A new hub for ‘anime’ is born in Southern Africa
Zambia, well known for its copper, emeralds, and other pricey gems, may soon have a new feather in its cap as a hub for aspiring Zambian artists and other creators eager to try their hand in the newest Anime scene. For this, capital city Lusaka has been drawing from an immense well of artistic talent to be found in southern...
While the U.S. celebrated its independence, Rwanda recognized the end of 1994 massacre
America recently celebrated its independence on July 4. Very few are aware that the 4th of July also has special significance for the people of Rwanda. For that African nation, July 4 is “Liberation Day,” the day when Rwanda annually recognizes the end of the horrific Rwandan genocide that in a three-month span claimed over 800,000 lives. Between April...
Tanzania swears in the world’s first female Black Muslim president
The African continent should be proud of Tanzania’s seamless passing of power to vice president now President Samia Suluhu Hassan. The world’s first Black Muslim female world leader took the oath of office holding a Holy Qur’an after the death of the East African country’s beloved president and former science professor John Magufuli. “I think the fact that she’s Muslim...
Brazil: ‘Racialized’ police killings, evidence reforms are needed, say experts
Following the killings of at least 23 Brazilians during police raids and checks, UN-appointed independent human rights experts called for urgent reforms against “racialized police brutality.” “We have repeatedly raised our concerns about the excessive and lethal use of force used by Brazilian law enforcement officials and the disproportionate impact on Brazilians of African descent,” the three experts said in...
Libyan rebels out of oil business?
(FinalCall.com) - Not anticipating the emergence of a stalemate and the creation of two Libyas may have thrown an unintended monkey wrench in plans by Western powers and Arab allies' desire to allow Libyan rebels–now called the Interim National Council–to sell captured oil. According to published reports, the complexity of sanctions of Libya may mean companies wanting to do...
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...
Mandela’s legacy is much more than the ‘non-racial’ society attributed to him
What are South Africa’s first Black president and anti-apartheid activist Nelson Mandela’s achievements? December 5 marked 10 years since the freedom fighter died at age 95. A decade after his death, what is the legacy left by the icon who ushered in an era of hope and inspiration to an apartheid-divided country? In this current geopolitical world of growing global...
Nigeria’s president battles chief judge over millions in unexplained funds
GINNEWS (GIN)–Efforts to clean up government–difficult in the best of times–were hamstrung by none other than Nigeria's top judge accused of failing to declare hundreds of thousands of dollars that “suspiciously” appear in his accounts but were never declared as required by law. President Muhammadu Buhari, who has often accused the judiciary of frustrating his anti-corruption fight, defended his announced suspension...
BRICS Summit to address the eroding U.S. dollar
In Africa and Asia, there is an increasing call to move away from the U.S. dollar and utilize local currencies for economic and financial transactions. South Africa’s upcoming August BRICS Summit plans to explore the launching of a common currency as a “trend to de-dollarize,” or to “erode the U.S. dollar’s (global) dominance.” The summit will be held in Johannesburg,...
Trillions of dollars in mineral resources but still poor
Despite being rich because of $24 trillion in mineral resources that are ready to be turned into consumer electronics and batteries in electric cars for Western industrialized democracies, the population of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is one of the poorest in the world. In fact, according to the World Bank, the DRC is among the five poorest nations...