Tag: AES

Who / What did We Celebrate in Africa in 2025 ?

On By Dr. Y.In Great Moments2 Comments

We celebrated quite a few achievements in 2025 in Africa. Please find below a few that brought joy across the continent.

  1. AES Logo

    In January, our brothers of the Alliance des Etats du Sahel (AES) signed a joined military agreement. Last week in December, they held the second AES summit where they announced the creation of a radio, television, bank, and completion and progress on many more initiatives. The AES created a Joint Military Force. President Ibrahim Traoré of Burkina Faso succeeds to President Assimi Goïta of Mali for one year at the head of the confederation. We also salute the love shown by the brothers of Niger under President Tchiani who traveled over 1,400 km to bring fuel from Niamey to Bamako which has been under blockade by the terrorists. African Fraternity on Display in the AES.

  2. In March, the Burkinabe film “Katanga, the danse of the scorpions” won the Golden Stallion of Yennenga (Etalon d’or de Yennenga) at 2025 edition of FESPACO, one of Africa’s biggest film festivals. “Katanga, La Danse des Scorpions” by Dani Kouyaté, and FESPACO 2025: Burkina Faso Wins its First Golden Stallion in 28 years!
  3. In March also, archaeologists published in the journal Nature their discovery of the earliest known bone tools, showing evidence of their use 5 million years ago. These bone tools were found in the Olduvai Gorge, in Tanzania. The tools were carved on elephant and hippopotamus bones. Bone Tools found in Tanzania dated 1.5 million years ago.
  4. Angelique Kidjo

    In June, Franco-Beninese artist Angelique Kidjo became the First African Singer to get a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Over the years, she has won 5 Grammy awards and nominated 15 times. With a career spanning over 4 decades, she has been trained by some of Africa’s greats, and has sung and collaborated with some of the greats of the world.

  5. In June, Mali Launched a State Gold Refinery, Zimbabwe banned exports of lithium, while Cote d’Ivoire announced the discovery of large gold deposits on its territory, in the north, near the border with Burkina Faso. This month, Niger took control of its uranium, thus giving the country a true say in its development.
  6. Super Falcons defeat the Atlas Lionesses to win 10th title and become WAFCON 2024 winner (Source: BusinessDay.ng)

    At the end of July, the Nigerian Super Falcons, the Female national soccer team of Nigeria, won the Women’s African Cup of Nation (WAFCON). The Super Falcons of Nigeria defeated The Atlas Lionesses of Morocco to win the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco. Similarly, the D’Tigress, Nigerian Women’s Basketball team won their 7th African Cup, by defeating Mali at  FIBA Women’s AfroBasket Championship in Cote d’Ivoire. Now, we hope that these ladies will make it very far at their respective World Cups and make the continent proud.

  7. Mali recovered over a billion dollar from gold companies to reinvest and give back to their populations. These are the kind of gestures that unnerve the West. Mali Recovers over a Billion $ for its Miners. What a beautiful end-of-year present to the populations!
  8. Botswana’s 4×400 relay team celebrating their gold medal (Source: Reuters/Eloisa Lopez)

    Africans shone at the 2025 Tokyo World Athletics Championships, including Botswana which cemented its place in the athletic world 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 United States, the winners of the last 10 world titles, in a rain-drenched race, while South Africa took third position. Africans are starting to be present in the sprint discipline and we are proud of their hard work.

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

    This year saw the inauguration of the Great Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) in September. The dam has been almost entirely domestically funded through bonds and donations of the hard working populations. The GERD has also united Ethiopian citizens across ethnic and political divides. Inauguration of the Great Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).

  10. The Timbuktu’s manuscripts have returned home after being hosted for almost a decade in Bamako. These are treasures that have been protected for centuries by local families, and they had had to move them because of the insurgency of western-funded terrorists’ attacks which had divided the country. Continuing on the artifacts subject, Great Britain and South Africa handed back Ghanaian royal artifacts. While France returned the skull of Beheaded King Toera of the Sakalava People of Madagascar 127 years after it was taken; one caveat, no genetic testing has conclusively established the identity of any of these skulls to be that of King Toera!
  11. Flag of Namibia

    Namibia made history as the only country in the world where Women hold Key Positions: 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. To the naysayers out there, remember that most of Africa has matriarchal traditions; thus it makes sense that it would be first.

  12. Map of Africa

    This past November, African countries, assembled in Algiers, united to pass a resolution to have colonial era crimes recognized – it’s about time, and let’s hope it works, and that their union keeps up. This comes up as tensions between Algeria and France intensify, culminating with Algeria passing a bill last week requesting that France atone for its 130 years of occupation; France called it a blow to dialogue. African Countries are uniting to pass a Resolution to have Colonial Era Crimes Recognized.

  13. Meta bowed to Nigeria and paid up for privacy infraction. This is a first, and usually multinationals tend to do whatever in our countries… we applaud the judgment, and hope that this signals to those companies to start treating Africans like humans, with some measure of respect. Meta Bows to Nigeria and Pays for Privacy Infraction.

US Conducts Strikes in Nigeria

On By Dr. Y.In Great Moments2 Comments
Flag and map of Nigeria
Flag and map of Nigeria

A few days ago we issued a word of warning to our African populist governments, and then yesterday the United States bombed Nigeria, or rather claimed to have bombed an area full of Islamic State’s terrorists in Sokoto, in northwest Nigeria “in conjunction” with the Nigerian government. A few weeks ago, we heard Americans talk about a Christian “genocide” in Nigeria, and we wondered what that was all about ?Remember the west always uses tricks like this: Muslims against Christians, dark-skinned vs. light-skinned, this tribe vs. that tribe, these ones vs. those ones … it is called the politic of divide-and-conquer.

Map of Nigeria (Source: WorldAtlas.com)

Let us start with a lesson in geography. For those who don’t know, Sokoto is in the Northwest part of Nigeria and is the largest city before the border with Niger, one of the countries in the AES. Over the years, the Islamist State through Boko Haram have destabilized the entire region, but we all know that the area that has been destabilized is on the East, on the border with Cameroon. As a matter of fact, the whole northern part of Cameroon and northeastern of Nigeria have been plagued by Boko Haram attacks for over a decade now. Even Michelle Obama joined the #BringBackOurGirls campaign awareness for the Chibok girls who had been abducted in Nigeria in 2014; Chibok is also on the East, near Cameroon. From the news, the American government claims that the missile strikes were in response to a suicide attack against a packed mosque in Nigeria’s northeastern city of Maiduguri on Wednesday night. So why Sokoto, a mostly Muslim city … so no clear Christian vs. Muslim issue there. Isn’t this baffling? Is it an error in missile strikes, after all, who could blame these people if they don’t know our lands like us? However, it is no secret that America has one of the best intelligence services in the world… and they apparently had help from the Nigerian government itself. That same Nigerian government which cannot stop the abduction of its girls in the Northeast, yet flew fighter jets to strike positions in neighboring Benin to stop the coup against President Talon at the beginning of the month, and then landed in Burkina Faso? Thus, could it be because Sokoto, in northwest Nigeria, is on the border with Niger? Niger which booted the largest US drone base in the world out of their country (Niger suspends military “cooperation” with the US, effective immediately)? The same Niger which is part of the AES (Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger Sign a Mutual Defence Pact)? Niger which is nationalizing its uranium, and has booted France out of its land, and is developing its country, and as a part of the AES? We all saw when then US senator Gaetz asked for retaliation against Niger after the boot, … is this the beginning? or what is it? The explanation given by the American government seems quite bizarre.

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

Africans need to remember that there is a New Scramble for Africa. Europe is falling apart, the West is falling apart … and the only way to stay strong is through that conglomerate of 54 countries that is Africa, with no real union or laws to protect the little ones, and even the big ones can fall prey having never dealt with some of these. They would try everything to keep us down, in-fighting and so on, so they could rise again when things are better. They are using all means, even immigration (the story for another day). This is the era of the awakening! 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!

Word of Caution to Our Governments

On By Dr. Y.In Great MomentsLeave a comment
Ibises and a crocodile

As the end of the year slowly drifts in, we would like to share a word of caution to our legal governments of the AES and all those fighting for the freedom of their people around the globe. The temptation is high to party, it is the end of the year after all, and there were awesome results throughout the year; we have worked hard and rightfully deserve a break. However, these loved governments, those who fight for the dignity of their people are in the target of the well-known predators who tend to use periods like these to strike. We can all remember the Christmas coups that have happened over the years! Just ask the late Henri Konan Bédié, president of Cote d’Ivoire, who was destituted by Robert Guéï on Christmas Eve 24 December 1999, in a coup which has entered the annals of history as the Christmas Eve’s coup. Guéï said that “Nous sommes venus balayer la maison” (we have come to sweep the house); he was himself swept out later on. We remember the Saint-Sylvestre coup d’état in the Central African Republic when army leader Jean-Bédel Bokassa and his military officers staged a coup against the government of President David Dacko. There are also coups that have happened in the early days of the new year. Even in Burkina Faso, there was the 1966 Upper Voltan coup d’état in Upper Volta (now Burkina Faso) which took place on 3 January when Sangoulé Lamizana overthrew Maurice Yaméogo. Or like the ones by Gnassingbé Eyadéma in Togo that took out Sylvanus Olympio on January 13, 1963, and then Nicolas Grunitzky on the same day 4 years later in 1967. The examples are countless.

After the stunt the Nigerian army pulled, flying into Burkina Faso after the so-called coup attempt against Patrice Talon at the beginning of the month, the countries of the AES should be on high alert. Our South American brothers should also be on high alert. We are not saying that coups d’état only take place at the end of the year, as there are no dates for coups, just clear opportunities and weaknesses that the enemy (who is always standing ready) exploits. We are just saying to remain on high alert! When you are doing good for your people, wherever you are, you stand for something that the enemy hates… Remain alert at all times! Don’t stop the good you are doing, but remain alert!

Mali Recovers over a Billion $ for its Miners

On By Dr. Y.In Great Economy, Great Moments, Great PeopleLeave a comment
Map of Mali 

Imagine being able to recover money from multinationals? Imagine putting the well-being of your people so much at the forefront that you are not afraid of uncovering or exposing corruption or injustice, and of taking on major world multinationals! This is what the Malian government has just done, and as a result has uncovered a billion dollar in arrears! Remember how Pascal Lissouba, the former president of the Republic of Congo, admitted that the Congolese government had no idea how much oil Elf (now Total Energies) was pumping out of its soil, and that they were at the mercy of whatever the company wanted to pay them, which was pennies; when he tried to renegotiate contracts or find better partners, he was deposed by Denis Sassou Nguesso, the Western puppet. Remember Jean Bedel Bokassa of the Central African Republic who admitted that he had no visibility on the amount of diamonds or uranium that French and Swiss companies were extracting from his country. Now, imagine being in your sovereign state, i.e. no Western puppet at your helm, the well-being of your people at the forefront?

AES Logo

Mali (and the other countries of the AES) has been working tirelessly on nationalizing their resources, and renegotiating correctly contracts with multinationals that are extracting their resources. Thus, such an exercise is fruitful in the sense that now, they can audit accounts, and compensate or fight for better compensation for their people better. Today, it was announced that Mali has recovered over a billion dollar in arrears from mining companies! Isn’t this a beautiful Christmas /end of year present? This also makes us pray further for the safety of such governments who place the restoration of their people’s dignity and well-being at the forefront of their efforts. Now, more than ever, they will be the target of the foreign corporations and bandits! Now, more than ever, they need each of us to stand in solidarity with them!

Excerpts below are from Africanews.

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Mali has recovered more than a billion dollars in arrears from mining companies after a sweeping audit, its finance minister, Alousséni Sanou, said on Tuesday.

It’s one of the country’s biggest ever clawbacks from its lucrative mining sector.

The military-led government launched an audit of the sector in early 2023 and uncovered massive shortfalls for the state. That paved the way for a new mining code that raises royalties, boosts the state’s ownership in mining companies and scraps stability clauses.

A recovery commission was set up after an audit flagged financial irregularities and shortfalls for the state estimated at between half a billion and a billion dollars.

…

African Fraternity on Display in the AES

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AES Logo

We take a minute today to salute the African fraternity displayed by our brothers of the Alliance des Etats du Sahel (AES – Alliance of Sahel States). It is no secret that islamic terrorists funded by ‘we know who’, have blockaded the distribution of fuel in the capital of Mali, Bamako, for the past 2 months. The jihadists have imposed blockades, multiplied attacks on fuel convoys, and disrupted transported routes, which has almost paralyzed the city. 

The sister country of Niger sent a convoy of trucks to Mali carrying fuel across 1,400 km amid the ongoing regional insecurity. It took 21 days for the convoy of 82 petrol tankers to arrive in Bamako from Niamey. The convoy arrived on 25 November. This example of fraternity among African nations is a warm balm to the heart. 

Since the creation of the AES, a confederation formed by Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, the governments have presented an alliance to deepen their security, defence, and economy, amidst the barricade of open sanctions and hidden attacks that have come from the West and its puppet organization that is the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). 

Excerpts below are from APA News.

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Fuel

A large convoy of 82 hydrocarbon tankers from Niamey successfully arrived in Bamako on November 22, completing a major delivery that signals Niger’s official support for Mali.

This operation takes place amid persistent supply tensions in Mali and underscores the evolving regional solidarity within the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).

The fuel shipment, a donation initiated by Nigerien President Abdourahamane Tiani, reached the Malian capital after navigating the sensitive Niamey-Bamako axis—a crucial corridor challenged by insecurity in certain border areas. The Malian government officially received the 82 tankers, handing them over to the Minister of Industry and Trade.

The delivery is critically important given Mali’s heavy reliance on imports to meet its energy needs. The country’s daily fuel requirements are estimated at approximately 40,000 barrels of hydrocarbons (equating to about 6.3 to 6.5 million liters per day). This massive consumption, driven by road transport and growing electricity demands coupled with a lack of national refining infrastructure, makes the nation highly vulnerable to external disruptions and embargoes. Malian authorities confirm that this shipment will help to temporarily stabilize the domestic market.

…

Timbuktu’s Manuscripts are Returning Home

On By Dr. Y.In Great Civilizations, Great MomentsLeave a comment
Map of Mali with its capital Bamako

Last week, the Malian government started returning the famous Timbuktu’s manuscripts home to Timbuktu after over 10 years away. As you remember, we prayed for the manuscripts to be kept safe, as Timbuktu was under Attacks by ‘Muslim fundamentalists’, Timbuktu Manuscripts now Available Online. You know the AES is working hard, when it is safe for the Timbuktu manuscripts to return home after over 10 years away! This is a testimony to the hard work of the Malian troops, its people, and its government. The Malian people have shown that an African country can protect itself, recover its territory, and free its own people. Yes… there has been strong collaborations with Russia, and their neighboring brothers of Burkina Faso and Niger, and the formation of the Alliance of the Etats du Sahel (AES). Mali did what France and all its allies could not do with their multiple operations, operation Barkhane, Operation Serval, Task Force Takuba, etc, … wait they were not really there to free the country from terrorism, but rather to finance/protect terrorism, divide the country, so as to be free to do their business. We are proud of Mali, and pray that these manuscripts remain safe as they have been for centuries, in the hands of their very own people.

Excerpts below are from Africanews.

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Manuscripts a Tombouctou (Mali) montrant de l'astronomie et mathematique
Manuscripts a Tombouctou (Mali) montrant de l’astronomie et mathematique

The Malian military government on Monday started returning home the historic manuscripts of Timbuktu, which were spirited out of their fabled northern city when it was occupied by al-Qaida-linked militants more than a decade ago.

Islamic radicals destroyed more than 4,000 manuscripts, some dating back to the 13th century, after they seized Timbuktu in 2012, according to the findings of a United Nations expert mission. They also destroyed nine mausoleums and a mosque’s door — all but one of the buildings on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

The majority of the documents dating back to the 13th century — more than 27,000 — were saved by the devotion of the Timbuktu library’s Malian custodians, who carried them out of the occupied city in rice sacks, on donkey carts, by motorcycle, by boat and four-wheel drive vehicles.

Manuscript of Timbuktu (Google Arts and Culture)

… About 706 kilometers (439 miles) from Bamako, Timbuktu sits on the edge of the Sahara desert and has a dry climate. For years, the local municipal and religious authorities have asked for the return of the manuscripts. Diahara Touré, Timbuktu’s deputy mayor, said the famous documents are important to the local people as they “reflect our civilization and spiritual and intellectual heritage.”

… In February, the military government made a commitment to return the manuscripts, according to Bouréma Kansaye, the Malian Minister of Higher Education. He described them as as a “legacy that bears witness to the intellectual greatness and crossroads of civilization” of the city of Timbuktu — “a bridge between the past and the future.”

“We now have a responsibility to protect, digitize, study, and promote these treasures so that they continue to enlighten Mali, Africa, and the world,” Kansaye said during Monday’s return ceremony.

…

Zimbabwe Bans Exports of Lithium

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Flag of Zimbabwe
Flag of Zimbabwe

As of June 2025, the Zimbabwean government has announced that exports of raw lithium concentrate will be banned starting in January 2027. This move is meant to push mining companies to build local processing plants and keep more of the value chain within the country, thus helping towards the country’s development, and stopping the cycle of exports of raw materials and barely anything (The Lithium of Zimbabwe). This should also create employment for the locals.

Lithium

Several Chinese firms—like Sinomine and Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt—are already building lithium sulfate plants at the Bikita and Arcadia mines. These facilities will refine lithium concentrate into lithium sulfate, a key ingredient for battery-grade chemicals like lithium carbonate and hydroxide.

There is not yet a full refinery built, but this ban indicates Zimbabwe’s clear shift from being just a raw exporter of lithium. Given the importance of lithium in the electric car revolution as a material for batteries, this is really a game changer. We applaud Zimbabwe, and call other countries to learn from Zimbabwe, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger.

Kwame Nkrumah
Kwame Nkrumah

This is where the dream of Kwame Nkrumah, of a real African Union, comes back; we are not talking about the current union which is just a puppet organization serving the interest of the Western powers. Kwame Nkrumah: African Visionary and Ghana’s First President. Currently, each country is negotiating individually, which may yield good or not so good results, if they do not have good negotiators or good mining lawyers in the case of lithium for instance. However, some would end up being taken advantage of just because they are not exposed to the new changes, don’t know, and could accept really low prices which may affect even their neighbors. Being United would insure good negotiations across the board learning from others, and also ensure that the multinationals respect the local governments and populations; and if they are kicked out of one country because of law or contract infringements, that they do not just run to another to perpetuate the cycle. This is what the AES is doing (The AES Creates a Joint Military Force), and all African countries should. 

The AES Creates a Joint Military Force

On By Dr. Y.In Great Moments2 Comments

Alliance des Etats du Sahel (AES) (Source: Alliance-sahel.org)

This week, the Alliance des Etats du Sahel (AES) which includes Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, announced the creation of a joint military force, which will deploy 5000 troops in upcoming weeks in its territory. This force’s goal is to tackle security threats jointly as one-man, as the fight intensifies against the rising extremist violence caused by the foreign forces funded by Western powers. The creation of such a force reminds us of Osagyefo’s Kwame Nkrumah dream of an African union which actually serves its people and members. In this case, we applaud the AES’ effort stemming from a need to survive against the united forces of thieves whose leader in the case at hand is the old colonial power. It is no secret that the old metropolis is not leaving its military bases in Francophone Africa as we have heard, but rather, disguising them, moving them to other neighboring countries or other Lusophone or Anglophone countries of Africa.

Excerpts below are from Reuters.

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Alliance des Etats du Sahel (source: linfodusahel.com)

A joint force of 5,000 troops from military-led neighbours Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali will soon deploy in their troubled central Sahel region, Niger’s defence chief said on state television.

… Niger Defence Minister Salifou Mody said the new force would have its own air assets, equipment, and intelligence resources and operate across the territory of the three nations, which have formed a cooperation pact known as the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).

“The unified AES force is nearly ready, numbering 5,000 personnel,” Mody said on Tuesday.

… The creation of the three-way alliance followed the countries’ decision to withdraw from West Africa’s main political and economic group ECOWAS, which is still pushing them to reconsider the move that reverses decades of broader regional integration.

Who / What did We Celebrate in Africa in 2024 ?

On By Dr. Y.In Great Economy, Great Literature, Great Moments, Great People, Great ScienceLeave a comment

There was a lot to celebrate in Africa this year. Below are just a few:

  1. Alliance des Etats du Sahel (AES) (Source: Alliance-sahel.org)
    In January, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger left the ECOWAS creating a major seismic shift in the organization. Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger all leave the ECOWAS. This came as no surprise given that the coup to topple puppet governments in their respective countries, the ECOWAS had suffocated these countries by suspending all three countries and imposing heavy sanctions on Mali and Niger that exacerbated the populations’ sentiments that it is a puppet organization serving foreign interests. Niger even tried to amend the situations by inviting ECOWAS representatives to the country, but only the member from Togo showed up. Why should anybody remain in an organization that punishes its member populations? 
  2. In January, Ghanaian artifacts were returned home for the first time in 150 years, on a “loan”. Ghana Artefacts “Return” Home 150 years later … on Loan. It is a disappointment that African governments can only get “loans” for what is dutifully theirs from those institutions which have amassed millions over the year from the exhibition of stolen African artefacts.
  3. The Elephants are winners of the Africa Cup of Nations 2023 (Source: CAFonline.com)
    In February, the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire gave us a thrill from being redeemed in the knockout stage with 2 defeats (among which a 4-0 loss against Equatorial Guinea) that left them open to elimination, and a redemption that came from being one of the four best 3rd-placed team, a coach sacking, and a coach change, to lift the trophy of the Africa Cup of Nations. It was a real “Coup du Marteau” (Tam Sir, we are talking about your special song!) The Ivorians added to their previous Nations Cup wins of 1992 and 2015 (Côte d’Ivoire wins the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations) and became the first tournament hosts to triumph since Egypt lifted the trophy in 2006. CAN 2023: the Elephants of Côte d’Ivoire are the New Champions
  4. Bassirou Diomaye Faye (Source: Seneweb.net)
    In March, Bassirou Diomaye Faye was elected president of Senegal, making him the youngest African president at 44. This was a joyous moment for the Senegalese people who stood to have their democratic system and constitution upheld. Faye is very unconventional, as the youngest with no political background (he was previously a tax officer), he is also the first Senegalese president to openly have two wives. With his friend and Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, we hope for better governance for Senegal. Senegal Presidential Elections: Bassirou Diomaye Faye is set to be the next president. Either way, the Senegalese have demonstrated once again, that although their democracy is young, it is not to be messed with!
  5. Map of Niger
    In mid-March, Niger suspended military “cooperation” with the USA, with immediate effect. Operating from years of condescending treatments of those deemed inferior, particularly of Africans, the Americans had decided to dictate their will, like the French before, to Niger people and deny their sovereign rights to choose their own partnerships in their fight against terrorism. The spokesman of Niger’s government, Colonel Amadou Abdramane, exposed the fact that the military “cooperation” with the US was not even a real one, i.e. the US had installed their largest drone base in Africa, and possibly in the world, in Niger via a verbal agreement only, and the Niger people had to pay for the American base in their country, while the Americans never raised a hand to help Niger fight against terrorist attacks that were maiming their citizens [Bye Bye to French Troops in Niger, France set to Withdraw Troops and Ambassador from Niger]. Niger suspends military “cooperation” with the US, effective immediately.
  6. Alliance des Etats du Sahel (source: linfodusahel.com)
    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.
  7. Right before the Paris Olympics, brother Biniam Girmay of Eritrea made history by becoming the first African to win a stage at the Tour de France, and two more stage victories which helped him capture the green jersey for the highest points scorer – a first for anyone from the continent.
  8. Faith Kipyegon winning historic 3rd gold medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics (source: Kelly Ayodi for Olympics Kenya – EastleighVoice.co.ke)
    The Paris 2024 Olympics ended with a strong show from African athletes who shined in various  disciplines, and represented many countries including outside of Africa. They made us proud and served us joy, endurance, and passion. We will list just a few. We had a lot of firsts, like our Kenyan sister Faith Kipyegon who won her 3rd successive Olympic gold in the women’s 1500 m, making her the first African athlete to ever win gold in the same event 3 times in a row. Our brother Letsile Tebogo of Botswana earned the top most place in the Men’s 200 m thus giving Botswana and Africa as a whole its first ever olympic gold medal in the 200 m; Tebogo also led the Botswana’s team to a silver medal in the
    Letsile Tebogo after winning gold in 200m (Source: Onuaonline)
    Men’s 4x400m relay, again a first for any African country ever. Ugandan brother Joshua Cheptegei delivered on his promise for his last Olympics to be memorable by winning gold in the Men’s 10,000 m, and landing Uganda its first gold at the games. Tatjana Smith of South Africa made her country proud by winning gold and silver medals in the Women’s 200m and 100m breaststroke events. Akani Simbine and South African track team delivered us silver in the Men’s 4 x 100 m relay, again a first for South Africa, and for Africa as a whole.  Kaylia Nemour gave Algeria and Africa its very first victory ever in gymnastics with a gold in the Women’s Uneven bars in artistic gymnastics. Tamirat Tola, who was just added to the Ethiopian Olympics’s team 2 weeks prior, took home the gold medal in the Men’s Marathon. Ahmed Elgendy won the first gold medal for Egypt at any Olympics, becoming the first African and person to win in the new discipline of Men’s Modern Pentathlon. Cabo Verde got its very first medal at the Olympic games through David de Pina who won bronze in the Men’s 51 kg Boxing. Zambian Muzala Samukonga won the bronze medal in the Men’s 400m, giving his country its very first Olympic medal.
  9. 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 in May shipped out its first boat of refined jet fuel to the Netherlands. Since then, the refinery has gotten into agreements with the Nigerian governments and neighboring ones as well.
  10. Paris Paralympics 2024 (Source: https://www.paralympic.org/paris-2024)
    Africa shone at the Paralympics, winning 64 medals, with Morocco getting the most medals with 15 medals, but Algeria topped the continent’s medal table thanks to its 6 gold medals vs. 3 gold for Morocco. Most medals were won in para-athletics and para-powerlifting disciplines. Veteran Raoua Tlili of Tunisia cemented her place as a legend in the F41 discus throw and shot put, winning 2 gold medals this year, giving her a total of 8 gold medals for her country, having competed in each Olympics since
    Raoua Tlili (Source: Outlook India)
    Beijing 2008. Nigeria’s Mariam Eniola Bolaji became the first African to win an Olympic or Paralympic medal in Badminton. Yovanni Philippe gave Mauritius its first medal ever by securing a bronze medal in the men’s T20 400m; while Annaba native, Brahim Guendouz won gold in para-canoeing’s KL3 class over 200m, giving Algeria its first ever medal in a discipline outside of para-athletics, para-judo, and para-powerlifting. 
  11. Gael Faye and his book Jacaranda
    African authors made great wins and firsts: they won the most important literary awards in French literature: the Goncourt prize, which was awarded to Kamel Daoud for his third novel titled «Houris», and the Renaudot prize awarded to Gaël Faye for «Jacaranda». Daoud’s novel is currently in a controversy. Africans win the Goncourt and Renaudot 2024 Literary Prizes.
  12. Zimbabwe’s new currency, the ZiG (Source: France24)
    Niger took control of its uranium when Orano has been suspended by the Niger government, while Mali inaugurated the construction of a lithium extraction plant (recall that Zimbabwe also inaugurated a lithium processing plant last year), and is working towards nationalizing its gold. Resolute Mining, has agreed to pay Mali’s government $160 millions to settle a tax dispute (Mali wins $160m in Gold Mining Dispute).  Zimbabwe Gold-Backed Currency was introduced in April; the ZiG, which stands for Zimbabwe Gold, was created as an effort to try to alleviate inflation, and stabilize the economy; thus far, it has not been successful, but it is only the beginning.
  13. Andakia
    A Senegalese startup, Andakia, has just introduced the very first African AI: AWA.  AWA is a Wolof-speaking artificial intelligence system; it is the brainchild of Alioune Badara Mbengue.  In an interview to TRT Afrika, Mbengue said, “AWA is the first AI that understands and speaks perfect Wolof. Our vision is to extend AWA to other African languages, enabling Africa to become a leader in digital innovation and ensure technological sovereignty tailored to its needs.” Users need to simply engage in a spoken exchange with the AI interface in Wolof, seeking general information or asking it to perform tasks such as ordering a taxi, ordering a meal, or carrying out financial and other transactions. This is revolutionary as it addresses the needs of the population. We applaud the amazing work of our brother and his team, and truly the sky is the limit. 

“A Conscious People Take Charge Themselves of their Homeland’s Defense” – Thomas Sankara

On By Dr. Y.In Uncategorized3 Comments

Every October 15, we talk about Thomas Sankara, the father of the Burkinabe revolution. Today, we will bring back some of his words, from “We are Heirs of the World’s Revolutions, Speeches from the Burkina Faso Revolution 1983-87” by Thomas Sankara, Pathfinder Press (2007) p. 46 – 48. You will see that President Ibrahim Traoré in particular, and the leaders of the AES as a whole (Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger Sign a Mutual Defence Pact), are following in Thomas Sankara’s footsteps in the defense of their homeland against foreign forces which have used terrorism to balkanize the region and terrorize the people for over a decade now. “Each citizen should work to revolutionize his sector of activity. … a conscious people cannot leave their homeland’s defense to one group of men, however competent they may be. Conscious people take charge themselves of their homeland’s defense.” Tomorrow, we will talk about points (2) and (3).

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Thomas Sankara
Thomas Sankara

The August revolution does not aim to establish one more regime in Upper Volta [Burkina Faso]. It represents a break with all previously known regimes. Its ultimate goal is to build a new Voltaic [now Burkinabe] society, within which the [Burkinabe], driven by revolutionary consciousness, will be architect of his own happiness, a happiness equal to the efforts he will have made.

To do this, the revolution – whether the conservative and backward forces like it or not – will be a deep and total upheaval that will spare no domain, no sector of economic, social, and cultural activity.

Revolutionizing all domains and all sectors of activity is the slogan of the day. Strengthened by the guiding principles laid out here, each citizen should work to revolutionize his sector of activity, whether he finds himself.

The philosophy of revolutionary transformations is already affecting the following sectors: (1) the national army; (2) policies concerning women; and (3) economic development.

(1) The national army: its place in the democratic and popular revolution

Flag of Burkina Faso

According to the defense doctrine of the revolutionary Upper Volta, a conscious people cannot leave their homeland’s defense to one group of men, however competent they may be. Conscious people take charge themselves of their homeland’s defense. To this end, our armed forces constitute simply a detachment that is more specialized than the rest of the population for Upper Volta’s internal and external security requirements. …

The revolution imposes three missions on the national armed forces:

  1. To be capable of combating all internal and external enemies and to participate in the military training of the rest of the people. This presupposes an increased operational capacity, making each soldier a competent fighter, unlike the old army, which was merely a mass of employees.
  2. To participate in national production. Indeed, the new soldier must live and suffer among the people to which he belongs. The days of the free-spending army are over. From now on, besides handling arms, the army will work in the fields and raise cattle, sheep, and poultry. It will build schools and health clinics and ensure their functioning. It will maintain roads …
  3. To train each soldier as a revolutionary militant. Gone are the days when the army was declared to be neutral and apolitical, while in fact serving as the bastion of reaction and the guardian of imperialist interests. Gone are the days when our national army conducted itself like a corps of foreign mercenaries in conquered territory. Those days are gone forever. Armed with political and ideological training, our soldiers, … will instead become conscious revolutionaries, at home among the people like a fish in water.

As an army at the service of the revolution, the National Popular Army will have no place for any soldier who looks down on, scorns, or brutalizes his people. An army of the people at the service of the people – such is the new army we are building in place of the neocolonial army, which was utilized to rule over the people as a veritable instrument of oppression and repression in the hands of the reactionary bourgeosie. …