiens qui les ont mangé, nous ce n’est pas evident qu’on aura même l’occasion d’être regardé en train d’être mangé… et c’est ça qu’ils sont en train de préparer… et comme ils sont en train de préparer ça, nous tous qui sommes en action, on doit considérer que notre avenir-là, je ne dis pas que c’est cuit, mais nous sommes sur des braises pour que nos enfants ne vivent pas la même chose, parce que si on ne s’assume pas devant notre histoire les pleurs des enfants qu’on a mis au monde vont nous rejoindre au cimétière. … Que Dieu et les mânes des ancêtres nous accompagnent…. Il faudrait que nos propos, notre comportements, nos gestes, … répondent au véritable patriotisme…

Simone Gbagbo, First Lady of Cote d’Ivoire, and Presidential Candidate Forgives France for its Complicity

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Simone Ehivet Gbagbo
Simone Ehivet Gbagbo

There are no words to express my joy at seeing and hearing former first lady of Cote d’Ivoire, and presidential candidate, Simone Ehivet Gbagbo speak during her first visit to France in almost 20 years. It is no secret what Simone Gbagbo endured at the hands of her captors, many of whom acted as proxies for France during the 2010 post‑electoral crisis that shook the country. She was paraded before cameras for the whole world to see as she was abused by forces loyal to Alassane Ouattara, all under the watchful eyes of French soldiers, journalists, and diplomats. It is even said that she was violated in her intimacy, and those present did absolutely nothing (Laurent Gbagbo: Non au Silence Complice! Free at Last: Simone Gbagbo Liberated, Laurent Gbagbo and Charles Ble Goude: Totally Acquitted and Free at Last). I remember how the mainstream media mocked her and placated her images nonstop as if she was not a human being. She was then thrown in jail for several years, during which many of us prayed for her well-being. In 2018 she was finally released from jail. She reinstated her party, created a new one, and re-entered the political life of her country under the gaze of the very people jailers and tormentors. She even ran last year in the presidential election which, without surprise was won by Alassane Ouattara.

During her recent interview with France24, one theme stood out: forgiveness. Simone said she forgave Alassane Ouattara, and if she could forgive him, why would she not forgive France? I applaud Mama Simone Gbagbo’s spirit! And I understand that forgiveness is necessary for her survival and peace of mind.

It is no secret that Africans often forgive easily, even as others continue to hurt and exploit us. If we choose to forgive, we must not forget. We should never forget. That is how we build. Something happened! And although we forgive, we must never return to that place. It cannot be an endless cycle in which others harm us without consequence.

Please enjoy, Simone Ehivet Gbagbo and applaud with me this woman who exemplifies resilience, elegance, and the calm strength of a Black woman. We all can see why the French never liked her!

“Angola” by Cesária Évora

On By Dr. Y.In Great Moments, Great Music, Great PeopleLeave a comment
The album titled 'Cesaria Evora'
The album titled ‘Cesaria Evora’

We talked about Fortaleza de São Miguel in Luanda, Angola, a major slave fort of Angola which today has been turned into a museum and stood the test of times, and show the resilience of the Angolan people and their love of life in spite of adversities. Cesária Évora, the barefoot diva, Cape Verde’s national diva sang “Angola.” As this fortress, she had a breakthrough after years of disappointment, she never gave up. She exemplified endurance, strength, confidence, and perseverance. Just like her song “Angola” is a tribute to the wisdom, resilience, joy, and cultural strength of the Angolan people, celebrating how they endure hardship, war, and colonial trauma while still finding community, patience, and pleasure in life. It’s like a mirror of her life, as if Cesária is singing of her life, and of the beautiful country of Angola, and the resilience of its people.

The repeated line “Angóla, Angóla, oi, ke pove sábe” means: “Angola, Angola, oh, what a wise people.” This is the emotional anchor of the song. She is praising: Angolan wisdom, Angolan strength, Angolan endurance through the civil war which devastated their country and live, Angolan cultural richness, and joy.

Flag of Angola
Flag of Angola

The song emphasizes that Angolans have endured wars, colonial violence, and hardship, yet remain strong and united. Words like konvivénsia (coexistence), pasiénsia (patience), and rezisténsia (resistance) reinforce this.

The line, “Es vida sábe ke nhos ta vivê / Paródia dia i note manxê, sen maka ma ku sabura” celebrate living life intensely, to the fullest, dancing, laughing, enjoying community, even through life’s difficulties.

UN Adopts to Represent Africa ‘Correctly’ on World Maps

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Did you know that Africa’s true size has been misrepresented on world maps for centuries, all the way back to the 16th century? The African continent spans over 30 million km2, making it larger than China, Russia, the United States, and Europe combined. On most maps, Africa appears almost 14 times smaller than its actual size, even though it covers more than 20% of the Earth’s land surface.

Map of Africa from Kai Krauss (Source: allthatsinteresting.com)

To put it in perspective: you could fit China, India, Mexico, the United States, and Japan inside Africa, and still have room left for several more countries. On the commonly used Mercator projection, Greenland appears larger than Africa, even though Africa is in reality about 14 times bigger. The distortion historically served to make Europe appear larger and more dominant than it truly is.

This Friday, the United Nations General Assembly voted overwhelmingly to support having Africa represented accurately on global maps. Many people say this is not an important issue and that there are more urgent problems in the world. However, this is not a question of importance but a question of scientific accuracy and of re‑establishing the truth. If the situation were reversed, no one would have dared to question it. Fortunately, everyone at the UN agreed today that the record needed to be set straight. Centuries of distortion will finally be corrected, and the world can see the true size of Africa with clarity and honesty. But should this really have needed a UN resolution to be sorted out… is it not normal? I guess for Africa, everything has to be restored, especially the truth!

For more, please check out this article on the BBC.

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The UN General Assembly has voted to replace the traditional world map with one that more accurately reflects the size of Africa.

The “Correct the Map” resolution, sponsored by Togo and backed by African Union (AU) members, passed with the support of 164 nations, including France and the UK. The United States was the only nation to vote against it – and there were six abstentions.

The UN vote is non-binding but will see changes to the maps used by institutions around the world.

The Mercator map, which has been in common use since the 16th Century, has come in for criticism as it shows Africa as similar in size to Greenland, even though it is 14 times larger.

Critics say this leads to the development needs and potential for countries near the equator to be minimised.

… Ahead of Friday’s vote, Togolese Foreign Minister Robert Dussey told the Reuters news agency: “A fair world begins with a fair map.”

Earlier he had told a UN briefing: “A map is never neutral. It shapes perceptions, influences how the place of peoples and continents in the world is understood.”

New Attacks and Mutiny at the International Hamani Diori Airport in Niger

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Map of Niger

Today, August 29, there was a mutiny at the Base 101 in Niamey, Niger. Mutinous soldiers launched coordinated attacks on both the Diori Hamani International Airport and the city center around the presidential compound in Niamey early Saturday, unleashing hours of gunfire and explosions that briefly knocked the state TV and radio off the air. This is clearly an attack against the government of General Abdourahamane Tiani, who has defied the French and Western stranglehold on the country. Recall that Air Force Base 101 is located within the international airport complex, and is home to the headquarters of Niamey’s Russian Africa Corps partners and the command of the unified force of the Alliance of Sahel States (Niger, Burkina Faso, Mali). So this is a direct attack against the AES.

By late morning, the Niger’s defense ministry said loyalist forces were gradually regaining control of targeted sites, though mutineers remained active around the airport. Witnesses reported heavy pre‑dawn fighting, and security sources noted that troops from Ouallam, Tera, and Dosso, areas hit hard by Islamic State–linked insurgents, were involved in the assault, reflecting growing frustration within frontline units. Security forces were deployed to key locations. A resident stated, “The weapons we’re hearing are not the kind that terrorists on motorbikes can carry. The fighting has been non-stop since last night.” We all know who is behind these new attacks.

President Abdourahamane Tiani of Niger

Let us all pray and support our brothers and sisters of Niger. These mark the third attacks against the government of Tiani since the beginning of this year. As we remain alert, we are also reminded that such attacks against Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, is because the Niger people and Tiani’s government are really fighting for the freedom of their people, and the Black race as a whole. This explains the violence and repeated attacks funded by the Western powers against Niger and the AES. They, the West, have not unleashed anything against those dictators who play in their hands like the 93-year-old president of another African country who has plundered the nation’s wealth, or its neighbors, or even the other puppet from Cote d’Ivoire. The battle is now, and as we are proud of our Niger brothers and sisters, we stand with them, and can all do a little like them so that bit by bit we will free our continent of the barbaric chokehold of the imperialist forces.

To read more, check out NBC, RFI, and Africanews.

Angélique Kidjo is the First African Singer Honored on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

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Angelique Kidjo in front of her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (Source: RFI.fr)

Last Tuesday, five-time Grammy Award winner Angélique Kidjo made history by becoming the first African musician to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Let me repeat that: the first African musician to be honored on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Africa is the cradle of humanity and the birthplace of music, so it is both surprising and shocking that this recognition took so long.

We congratulate Angélique Kidjo, who told the BBC that she wanted to dedicate the accolade to the continent of her birth. The Franco Beninese icon stated: “This star is for all the continent of Africa. Because if I was not African, would I be here?”

With a career spanning four decades, she reminded the world of the essential role Africans have played in shaping global music: “Without the blues brought by the slaves in America, there is no R&B, there is no rock and roll, there is no soul music, there is no jazz. All of it comes from Africa.”

Angelique Kidjo

She told BBC Focus on Africa that Africans must appreciate what they have given the world and invest in nurturing talent at home: “Let us celebrate our artists in their own right on the continent. Let us give them visibility and strength, because music creates economy.” Kidjo also urged African artists and governments to find ways to ensure that artists are paid royalties for their work and that their intellectual property is respected.

During the celebration, she remembered her roots and her late parents. She shared that she wished they could have been present to witness her success.

Harvey Mason Jr., CEO of the Recording Academy, praised Kidjo’s impact: “She has connected cultures, she has crossed borders, she has reminded audiences everywhere that while we may come from different backgrounds, her music unites in a way that few other things can.”

Congratulations to Angélique Kidjo, whose four-decade career has carried her across the world, sharing her voice and enriching countless lives. I am grateful that I once had the chance to see her perform, at a time when she was not yet widely known on this side of the Atlantic, and witness greatness.

Cameroon Wins the Women’s African Cup of Nations (WAFCON) for the First Time in History

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Cameroon Indomitable Lionesses celebrate winning WAFCON 2026 (Source: CAFonline.com)

On Sunday, August 16, 2026, in Rabat, Morocco, Cameroon defeated Malawi 3–0 to become the new Women’s African Cup of Nations (WAFCON) champion. It was a historic final that felt instantly unforgettable. Neither team had ever won the trophy before, and this made it only the third WAFCON final since 1998 where both sides were chasing their first continental crown. Cameroon had already reached the final in 2004, 2014, and 2016 but lost each time to Nigeria. Malawi, on the other hand, was living a dream. This was their first participation at WAFCON, and they climbed all the way to the final after eliminating teams such as Ghana and Algeria.

The Chawinga sisters Tabitha and Temwa (Source: CAFonline.com)

This expanded edition of WAFCON began three weeks ago with 16 teams instead of the previous 12, and it delivered excitement from the opening whistle. Malawi, led by the lethal Chawinga sisters Tabitha and Temwa, made a sensational debut. They started with a stunning 3–2 victory over defending champions Nigeria, followed by a confident 3–1 win over Egypt to finish top of Group C despite a narrow 2–1 loss to Zambia. Their momentum carried into the knockout rounds where they defeated Ghana 2–1 in the quarter-finals and produced another commanding performance to beat Algeria 3–1 in the semi-finals.

Marie Ngah Manga celebrating one of her goals (Source: CAFonline.com)

Cameroon’s journey was a story of discipline, resilience, and redemption. The Indomitable Lionesses went through the group stage unbeaten, then eliminated 10-time champions Nigeria in the quarter-finals. In the semi-finals, they knocked out host nation Morocco in a tense 3–1 penalty shootout thanks to an outstanding performance from goalkeeper Michaely Bihina who had a superb tournament from start to finish. Cameroon’s defense was rock solid and conceded only two goals throughout the entire competition. Their triumph becomes even more remarkable when you consider that they missed the 2024 edition of WAFCON and only advanced to these finals because of their world ranking after CAF expanded the tournament from 12 to 16 teams.

The final itself belonged entirely to Cameroon. Marie Ngah Manga scored twice and was named Best Player of the Final, and Naomi Ndjoah Eto added the third goal to seal the victory. With this title, Cameroon becomes the fourth nation to lift the WAFCON trophy, joining Nigeria’s Super Falcons, South Africa’s Banyana Banyana, and Equatorial Guinea. It was a spectacular ending to a spectacular tournament. Congratulations to the 2026 WAFCON. Both teams are already qualified for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.

Returned Ivorian Ancestral Drum Unveiled to the Public

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Tchaman (Atchan) Kings and dignitaries in front of the Djidji Ajokwe talking drum back in March (Source: Afrikmonde.com)

On this day, 7 August which marks Cote d’Ivoire’s 66th anniversary of its ‘independence’, on this national holiday, the ancestral talking drum, Djidji Ayôkwé was presented to the people. This is the first object returned by France to Côte d’Ivoire, the first of 148 artifacts. France returned the sacred drum looted from Côte d’Ivoire after 110 years. It was taken from the Tchaman (Atchan, Ebriés) people by the French people. The talking drum was exposed at the Musée du Quai Branly. The drum is 4 m (13 ft) long and 430 kg (948 lbs) heavy.

Excerpts below are from RFI.

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The ceremony of August 7, 2026 was very symbolic because it is the first time that the talking drum was revealed to the general Ivorian public since his return to the country last March. First there was the military parade. Then, the drum opened the civil parade. The latter was placed on a red truck, protected by a window. He was surrounded by two Ebrie traditional chiefs.

Next to this truck, there were people dressed in traditional attire singing solemnly singing solemnly “Djidji Ayôkwé” to celebrate its return. … After Yopougon, Djidji Ayôkwé headed to the commune of Adjamé, where a traditional ceremony was organized in the afternoon. 

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Africans Shine at the 2026 Commonwealth Games

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The 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games’ logo (Source: Glasgow2026.com)

Africans shined at the 2026 Commonwealth Games which took place in Glasgow, Scotland from July 23 to August 2, 2026. 13 African countries won medals compared to 10 at the previous 2022 Commonwealth Games. These countries were : Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Mauritius, Cameroon, Uganda, Namibia, Ghana, Lesotho, Zambia, Gabon, Gambia, Rwanda. Nigeria topped the list with 24 medals, with 10 golds, 7 silvers, and 7 bronzes, delivering its best Commonwealth performance ever. Rwanda and Gabon won their first ever medals. There were major improvements with a deeper bench of champions and more golds, and stable excellence.

Below are key champions from a few countries. There are a lot more, and you can find the full list on the 2026 Commonwealth Games website.

Chad Le Clos, most decorated athlete of the Commonwealth Games (Source: beinsports.com)

Nigeria : Goodness Nwachukwu won Gold on Women’s F44 Discus while establishing a world record. Esther Nworgu won Gold in the Women’s Lightweight Para Powerlifting, while Tobi Amusan took Bronze in the Women’s 100m Hurdles. On the Men’s side, Samuel Ogazi won Gold in the Men’s 400m, Chukwuebuka Enekwechi took Gold in Men’s Shot Put, Ezekiel Nathaniel Gold in Men 400 Hurdles, Idris Rilwan Gold and Roland Ezuruike Silver in Men’s Para Powerlifting. Nigeria’s depth across track, field, and para‑sports set a new continental benchmark.

South Africa : Chad le Clos won 3 medals in swimming relays at these games winning his 21st Commonwealth medal since his debut at Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games. He has become the most successful athlete in the history of the games.

Cameroon : Emmanuel Eseme won Gold in the Men’s 100m setting a Commonwealth Games record of 9:83 s, while Richelle Anita Soppi Mbella took Silver Women’s Judo +78 kg.

Emmanuel Eseme of Cameroon (Source: Jamboradio.co.uk)

Mauritius : Remi Feuillet won Gold in Judo

Gabon won its first ever medal at the games with Marthe Gnacadja Avaro winning Bronze, Women’s Judo +78kg

The Gambia : Faye Njie with Bronze, Men’s Judo –73kg

Rwanda : won its first ever Commonwealth Games with Florence Niyonkuru taking Bronze, Women’s 10,000m