Tag: Burkina Faso

“Be Ready to Fight for Freedom” Bassolma Bazie

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Flag of Burkina Faso

In a recent speech in front of the Burkinabe troops, Minister Bassolma Bazié warned the troops, and all of us by extension, against complacency, fear, treachery, and incompetence. He warned us against being used by the enemy to betray our nations. He reminded us of the French General Rochambeau and how he punished the Haitian slaves who dared fight for freedom. He reminded us that because we stood up against the West, we should be ready, anytime for the enemy’s wrath, and we should be ready to protect our freedom, and that of our children. We should not succumb to “The Cancer of Betrayal” as Amilcar Cabral called it. Stay alert all the time.

Flag of Haiti

Fear, treachery and incompetence are very serious evils at the level of a nation. So let’s make sure that tomorrow, what we are experiencing [today], our children will not come to experience it. In any case, I said that the people have climbed on an explosive device and its fragmentation, if we don’t pay attention, if we behave like imbeciles, even our children who are not yet born, they will suffer the blow. … Look on your phones at the story of Haiti 1803 and the dogs of [Donatien de] Rochambeau the French … when France returned to repress those who tried to revolt, what did they do? It is this single example that I take to show what awaits us if we are not careful. Rochambeau arrived there with a hundred dogs that he had initially taken weeks to starve, and once in Haiti, he took one of the slaves and tied him to a post in the center and made a circle around the city… he used pliers to tear the slave so that the blood would flow… people were eaten alive like that by dogs screaming until they died.  Let everyone understand that what Rochambeau did in Haiti, Norbert Zongo said, “people carry suitcases, … they are not far away”, it has happened… What he [Rochambeau] did in Haiti… if we are not careful, whether we are military, civilian, or VDP, and the enemy goes through us to penetrate the country, there [in Haiti] it was dogs that ate them, for us it is not obvious that we will even have the opportunity to be watched being eaten alive… and that is what they are preparing for us… and as they are preparing this, all of us who are in action must consider that our future, I am not saying that it is over, but we are standing on top of embers so that our children do not experience the same thing, because if we do not assume our history [and take responsibility], the tears of the children we have given birth to will join us in the cemetery. …May God and the manes of the ancestors accompany us…. Our words, our behavior, our gestures, … should respond to true patriotism…

Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso

La peur, la traîtrise et l’incompétence sont des maux très graves au niveau d’une nation. Donc faisons en sorte que demain, ce que nous vivons, nos enfants ne viennent pas le vivre. De toutes les façons, j’ai dit que le peuple est monté sur un engin explosif et sa fragmentation, si on s’amuse, si on se comporte comme des imbéciles, même nos enfants qui ne sont pas encore nés, ils vont subir le coup. … Regardez sur vos téléphones, l’histoire de Haïti 1803 et les chiens de Daniel Rochambeau … quand la France est revenue pour reprimer ceux qui ont tenté de se révolter, qu’est-ce-qu’ils ont fait? c’est ce seul exemple que je prends pour montrer ce qui nous guette si on s’amuse. Rochambeau a debarqué là-bas avec une centaine de chiens qu’il avait d’abord mis des semaines à affamer, et une fois à Haïti, on prend un des esclaves qu’on attache sur un poteau au centre et on fait un cercle au niveau de la ville… on a utilisé des tenailles pour déchirer l’esclave afin que le sang descende … des gens ont été mangés comme ça par des chiens en criant jusqu’à aller mourir. Que chacun comprenne que ce que Rochambeau a fait en Haiti là, Norbert Zongo avait dit « les gens transportent les valises, ils ne sont pas loin ! C’est arrivé »… ce qu’il a fait a Haiti… si on s’amuse, que l’on soit militaire, civile, ou VDP, que l’ennemi passe par lui pour pénétrer le pays, eux c’est des chiens qui les ont mangé, nous ce n’est pas evident qu’on aura même l’occasion d’être regardé en train d’être mangé… et c’est ça qu’ils sont en train de préparer… et comme ils sont en train de préparer ça, nous tous qui sommes en action, on doit considérer que notre avenir-là, je ne dis pas que c’est cuit, mais nous sommes sur des braises pour que nos enfants ne vivent pas la même chose, parce que si on ne s’assume pas devant notre histoire les pleurs des enfants qu’on a mis au monde vont nous rejoindre au cimétière. … Que Dieu et les mânes des ancêtres nous accompagnent…. Il faudrait que nos propos, notre comportements, nos gestes, … répondent au véritable patriotisme…

New Attacks and Mutiny at the International Hamani Diori Airport in Niger

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Map of Niger

Today, August 29, there was a mutiny at the Base 101 in Niamey, Niger. Mutinous soldiers launched coordinated attacks on both the Diori Hamani International Airport and the city center around the presidential compound in Niamey early Saturday, unleashing hours of gunfire and explosions that briefly knocked the state TV and radio off the air. This is clearly an attack against the government of General Abdourahamane Tiani, who has defied the French and Western stranglehold on the country. Recall that Air Force Base 101 is located within the international airport complex, and is home to the headquarters of Niamey’s Russian Africa Corps partners and the command of the unified force of the Alliance of Sahel States (Niger, Burkina Faso, Mali). So this is a direct attack against the AES.

By late morning, the Niger’s defense ministry said loyalist forces were gradually regaining control of targeted sites, though mutineers remained active around the airport. Witnesses reported heavy pre‑dawn fighting, and security sources noted that troops from Ouallam, Tera, and Dosso, areas hit hard by Islamic State–linked insurgents, were involved in the assault, reflecting growing frustration within frontline units. Security forces were deployed to key locations. A resident stated, “The weapons we’re hearing are not the kind that terrorists on motorbikes can carry. The fighting has been non-stop since last night.” We all know who is behind these new attacks.

President Abdourahamane Tiani of Niger

Let us all pray and support our brothers and sisters of Niger. These mark the third attacks against the government of Tiani since the beginning of this year. As we remain alert, we are also reminded that such attacks against Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, is because the Niger people and Tiani’s government are really fighting for the freedom of their people, and the Black race as a whole. This explains the violence and repeated attacks funded by the Western powers against Niger and the AES. They, the West, have not unleashed anything against those dictators who play in their hands like the 93-year-old president of another African country who has plundered the nation’s wealth, or its neighbors, or even the other puppet from Cote d’Ivoire. The battle is now, and as we are proud of our Niger brothers and sisters, we stand with them, and can all do a little like them so that bit by bit we will free our continent of the barbaric chokehold of the imperialist forces.

To read more, check out NBC, RFI, and Africanews.

Why were those African Countries invited to the White House for the US-Africa Summit? The Case of Mauritania

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American President Donald Trump and his 5 peers from Africa at the US-Africa Summit. From left to right: Bassirou Diomaye Faye of Senegal, Mohamed Ould Cheikh El-Ghazouani of Mauritania, Donald Trump of US, Brice Oligui Nguema of Gabon, Joseph Boakai of Liberia, and Umaro Embalo Sissoco of Guinea Bissau (Source: Koaci.com)

In July 2025, the presidents of 5 “unusual” African countries were invited to the White House to dine with the President of the United States at the US-Africa Summit. “Unusual” because these were not the normal countries used to being invited to the White House, they were less common choices : Senegal, Gabon, Liberia, Guinea-Bissau, and Mauritania (Why were those African Countries Invited to the White House for the US-Africa Summit ? The Case of Gabon). Today, we will focus on the case of Mauritania. How many Americans know that the capital of Mauritania is Nouakchott or can even spell it?

The case of Mauritania is particular because we know that when the American general Langley who lied about President Ibrahim Traore of Burkina Faso in front of congress, Americans ran to Mauritania to strengthen their military presence via the AFRICOM bases. Moreover, Mauritania is one of the bordering countries to the Alliance of the Sahel States (AES) via its huge border with Mali which is about 2,236 km (1,389 miles) long. Officially we are told that the visit was about natural gas and fisheries. In April 2025, Mauritania entered a new era as a natural gas producer and exporter with the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) project, which is a deepwater offshore liquefied natural gas (LNG) project on the maritime border with Senegal developed with BP, Kosmos Energy, Petrosen and SMHPM. With water depths up to 2,850 m, it is the deepest offshore project in Africa. Its reserves are estimated at 1,400 billion cubic meters of gas reserves with production potential spanning 30 – 50 years. This would make Mauritania the 3rd largest African gas exporter behind Nigeria and Algeria.

Map of Mauritania

However, unofficially, we know that the most important aspect of these agreements though, is the security aspect or rather counter-terrorism as it was stated on paper. The use of the word counter-terrorism, in the case of Mauritania, clearly show where Mauritania lays on the geopolitical chessboard. It is no secret that the biggest US drone base in the world was built in Niger, and that the West has not been happy with losing the AES and has openly talked about mounting attacks against the AES. It is being used as a way to mount attacks against the AES. Thus, as recently in June 2026, U.S. B-52H bombers conducted a joint flyover over Atar, Mauritania, alongside partner forces to showcase power projection and interoperability. The West has profited from the division among African countries; this has allowed them to keep many under a stranglehold and get easy access to cheaper resources; thus, it does not see a union like the AES which has joined their resources and negotiate together for good prices for their people. Coup against Ibrahim Traoré and Worldwide Support for Him; The French Army Gets an African Command Center. Remember how the Retired French General Lecointre stated, paraphrasing, “we cannot let these poor Africans live in chaos just on our doorstep… within a few years, Africans will have a population boom like no other continent [why do Africans having babies, bother them so much?] … Europe should act as a political entity that defends its own interests, including through military commitment… We must return and help these African countries [nobody asked for your help].”; The Vultures are Getting Ready.

Like I stated before, this looks a lot like The New Scramble for Africa in full gear. What do you think?

Forced Labor and ‘La Marseillaise’ in Congo in 1934

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Senegalese Tirailleurs serving in France in 1940

There was a time when Africans of another generation, proudly sang La Marseillaise… That was the generation of the tirailleurs, the generation of those trained in France before and after ‘independence’, the generation who loved the Métropole. There was a time when, like the kids described below by Marcel Homet in Congo Français: Terre de souffrance (Paris 1934), Africans believed that France, the land of Marianne, could want their freedom or at least a ‘fair’ partnership. The current generation, after seeing the sweat and blood of their parents and grandparents in the uranium mines or banana plantations, after suffering, after witnessing the NATO attacks on Libya, Cote d’Ivoire, or the repeated putsches funded by France on their territories, or seeing their economy and savings fall to the exchange factor of their currency FCFA in Francophone Africa, or seeing these French and foreign companies plundering their resources for over a century with no roads no hospitals and barely any taxes paid… this generation has become disillusioned, and can no longer sing La Marseillaise. They have learned that singing La Marseillaise equates with the massacre of Thiaroye, the genocides in Algeria, Cameroon, Madagascar, and so many other places, or more recently the joint attacks of NATO on Libya. Singing La Marseillaise has equated to so much blood so much so that this generation no longer wants anything to do with France or imperialist forces.

Decapitated Heads during the French repression of Cameroonians in Cameroon

As you read the description below from another time, it is interesting to note how the gruesome conditions of from another era do not seem to have changed much with time. We are fighting today, whether in Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso for dignity and for respect owed to any human being. We are fighting for the right to use our resources as we see fit. We are fighting for simple, human dignity. Below are excerpts from Marcel Hormet in Congo Français: Terre de souffrance (Paris 1934) where he describes a time of forced labor in French colonies, in this case Congo which was part of the French Equatorial Africa (Afrique Equatoriale Francaise (AEF)).

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In the village square of Loko, a few children – aged eight to ten – pass by, singing *La Marseillaise* in French. They vanish around the bend in the path.

Slowly, the tricolor flag rises up the mast planted before the chief’s dwelling. Everyone uncovers their heads. That anthem, still echoing in the distance, that song of liberty and hope, which can be so deeply moving, takes on a poignant significance here. Unwittingly, the children who proclaim it, understanding nothing of its meaning, are thereby giving voice to the aspirations of a people looking to France for some alleviation of the colony’s pitiful plight: empty bellies, festering sores, and an undisguised slavery, more rigorous than the trade ever was in the era of “ebony wood.”

In French Equatorial Africa, when exhausted slaves die, the local government replaces them, one for one.

Why, then, bother to hold back?

(Sur la place de Loko, quelques enfants de huit à dix ans, passent en chantant “en français” la Marseillaise. Ils disparaissent au tournant du chemin.

Au mât planté devant la demeure du chef monte lentement le drapeau tricolore. Tout le monde se découvre. Ce chant qui, là-bas, résonne encore, ce chant de liberté et d’espoir qui peut être si émouvant, prend ici une signification poignante. Sans s’en rendre compte, les enfants qui le clament et qui n’y comprennent rien manifestent ainsi les aspirations d’un peuple qui attend de la France un adoucissement au sort pitoyable de la colonie : ventres vides, plaies suppurantes et cet esclavage non déguisé, plus strict que ne l’a jamais été la traite à l’époque « du bois d’ébène ».

En AEF, lorsque les esclaves épuisés sont morts, le gouvernement local les remplace, nombre pour nombre.

Pourquoi alors se gêner ?)

Bassolma Bazie of Burkina Faso Sets the Record Straight in Lome, Togo

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Flag of Burkina Faso

On April 18, 2026, during the AES-ECOWAS summit in Lomé, Togo, President of the National Commission of the Alliance des États du Sahel (AES) for Burkina Faso, Bassolma Bazié set the record straight. His intervention was fiery and strongly contrasted the AES with the ECOWAS/CEDEAO bloc. He reacted to current political tensions in West Africa, while delivering a forceful political address in Lomé. He spoke in defense of the AES, and made a call for African sovereignty. His speech was a call to action, and at the same time a summary of the progress Burkina Faso and the AES countries have made on their own. I felt proud to be African!

President Capitaine
Ibrahim Traore (Source: sig.gov.bf)

He detailed some of the progress Burkina Faso has seen between 1960 to 2022 when it was ‘independent and democratic’ and ruled by the Western puppets, and since 2023 under the ‘junta’. The progress in 3 years is amazing, should be applauded and copied by all. Burkina Faso which never had air force bases, now has at least 4. Every citizen is happy to join in the effort of liberating their country. There were months when doctors and nurses who did not protest and understood the dire situation facing their countries did not receive pay; the President of the Faso, once the money came in, paid all the arrears. Burkina Faso saw its very first renal transplant operation last month; a first since forever! All citizens contributed, from their savings and salaries, over $2 billion to the cause of their country. Now that they are owners of their own destinies, they can do transactions without passing through the French slave currency FCFA, which gives them freedom to bargain with other countries and choose partners.

Here are some of the points President of the National Commission of the AES, Bassolma Bazié covered:

  • Assertion of Sovereignty : Bazié emphasizes that the AES countries (Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger) are reclaiming their autonomy and refusing external interference. He said “they [the West] will no longer impose leaders upon us, our raw materials will serve our people” [“On ne va plus nous imposer des dirigeants, nos matieres premieres vont servir a nos peuples…“]. AES countries should control their own resources, define their own political systems, choose their own partners, and reject “tutelage” from former colonial powers.
  • Critique of ECOWAS (CEDEAO) : He argues that ECOWAS has drifted from its original mission established by its founding fathers, and now acts against the interests of its own member states. It has become an instrument of foreign powers, which imposes sanctions that harm African populations, and interferes in the internal affairs of sovereign states.
  • Defense of the Sahel Alliance : He presents the AES as a necessary response to security, political, and economic challenges, positioning it as a more authentic and people‑centered alternative. As you know, before the Alliance reclaimed its lands and its territories, the foreign forces and interventions had utterly miserably failed. Bazié says that sovereignty is not negotiable, even under pressure. Now, the Sahel countries have been fighting alone and faced terrorism financed by the same foreigners. The AES is building a new security architecture whose foundation is the cooperation between the 3 countries. He
  • Call for African Unity : Despite criticizing ECOWAS leadership, he calls for solidarity among African nations and urges them to rethink their alliances, to be really sovereign and to use their resources for their own people. Unity must be horizontal, not imposed. African institutions must serve African peoples, not external agendas. The AES is open to cooperation with other African states, but cooperation must be based on respect and equality.
  • Reaction to International Pressure : He denounces what he sees as foreign manipulation and insists that Sahel countries must define their own path.

 

Industrialization in Africa : Ibrahim Traoré Tells it All

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President Capitaine
Ibrahim Traore (Source: sig.gov.bf)

In his April 2, 2026 interview, the President of Burkina Faso, Ibrahim Traoré, showed, through simple examples, like his illustrious predecessor Thomas Sankara, that true sovereignty is impossible without industrialization.

He used simple everyday objects, in layman’s terms, including a spoon, to illustrate how Africa remains trapped in a colonial economic model where it exports raw materials and imports the finished goods at a much higher cost. He took the example of soy beans that are grown locally, yet soy oil is imported; similarly with cotton which is produced locally, yet, clothing is imported from abroad even though there is a local industry. He said that Burkina Faso must stop exporting raw resources only to buy back manufactured items. Doesn’t this remind you of Sankara at the UN tribune? The Faso Dan Fani: Woven Cloth of the Homeland.

Faso Dan Fani

In 1986, the President of the Faso, Thomas Sankara, declared that it was important to “produce and consume Burkinabé.” Thus, Sankara declared “In all the villages of Burkina Faso, we know how to grow cotton. In all villages, women know how to spin cotton, men know how to weave it into cloth, and other men know how to sew those threads into clothes... [Dans tous les villages du Burkina Faso, l’on sait cultiver le coton. Dans tous les villages, des femmes savent filer le coton, des hommes savent tisser ce fil en pagnes et d’autres hommes savent coudre les pagnes en vêtements …]” and further “We should not be slave of what others produce [Nous ne devons pas être esclave de ce que les autres produisent].”

Fuel

Traoré argued that Africa must produce locally, adding value to its own resources instead of enriching foreign industries. Like currently, the world is held up by the energy crisis caused by the Iran war and the blockade of the strait of Ormuz. Can you imagine that some African oil-producing countries like Cameroon, Congo, Gabon, have an oil/fuel penury? How come? well, for instance, Cameroon’s oil refinery burnt down a few years back, and Cameroonian oil is exported to Europe, bought back from them to be imported into the country as cheap toxic fuel! There are countless examples like that: Swiss Firms poison Oil destined for Africa. This is why Africa’s Richest Man Dangote has built one of the world’s largest oil refineries.

Traoré explained that Burkina Faso cannot remain dependent on foreign factories for basic goods. He insisted that local transformation of resources is the only path to real independence. To come back to the spoon example, Burkina Faso exports metal ore, while foreign countries turn it into spoons or tools, and Burkina buys those finished products back.  This is not development; it is dependency!

Flag of Burkina Faso

This development must be led by Burkinabe, and Africans themselves. It cannot be dictated by foreign institutions (IMF, World Bank, UN, etc) which do not serve our interests. Africa must build its own industries, and the opportunities and job creations are endless, from the example of the spoon, plates, medicine, clothing, housing materials, etc. True Burkinabe and African sovereignty cannot be done with industrialization!

 

Ibrahim Traore’s Masterclass: Press Conference on April 2, 2026

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Capitaine President Ibrahim Traore (Source: sig.gov.bf)

On April 2, 2026, President Ibrahim Traoré of Burkina Faso addressed the local and international press for more than 2 hours. He focused on several major themes central to Burkina Faso itself and its relationship with foreign powers. It was a real masterclass. He did not fall for the numerous press’ traps.

Below are some key themes he focused on:

Sovereignty and independence

Traoré emphasized that Burkina Faso must strengthen its sovereignty in all areas: political, economic, and security-related. He framed the country’s current path as a struggle for real independence, and not symbolic autonomy which many African countries have had since their ‘independence‘ in the 1960s. It is important to reclaim our sovereignty! He highlighted that Burkinabé are now in charge of their own army, and is funded and trained by Burkinabé themselves; thus the mindset and strategy have changed and lent to victories against terrorism.

“We are heirs of the revolution” by Thomas Sankara

Economic Liberation

Optimal management of our resources and end the dependency on foreign powers and for Africa to build its own systems. He reminded us, almost like President Thomas Sankara before, that we have to build and plant what we need to achieve self-sufficienty (Thomas Sankara in His Words, Thomas Sankara’s Speech at the United Nations / Discours de Thomas Sankara aux Nations Unies, Thomas Sankara Speech on Debt and Unity, “The National Economy: Independent, Self-Sufficient, and Planned at the Service of Democratic and Popular Society” — Thomas Sankara). Taking the example of a spoon that we use to eat, but yet is imported; or Africa which imports food from other countries, when it is the continent with the most arable lands in the world. Something has to change.

Security and the war against terrorism

For a country like Burkina Faso, Western-style democratic systems cannot be simply grafted or copied to a nation like his, fighting terrorism and dealing with Western embargo, and deep institutional corruption. Security and stability must come before adopting external political needs.

Democracy and Media Reactions

President Traoré said that “Burkinabé must forget democracy,” and many Western media were triggered by it. In reality, the president of the Faso (PF) was trying to say that western electoral models cannot function effectively in Burkina Faso during wartime and when it is trying to free itself from imperialist chains.  Moreover, as we have discussed here before, Africans must stop falling into the trap of democracy; the West has cheated Africa for far too long with that word called democracy that most of them do not even apply! The PF also reminded us about the “Charte du Mandé” the very first declaration of human rights in the world established in Africa and which shows that Africa’s ancestral governance should be made more relevant today and is adapted to our struggles.

Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso

Justice and institutional reform

The PF highlighted that the focus is on rebuilding institutions and creating systems that are resistant to corruption and external manipulation. He also showed how old traditional/local/ancestral governments could live in harmony with the modern republican government for the benefit of the homeland.

Africa’s geopolitical position

He positioned Burkina Faso within a broader African struggle for independence. As the leader of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), he stated that priorities would be on the operationalization of the unified force, the acceleration of regional integration, and the implementation of major economic initiatives. He urged Africans everywhere to see themselves as part of one global community which should fight for its independence.

 

Another Coup Attempt Against the President of Burkina Faso, Ibrahim Traoré

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Capitaine President Ibrahim Traore (Source: sig.gov.bf)

In the wee hours of 2026, while our eyes were focused on Venezuela and the consequences of the American actions in the country, another event, just as earth-shattering was taking place on the African continent. There was another coup attempt on President Ibrahim Traoré in Burkina Faso which did not succeed. The government of Burkina Faso has announced that it has thwarted yet another plot aimed at killing the country’s leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, and disable a drone base. Burkinabes have taken to the streets in support of Traoré.

On January 6, Burkina Faso’s Minister of Security, Mahamadou Sana, disclosed that the planned coup, which was expected to be carried out late on January 3, was neutralized “thanks to the professionalism of the intelligence services.” The operation were to “[begin] with the neutralization of Comrade Captain Ibrahim Traoré, Head of State and President of Faso, either at point-blank range or through an operation to mine his residence,” … “there were to be efforts to put the drone base out of service, and a ground military intervention by external forces.” “Our intelligence services intercepted this operation in the final hours. They had planned to assassinate the head of state and then strike other key institutions, including civilian personalities,” Sana stated.

Flag of Burkina Faso

From what we have learned, the operation was financially supported from neighboring Côte d’Ivoire. The sophisticated plan had been hatched by Lt Col Paul Henri Sandaogo Damiba, the military officer and former transition president ousted by Traoré in September 2022, the security minister said in a late-night broadcast.

Capitaine Thomas Sankara

The western media say that Ibrahim Traoré and his government are lying, or fabricating this story to gain popularity; they talk of “alleged coup”, using verbs like “claim”, or like BBC wrote, “Plot to kill Burkina Faso leader foiled, says junta [why are they still calling it a junta after 4 years? When Damiba was there, they never called it such].” This would not be the first time that the government of Côte d’Ivoire would have hands in the destabilization of Burkina Faso. It was through the Côte d’Ivoire channel and government, with help from Liberia, that our brother Thomas Sankara was taken out by France. Now, it would seem to be coming from Damiba, via Côte d’Ivoire, Togo, for the interests of France; as we know Damiba is the front-man for the foreign forces who want to destabilize the country. The goal being to decapitate Burkina Faso, and therefore the AES alliance which includes Niger and Mali.

For more, check out: Newsclick, BBC, AfricaNews, and countless others.

Mali Recovers over a Billion $ for its Miners

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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.

…

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.

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