African Governments should make Contracts Public to their Populations!

On October 9, 2023 By Dr. Y.In Great Moments5 Comments

As we remember the Zambia Sovereign Debt Crisis, the Entebbe airport Uganda-China debt (Ugandan international airport at Entebbe about to be seized by China), the 999-year land lease granted to Europeans in Kenya, and the price of gold in Mali or uranium in Niger, the common thread seems to be that in most of these cases African countries are taken in for a ride, and that these contracts are negotiated without the people’s knowledge, or rather none of these contracts are discussed in the parliaments of these countries were the people’s representatives could all get to vote on it. The contracts are instead negotiated behind closed doors, thus ensuring constant corruption, and of course many years of “walking blindfolded”. If the future of their constituents is going to be traded away, why shouldn’t the people be invited to the negotiation table? Some argue that this would take too long, that sometimes, waiting for parliament’s approval may lead to gridlocks and more… however if the people’s future is going to be signed away like in the case of Zambia and countless African countries, contracts need to be made public. Now if it is confidential, why not release at least the ones that were signed over 20, 50 years ago? or the ones signed at independence (which are now over 60 years old)? This will help the new generations of lawyers to also learn how to negotiate for better contracts in the future. The reason is most likely that, just like in the case of The 11 Components of the French Colonial Tax in Africa, if Africans were made aware of what their forefathers were made to sign, they would have risen in riots, and many of the puppet governments installed to serve the West will all get toppled down.

It is about time that current African governments release the contracts signed at the time of independence!!! More importantly, it is also high time that when negotiating our future away, that we, the people, are invited at the negotiation table so that our children and children’s children and generations to come do not spend centuries paying interest on a debt that keeps increasing because of poor deals! Some may say, “we are in 2023, why do you need to know what happened in the 1960s? We need to focus on the present!“ Oh yes, but the past will inform the future! The contracts of yesterday still affect today, particularly in Africa, see The 11 Components of the French Colonial Tax in Africa, and The Bank of Senegal: Ancestor to the FCFA – producing Bank. It is because we do not keep archives that we keep repeating the same mistakes over and over. If we all learned from the fact that, for instance, Pascal Lissouba of Congo was deposed because he asked for the re-negotiation of Congo’s oil and dared change partners from French to Americans, and then later under fire he back-pedaled back to French, we will know never to back-pedal and that once we have set our minds for liberty, no matter how hard it is, we should stay the course.

Senegalese Couple Makes History by Winning Literary Caine Prize for African Writing

On October 6, 2023October 6, 2023 By Dr. Y.In Great LiteratureLeave a comment

Woppa Diallo and Mame Bougouma Diene (Source: The Caine Prize/Guardian)

A Senegalese couple, Mame Bougouma Diene and Woppa Diallo, has made history this week by winning the Caine Prize for African Writing. It is the first time in the history of the prize that it is awarded to a couple. Diallo is a lawyer and activist while French-Senegalese American Diene is a humanitarian and a short-story writer. They are married.

Their winning story, “A Soul of Small Places,” drew inspiration from Diallo’s personal experience of gender-based violence in Senegal. Her story highlighted themes of violence, revenge, love, and loss, mirroring her own life experiences. She revealed to the BBC that her personal struggles served as the inspiration behind the story.

Congratulations to this couple, and excerpts below are from the BBC. Please take the time to also read articles at the Guardian and the Caine Prize.

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Senegalese writing duo Mame Bougouma Diene and Woppa Diallo have won this year’s prestigious Caine Prize for African writing, making it the first time a pair has won the award.

Their story A Soul of Small Places is inspired by Diallo’s experience of gender-based violence in Senegal.

Her story weaves through themes of violence, revenge, love and loss.

“The story is simply my life. It’s the struggles I’ve been through that have inspired me,” Diallo told the BBC.

It was praised for its deep storytelling and ability to celebrate love while also addressing pressing global issues.

… They met when Diene was visiting a shelter in northern Senegal where Woppa was speaking about her advocacy against gender-based violence.

“The co-authoring comes from the fact that the story could not have been written if I hadn’t met Woppa and if I hadn’t heard Woppa speak,” he says.

… The Caine Prize winners receive a cash gift of £10,000 ($12,000), as well as featuring their work in the 2023 Caine Prize anthology.

The award for a short story by an African writer published in English had a record-breaking 297 entries from 28 different countries this year.

Why is Niger so Poor and Why the Anti-French Sentiment?

On October 3, 2023October 9, 2023 By Dr. Y.In Great Moments3 Comments

Somebody recently asked why the anti-French sentiment was so high in West Africa and in particular in Niger. After all, France is the land of lights and liberties, so why would anyone not like France? The person argued that Africans and Nigeriens in particular had no reason to have such feelings toward France.

For all who look at the index of countries in the world, Niger is the poorest country in the world, yet it is so rich in uranium, and among the world’s first producers of uranium in the world. For many years, France’s nuclear centrals were fully furnished ONLY by the uranium from Niger, and in 2021 Niger was the main supplier for the EU.

Let’s do the math, focusing just on uranium, shall we? Niger produces about 130,000 tons of uranium per year. Uranium was not traded internationally for many years. At some point, the price for 1 kg of uranium was about 200 Euros, worth about 131,118 FCFA (the currency imposed upon Niger and 14 other countries in Africa by France, FCFA, The 11 Components of the French Colonial Tax in Africa). Thus, this uranium should bring to Niger about 26,000,000,000 Euros per year ==> 26,000,000,000 x 655.59 FCFA = 17,045,340,000,000 FCFA. It has been over 50 years that uranium has been exploited in Niger. Thus, 26,000,000,000 Euros in 50 years = 1,300,000,000,000 Euros or 17,045,340,000,000 FCFA in 50 years = 852,267,000,000,000 FCFA.

However, France does not pay Niger’s uranium 200 Euros per kg, but rather 0.80 Euro per kg (4000 FCFA vs 131,118 FCFA Industrial Info Resources)!!! And when Mamadou Tamdja, former president of Niger asked France to increase the price to 10 meager Euros, he was deposed in a coup d’etat (Africa: Can you Feel the Wind of Change?)!

Thus for 130,000 tons of uranium per year, Niger receives 520,000,000,000 FCFA. In 50 years, Niger has only gotten about 26,000,000,000,000 FCFA.

In summary, Niger losses equal 852,267,000,000,000 – 26,000,000,000,000 FCFA = 826,267,000,000,000 FCFA = 1,294,800,000,000 Euros in 50 years of exploitation of Niger. And all this math is without counting the money taken away by France with the FCFA currency (∼50%)! No wonder Niger is so poor!

Then in recent days, we heard France’s government claim in the media that France gives out 130,000,000 Euros per year to Niger for help; France is so generous, isn’t it? However, this amount represents about 1/200th of what France has been “taking” home from Niger from uranium only. Remember that France’s companies in Niger (and in countless other African countries) do not pay taxes in Niger, but in France! And this is only the uranium of Niger! Niger has gold, and other resources that France has been taking out dirt cheap. This is only Niger, JUST think about the other 14 African countries!!! NO WONDER NIGER IS POOR… ITS WEALTH IS IN FRANCE’S COFFERS. After this mathematics exercise, if you were Nigerien, can you love France?

P.S.: The current price of uranium is about $73 per lbs, so about 70 Euros/lbs today. This exercise can be done to apply to today’s prices.

Proverbe Peul sur les parents/ Fula Proverb on Parents

On September 27, 2023September 27, 2023 By Dr. Y.In Great WisdomLeave a comment

La vache bouscule son veau, mais ne le hait pas (Proverbe Peul – Afrique de l’Ouest et Afrique Centrale). – Les parents punissent les enfants, mais ne les haïssent pas.

The cow jostles her calf, but does not hate it (Fula proverb – West Africa and Central Africa). – Parents punish children, but do not hate them.

France set to Withdraw Troops and Ambassador from Niger

On September 26, 2023 By Dr. Y.In Great MomentsLeave a comment

The diplomatic tug-of-war between France and Niger has finally come to an end? President Macron of France said that France will be withdrawing its troops and ambassador from Niger. It has taken almost 2 months for France to agree to remove its ambassador and troops. On August 26, Niger’s government asked the French ambassador to join them for talks like they do with all diplomatic representations in their country. France refused and said that they could not talk to a junta, as they only recognized the fallen president Bazoum as an interlocutor. Niger’s authorities then gave the French ambassador, Sylvain Itte, 48 hours to leave their country given that France would not recognize them on their own soil. France refused to withdraw their ambassador, stating that it doesn’t recognize the coup-plotters as the country’s legitimate leaders. Niger’s authorities then revoked the diplomatic immunity of France‘s ambassador and ordered the police to expel him from the West African country. If the ambassador and his family were found anywhere outside of the embassy, they were considered persona non grata and will be deported immediately; they posted military outside which checked every car entering or leaving the embassy.

President Macron finally came to his senses and has decided to withdraw the 1500 French troops stationed in Niger, as well as his ambassador. This is the best way to avoid further humiliation. This is a step forward. However, the Niger authorities and people need to stay alert, this is not the end. There is no way France or Europe will leave the uranium and other resources of Niger just like that. There are still American, German, and Italian forces on Niger’s soil: there is a strong solidarity among Europeans, they act as a United force. Excerpts below are from the BBC.

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President Emmanuel Macron has said France will withdraw its ambassador and end all military co-operation with Niger following a coup.

“France has decided to withdraw its ambassador. In the next hours our ambassador and several diplomats will return to France,” Mr Macron said.

He added that military co-operation was “over” and French troops would leave in “the months to come“.

The military junta [Niger authorities] which seized power in Niger in July welcomed the move.

“This Sunday we celebrate a new step towards the sovereignty of Niger,” the junta said, in a statement quoted by AFP news agency.

There are about 1,500 French soldiers in the landlocked West African country helping to fight Islamist militants. The US also has more than 1,000 troops in Niger but these have not been asked to leave.

The decision by Paris follows months of animosity and protests against the French presence in its former colony, with regular demonstrations in the capital Niamey.

The move deals a hammer blow to France’s operations against jihadists in the wider Sahel region and Paris’ influence there. But Mr Macron said France would “not be held hostage by the putschists,” …

Mr Macron said he still regarded ousted Niger President Mohamed Bazoum, currently held prisoner by the coup leaders, as the country’s “sole legitimate authority” and had informed him of his decision. He described the deposed president as a “hostage“.

“He was targeted by this coup d’etat because he was carrying out courageous reforms and because there was a largely ethnic settling of scores and a lot of political cowardice,” he said.

Niger is one of several former French colonies in West and Central Africa where the military has recently seized control – it follows Burkina Faso, Guinea, Mali and Chad. …

Anti-French vitriol has flourished in the region in recent years, with many local politicians accusing Paris of carrying out neocolonialist policies – a charge denied by France.

….

On the 65th Commemoration of Ruben Um Nyobe’s Murder, His Widow Passes Away

On September 22, 2023 By Dr. Y.In Great PeopleLeave a comment

Marie Um Nyobe (born Marie Ngo Ndjock Yebga), the widow of one of Cameroon’s greatest opposition fighters and freedom fighters, the real Father of Cameroonian independence, Ruben Um Nyobé, has passed away on the exact same day that her husband was murdered 65 years ago, on 13 September 1958. This comes just as Cameroon and the Union des Populations du Cameroon (UPC) is commemorating the 65th year of his murder by the French forces in Cameroon.

Her son, Daniel Ruben Um Nyobe, communicated in a press release (Journal Du Cameroun) « the family of Mpodol Ruben Um Nyobe, the greater family Nlog Ngond, the greater family Ndog Soul have the grief to announce the passing of Widow Marie Um Nyobe born Ngo Ndjock Yebga on 13 September 2023 in … Yaoundé. »

UPC Leaders (L. to R.) front row: Castor Osende Afana, Abel Kingué, Ruben Um Nyobé, Felix Moumié, and Ernest Ouandié

Marie Um Nyobe is the spouse from a second union with the leader, Ruben Um Nyobé: Fighting for the independence of Cameroon. Um Nyobe had a first union in 1944 with Marthe Ngo Mayack which produced 3 daughters, and when the union fell apart, married Marie Ngo Ndjock Yebga with whom he had the son, Daniel, who was born a year before his death. We hope that Cameroonian historians had had a chance to talk to Mpodol’s wife to learn more about the man himself and Cameroon during the days of the fight for independence.

Mpodol, the one who carries the demands or who defends the cause, was a Cameroonian freedom fighter, and an anti-imperialist leader. During his fight, he wrote, “la colonisation, c’est l’esclavage ; c’est l’asservissement des peuples par un groupe d’individus dont le rôle consiste à exploiter les richesses et les hommes des peuples asservis“( “Colonization is slavery; it is an enslavement of the populations by a group of individuals whose role is to exploit the riches and the men of the enslaved populations.”). He further wrote, Political Constant of Unity Practiced by Ruben Um Nyobe – 1959, and Ruben Um Nyobe and Liberation.

For this commemoration, as Cameroonians and Africans, celebrate the lives of Ruben and Marie Um Nyobe, they should also, above all, stand on the message of Mpodol and fight for the total independence of Africa [Remember Ruben: A Rare Video Biography of Ruben Um Nyobé].

Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger Sign a Mutual Defence Pact

On September 19, 2023September 19, 2023 By Dr. Y.In Great MomentsLeave a comment

Map of Liptako-Gourma region (Source: aha-international.org)

We raise our hats to Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, countries which have signed the Liptako-Gourma Charter, a mutual defense pact to protect their countries, and fight effectively against terrorists which have been occupying the northern parts of their territories.

The Liptako-Gourma Charter establishes the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), which aims to “establish an architecture of collective defence and mutual assistance for the benefit of our populations“, Colonel and leader of Mali, Assimi Goïta wrote on X.

The Liptako-Gourma area is a region of over 370,000 km2, shared among the three countries, and which has been at the heart of the jihadists’ attack in recent years. It is difficult for a single country to face terrorists or try to defend itself, when those jihadists after attacking one run into the neighboring country in impunity. All three countries are faced with the same issues, and by this charter, they unite their efforts to defend themselves, thus tripling their forces.

“This alliance will be a combination of military and economic efforts between the three countries“, Mali’s Defence Minister Abdoulaye Diop told journalists. “Our priority is the fight against terrorism in the three countries.”

The West African regional bloc ECOWAS has threatened to intervene militarily in Niger over the 26 July coup. Mali and Burkina Faso have quickly responded by saying that any such operation would be deemed a “declaration of war” against them (Niger Coup d’Etat: Airspace Closure, Sanctions, Diplomatic Overtures?, All Eyes on Niger, Niger – France Diplomatic Arm Wrestling). Thus the Liptako-Gourma is a clear creation of a defense alliance for these countries, a normal evolution, and a breath of fresh air. As always, united we stand.

Below are excerpts from AfricaNews. The Liptako region was part of the ancient Liptako Emirate, don’t forget to check out the 1891 treaty with France pertaining to the Liptako kingdom.

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The military leaders of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger on Saturday signed a mutual defence pact, ministerial delegations from the three Sahel countries announced in Mali’s capital Bamako.

The Liptako-Gourma Charter establishes the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), Mali’s junta leader Assimi Goita posted on X, the social network formerly known as Twitter. Its aim is to “establish an architecture of collective defence and mutual assistance for the benefit of our populations“, he wrote.

…

A jihadist insurgency that erupted in northern Mali in 2012 spread to Niger and Burkina Faso in 2015. All three countries have undergone coups since 2020, most recently Niger, where soldiers in July overthrew President Mohamed Bazoum. The West African regional bloc ECOWAS has threatened to intervene militarily in Niger over the coup. Mali and Burkina Faso quickly responded by saying that any such operation would be deemed a “declaration of war” against them.

– Mutual defence pact –

The charter signed on Saturday binds the signatories to assist one another — including militarily — in the event of an attack on any one of them.

“Any attack on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of one or more contracting parties shall be considered as an aggression against the other parties and shall give rise to a duty of assistance… including the use of armed force to restore and ensure security“, it states.

It also binds the three countries to work to prevent or settle armed rebellions.

…

Courage, Resilience, and Strength to All

On September 15, 2023 By Dr. Y.In Great WisdomLeave a comment

With the recent events in Morocco and Libya, we would like to wish courage and strength to all. Our hearts go out to our Moroccan and Libyan brothers and sisters. We, as Africans, are ONE, and we can all feel their pains. This message of courage and strength is not only for Moroccans or Libyans, it is for all Africans. A friend from the Caribbeans told me something which has stayed with me: “We may bend” under the weight of whatever life throws at us, “but we do not break!” The baobab tree, present in so many countries of Africa, is a symbol of courage, resilience, and strength. May your feet be planted like the baobab tree and not bend under events.

Never Before Seen Catastrophes hit Morocco and Libya Few Days apart

On September 13, 2023September 13, 2023 By Dr. Y.In Great Moments2 Comments

Our hearts go out to our Moroccan brothers and sisters whose country was hit by a magnitude 6.8 earthquake last Friday; this earthquake, the deadliest seen in the country in over a century, is said to have claimed over 3,000 lives. Similarly, our hearts and prayers accompany our Libyan brothers and sisters whose country was hit by unbelievable floods Tuesday which are said to have claimed between 5,000 – 10,000 lives, and displaced at least 30,000 people; these are also the worst floods Libya has seen in its history. How could such horrendous, never seen before, catastrophes hit countries in the Mediterranean at the same time? Both countries border Algeria on the west and east.

Talking about the earthquake in Morocco on Monday, most articles in the Western media, instead of focusing on the catastrophe, were focusing instead on the fact that Morocco has not allowed rescue teams from all countries to enter their territory, but just a few; in particular, they kept mentioning the fact that Morocco had not allowed French teams on the territory. Every article then was written following that angle, i.e. ‘Morocco is accepting rescue teams from some countries and not others,’ or ‘people are dying because the Moroccan government is not allowing all countries to join in the rescue‘… Some of these Western media and countries act like Africans’ pain should be examined with magnifying glasses, and we ought to accept everything. Isn’t it the right of a sovereign country to take its own decisions? Unbelievable, isn’t it? Who cares which rescue teams you allow on your territory? If some countries are so eager to help, why not send money, food, equipment, etc, instead of turning Moroccan pain into a diplomatic issue. By the way, shouldn’t the question instead be ‘Why is Morocco refusing aid from France and some other countries?’ Could it possibly have something to do with the fact that a couple of weeks ago, France asked to use Moroccan airspace to attack Niger, and maybe Morocco would like to make sure all efforts remain humanitarians? France had also asked to use Algerian airspace to attack Niger, but was denied.

Then disaster hit Libya. The death toll is said to be so high because when the storm hit, 2 dams 8 miles apart located outside the city also failed; it is said that the infrastructure was not well-maintained. Given that NATO and its cronies have messed up Libya to the point of no return by pillaging and looting it after killing Kadhafi, there is no real government in the country. Now giant French war planes are landing in Libya for rescue. War planes for humanitarian rescues? The floods hit the city of Derna on the Benghazi side, from where the attack against Kadhafi’s government were mounted in 2011. Since there is no real government or rather the Benghazi puppet government is weak, anything could fly over their airspace, thus making rescue efforts difficult to coordinate.

Our prayers go out to all our Moroccan and Libyan brothers and sisters. Africa stands with you. Neighboring countries should help when possible and remain on high alert.

Celebrating 3 Million Views on the African Heritage Blog !!!

On September 11, 2023September 11, 2023 By Dr. Y.In Great Moments4 Comments

At the end of August, the African Heritage blog passed the 3 million views cap. This is a celebration of YOU, the readers, and subscribers. Thank you for your constant support, readership, comments, corrections, and contributions. It has not been easy, given the Google search algorithms which have been trying to bury the blog away over the years. Many have said that people no longer read, people no longer have time, the attention span is reducing, times are changing, and most prefer TikTok and all the latest trendy short media form. We, at Afrolegends.com, are thankful for your renewed trust and support, and understand that YOU, the reader, have a choice, and appreciate being part of that choice.

With the current world geopolitical shift involving the BRICS and more, it is clear that the world is changing, and Africa is embarking on a new journey. There is a new Scramble for Africa. The weeks, months, and years ahead will be difficult, fun, unique, and will hopefully mark a new birth for Africa. Please join us as we usher in the new era, the era of the liberation of Africa! As always, as Agostinho Neto said, “A luta continua e la vitoria e certa,” and Thomas Sankara to add, “La Patrie ou la mort, nous vaincrons! / Homeland or death, we shall overcome!” Sankara also said that ” Only Struggle liberates, …” This is a struggle to the finish!

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