Algeria marks 60 years of independence with military parade
ALGIERS, Algeria—Algeria celebrated 60 years of independence from France with nationwide ceremonies, a pardon of 14,000 prisoners and its first military parade in decades. Opposition figures and pro-democracy activists called the elaborate celebrations an effort to distract attention from Algeria’s economic and political troubles by glorifying the army and called for the release of political prisoners. The events mark the country’s...
The Motherland’s challenge: Enriching elites or agricultural self-sufficiency
I’ve been examining news of Africa’s growing food shortage, particularly brought on by the war between Russia and Ukraine. I reflect that what is happening has more to do with dependency on European and American systems of agricultural imperialism or “exporting commodities,” instead of the Motherland growing food stuffs as the staple for internal consumption. Carlos Lopes, a development economist...
Kwame Nkrumah, Patrice Lumumba and the fight for a united Africa
The only remains of murdered Congolese leader Patrice Lumumba—a gold-capped tooth in a blue box—was handed over to his family during a ceremony in Brussels, noted the German international newscaster. This symbolic handover of the first democratically elected leader of the now Democratic Republic of Congo, and recent visit by Belgium’s King Phillippe to the minerally rich country appeared...
Nearly a century after atrocities, Belgium’s king visits, offers words but no reparations to the Congo
It’s heart wrenching to read Adam Hochschild’s 1998 book, “King Leopold’s Ghost,” which recounts the long history of brutality perpetrated on the Congolese people by Belgium and King Leopold II, who established the Congo Free State as his personal property. My blood began to boil at the welcome Belgium’s king recently received in the Democratic Republic of Congo, also once...
South African pastor found guilty of treason, racist plot
JOHANNESBURG—A South African court has convicted a pastor of plotting to overthrow the government and to kill thousands of Black people in the country. Harry Johannes Knoesen, 61, a leader of the National Christian Resistance Movement, was on June 6 found guilty of high treason, incitement to carry out violent attacks, and recruiting people to commit attacks. Mr. Knoesen’s group explored...
The Motherland’s major problem when it comes to farming is neglect
Food and farming are so important, the African Union declared 2022 the Year of Nutrition. And food security is so critical to realizing sustainable economic growth and development that it’s one of the Africa 2022 Year of Nutrition objectives. “Africa’s leaders must urgently strengthen their commitment to ending hunger in all its forms. The Year of Nutrition offers a unique...
Africa provides a ‘home for hope’ despite new challenges: UN chief
On Africa Day, the world celebrates the diverse and dynamic continent’s “enormous promise and potential,” the UN chief said in an upbeat message to mark the day on May 24. “Africa is a home for hope,” said Secretary-General António Guterres, citing the continent’s “growing and vibrant youth population.” And with initiatives such as the African Continental Free Trade Area, the Decade of...
Russia, Ukraine, the West and Africa’s agricultural woes
Joe Mzinga is coordinator for Small Scale Farmers Forum in Eastern and Southern Africa. He told Africa Watch from his home in Dar Es Salaam that blaming Russia’s invasion of Ukraine for Africa’s agricultural woes is just the latest iteration of the Motherland’s agricultural problems. Mzinga, who coordinates the group’s 2.4 million small scale farmers’ membership in 16 countries, said...
Will U.S. troops headed back to Somalia pose more problems?
The Biden Administration is sending hundreds of U.S. soldiers back into Somalia to “advise and assist” and on a “training mission” for African forces fighting the Somalian resistance group Al-Shabab. The Pentagon announced the decision during a recent press briefing. However, Africa watchers say it’s a bad move considering America’s sordid history in Somalia and the Horn of Africa...
Killing in Nigeria based on religion condemned
Nigeria’s renowned Islamic theologian Ahmad Gumi, according to PRNigeria, said the lynching of Deborah Yakubu, a female Christian student at Sokoto’s Shehu Shagari College of Education, for allegedly making insulting remarks about Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), was wrong, and did not reflect the Sunnah, the way or tradition, of the Prophet. While holding a religious instruction class in...