Category: Great Moments

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

Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso sign New Pact at the First Summit of the AES

On By Dr. Y.In Great Moments4 Comments
Flag of Niger

Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso’s leaders met on July 6, 2024 in Niamey, Niger, as part of the first summit of the Alliance des Etats du Sahel (AES – Alliance of the Sahel States). During the summit, the three leaders signed a confederation treaty aimed at strengthening the links between the three nations in terms of defence, and other aspects such as the economy, infrastructures, and more. They reinforced their mutual defence pact. This is a pivotal moment whih marks a new era, and we rejoice for Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso, and the whole of Africa.

Below are excerpts from Al-Jazeera.

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Flag of Mali
Flag of Mali

The military leaders of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger have hailed a newly signed treaty as a step “towards greater integration” between the three countries, in the latest showing of their shift away from traditional regional and Western allies.

During a summit in the Nigerien capital of Niamey on Saturday, the three leaders signed a confederation treaty that aims to strengthen a mutual defence pact announced last year, the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).

The signing capped the first joint summit of the leaders – Niger’s General Abdourahmane Tchiani, Burkina Faso’s Captain Ibrahim Traore, and Mali’s Colonel Assimi Goita – since they came to power in successive coups in their bordering West African nations.

… Speaking at the summit on Saturday, Tchiani called the 50-year-old ECOWAS “a threat to our states”.

… “We are going to create an AES of the peoples, instead of an ECOWAS whose directives and instructions are dictated to it by powers that are foreign to Africa,” Tchiani said.

Flag of Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso’s Traore also accused foreign powers of seeking to exploit the countries. The three nations have regularly accused former colonial ruler France of meddling in ECOWAS.

“Westerners consider that we belong to them and our wealth also belongs to them. They think that they are the ones who must continue to tell us what is good for our states,” he said.

“This era is gone forever. Our resources will remain for us and our population’s.”

… For his part, Mali’s Goita said the strengthened relationship means an “attack on one of us will be an attack on all the other members”.

… The Niamey summit also came a day before the United States is set to complete its withdrawal from a key base in Niger, underscoring how the new military leaders have redrawn security relations that had defined the region in recent years.

… French troops completed their withdrawal from Mali in 2022, and they left Niger and Burkina Faso last year.

Meanwhile, US Air Force Major General Kenneth Ekman said earlier this week that about 1,000 military personnel would complete their withdrawal from Niger’s Air Base 101 by Sunday.

The US is also in the process of leaving a separate, $100m drone base near Agadez in central Niger, which officials have described as essential to gathering intelligence about armed groups in the region.

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Africa: Think Ahead, Strategize!

On By Dr. Y.In Great Literature, Great MomentsLeave a comment
Charles Onana

A few years ago, after the horrors of the electoral crisis in Cote d’Ivoire and the bombing of its presidential palace with the capture of President Laurent Gbagbo and First Lady Simone Gbagbo, I watched a video interview of the Franco-Cameroonian journalist Charles Onana who was talking about his book “Côte d’Ivoire : le coup d’État, Duboiris, 2011 (with a preface by Thabo Mbeki).” At the end of the interview, Onana stated, “… Quand vous avez un pays riche qui est convoité par des multinationales, par des groupes mafieux, par des états, etc, vous devez décupler votre intelligence pour défendre votre pays. … En face vous avez des équipes de think-tanks qui sont là pour penser comment destabiliser le pays, donc les Africains ne peuvent pas faire l’économie d’un travail acharné, d’un travail surhumain pour s’en sortir … Pendant que la crise se calme ou s’apaise, les autres continuent de travailler pour vous destabiliser, ils refléchissent à d’autres stratégies, mais il faut que [les Africains] apprennent à refléchir à differentes stratégies de manière à ce que le Président de la République ne se retrouve pas toujours seul à penser à tout, seul à reflechir à tout, …” [When you are a rich country that is coveted by multinationals, by mafia groups, by states, etc, you must increase your intelligence tenfold to defend your country. …  On the other side, you have think-tank teams that are thinking ways to destabilize the country, so Africans cannot avoid hard work, superhuman work to be free … When the crisis calms down or subsides, others continue to work to destabilize you, they think other strategies, but Africans too need to think different strategies so that the President of the Republic does not always find himself thinking not the only one think all by himself, …]

The New Scramble for Africa (Source: Source: Dr Jack & Curtis for City Press, National Institute African Studies (NIAS))

With the New Scramble for Africa, African countries should have think-tanks, the enemy has think-tanks strategizing over decades, how come we, Africans, do not? Even in times of peace, we should be strategizing… as we heard the French general, it is clear that they are already planning the defeat of Africa, and the return of Africans into their fold in 10 years… how come? When Sekou Toure said NO to the General De Gaulle and Guinea gained independence, not only were the French busy destabilizing his regime politically, militarily, arming his local opponents, but they even flooded his economy with fake currency to destroy his own free Guinean Franc (as he had said NO to the slave currency that is FCFA); the attacks were non stop for several decades, and honestly, are still going on. Thus, Africans, we need to gain our independence, and for our independence to be complete, we need to have strategies for the immediate day-to-day events, but also long-term, over 20-50 or even 100 years. It took China 100 years to get back Hong-Kong and Macau from Great Britain and Portugal… that happened because of a clear vision and strategy of defense against the enemy and reclaiming of lands.

The French Army Gets an African Command Center

On By Dr. Y.In Great Moments1 Comment
French flag

On Friday, it was announced that the French Army has now created an African Command center to deal with current issues on the continent; it is believed to be in response to them being chased out of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. This new creation would be similar to the American AFRICOM. Although, it appears to be new, in reality, it is just like an iceberg which is now showing out its visible side for all to see. There have always been French forces on African soil, there has always been a cell meant to deal with Africa (militarily) in the French government; that is how the Francafrique happened! Now, in view of the loss of uranium from Niger, gold from Mali, many other resources from Burkina Faso, France is starting to lose its place among the top nations of this world, and quickly needs to try to regain the upper hand in its former colonies. Of course, the big reason (lie) given for this is, to help partner countries in the fight against terrorism (terrorism brought to us by them).

Excerpts below are from RFI.

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Francafrique
Francafrique

The French army has established a Command for Africa, similar to what the American armys have already done for a long time [AFRICOM], at a pivotal moment in the French military presence, in sharp decline on the continent, according to the Official Journal (JO).

… This unprecedented creation in France of an Africa Command comes as Paris plans to reduce its military presence in West and Central Africa to a few hundred men [reduce? Maybe transform the official army and soldiers into mercenaries as it was done with Bob Denard and co?], within the framework of “renovated” and more discreet partnerships [renovated, discreet? sounds more like the Bob Denard style or Elf?].

So is the redeployment of French forces in West and Central Africa at the origin of this creation? This is indeed the primary reason, because until now the French elements in Chad, Senegal, Ivory Coast and Gabon each had a combined regional arms staff.

However, this permanent military presence is no longer in keeping with the times. The French contingent in Africa must, in the near future, be reduced to the bare minimum. …

… The concern for discretion is indeed the first desired effect. Informational attacks have made the French army radioactive [this foreign army works for foreign interests and thus has always been radioactive for African countries]. To change the situation, the army general staff wants to “reduce visibility and footprint”: very logically, this Africa Command will therefore be based in Paris.

But the objectives remain unchanged. This Command will be intended to organize support for partner countries in the fight against terrorism and the expansion of trafficking, the training of regional armies, and the access strategy. … the French military personnel will evolve according to needs and missions, but always in close collaboration with the host countries.

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ANC’s Historic 30-year Loss and its Alliance with the DA

On By Dr. Y.In Great MomentsLeave a comment
Flag of South Africa

Today, President Cyril Ramaphosa has been sworn into office for a second term at the helm of South Africa. He remains in office even though his party, the African National Congress (ANC) party of South Africa, the party that brought the end of the apartheid regime, lost its parliamentary majority in a historic election on June 1, that puts South Africa on a new political path for the first time since the end of the apartheid system of white minority rule 30 years ago. The ANC won just over 40% of the votes cast, short of the majority; the Democratic Alliance (DA) won 22% of the votes coming in second; Jacob Zuma’s uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) party came in third with 15% of the vote, while Julius Malema’s Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) came in fourth with 9.5%. The ANC’s historic 30-year loss in South Africa and its subsequent unusual, for lack of a better word, coalition with the Democratic Alliance brings us exactly to try to understand its loss, and ask the fundamental question of why such an alliance? The strong performance by Zuma’s MK took many by surprise as it took the third place that many thought would go to Malema’s EFF. There is also speculation that MK took votes directly from the ANC, due in part to the bitter enmity between former president Zuma and current president Ramaphosa. 

At the end of the elections, the leaders of the different parties shared: “The way to rescue South Africa is to break the ANC’s majority and we have done that,” said John Steenhuisen, the leader of the main opposition DA party. Julius Malema, the leader of the EFF opposition party, said that the ANC’s “entitlement of being the sole dominant party” was over.  The MK Party said one of their conditions for any coalition or agreement with ANC was that Ramaphosa is removed as ANC leader and president. The ANC chose to keep Ramaphosa as president, and make an alliance with the DA.

ANC flag
ANC flag

The reasons for the ANC’s loss (among many others): 1) South Africa has widespread poverty and extremely high levels of unemployment, and the ANC has struggled to raise the standard of living for millions ; 2) persistent lopsided economic inequalities, which still affects the black majority ; 3) rampant corruption ; 4) a lack of public service delivery, particularly in poorer areas ; 5) the frequent power cuts, where intermittent outages have been a near-constant for almost 2 years now; which highlights also the poor shape of infrastructures; 6) the soaring crime rate, with 130 murders and 80 rapes documented every single day in the last quarter of 2023. Above all, the fundamental problem of the ANC is that, at the end of the apartheid regime in 1994, when agreements between both sides were signed, the ANC got the political power, but not the economic; however, the economic power funds the politics and real change.

President Cyril Ramaphosa

The ANC has now made an alliance with the DA which is perceived as a mostly white, middle-class party that doesn’t care about the poor which are mostly Black. It will not be an easy pill to swallow for the majority of Black South Africans who remember the suffering under the white-rule apartheid era to welcome the return of white figures to senior political positions (perhaps even the vice presidency?). With this new power-sharing agreement, the two parties would have to get over their past antagonism, particularly the DA’s longstanding and consistent criticism of ANC “corruption”. The free-market DA, is ideologically at odds with the ANC’s social welfare traditions, and seen by many as catering to the interests of the white minority. On paper, the two political opponents have agreed to a common agenda of fixing the country’s infrastructure, providing basic services such as water and power, and creating jobs. Moreover, the DA has been the most critical opposition party for years and doesn’t share the ANC’s pro-Russia and pro-China foreign policy. Next year, South Africa will take over the presidency of the Group of 20 industrialized and emerging-market nations. Will this alliance cause issues for the BRICS (Brazil – Russia – India – China – South Africa)?

To Jacob Zuma and many, this is an “unholy” alliance. Will he be proven wrong or right? To others, this alliance marks the end of the ANC, and the beginning of a very rocky period, which will usher back a system similar to pre-1994 era. What do you think ? To others still, this alliance breaks the monolithic landscape of South African politics, and hopefully ushers a ‘real’ change that will address the issues of South Africans. What will it be? Only time will tell!

Africa’s Richest Man Builds One of the World’s Largest Oil Refineries

On By Dr. Y.In Great Moments, Great People1 Comment
Aliko Dangote (Source: Black Entrepreneur Profiles)

Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest man, has built one of the world’s largest oil refineries in Nigeria, Africa. The refinery opened its doors last year, and last month shipped out its first boat of refined jet fuel to the Netherlands. It has not been easy with all the challenges and setbacks. This is a dream come true for Africa’s richest man, a dream which has taken several years to materialize. Now, why is this a first? and why are we applauding? 

Although Nigeria is one of Africa’s largest oil producers, the country does not have the capability to refine its own oil, meaning that the country imports fuel! This is the case for all African oil producers, except maybe Libya (if it was not destroyed by the NATO bombs) or Algeria. Picture this! Countries in the whole gulf of Guinea which are rich in oil, and exporting oil to other countries, are also importing oil from abroad… thus the constant oil penury in these countries or the high prices or in some cases the poor quality of gas sent back as in the case of the Swiss firms poisoning oil destined for Africa with levels of sulfur at least 200 times higher than in Europe. 

Dangote Refinery (Source: Leadership.ng)

The plant Dangote built spans nearly 4,000 football fields, is based in the Lekki Free Zone outside of Lagos, Nigeria, and will have the capability to produce 650,000 barrels per day once fully operational. It aims to process enough oil to not only make Nigeria self-sufficient but supply petrol, diesel, and jet fuel to other African countries and beyond. It needs to be said again, this refinery is a true game changer for Nigeria, and for Africa as a whole. In his remarks to the Cable, Dangote said, “The refinery will help boost Nigeria’s economic growth, with the creation of thousands of direct and indirect jobs. During the construction stage, it supported over 150,000 jobs, made up of mostly Nigerians,”… The capacity of the refinery is enough to satisfy domestic demands for refined products. The refinery will export about 50 percent of its production, thereby generating foreign exchange for the country.”

Below are excerpts from an interview Aliko Dangote gave to CNN. In his interview, Dangote mentioned some of the difficulties faced to get crude to refine, relations with other countries, trade policies on the contact, and the ever present visa restrictions for Africans that are still too strong in Africa. Enjoy… for the full interview, go to CNN.

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Dangote: “Nobody thought we were going to appear in this industry. So with that, we know there are challenges and that’s the truth, I have to be very open to you, but NNPC, [Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation], they’ve been very helpful. They do their own bit, but some of the IOCs [international oil companies] they’re struggling to give us crude because everybody’s used to exporting and nobody wants to stop exporting, which does not make sense.

CNN: What’s the timeline of Nigeria being completely self-sufficient producing oil, refining oil locally and exporting?

Dangote: Well, if the NNPC put all their refineries to work, Nigeria will be the largest petroleum products export country in the continent. Not only in the continent – it’ll be one of the biggest (worldwide), not as much as India but almost. So let me talk about Dangote Refinery: 40% of our refining products will go outside Nigeria. So that is after meeting the entire demand of Nigeria. We will meet the demand 100%. By June or so, we should be able to fully meet Nigeria’s demand and then because we’re ramping up already, we’re a little bit over 420,000 barrels per day already. So, as we go along, ramping up, I believe by July/August we should be at almost 550,000 barrels per day. Then maybe before end of the year we’ll be at about 650,000.

…

I’m a big fan of industrialization and Africa can be industrialized, but we, Africans, are the only ones that can industrialize Africa. Nobody is going to come and do it for us. We have to have good policies and the policies have to be consistent, and then we have to make sure that the investment climate is good.

 

The Textile Industry in Kongo in the 16th Century

On By Dr. Y.In Great Moments, Great People2 Comments

“Quand l’Africain était l’or noir de l’Europe” de Bwemba Bong

I came across a gem in the book of Professor Bwemba Bong, “Quand l’Africain était l’or noir de l’Europe. L’Afrique: Actrice ou Victime de la Traite des Noirs? – Démontage des mensonges et de la falsification de l’histoire de l’hydre des razzias négrières transatlantiques” (When the African was the black gold of Europe. Africa: Actress or Victim of the Slave Trade ? – Dismantling the lies and falsification of the hydra history of the transatlantic Slave Raids).” This text talks about the advanced textile industry in the Kingdom of Kongo in the 16th century. We had previously discussed the History of African Fabrics and Textiles and the falsification of history by Western media who are always trying to pretend that African textile industry started with the Dutch company Vlisco! We had also shared a description by Italian explorer Alvise Cadamosto, of clothing worn by Africans in the 15th century (Description of African Dressing in 1400s).

Nzingha's Kingdom
The Kingdom of Kongo with Queen Nzingha’s Kingdom in the south and east

In the 16th century, the Portuguese Filippo Pigafetta et Duarte Lopez wrote about the Kingdom of Kongo describing the economic situation of precolonial Africa, and reported that Africa had nothing to envy to Europe. Some of the fabrics described then, resemble fabrics weaved today by the Kuba people of the Democratic Republic of Congo, who use raffia and make some of the most beautiful hand-woven blankets, clothing, and sculptures. In the text, Lopez described not only the quality of the fabric, but the entire industry needed to create this type of fabric: the kind of tree used, the way the tree was pruned, and the value of the fabric. Another important point is that everyone was dressed within his/her means… thus the idea that Africans were walking naked, as we have previously seen, is another falsification of history!

Filippo Pigafetta et Duarte Lopes, Le royaume de Congo et les contrees environnantes (1591), Chandeigne/Unesco, 2002, p.112-113 (trad. Willy Bal, présentation et notes Willy Bal); Bwemba Bong, Quand l’Africain était l’or noir de l’Europe. L’Afrique: Actrice ou Victime de la Traite des Noirs?, MedouNeter 2022, p.180 (translated to English by Dr. Y, Afrolegends.com). Enjoy!

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Women’s ceremonial overskirt from the 20th century, made by the Bushongo people. Image courtesy of The Textile Museum and The George Washington University Museum.

“And since we are here, I must decry the extraordinary art with which the inhabitants of this country and neighboring regions weave various kinds of fabrics, such as velvets with pile and without pile, brocades, satins, taffetas, damask, armoisins and other similar fabrics, which are certainly not made of silk, since we do not know the silkworm; if some people dress in silk, it is silk imported from our regions. But these fabrics that we have just listed are taken from the leaf of the palm tree; it is therefore necessary to keep the trees low, and to do this, prune and prune them each year, so that in the new season the leaves will grow more tender.

Le palmier de raphia
le palmier de raphia/ Raffia palm tree

After having treated these leaves in their own way, they draw threads from them, all equally fine and delicate; the longer the thread, the more it is valued because it allows larger pieces to be weaved. In different ways, they make fabrics with pile, resembling velvets, on each side, and sheets called damask with decorative patterns and varied textures, as well as brocades that are called high and those that are called low, which are worth more than our brocade. Only the king and those whom he deems good to do this favor can wear this fabric. The largest pieces are of brocade: they reach four or five palms in length, and three or four in width. The brocade is called incorimbas (named after the region where it is made, which is located around the Vumba river [in northern Congo]). Velvets have the same width: they are called enzacas, damasks are called infutas, satins are called maricas, taffetas are tangas and Anziques are the largest pieces which reach six palms in length and five in width. It is out of these fabrics that we commonly dress, each according to their means. Furthermore, they are light and very robust in water. The Portuguese began to use them as tent canvases: they wonderfully resist to water and wind.”

Africans, let us not Fall in the Trap of Democracy!

On By Dr. Y.In Great Moments, Great People3 Comments

We have been reflecting on a word which has been used around the world to destabilize countries: the word “democracy.” This word has been used to impose treacherous regimes and sanctions upon “weaker” countries. By “weaker,” we basically mean those that used to be called “third-world” countries. The “global” world we are getting marched towards does not apply to all; there still needs to be some uniqueness which applies to local issues, needs, cultures, and people.

Libya, the Prey of the West
Libya, the Prey of the West

Over a decade ago, we wrote the article “Africans and the Trap of Democracy,” when NATO forces were bombing Libya. Reading it, almost every single word is still relevant today and can be applied to situations in so many countries on the African continent and beyond. Back then, we were shocked that so many Africans were applauding the actions of NATO using the word “democracy” … we hope that they can see what the destabilization of Libya has done to the rest of Africa, and that in reality the word “democracy” is used to fool Africans into hating those who actually work for Africa’s survival and its real independence. Libya under Khadafi was a prosperous country; Singapore, in Asia, under Lee Kuan Yew became one of the most successful economies in the world. There are so many dictatorships in Africa disguised under the name democracies where there are elections every few years and which are praised by the West because they serve their interests in Africa. Let us NOT fall into this trap called “democracy” in Mali, Niger, or Burkina Faso. Instead let us support our brothers of the Alliance of the Sahel (AES), and acknowledge that the continent with the first constitution in the world born in the Empire of Mali, the Kourougan Fouga, cannot learn about ways to govern itself from foreigners. The answer is within!

Enjoy! Africans and the Trap of Democracy

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With the bombing of the presidential residence in Cote d’Ivoire by French forces for over a week, followed by the arrest of president Laurent Gbagbo, with the current intense bombing of Libya by NATO for the past 6 months, I cannot help but try to answer some of the same justifications used by Africans to approve the bombings by foreign troops on their neighbors’ countries, and ultimately on African soil. Any African who claimed and accepted that Cote d’Ivoire should be bombed by the French, shame on you! Any African who thought that the bombing of Libya was correct… shame on you! Any African who uses the same stupid phrase used by the West to abuse us: “… well Gbagbo had his day, he was in power for 10 years!… or Kadhafi was there 42 years!” Well my friend… Shame on you! Should democracy be imposed using bombs? Should democracy be imposed using warplanes, and Apache helicopters? Is it democracy to bomb the people you plan to help? Is it democracy to deliberately bomb civilian targets, hospitals, state televisions, homes, etc… to, like NATO said “protect civilians”? Was there not a peaceful solution? Was it so hard to re-count the votes in Cote d’Ivoire? Was it so hard to organize elections as Kadhafi asked? Why bomb? Why bomb? Why bomb?…

… I have not seen anywhere that the definition of democracy was “government imposed by external forces, for external forces, to crush the people of a country!” I am tired of this stupid debate the media-lies (CNN, BBC, France24, etc) always bring and which Africans always fall to: “this one is a democrat, and the other one is a dictator.” Please stop bothering people with the same rhetoric, and stop bothering people with your pseudo-democracies where nobody has the right to say anything. Frankly every other year when elections come around, don’t you ever wonder how come with all the bright politicians coming out of top schools, how come we always end up with only 2 (and somehow the worst of all)?

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Burkina Faso’s Transition Government Gets a 5-year Confidence Vote by the People

On By Dr. Y.In Great MomentsLeave a comment

Flag of Burkina Faso

Last Saturday, the people of Burkina Faso came out in a resounding form, via Civil society representatives, security and defence forces and lawmakers in a transitional assembly to approve a new charter which extends the transition government of Ibrahim Traoré, by 60 months starting on July 2, 2024. Thus, at the end of the 2-day national dialogue, Ibrahim Traoré has been given a vote of confidence for 5 more years, at the end of which he can also run for president when the elections take place. This charter also states that elections marking the end of the transition may be organized before this deadline if the security situation permits. As one can see, in a country which has been under attack by jihadist terrorists and whose territory is divided, security and territorial integrity is of utmost importance. [France to Withdraw Troops from Burkina Faso, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger Sign a Mutual Defence Pact, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger all leave the ECOWAS, Mali and Niger end Long-Standing Tax Treaties with France].

Now, Western media cry about democracy, and are calling this national dialogue consultation by the people of Burkina Faso, a slide away from democracy, yet they did not see a problem with Ukraine not holding elections given that it is currently a country at war.

Excerpts below are from Jurist News.

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Ibrahim Traore lays the foundation for the Thomas Sankara Mausoleum (Source: LeFaso.net)

Burkina Faso’s acting president Captain Ibrahim Traoré, who seized power following a 2022 coup, signed a new amended Transition Charter Saturday that extends the transition period to five years. The original charter called for the transition period to end in July 2024.

Article 22 of the new Transition Charter states that the duration of the transition is set at sixty months starting from July 2, 2024. The provision also states that elections marking the end of the transition may be organized before this deadline if the security situation permits. …

The amended Transition Charter in Burkina Faso also includes several new provisions. For instance, according to Article 5, Captain Traoré now holds the titles of President of Faso, Head of State, and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces. Additionally, Traoré, along with the Prime Minister and the President of the Transitional Legislative Assembly, will be eligible to run in the presidential, legislative, and municipal elections organized to mark the end of the transition period.

Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso

An alarming pattern [alarming to the West] has emerged across West Africa where military forces have overthrown democratically-elected governments [more like puppet governments of the West], accusing them of breaking promises made to citizens. Burkina Faso has been caught up in this trend. In September 2022, the current military junta took power by ousting the previous military regime under Lt. Col. Paul Henri Sandaogo Damiba, which had itself seized control just eight months prior through a coup that removed President Roch Marc Kaboré from his elected position. Following the latest coup, Captain Traoré was appointed as the transitional president. …

The Vultures are Getting Ready

On By Dr. Y.In Great Moments3 Comments

French flag

Today, we will introduce a new word: “Vulturing”! It is a word we thought of after the events of recent months, and let’s face it because of the New Scramble for Africa. The vultures are at it again, and honestly never stopped. About a month ago, on April 14 2024, a former Chief of Staff of the French army, General Francois Lecointre, announced in an interview to Le Figaro, that France and Europe, for their survival would have to proceed in an armed recolonization of Africa in the upcoming 10 years. To paraphrase, he said, “we cannot let these poor Africans live in chaos just on our doorstep… within a few years, Africans will have a population boom like no other continent [why do Africans having babies, bother them so much?] … Europe should act as a political entity that defends its own interests, including through military commitment… We must return and help these African countries [nobody asked for your help].”

The New Scramble for Africa (Source: Source: Dr Jack & Curtis for City Press, National Institute African Studies (NIAS))

Would we not call it “vulturing”? Why can’t the predator leave the prey? Do you know that France is 4th producer of gold, even though there are no gold mines in France, and the gold comes from Mali? Do you know that because of Niger’s coup, now France cannot have easy access to free uranium as in the past? Now that the AES, Mali – Burkina Faso – Niger, is no longer a part of the French zone of influence (Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger all leave the ECOWAS, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger Sign a Mutual Defence Pact), there has been a lot of shortfall that can be felt in France. For the French military bases that have been removed from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger… where would those French troops go? If they go back to France, there might be a government topple, then why not send them to another place at war, in Eastern Europe for instance, or try wars in Africa? It is no secret, that since Niger has asked for the Americans to remove their drone base (one of the world’s largest drone bases) from its soil, the Americans have been making deals to move troops and bases to neighboring countries surrounding the AES.

This is a WAKE UP call to Africans to unite and fight! It is not just for French speaking countries in Africa, but to all of Africa. Africa is the key to the world! There will be blood for Africa’s resources, and Africans have to be at the forefront of the battle for their own resources and take hold of what is theirs. Africans better wake up, the vultures are flying over!

Watch the interview of the General Lecointre to Le Figaro, and read a quick summary on APA News.

Thousands take part in Annual re-plastering of the Great Mosque of Djenné in Mali

On By Dr. Y.In Great MomentsLeave a comment

Great Mosque of Djenné
Great Mosque of Djenné

I love the togetherness that is embodied by Malians who live in the city of Djenné, who, every year come together to re-plaster the walls of the Great Mosque of Djenné, the largest mud-brick building in the world. This past Sunday, the whole town, young and old, men and women, poor and rich, worked together to preserve this centuries-old gift from their ancestors that is the Great Mosque of Djenné. This is a tradition passed on from generations to generations for centuries: men and boys are responsible for climbing the mosque and putting the new layer of mud on it, while women and girls are responsible for fetching water from the nearby river to mix with clay to make more of the mud needed for the walls. It is a great exercise in unity and peace for the preservation of an heritage that is dear to all. Since 2016, the Great Mosque of Djenné has been added to the UNESCO’s World Heritage Danger list, because of the jihadists’ attacks in northern Mali that have divided the country (Mali Forces Succeed in Kidal where France and Allies could not!, At the United Nations, Outstanding Speech by Mali PM who Slams France, Praises Russia Ties, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger all leave the ECOWAS, “Le Mali en miettes. A qui le tour?” de Chems Eddine Chitour)..

Please read below the article I wrote a few years back about the city of Djenné, and for this past Sunday’s re-plastering event, check out Africanews.

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Djenné
Map of Mali with Djenne in red

Djenné is a city of Mali whose history is closely linked to that of Timbuktu. It is well-renowned for its mud brick architecture, and today most of the city is considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In no place in the world do you have a civilization entirely built on mud! Maybe that is why Malians are so renowned for their work on mudcloth a.k.a. bogolan! The Djennenké say that nowhere in the world would you find people who can build in mud like Djenné’s masons: their work with mud is pure magic, as illustrated by the beautiful Great Mosque of Djenné. The masons’ family lines stretch back half a millenium! They mix the clay from the surrounding plains with the water from the Bani river, and bring to life an architecture purely from Djenné rising with splendor.

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Djenné: the mud brick (adobe) city