Category: Great Moments

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

Meta Bows to Nigeria and Pays for Privacy Infraction

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Flag and map of Nigeria
Flag and map of Nigeria

Another news which has almost gone unnoticed is the fact that the Nigerian government has fined Meta, the American tech giant, for breaching privacy laws; and Meta has decided to settle out of court to the fine!!! This is a major development for an African country, and then in general in an era where these giants own our data and dispose as they see fit. Last year, the Nigerian government had handed Meta a fine of $220 million, saying its investigations found “multiple and repeated” violations of the country’s data protection and consumer rights laws on Facebook and WhatsApp. Meta was accused of using Nigerians’ data for ads without their clear permission, collecting data from people who don’t even use its platforms, failing to file required reports, and sending user data abroad without proper approval.

This October, after months of legal battles, Meta Platforms Inc., the company that owns Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, has agreed to settle the case out of court and to pay $32.8 million to Nigeria’s Data Protection Commission for breaking the country’s data privacy rules. In all honesty, the sum is meagre … but it is a step forward (?). The Data Protection Commission has now ordered Meta to update its privacy policy, carry out local reviews of how it uses data, and always get user consent before using personal data for targeted advertising.

It’s like the Tech-giant thought that it was the usual far west in Africa, and business as usual for them and the way they treat Africans with the usual condescending; they thought they could do as they pleased with Nigerians’ information. Many experts think that this case sets a precedent and could influence how big tech companies handle user data across Africa as more countries introduce stronger privacy laws.

Enjoy excerpts below from Africanews.

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Meta Platforms Inc., the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, is set to settle a $32.8 million data privacy fine with the Nigerian government, marking a significant moment for digital rights enforcement in Africa.

The fine was imposed by Nigeria’s Data Protection Commission (NDPC) in February 2025 for alleged violations of the Nigeria Data Protection Act. Meta was accused of using Nigerian users’ data for behavioural advertising without explicit consent, processing personal data of non-users, failing to file mandatory compliance audits, and transferring user data abroad without authorisation.

The settlement, expected to be finalised by the end of October 2025, comes after months of legal disputes. Meta initially challenged the fine and the process but moved toward an out-of-court agreement, signalling willingness to comply with Nigeria’s growing regulatory demands.

This case highlights Nigeria’s assertiveness in regulating global tech companies and could set an influential precedent for data privacy enforcement across African markets.

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The UN Peacekeeping Force Reduced by 25%

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UN flag

There is a news which has gone undetected or rather not talked about much. Did you know that because of lack of funding, the United Nations (UN) is going to lose about a quarter of its peacekeepers! It is said that this is happening due to budget cuts from the American government; the UN will have to reduce its blue helmets (casques bleus) force on the ground, including some civilians. It was announced on October 8th.

“Nous allons devoir rapatrier, réduire d’environ 25% le nombre de nos effectifs de maintien de la paix militaires et policiers, ainsi que leur équipement, et un nombre important d’employés civils des missions vont également être touchés,” (“We will have to repatriate, reduce by about 25% the number of our military and police peacekeeping personnel, as well as their equipment, and a significant number of civilian employees of the missions will also be affected“) said an anonymous UN person to RFI.

This is equivalent to about 13,000 to 14,000 soldiers and policemen. Their repatriation could start in 6 weeks (now 4 weeks) and could go on over 12 to 18 weeks.

For those of us who watched MINUSMA (Mali), ONUCI (Cote d’Ivoire), MONUSCO (Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)), MINUSCA (Central African Republic (CAR)), MINUSTAH (Haiti), etc… it is no secret that those have troops have been used to impose the wishes of the West and serve the interest of their masters in our countries. It is also well-documented that the UN peacekeeping has a sexual abuse problem. In the DRC, there are countless reports of UN peacekeepers being accused of rape, sexual abuse and exploitation; moreover, they have been accused of helping the rebel forces for all the minerals, and have rarely worked for the safety of the people. In Haiti, they caused the largest cholera outbreak in the nation’ history and deadliest in modern history. Furthermore, an Associated Press (AP) investigation revealed in 2017 that at least 134 Sri Lankan peacekeepers from the UN were involved in a child sex ring in Haiti (both of girls and boys) over a 10-year period and that although 114 of them were sent home, none were charged for the crimes. In Mali, they have been accused of looting, and failing to uphold security and even fueling tensions – which they were brought in to do. In Cote d’Ivoire, the representative of ONUCI actually took sides in the country’s elections above the country’s supreme institutions; while the forces in the north of the country never helped stop the advancement of the rebel forces over the years, despite the government asking for help. In CAR, they have been accused of sexual exploitation, abuse, and other misconduct. The sex abuse is rife in CAR; at least 98 girls said they had been sexually abused by UN peacekeepers from Burundi and Gabon in 2014 and 2015. The UN successfully identified 41 troops accused of involvement in the incidents, and the personnel identified were returned to their homelands but have not faced charges. A public UN database has been recording sexual abuse and exploitation.

Thus, in view of all these, we will be happy when these so-called peacekeeping forces are removed from our territories or when they undergo a serious cleaning to serve the fair interests of ALL.

Ban on the Sale of Foreign Alcohol in Lesotho in 1854

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King Moshoeshoe I of Basutoland

As we have seen before, many African kings prohibited the sale of foreign alcohol on their soil. They could sense the harmful effect of alcohol on their men and on the society as a whole. They could also foresee the destruction of the soul of their societies via this foreign alcohol like Native Americans saw their destruction on another continent. Gungunyane: the Lion of Gaza or the Last African King of Mozambique, or Mirambo: the Black Napoleon, king of the Nyamwezi people in Tanzania, are just a few. Moshoeshoe I, the first king of Lesotho also prohibited the sale of foreign liquor on his soil. History Repeats Itself: the destabilization of Africa during slavery times via the use of alcohol as a tool, is continuing today, particularly in countries rich in resources. Current African leaders would do well to follow the example of their forefathers, as alcohol is destroying our societies and most of the beer companies are owned by Western multinationals; the alcohol level in beers and liquors in many African countries are significantly higher than in European countries, and the people are slowly being turned into drunkards while their resources are siphoned out. 

Below is the ban on alcohol imposed by King Moshoeshoe I on his homeland of Lesotho. The original can be found in Les Africains, Tome 8, p. 254, ed. Jaguar. Translated to English by Dr. Y., Afrolegends.com

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Ban on the sale of Foreign Alcohol

8 Novembre 1854

Whereas the alcohols of the Whites were unknown to previous generations of our tribe, that Matie (Matsie, that is Nkopane, father of Mohlomi) et Motlomi (Mohlomi) to the Bomonageng (BaMonaheng), and our father Mokhachane, now advanced in age, never consumed any other drinks than water and milk ; and whereas we believe that a good leader and judge cannot claim to be capable of performing his duties if he uses any stimulant whatsoever ; and whereas that alcohol causes quarrels and troubles, and paves the way to the destruction of society (it is evident that the white people’s alcohol is nothing but fire).

It is therefore made known to all that the introduction and sale of said alcohols in Basutoland is henceforth prohibited, and it is stipulated that for any person, whether white or colored, anyone who contravenes this decision will have their alcohol seized and spilled to the ground, without excuse or compensation.

This decision will be printed in the Basuto [Sotho] and Dutch languages and posted in public places and in Basutos villages.

Given with the advice and agreement of the men of our Tribe, by us the King of the Basutos, in Thaba Bosigo, on November 8th 1854.

King Moshoeshoe

So Long to Raila Odinga, Fighter to the End for Kenyan Democracy

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Raila Odinga (Source: World Economic Forum)

It is with sadness that we heard about the news of Raila Odinga‘s passing yesterday, on October 15th. It makes one wonder if, when one fights for the true freedom of Africa, one dies without ever getting in power? or killed in power for their principles? Is one just supposed to accompany democracy?

Raila Odinga has been a dominant unavoidable force in Kenyan politics for the past 30 years, and even longer, given that his father, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, was the first vice-president of Kenya alongside Jomo Kenyatta, Kenya’s first president. Thus, Raila Odinga has been a baobab in Kenya’s political scene, who has always fought for the freedom and democracy in Kenya. Out of the past 5 elections, 1997, 2007, 2013, 2017, and 2022, he has always contested, has come second, and even narrowly won to the point that there have always been disputes which have gone as far as civil unrest as in 2007, when Odinga contested elections against Mwai Kibaki, which led to the biggest crisis in Kenya’s history resulting in 1200 deaths and about 600,000 people forced to flee their homes. The crisis was resolved in a peace brokering by UN Kofi Annan which saw Kibaki emerge as president and Odinga as the nation’s prime minister. After the 2017 elections, he was vindicated by Kenya’s highest court after the 2017 elections when the court annulled Uhuru Kenyatta‘s victory and ordered fresh polls; however, Odinga boycotted the run citing frauds. 

Flag of Kenya

Odinga always found a way to put peace ahead of his own person, and reconciled with the incumbent; his love for Kenyans made it hard for him to stay angry or be selfish; he always placed Kenya first. He was affectionately called “Baba” (Father), “Agwambo” (Act of God), and “Tinga” (Tractor) – drawn from his party’s symbol during the 1997 elections. He was a former political prisoner, and holds the record for being Kenya’s longest serving detainee. He was detained twice from 1982 to 1988, and 1989 to 1991 when he fought against the one-party rule of Daniel Arap Moi. 

Mr. Oginga Odinga, a distinguished African leader of the Kenya Colony was one on a short visit to India in March, 1953, giving a broadcast talk at the New Delhi Station of All India Radio, during his visit to the Station.

Initially, Odinga, a native of Kisumu, a city on the shores of Lake Victoria, studied engineering in East Germany before returning home in the 1970s where he taught at the University of Nairobi and started a range of successful businesses. He found his way into politics when he was linked to a failed coup against Arap Moi in 1982; accused of treason, and though the charges were later dropped, he spent most of the decade in and out of jail.

To many, he is known as the founding father of Kenya’s multiparty democracy, a master strategist, and a great mobilizer, bringing in together huge crowds and people of all walks of life. To many, Odinga had been under political persecution for his strength, and his wish for a better Kenya. After fighting for so many years, being so close all the time, with one’s victories getting stolen, how does one reconcile it in the end? Are the Western puppets always the winners, while the strong-willed true lovers of their people always second? 

So long Baba Odinga! Thank you for your love, for your great political acumen, and for your strength, never giving up over the years. You have been and remain an example for our struggle for the freedom and betterment of Africa; we will never give up and like you, never back down!!!

Namibia Makes History as the Only Country in the World where Women hold Key Positions

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2025 Namibian Cabinet (Source: Malawi24.com)

At the United Nations (UN) general assembly last month, Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah unveiled the long strides and historic milestones that the country has been making: women make up 57% of the government! Namibia has done what no other country in the world has ever done: the country has a female president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, vice-president Lucia Witbooi, speaker of the national assembly Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, and secretary general of the ruling party, with 57% of the cabinet held by women, including top ministries such as finance, health, education, and international relations and trade. Namibia is the only country in the world where women hold the top positions. Namibia has closed 81% of his gender gap, ranking 8th globally, and ranking number one in Africa. This is an amazing milestone, and blueprint. Women literally rule in Namibia! Like we already said, as has been proven in history, Africa has a long tradition of having female rulers when no other part of the world does. Congratulations to Namibia, and we hope these women great work.

Excerpts below are from Malawi24. Enjoy President Nandi-Ndaitwah’s speech at the UN general assembly below. 

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Flag of Namibia

Namibia has entered a new chapter in its political history with the appointment of a groundbreaking all-women leadership at the highest levels of government. On Saturday, newly elected President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah – Namibia’s first female Head of State – announced her inaugural Cabinet, naming Lucia Witbooi as Vice President and Ericah Shafudah as Minister of Finance. Just a day earlier, Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila was elected Speaker of the National Assembly, becoming the first woman to lead the country’s parliament. For the first time in Namibia – and in Africa – a nation is led by women across the top three offices of government: President, Vice President, and Speaker of Parliament.

Former French President, Nicolas Sarkozy, gets 5-year Sentence for Corruption Linked to Libya

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Nicolas Sarkozy battu
Nicolas Sarkozy battu

This Thursday, September 25, 2025, the former French President Nicolas Sarkozy was given a 5-year jail sentence after being found guilty of criminal conspiracy in a case related to millions of euros of illicit funds from the late Libyan leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi. The Paris criminal court acquitted him of all other charges, including passive corruption, and illegal campaign financing. It is the first time a former French president has received a prison sentence; he has also been given a €100,000 fine.

Nicolas Sarkozy, by Zapiro (source Grigrinews.com)
Nicolas Sarkozy, by Zapiro (source Grigrinews.com)

It is no secret that Sarkozy was at the helm of the destruction of Gaddafi, and Libya as a whole. This man, whose campaign and election was funded by Gaddafi!!! I repeat, Nicolas Sarkozy became president thanks to Gaddafi and Libya! This man deserves a lifetime in jail; not even sure if that will be enough to dry the tears of the Libyan people. Why? By his acts of extreme jealousy, destruction, and hate of goodness, he, and his NATO cronies destroyed Libya for generations to come, and not only Libya, but destabilized the whole of Africa with it. It is not a joke… and he gets only 5 years? 5 years for destroying, killing, destabilizing an entire population, and de facto a whole continent? He deserves life if not the other option that we all know!

Excerpts below are from Al-Jazeera. 

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Muammar Gaddafi

Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy was found guilty on Thursday of criminal conspiracy following a trial in which he was accused of accepting millions of euros in illegal payments from the late Libyan ruler, Muammar Gaddafi, between 2005 and 2007. The Paris Criminal Court sentenced him to five years in prison: it is the first time a former French president has received a prison sentence.

Sarkozy, 70, was found not guilty of other charges, including illegal campaign financing and passive corruption. Sarkozy has always denied all the charges [of course]. He claims the charges against him were politically motivated by Gaddafi’s inner circle in revenge for his backing of the antigovernment uprising in Libya in 2011.

The destruction of Libya: the cake
The destruction of Libya: the cake

… In his latest trial, which began in January this year, French prosecutors claimed that when he was interior minister, Sarkozy made a corrupt agreement to support Gaddafi’s government on the international stage in return for financing worth millions of euros to help pay for his presidential campaign. The agreement was alleged to have been carried out via a network of Libyan spies, a convicted terrorist, arms dealers and millions of euros shipped to Paris in suitcases.

… Besides Sarkozy, there were 11 other defendants, including the late French-Lebanese businessman Ziad Takieddine; Claude Gueant, a former close aide of Sarkozy; Eric Woerth, Sarkozy’s former head of campaign financing; and Brice Hortefeux, a former minister.

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

… The judge stated there was no evidence that Sarkozy struck a deal with Gaddafi or that funds sent from Libya ended up in Sarkozy’s campaign [so there were funds], even though the timing aligned and the money’s routes were “very opaque”. However, she found Sarkozy guilty of criminal conspiracy for allowing close aides to contact Libyan individuals in an attempt to secure campaign financing.

The allegations first came to light in 2011 when a Libyan news agency reported that the Gaddafi government had provided financing to Sarkozy’s 2007 election campaign. In 2014, news channel France 24 reported that Gaddafi had said, “Sarkozy is mentally deficient … It’s thanks to me that he became president … We gave him the funds that allowed him to win,” during a recorded interview with another French broadcaster, France 3 TV.

Map of Libya

… The same year, Gaddafi’s son, Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, told Euronews that Gaddafi’s government had provided campaign funding to Sarkozy. He said: “The first thing we ask of this clown is that he return the money to the Libyan people, but he let us down.”

In 2012, Mediapart, a French online news outlet, published a note reportedly from the Libyan secret services from December 2006. The note allegedly mentioned Gaddafi’s agreement to provide Sarkozy with 50 million euros ($52m at current exchange rates) for campaign financing. Sarkozy claimed the document was fake [of course].

… In 2007, Sarkozy welcomed Gaddafi to the Elysee Palace in Paris. But when pro-democracy protests erupted during the Arab Spring in 2011, Sarkozy was among the first Western leaders to advocate for military intervention in Libya. Gaddafi was killed by opposition forces supported by NATO in 2011, ending his four-decade rule.

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Africans Shine at the 2025 Tokyo World Athletics Championships

On By Dr. Y.In Great Moments, Great People1 Comment
Botswana’s 4×400 relay team celebrating their gold medal (Source: Reuters/Eloisa Lopez)

Africa had an awesome show at the World Athletics Championships last week, which took place in Tokyo, Japan, from Sept 13 to 21.

First of all, congratulations to Botswana which cemented its place by winning the country and continent’s first ever gold in 4 x 400 m relay in the men’s discipline. On Sunday, Botswana’s team of Lee Bhekempilo Eppie, Letsile Tebogo, Bayapo Ndori and Busang Collen Kebinatshipi edged out the US, the winners of the last 10 world titles, in a rain-drenched race, while South Africa took third position; the team had previously earned the silver medal in the Men’s 4x400m relay at the Paris Olympics last year. This gold victory has caused the country’s president to declare Monday September 29 a public holiday to celebrate the country’s victory in the Men’s 4×400 metres in Tokyo. President Duma Boko hailed the gold medal as a “historic African win“, in an online address praising the team for their performance. From New York where he is attending the UN General Assembly, President Boko added, “I’ll be sure to tell everyone, Botswana’s natural diamonds are not just in the ground, they are our World Champion athletes.” The country finished 5th in the medal tally behind the US, Kenya, Netherlands and Canada, with 2 gold, 1 silver, and 1 bronze medals. Busang Collen Kebinatshipi won gold in the men’s 400 m, while Bayapo Ndori took silver in the same discipline.

Kenya’s Beatrice Chebet, gold, and Kenya’s Faith Kipyegon, silver, react after the women’s 5,000 meters final at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo. (Source: Pic/AP, PTI)

Our Kenyan sisters Beatrice Chebet and Faith Kipyegon did not disappoint. They were on fire! Beatrice Chebet triumphed in the Women’s 10,000 m and 5,000 m winning gold in both; she became the third woman to ever complete the 5,000m-10,000m double at a World Championships. Faith Kipyegon came through with a gold in the Women’s 1500 m, and silver in the 5000 m; she has now matched retired men’s world record holder Hicham El Guerrouj as the only other athlete in history to amass four 1500 m titles at the championships. Lilian Odira and Faith Cherotich took gold in the Women’s 800m and 3000m steeplechase, while Peres Jepchirchir took gold in the Women’s marathon. Dorcus Ewoi took silver in the Women’s 1500 m. The men did not disappoint either with Emmanuel Wanyonyi taking gold in 800 m, while Reynold Cheruiyot and Edmund Serem both claimed bronze medals in the Men’s 1500 m and 3000 m steeplechase respectfully.

Tanzania’s Alphonce Simbu won the gold medal in the Men’s marathon – making it the first gold medal for the country at the World Athletics Championships.

Flag of Ethiopia

Ethiopia took silver in the Men’s 10,000 m with Yomif Kejelcha, while Gudaf Tsegay took bronze in the women’s version of the discipline. Tigst Assefa took home silver in Women’s marathon and Sembo Almayew bronze in women’s 3000 m steeplechase.

Djamel Sedjati of Algeria won the silver medal in the Men’s 800 m.

Soufiane El Bakkali won silver medal in the Men’s 3000 m steeplechase.

Our Nigerian sister Tobi Amusan did not disappoint, taking home the silver medal in the Women’s 100 m hurdles, her country’s sole medal at these world championships.

As stated earlier, the South African men’s team, made up of Lythe Pillay, Udeme Okon, Wayde van Niekerk, and Zakithi Nene, won the bronze medal in the 4 x 400 m behind Botswana and the US.

Kudos to our African athletes, and we hope to see more and more victories in the future.

 

Flag of Kenya

While at the Berlin marathon, Kenya made a clean sweep with Sabastian Sawe winning the men’s race and Rosemary Wanjiru triumphing in the women’s. Sawe finished in 2h2min16s to make it 3 wins in his first three marathons. Ethiopia’s Chimdessa Debele followed in third. In the women’s marathon, Ethiopia’s Dera Dida followed three seconds behind Wanjiru, with Azmera Gebru – also of Ethiopia – coming third.

Inauguration of the Great Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD)

On By Dr. Y.In Great Civilizations, Great MomentsLeave a comment
Flag of Ethiopia

Africa has inherited arbitrary boundaries delineating countries from the colonial era, and even water supplies! This is the case for the Nile River, the world’s longest river, which flows through several countries in North and East Africa, including Egypt, Sudan, South Sudan, and Ethiopia. Nobody presents the Nile River anymore, as it is a River which has been part of this planet’s history since time immemorial with its critical place in one of the greatest civilizations of the world, that of Ancient Egypt and its pharaohs, and in the Bible, the most read book in the world.

Map of the Nile River flow and the location of Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) in Africa

Yesterday marked the inauguration and official opening of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). This is Africa’s largest hydro-electric dam, measuring 1.8 km (1.1 miles) wide and 145 m (0.1 mile) tall, and is located on the Blue Nile in Western Ethiopia near the border with Sudan. It is expected to generate 5,100 MW of power, and more than double Ethiopia’s current capacity. It is designed to supply power to Ethiopia, but also to neighboring countries. 

The dam’s location on a Nile tributary has sparked tensions between Ethiopia and Egypt, which relies heavily on Nile waters. The Nile River has long been governed by a series of historical treaties, many of which were shaped during colonial times and have sparked ongoing disputes—especially between Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia. The 1929 Anglo-Egyptian Treaty gave Egypt veto power over upstream projects, and allocated the majority of the Nile waters to Egypt and Sudan, excluding upstream countries like Ethiopia. Later, the 1959 Nile Waters agreement between Egypt and Sudan divided the Nile’s flow between Egypt and Sudan, not including Ethiopia and other upstream nations in the deal. This last deal remains the primary legal framework used by Egypt to assert its water rights! Picture this? A river flows through your country and others, and the others share the river’s flow among themselves and forget you in the equation, like you did not exist, or like the river never flowed through your country, and was also a source of existence for your people. What the …? Such injustice!

Flag of Egypt
Flag of Egypt

No wonder there are issues! Egypt relies on the Nile for over 90% of its freshwater. Any disruption in the flow could threaten agriculture, drinking water, and industry. Egypt fears that the GERD would reduce water availability, especially during droughts. It has since then reduced the area cultivated for certain crops like rice which are water greedy.

Ethiopia feels that it has the right to use its own water resources, and rightfully so. Ethiopia today is a growing nation, and one of Africa’s strongest economies. The GERD is seen as a great symbol of national unity. It is a national development project, which will double Ethiopia’s electricity output, provide power to millions, and boost regional exports.

For Ethiopians, the GERD is seen as a victory: victory against all preconceived ideas that they could not seat at the table, or even design such amazing engineering feats. Because of the tensions, Egypt (which has always been the partners of all these foreign colonial powers in the region) had lobbied the world bank and other world funding organizations against financing the dam; thus the dam has been almost entirely domestically funded through bonds and donations. The GERD has also united citizens across ethnic and political divides.

After 14 years of continuous work, the GERD was officially launched by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed who called it “the greatest achievement in the history of the Black race.” I would not go as far, but I agree that this is a great historical achievement indeed!

To learn more, check out articles in BBC, Al-Jazeera, The Conversation, and many others.

 

Ceremony for the Return of King Toera’s Skull

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Flag of Madagascar

Today, September 2, 2025, the three Sakalava skulls with one believed to be that of King Toera, were welcomed in the capital Antananarivo (France Returns the Skull of Beheaded King of the Sakalava People of Madagascar). They were draped in the Malagasy flag, welcomed by several members of the Sakalava royal family including Prince Georges Harea Kamamy great-grandson of King Toera, great delegations of Sakalava elders in traditional robes, as well as the Madagascar President. The remains were then transported to Antananarivo’s Mausoleum, Mausoleum of Avaratr’Ambohitsaina, then onward to Belo Tsiribihina near King Toera’s homeland. The Malagasy President said, “Dans ce lieu historique, nous célébrons les martyrs de la patrie qui ont combattu le colonialisme. Nous renforçons dans le coeur des descendants la mémoire de ceux qui ont lutté pour la patrie. Ils ne mourront jamais dans nos coeurs.” (In this historic place, we celebrate the martyrs of the homeland who fought against colonialism. We strengthen in the hearts of our descendants the memory of those who fought for the homeland. They will never die in our hearts.).

Gravure of France implanting a protectorate in Madagascar 1897

The remains will now begin a 4-day journey of tributes before being returned to their descendants, on their way to their final resting place in the royal village of Ambiky in the Menabe region. As Prince Kamamy said, once the skulls are returned to them, they will conduct their own rites.

One caveat, which we had previously eluded to, is, no genetic testing has conclusively established the identity of any of these skulls to be that of King Toera! The joint scientific committee, France-Madagascar, could only confirm that the three skulls came from the Sakalava people. Could they even confirm which Sakalava group, North or South? Does it matter? However, the customary rites conducted by a traditional Sakalava intermediary affirmed that one skull belonged to the monarch. Then the French Culture Minister Rachida Dati, said, “scientifically, it is permissible to assume that one of these skulls is his, without absolute certainty.”

Thus, the question remains, why now? Remember, that the first formal request for the return started by Toera’s descendants dates back to 2003, and there have been over 20 years of appeals!

France Returns the Skull of Beheaded King of the Sakalava People of Madagascar

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Flag of Madagascar

It would seem that no matter what we do, there are certain things that always prove us right. Isn’t it amazing that just over 2 weeks after admitting to the murder of Cameroonians for almost 30 years in one of the most repressive wars of independence on the continent, France, whose presidents dash out acknowledgments without apologies, that same France just returned the skull of King Toera of Madagascar 127 years after it was taken? King Toera was a Sakalava King on the Great Island of Madagascar, who opposed the French occupation and colonization; he paid for that with his life, getting executed by French troops in 1897. Our article would not be complete without asking fundamental questions: why did they take King Toera’s skull? It is no secret that the Malagasy people, like the Bamileke people of Cameroon, and many other groups in Africa, venerate their ancestors – was this a pervert, occult, way of maintaining dominance over them? Why return it now, after 127 years? Is it even the real skull of King Toera? In the era of 3-D printing, and given that these same European museums which have amassed so much money over the years from admissions to see these stolen treasures have repeated under some weird laws or arguments that they cannot return the loot to the victims, what makes us now think that they will part from the skull of the King of the Sakalava people of Madagascar? How would we, Africans, tell if it is even the real deal?  And now they say that it is the French government, from the goodness of its heart (under a 2023 restitution law) which has decided to repatriate the skull, forgetting to tell everyone that the government of Madagascar has been asking for years for repatriation! Oh perverted humanity that displays the remains of human beings for viewership! This reminds us of the story of Sarah Baartman: The Black Venus, where it took South African presidents Nelson Mandela and Thabo Mbeki begging for her remains to finally be returned from that same France! 

Excerpts below are from CNN.

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Gravure of France implanting a protectorate in Madagascar 1897

France has returned three skulls to Madagascar more than a century after they were taken, including one believed to be that of a 19th-century Malagasy king who was beheaded by French troops.

The repatriation of the skulls to the island nation off the southeastern coast of Africa marks the first time France has implemented a 2023 law enabling the return of human remains to a country for funeral purposes.

France conquered the kingdoms of the Sakalava people in western Madagascar in the 1890s and integrated the Sakalava into a newly formed French colony. One of the three Sakalava skulls returned to Madagascar, which gained independence from France in 1960, is presumed to be that of King Toera. … He was executed by French troops in 1897. The other two skulls belonged to two generals who fought with the king …

… “I welcome the return of these three skulls, including that of King Toera of the Sakalava people, an origin shared by nearly a third of the Malagasy population,” Fetra Rakotondrasoava, permanent secretary of Madagascar’s Ministry of Culture, who co-chaired the Malagasy-French Committee of Researchers working on the identification of the skulls, told CNN on Wednesday.

Madagascar
Madagascar

“This is not only the repatriation of human remains, but the return of a part of our history and memory,” he said, adding: “We will now be able to honor these remains as they should be. This moment carries significance for the Malagasy people and for all nations engaged in the restitution of their heritage.”

Madagascar’s Communication and Culture Minister, Volamiranty Donna Mara, said at the ceremony that the human remains, including that of “our great, indeed very great, King Toera,” are “not mere objects in a collection” but the link, “invisible and indelible, which binds our present to our past.”

“Their absence, for more than a century, 128 years, has been an open wound at the heart of the Great Island (Madagascar), and especially for the Sakalava community of Menabe,” she continued.

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