L’homme est comme le poivre rouge ; si vous n’en avez pas encore mangé, vous ne pouvez estimer combien il est fort (Proverbe Haoussa – Nigeria, Niger, Cameroun, Tchad, Soudan, Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, Benin, Togo).
Man is like red pepper ; if you have never eaten it, you cannot estimate how strong it is (Hausa proverb – Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon, Chad, Sudan, Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, Benin, Togo).
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.
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.
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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 face on the 25 Francs CFA coin, the chemist Mariam Dicoh Konan is no more. A few years back, we introduced you to the “chemist in your purses,” Une Chimiste dans vos portefeuilles / A Chemist in Your Purse, Mrs Mariam Dicoh Konan. If you are from Côte d’Ivoire, and Francophone West Africa in general, you would have certainly held a 25 F CFA (that treacherous currency is not our subject today – note there is a difference between FCFA from West Africa and FCFA from Central Africa… same currency, but not interchangeable between zones … another incongruity) coin in your hands at some point, and on that coin is the engraved face of Mariam Dicoh Konan, the first woman chemist of Côte d’Ivoire. She is engraved on the 25 FCFA coin with a burette. Countless people have walked around with her face in their pockets, without knowing her. Today, the 25 F coin is rarely seen in circulation – inflation has taken care of it.
For Mrs Konan, it was an honor to represent her country. Her son recounted to RFI, « To summarize for you a little the greatness of the character, on the anecdote of this 25 CFA franc coin, we were not aware of it. Some people, some lawyers came and said “but tell me Madam, has anyone asked you for the image rights? You can sue the Central Bank today and demand damages and interests.” She responded curtly, “It is an honor for me to represent my country and Africa on a coin, never will I do such a thing.” This is to tell you who she is as a character.» She was a true patriot who loved her country and continent (I do hope that the country recognized her). We need more Mariam Dicoh Konan around!
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).
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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“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.
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.”
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.
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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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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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.
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. …
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].”
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.
Taar tigi ci jikko lay ne
La vraie beauté se trouve dans le caractère (proverbe Wolof – Sénégal).
True beauty is found in one’s character (Wolof proverb – Senegal).
I found this gem of a poem by the great African poet David Mandessi Diop. Diop was born in France, of a Cameroonian mother from the royal Bell line with illustrious members such as Rudolf Duala Manga Bell and Ndumbe Lobe Bell (King Bell) both kings of the Duala people, and a Senegalese father. Although he died young, in a plane crash in 1960, he has left a strong imprint on African poetry. His most famous poem, Africa, has been one of my favorites growing up and was thought in schools throughout the continent. His work always focused on a condemnation of colonialism and slavery, while filled with hope for an independent Africa.
Thus, the poem Les Vautours (The Vultures) explores the horrors of colonialism and its impact on Africa. As one can guess, the Vultures are the colonizers who preyed on a fragile Africa, and exploited it with extreme violence. With the arrival of the Europeans, there was a clash of civilizations, Christianity was imposed upon our ancestors via machine guns as noted by the author’s reference to “monotonous rhythm of Pater-Nosters,” and slavery and later forced labor took a toll on them in the plantations or on the roads built referenced as “bloody monument.” When the author mentions “mutilated promises through machine guns,” it reminds us, for example, of the Thiaroye Camp where the tirailleurs were killed by French forces for simply asking for their pension after having served to free France from Nazi forces during World War II. As always, the author finishes on the high note of hope “Spring will put on flesh under our steps of light.” As one reads this poem, it appears that The Vultures are still at work on African soil, but the Spring is putting on flesh under Africans’ steps as we can see in the AES and more.
The original was published in Coups de pilon, Présence Africaine, 1956. Translated to English by Dr. Y., Afrolegends.com
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Les Vautours par David Mandessi Diop / The Vultures by David Mandessi Diop
| Les VautoursEn ce temps là
A coups de gueule de civilisation A coups d’eau bénite sur les fronts domestiqués Les vautours construisaient à l’ombre de leurs serres Le sanglant monument de l’ère tutélaire En ce temps là Les rires agonisaient dans l’enfer métallique des routes Et le rythme monotone des Pater-Noster Couvraient les hurlements des plantations à profit O le souvenir acide des baisers arrachés Les promesses mutilées au choc des mitrailleuses Hommes étranges qui n’étiez pas des hommes Vous saviez tous les livres vous ne saviez pas l’amour Et les mains qui fécondent le ventre de la terre Les racines de nos mains profondes comme la révolte Malgré vos chants d’orgueil au milieu des charniers Les villages désolés l’Afrique écartelée L’espoir vivait en nous comme une citadelle Et des mines du Souaziland à la sueur lourde des usines d’Europe Le printemps prendra chair sous nos pas de clarté. |
The VulturesIn that time
When civilization struck in a fit of anger When holy water struck domesticated foreheads The vultures built in the shadow of their claws The bloody monument of the tutelary era In that time Laughter died away in the metallic hell of the roads And the monotonous rhythm of Pater-nosters Covered the screams on plantations run for profit O sour memory of extorted kisses Promises mutilated by machine-gun blasts Strange men who were not men You knew all the books you did not know love Or the hands that fertilize the womb of the earth The roots of our hands deep as the revolt Despite your hymns of pride among graveyards Villages laid to waste and Africa dismembered Hope lived in us like a citadel And from the mines of Swaziland to the heavy sweat of Europe’s factories Spring will take shape under our steps of light. |
Un arbre en fleur reçoit la visite des insectes (Proverbe Toucouleur – Sénégal, Mali, Mauritanie). – Le riche ne manque jamais de profiteurs.
A flowering tree receives the visit of insects (Toucouleur proverb – Senegal, Mali, Mauritania). – The wealthy never lacks profiteers.
African Heritage 