AfricanStream

Throughout September, South Africa is marking Heritage Month. This year, it is “celebrating the lives of our heroes and heroines who laid down their lives for our freedom.” The annual event draws attention to various aspects of South African culture, such as creative expression, music, historical inheritance and language. This month, the government is also launching the Exile Repatriation Project. This initiative aims at bringing home the human remains of South African freedom fighters who died in exile - as well as of people whose bodies were collected illegally or unethically in South Africa or overseas for the purpose of, for example, racial research. It’s hoped the project will bring closure to families, and help facilitate healing and restoration as a nation. During the era of struggle, several African countries played a crucial role in supporting and sheltering South African exiles - for example, Algeria, Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Libya, Mozambique, Nigeria and Uganda. Zambia hosted the ANC headquarters in Lusaka and Ethiopia hosted the first ANC office in exile in Addis Ababa in the 1960s. Tanzania, Zimbabwe and Angola provided training camps.

On 21 September 1909, Kwame Nkrumah, one of pan-Africanism’s founding fathers, was born in Nkroful, Gold Coast - now Ghana. Nkrumah served as Ghana's first President from 1957 to 1966, when he was deposed in a CIA-engineered coup while away on a trip to China. Unlike sell-outs such as DR Congo’s Mobutu Sese Seko or Burkina Faso’s Blaise Compaoré, Nkrumah was firmly devoted to the freedom of Africa from all forms of exploitation, especially imperialism - a vision that, if realised, could have fully emancipated the continent. Nkrumah is still very influential among pan-Africanists today. A thinker and writer, one of his most famous books is 'Neocolonialism - The Last Stage of Imperialism.' In this book, first published in 1965, Nkrumah notes that, 'the foreign firms who exploit our resources long ago saw the strength to be gained from acting on a pan-African scale. By means of interlocking directorships, cross-shareholdings and other devices, groups of apparently different companies have formed, in fact, one enormous capitalist monopoly. The only effective way to challenge this economic empire and to recover possession of our heritage, is for us also to act on a pan-African basis, through a Union Government.' Africans continue to draw inspiration from his contribution to pan-African thought. His still-relevant ideas are a testament to his foresight and understanding of the African struggle. We honour his memory by carrying on the struggle he devoted his life to: to free Africa for the benefit of its people. How has he inspired you?

In this viral clip, Libya's permanent representative to the United Nations, Taher EL-Sonni, accused his Israeli counterpart, Danny Danon, of deploying double standards on the question of illegal settlements in occupied Palestine. The next day, on 18 September, the UN General Assembly voted in favour of a Palestine-drafted resolution calling for an end to the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories within 12 months and the imposition of sanctions for settlers' non-compliance. Danon denounced the vote as a 'shameful decision that backs the Palestinian Authority's diplomatic terrorism.' While 124 countries voted for the resolution, 43 abstained and 14 voted against it. It was a historic first for Palestine, which introduced the resolution in the 193-member UN General Assembly. On 10 May, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution that—as of 10 September—upgraded Palestine's rights at the United Nations to a permanent observer state. That resolution also urged the Security Council to approve Palestine's full membership, which would provide Palestine with additional rights beyond being able to sponsor resolutions. UNGA resolutions are non-binding and require the approval of the Security Council, on which the permanent members—China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and Israel's no. 1 ally, the United States—have veto power. Palestine's resolution was based on an advisory opinion that the UN's top court, the International Court of Justice, issued in July, saying that Israel's occupation of the West Bank, East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip violates international law and that Israel must immediately evacuate settlements, among other actions. The court based its advisory opinion on the 'sustained abuse by Israel of its position as an occupying power' by building and expanding settlements, using the area's natural resources, annexing and imposing permanent controls over lands, and undermining Palestinians' right to self-determination.

Anti-immigrant sentiment is rife in the US, much like Europe, where the far-right have seen a rise in popularity in places, such as Germany. Listen to Donald Trump in this clip from a recent New York rally, blaming the lack of safety in US cities on migrants and pledging a purge should he take office. However, the facts prove him wrong. Christian Gunadi’s 2019 published research found undocumented immigrants are 33 per cent less likely to be incarcerated compared to US citizens, with that figure as high as 47 per cent in Texas, a state bordering Mexico, according to the Cato Institute. Plus, the Global North owes a debt to the Global South. Many people flee Western-manufactured conditions in their home countries to seek a better life in the West. Slavery forcibly removed millions of people from Africa, while Europeans colonised Africans on the continent and plundered our lands. Upon ‘flag independence’ in the mid-20th century, neo-colonialism kept poor countries in shackles because of high debt to Western financial institutions. Plus, for centuries, European powers and the United States have destabilised Africa, such as with the 1961 US/UK/Belgian-supported assassination of Prime Minister Patrice Lumumba (1925-61), who wanted to use Congolese resources for the Congolese people. These powers then supported one of the most corrupt leaders, Mobutu Sese Seko (1930-97), who pillaged the country for decades. Today, Trump demonises those same Congolese people fleeing militias, backed by US allies Rwanda and Uganda, to fight over resources in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. With the US meddling throughout the Global South, is it any surprise that people would flee their homes and wind up in the US?

A little over a year ago, Gabon's ousted president, Ali Bongo, asked the world to 'make noise,' a plea that only memeified him instead (as seen in slide 3). In a 19 September letter to the Gabonese people that his lawyer circulated to the media, the 65-year-old, whom the military ousted on 30 August 2023, said he would exit the political arena and renounce his ambition for office. 'I call on my country, its leaders, and my fellow citizens to renounce vengeance and to write its next history with harmony and humanity.' Bongo might be referring to his family's allegations that they are being abused and tortured. While he and his two younger sons, Jalil and Bilal, are under house arrest, his French wife, Sylvia, and their eldest son, 32-year-old Noureddin, are imprisoned. Bongo and his two younger sons attempted a hunger strike in May to protest their alleged treatment, which the military has denied. The ruling military has charged Bongo and his family with several counts of plundering the country's resources. The family, with ties to former coloniser France, ruled Gabon for 56 years. Bongo was ousted in a military coup d’état led by his cousin Brice Oligui Nguema, so one can say the dynasty has continued, just with a different branch of the family tree. What do you make of Bongo's latest statements? Let us know in the comments.

Both the Republicans and the Democrats understand the importance of winning over Black people in the race for US president. However, many of our people have long found common cause with Palestinians. We see the 11-month-long Israeli military onslaught in Gaza not just as a modern attack but also in the historical context of Zi*nists driving 750,000 Palestinians off their land. We feel for the Palestinians as people whose ancestors underwent and continue to live through slavery, segregation, oppression and dehumanisation. This shared historical experience has created a division within the Democratic Party, which has traditionally enjoyed strong Black support. However, in this viral clip, Green Party vice-presidential nominee Butch Ware argued on 'The Breakfast Club' that it would be a betrayal to our ancestors and ourselves if we allowed politicians to weaponise our collective blackness to continue arming Israel. Indeed, a CBS poll in June showed that 61 per cent of Americans, including 77 per cent of Democrats and 38 per cent of Republicans, want the US to stop arming Israel. However, Black politicians who've listened to the people have seen the door. For instance, a pro-Israel contender, Wesley Bell, used more than $8 million from the pro-Israel lobby group American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) to beat Cori Bush, a Black pro-Palestine Democratic congress member. Similarly, Jamaal Bowman lost his seat to an AIPAC-backed candidate. Do you agree with Ware's assessment? Let us know in the comments. Video Credit: Breakfast Club Power 105.1 FM (@breakfastclubam)

Like many colonised and enslaved territories, Jamaica fronted strong resistance against imperialism. Listen to legendary Jamaican singer Buju Banton explain the role the Maroons played. The Maroons, enslaved Africans who escaped from Spanish and British plantations, formed independent communities in the island's mountainous regions. Over time, they established well-organised societies, drawing on African cultural traditions for survival. Known for their staunch defiance of British rule and their resistance to slavery, they played a crucial role in the fight for liberation on the Caribbean island. In the First Maroon War, Africans used guerrilla war tactics to defend their freedom and disrupt British plantations. Maroons' extensive knowledge of Jamaica's terrain challenged colonial forces, and so, after years of conflict, Britain was forced to negotiate peace treaties in 1739 and 1740. The terms recognised Maroon autonomy and the right to own land. In return, the Maroons agreed to stop raiding plantations. However, tensions persisted despite the treaties, leading to the Second Maroon War in 1795. The war ended in December of that year, with the Maroons agreeing to lay down their arms, return runaway enslaved Africans and be relocated to another part of the island in exchange for being spared repercussions. The British, as usual, broke the agreement. They deported many to Nova Scotia in Canada, and later to Sierra Leone upon demand due to Canada's hostile climate. This marked the end of large-scale Maroon resistance to British colonial rule. Maroons hold a cherished legacy in Jamaica to this day. Communities, such as Accompong and Moore Town, still celebrate their heritage, preserving rich African cultural practices. Remembered as early freedom fighters, Maroons played a significant role in Jamaica's storied struggle for liberation. Video credit: @revolttv #Imperialism #MooreTown #Canada #Maroons #Jamaica #Spanish #British #carribeanislands #BujuBanton

In this April 2023 clip, Thau-Thau Haramanuba (@thauthauharamanuba) discussed the decolonisation of the African psyche and culture with Gogo Simenjalo (@gogo_simenjalo) on the AfroSavvy podcast (@afrosavvy). The president of the Rastafari United Front denounced the Black community for spending almost $7 billion a year on artificial hair and nails in the United States. He argued Africans must move away from consumerism and realise that ‘what we need, we must make ourselves.’ According to Cheryl Thompson's research in 'Black Women and Identity: What's Hair Got to Do With It?' in 2008, 70 per cent to 80 per cent of Black women in the US chemically straighten their hair. Video credit: @afrosavvy

African Stream's CEO and founder, Ahmed Kaballo, visited Nicaragua in 2021 to cover its presidential elections. He also used the opportunity to gain deeper insights into how a 2018 foreign-backed coup attempt impacted a nation that had already been attacked so viciously in the 1980s by US-backed Contra rebels. He travelled throughout the country and spoke to Nicaraguans from all walks of life to get their perspective on the events that almost brought them to the brink of war for a second time. This documentary was the outcome. (Apologies if the camera work is a bit rough and ready in places - he went there on a limited budget!)

Since our inception less than two years ago, we’ve attempted to reshape the narratives surrounding Africa and African people. In doing so, we seem to have upset some very powerful people. On Friday 13th, the United States government launched a coordinated assault against us. Antony Blinken, US Secretary of State, branded our team - based in Nairobi, Kenya - Kremlin propagandists, putting a target on our backs. Within 24 hours, our YouTube page was taken down by Google, and soon after, Instagram, Facebook and Threads banned us as well. These are clear attempts to intimidate and silence us. But, as the African proverb goes: 'The howling of hyenas will never stop the roar of lions.' #WeAreAllAfricanStream #Kremlin #AntonyBlinken #SecretaryofState #Kremlin

This skit from award-winning British-Nigerian MC, actor and brand influencer Kenny (@happinessisfr33 on TikTok) brilliantly tackles the absurdity of racist assumptions about Nigerians and Africans, particularly regarding their way of life. The video humorously plays on the misconception that Nigerians lack basic necessities, such as houses, which ignores the rich cultural, historical and civilizational achievements of Africa and its people. Through sharp sarcasm, Kenny exposes the ignorance behind such questions, reminding viewers not to take these offensive assumptions seriously. Nigeria is home not only to modern infrastructure but also to immense wealth in natural resources. It also boasts a long history of academic, sporting and cultural accomplishments that rival those of the Western world. For those still wondering - yes, Nigerians have houses, and so much more. Join the conversation in the comments below and share your experiences with similar misconceptions as an African, whether at home or abroad. Video Credit: @happinessisfr33 (TikTok)

Big Brother has made clear he only wants you to get your news from him. But who is Big Brother? That is British novelist George Orwell's name for the leader of a futuristic world without freedom. Orwell's (1903-50) dystopian world, as described in his novel, '1984' (published in 1949), has become a reality in the 21st century, as the mainstream media is in the grip of a few powerful billionaires sanctioned by the state to promote official narratives. At the same time, the US government has collaborated with tech giants to shut down alternative or independent voices shedding light on the truth. Just a few days ago, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube de-platformed African Stream because we allegedly violated community standards. In this 2003 video clip, political cartoonist and creator of the TV series, 'The Boondocks,' Aaron McGruder, remarked on the censorship and distraction accompanying media consolidation. Given the dire situation for the masses, who deserve to hear the truth, keeping anti-imperialist sources of information, like African Stream, afloat is crucial. If you believe in our mission, consider joining our Patreon and becoming part of the solution. Video Credit: @cspan

Mali on Tuesday woke up to a terror attack claimed by al-Qaeda affiliate Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimeen (JNIM). The group targeted the airport and a gendarmerie training school in Bamako, releasing video showing them setting fire to a plane. Mali’s army chief of staff Oumar Diarra announced the situation was under control. All was quiet by mid afternoon - with citizens going about their business. Some of the attackers were eliminated, others arrested. Mali’s side also reportedly suffered casualties The attack on Bamako comes as a shock as the capital has been spared much of the violence that has engulfed other parts of the country and the wider Sahel region. Starting 2012, rebels who had been armed and funded by NATO to overthrow Libya’s Gaddafi, began trickling south to the Sahel, which soon became the global epicentre of terrorism. Sub-Saharan Africa accounted for 47% of global terrorism deaths in 2023, more than South Asia, the Middle East and North Africa combined.

Bill Gates' agricultural investments in Africa have contributed to a hunger crisis on the continent - that’s the claim of ex US presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Between 2003 and 2020, Gates pumped nearly $6 billion into industrialising Africa's agriculture. Most of that funding went to Western corporations that patent seeds and produce agrochemicals, purportedly to help African farmers increase crop yields. However, critics of Gates argue that his approach leads to hunger, as it does not fully consider African knowledge, biodiversity and food sovereignty - the right to choose what and when to grow. What do you make of RFK Jr’s claims in this clip? Video credit: @Daystar

In this clip, European traveller and vlogger Sara Della Santa (@saradella.santa - Instagram) sheds light on the misconception that Europe is superior to Africa. The reality is that everything that Europe and the world covet is found within Africa's borders. She urges Africans to reclaim control of their continent and fully embrace their immense wealth and potential. She also highlights the frustrating inequality and hypocrisy of global travel. While Western travellers can freely explore Africa, many Africans are denied the same freedom due to restrictive visa policies. This injustice is stark, especially when young Africans, like their European counterparts, simply wish to experience the world without the intention of staying abroad. Please share your thoughts on the disparity in global travel and on how Africans can reclaim control of their resources and future. Video Credit: @Africawebtv1 (YouTube)

For us at African Stream, Scottish trade unionist Jimmy Reid's remarks about freedoms of the press and speech are particularly relevant, given three social media platforms banned our accounts earlier this week. We got de-platformed after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken accused us—without providing evidence—of giving a voice to Kremlin propagandists. Governments claim everyone has rights and freedoms. However, upon closer examination, according to Reid, rights and freedoms prove to be abstract. According to international law, a Malian farmer has the same legal rights and access to justice as Nestlé CEO Ulf Mark Schneider. However, when Malians lost a lawsuit against food companies Nestlé and Cargill over allegations they were trafficked as children, not paid for their work, threatened with starvation if they did not work, and forced to live in squalor. In theory they had a strong case but in reality companies like companies Nestlé and Cargill were always going to come out on top, and they did. Over in Nigeria, rural villagers in the Niger River Delta are allegedly equal to the executives running oil companies Shell and Chevron. But who do you think has the upper hand in the courtroom? Legally, African Stream has the same rights to freedom of speech and the press as the New York Times, CNN and the BBC. However, our ban from Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, show that free speech and freedom of the press, both enshrined in the United Nations' 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights are only real when you don't speak truth to power. Under capitalism, most of our freedoms are abstract because, while we have the same legal rights as those who run the imperialist global order, we do not have the resources to fight to maintain these so-called freedoms. Ugandan dictator Idi Amin infamously said, 'There is freedom of speech, but I cannot guarantee freedom after speech.' Sounds like US Secretary of State Antony Blinken might agree with his sentiments. Video credit: Fifty Shades of Whey (@davenewworld_2 on X)

The education system in America has long suffered from racial inequality. According to the Adequacy and Fairness of State School Finance System Study schools in predominately Black neighborhoods are reportedly more likely to be underfunded - resulting in fewer resources, larger class sizes and the hiring of less experienced teachers. Black students are also victims of discriminatory disciplinary practices - being more likely than their White peers to be suspended or expelled for the same behaviors, contributing to the ‘school-to-prison pipeline’ according to a report by the New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) - that’s is, the tendency of minors from underprivileged backgrounds to end up, disproportionately, incarcerated because of harsh school and municipal policies. In this clip, pan-Africanist historian John Henrik Clarke (1915 - 1998) claims the US public school system is anti-Black by design: the oppressors fear they might lose their grip on power if too many Black students flourish.

African Stream has been banned by Instagram, Facebook and YouTube. We were censored after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken made false, unsubstantiated claims against us on Friday. To be clear, contrary to the accusations, African Stream does not receive any funding from any state. We will shorty release a full statement regarding our work, our funding and these accusations. We are currently consulting our legal team to figure out how best to move forward. We thank all of our loyal followers and encourage those who want to hear our pan-African perspectives to join our Patreon and Telegram. (We are also still on TikTok and X - for now!) Our motivation is, has been and will always be our undying commitment to Africa and African people, and our desire to see our continent liberated from the shackles of imperialism and our people treated with dignity and respect in whatever part of the globe they reside. #WeAreAllAfricanStream

In 2009, Hillary Clinton - then US Secretary of State - said that arming the Mujahideen to fight the Soviet Union in Afghanistan “wasn’t a bad investment.” That’s because, she claims, it helped bring on the collapse of the USSR. Of course, this also led to the rise of the Taliban, which the US then went on to fight for 20 years in a campaign that ended in defeat and a chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan. The Soviet collapse also threw millions into poverty and saw the rise of an oligarch class that captured key industries and robbed the country’s wealth. Washington has also destabilised countries in Africa with its self-interested meddling. For example, in Somalia, terror group al-Shabaab emerged from the power vacuum left by the removal of the Islamic Courts Union, which controlled Mogadishu until it was ousted by US-backed Ethiopian forces.

A military court in the Democratic Republic of Congo has sentenced 37 people, including some foreigners, to death - for an attempted coup on 19th May. Three US citizens were among those handed capital punishment for trying to overthrow President Félix Tshisekedi. The coup was led by Christain Malanga, a former Congolese army officer and politician with US citizenship. Citizens of Belgium, the UK and Canada - of Congolese origin - were also sentenced to death. Malanga led armed men into the presidential palace in Kinshasa, the capital, after attacking parliamentary speaker Vital Kamerhe's home. Malanga and five others were killed by security forces. 51 men were detained. Their trial started on 7th June at the Ndolo military prison. 14 men were acquitted. DR Congo lifted a 21-year ban on the death penalty just two months before the botched power grab. Defence lawyers say they will appeal the death sentences.

Today marks the one-year anniversary of the creation of the Alliance of Sahel States - also known by its (French) acronym AES. This began as a defence agreement signed by the governments of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger. Today, the AES represents an anti-imperialist bloc at the vanguard of the pan-African revolution. The three states have expelled French and other Western military forces, nationalised important economic sectors, forged relations with countries that oppose Western domination and are working to build a unified pan-African state. In this video, Assimi Goïta - president of Mali and the current president of the AES confederation - recalls the history of the alliance and announces upcoming steps for the near future - including shared passports and a new media platform to serve the bloc. He also gives a special shout out to the diaspora for its role in defending the AES. What do you think of the AES’s activities over the last year? #AES, #AllianceofSahel #mali #assimigoita #burkinafaso #niger #panafrican #AES

Who is Jimmy Chérizier, aka 'Barbecue,' the Haitian gang leader? Pan Africanist Emergencies spokesperson Maud-Salomé Ekila spoke with the former police officer on behalf of African Stream to gain a detailed understanding of the man. Ekila sat down with Chérizier, whom some regard as Haiti's most powerful gang leader, in an exclusive interview to ask him about his ideology, the issues in Haiti, and some of the allegations against him regarding abuses of fellow Haitians. We know the 47-year-old Haitian is seen as a divisive and controversial figure, while others claim he is a revolutionary. Watch the interview and let us know what you think.

Today is Afro Hair Day, so we’re taking a look at why Black hair is so… political! African hair is not just a style, it is imbued with powerful messaging. Black hair, Afro hair, kinky hair - hair that grows out of African people’s heads - has helped shape narratives for centuries. Wambura Mwai breaks it down.

It was good to see Donald Trump get fact-checked on the spot by the moderators over his unfounded, malicious claims about supposed pet-eating Haitian immigrants during his debate with Kamala Harris. She, however, got off rather lightly. Her claims may not have been as outlandish, but some of them were certainly dubious. Here’s our take. What do you think?

Earlier this month, we posted an investigative report by The Guardian newspaper detailing how a covert Israeli operation called Team Jorge, boasted influencing dozens of elections worldwide. They included Nigeria’s in 2015, and the findings were based on an investigation by Paris-based NGO Forbidden Stories. Well, here’s a look in more detail at how Team Jorge achieved its results by using secret software called AIMS, which weaponises social media to influence public opinion. It’s leader, Tal Hanan, is a 50-year-old former Israeli special forces operative and is filmed revealing how it works. Clients can hire thousands of fake media accounts, called bots, which look and behave like real people. They have multiple profiles on multiple platforms including email. This army of automated avatars is then used to push particular messaging. It’s claimed Hanan runs the scheme through an Israeli company, Demoman International, which is registered on a website run by the Israeli Ministry of Defense to promote defence exports. The service is offered to intelligence agencies, political campaigns and private companies that want to manipulate public opinion secretly. In this video, Guardian journalist, Manisha Ganguly, lays bare the cyber-weaponry.