Too many African countries under performing. Professor Lumumba exposes the Trojan horses operating in Africa.
The blogmaster found the presentation posted by Professor Lumumba enlightening. The similarities between the struggles of many African countries and the Caribbean are striking.
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Pacha….been hearing about this now for a couple months….your thoughts, if any..
Source: FT
“Brics creator slams ‘ridiculous’ idea for common currency on twitter Brics creator slams ‘ridiculous’ idea for common currency on linkedin
Arjun Neil Alim in London and Joseph Cotterill in Johannesburg 13 HOURS AGO 255
The former Goldman Sachs economist who coined the Brics acronym has dismissed as “ridiculous” the notion that the group of emerging nations might develop its own currency, as Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa prepare to discuss whether to expand the bloc. Ahead of the group’s 15th summit next week, Lord Jim O’Neill told the Financial Times that the Brics had “never achieved anything since they first started meeting”, eight years after he created the phrase in a 2001 research note he wrote as the bank’s chief economist.
Brics nations such as Russia and China have called for the bloc to challenge the US dollar’s status as the world’s reserve currency, but South Africa, which is hosting this year’s summit, has said a Brics currency is not on the agenda for the gathering in Johannesburg. O’Neill said creating a common currency for the five strongly diverging economies would be unfeasible. “It’s just ridiculous,” he said in response to calls for a “trading currency” from Brazilian president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and other politicians from the bloc. “They’re going to create a Brics central bank? How would you do that? It’s embarrassing almost.”
O’Neill coined the Brics acronym in a Goldman paper in order to highlight the economic potential of Brazil, Russia, India and China and the need for global economic and political governance to be reshaped to include them. The countries themselves embraced the term and began holding summits in 2009. With dozens of countries formally or informally expressing interest in joining the bloc, according to a South African diplomat, the summit could be its biggest leap forward in membership since South Africa joined in 2010. But criteria for admission have not been decided, and the issue of expansion has emerged as another faultline among the quintet.”
Serious movement on the continent, even i got taken by surprise.
Quote:
Haiti: A peaceful multinational approach, not a warlike force
Haiti needs “to get its political and governance act together”.
That is among the important messages that UN Secretary- General, António Guterres, delivered to the UN Security Council in a letter on August 14, 2023.
Guterres’ letter was a response to the Security Council’s request for proposals to tackle the security and humanitarian crises in Haiti.
While the Secretary-General repeats his call made to the Security Council in July 2023 “to authorise the immediate deployment of a robust international security force” to help Haiti’s police fight criminal gangs, the significance of this latest letter is the importance of settling the vexed issue of the country’s governance.
Guterres emphasised that “Without a meaningful reform of the political system, Haiti will continue to face these cycles of crises and instability emanating from weak political representation and disenfranchisement, a political climate, and fragile and politicised state institutions.”
Failed and corrupt governance has been at the root of Haiti’s poverty, economic backwardness, and inadequate physical and social infrastructure.
From these circumstances gangs were formed, first as tools of rival politicians and business oligarchs, and then as a force to take advantage of a situation of totally collapsed governance structures and systems.
Haiti has no legislature; its Court system is utterly dysfunctional; and many of Haiti’s political parties and civil society organisations have declared no confidence in the selfappointed government of Haiti which has shown no inclination to establish a transitional government that genuinely shares power and represents a broad cross-section of the society.
The situation in Haiti is dire, and the people of Haiti deserve to be liberated from the persistent deprivation and suffering that they are forced to endure. However, the proposed “deployment of a specialised multinational force enabled by military assets, coordinated with the national police”, should be at the request of an agreed transitional government if it is to enjoy popular backing.
As the organisation, Human Rights Watch, observed: “The Haitian government has failed to protect people from the violence of these criminal groups, many of which have alleged ties with senior political officials, economic actors, and police officers. International security support may be required, but it will most likely only be effective with a new transitional government and as part of a multi-faceted response with strong human rights safeguards.”
Such a transitional government is necessary, bearing in mind that many Haitian organisations believe that any successful external force would end up, intentionally or otherwise, maintaining the present unelected government of Dr Ariel Henry.
If success means getting rid of gangs by “active use of force in targeted police operations against heavily armed gangs”, as Secretary General Guterres described it, then what is really meant is a war against the gangs that are now entrenched throughout Haiti.
Such a war would not result in casualties only among gang leaders and members. It would also include fatalities among communities, which are used as protective shields in any resistance to “active use of force”. The deaths of combatants from any multinational force could also be considerable.
The governments of the Bahamas and Jamaica have understandably offered to join an external force. Both countries face challenges from Haitians seeking refuge, leading to substantial expenditures on border protection, repatriation efforts, and containment. This direct impact underscores their vested interest in Haiti’s stabilisation.
The governments of Canada and the United States, arguably having a similar vested interest, have yet to express intentions to contribute police or soldiers. Instead, they encourage countries in Africa and Latin America and the Caribbean to do so, providing logistical support and finance for operations.
Apart from The Bahamas and Jamaica, no government has made a formal decision to commit troops. Even Kenya is awaiting a study before declaring its position.
To some extent, reluctance stems from the fact that this would not be a “peacekeeping force”, operating with a mandate from the UN Security Council. Instead, it would be a force made up of willing countries, undertaking the “recapture of areas under gang control”.
Such a mission is easier said than done. The gangs were already well-armed, violent and accustomed to confrontation and killing before the much-publicised discussions, concerning the deployment of a multinational force. Some of the gangs are linked to organised criminal enterprises and they would have been fortified with more powerful weaponry than they already possessed.
Guterres pointed out to the Security Council that the “gangs have become more structured, federated and autonomous [-] consolidating control over the population”. The gangs also have a vested interest in preserving themselves and the criminal activity from which they derive money and power; they will not slink away with their tails between their legs. They will fight, viciously.
The argument has been advanced that, integral to stability in Haiti, are general elections at which voters will elect the president of the country and representatives to the legislature and municipalities. The argument continues that to mount such elections requires Haiti to be secure. Therefore, getting rid of the gangs and establishing a functional police force are compulsory.
However, even if a multinational force is constructed and it entered Haiti at the request of the unelected Prime Minister, Dr Ariel Henry, eliminating gangs after a bloody confrontation, the fundamental issue of Haiti’s governance would remain.
Elections, organised only by Dr Henry’s government, would not satisfy any – other than his own political party – that such elections would be organised, administered and conducted to produce free and fair results, particularly if they come after a period of violent conflict. The existing disaffection and hostility would explode into protests and demonstrations.
Given all this, Haiti might now best be served by a multinational team of negotiators and facilitators made up of persons from countries with leverage and others that enjoy the goodwill of Haitian players. Such a team could work with the various parties in Haiti to establish a transitional government that would have the authority to interface with, and make credible requests of, the international community, including for clearly defined police assistance.
The team might also begin to explore with the main gang leaders the terms of dismantling their organisations and laying down their weapons with the aim of preventing widespread violence and bloodshed.
Sir Ronald Sanders is Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the United States and the Organization of American States. He is also a Senior Fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies at the University of London and Massey College at the University of Toronto. The views expressed are entirely his own. Responses and previous commentaries: http://www.sirronaldsanders.com.
Source: BT
Overcoming post colonial colonialism
The people of the West African nation of Niger were recently dancing in the streets celebrating a coup in their country. This coup in Niger follows two other recent popular coups in the region, in the nations of Mali and Burkina Faso. The Economic Community of West Africa (ECOWAS) has condemned these coups, particularly the most recent one in Niger. ECOWAS finds itself at odds with a large component of Africa and its diaspora, who hail the coups as movements to liberate Africa from post-colonial colonialism.
The heads of government of ECOWAS are seriously considering using force to reinstate the ousted government.
This action has been championed by the president of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu. However, the leaders of Mali and Burkina Faso have pledged to defend Niger if it is attacked. Masses of people within ECOWAS nations have also come down on the side of the coup leaders.
In Nigeria, citizens took to the streets to protest against the military intentions of their own president Tinubu. It seems that on the ground Africa and her diaspora are firmly supporting these militant moves.
The people of Africa are seemingly growing tired of being third class citizens of a globalised world.
Permanent status as Third World nations is becoming less and less acceptable. Acceptable probably only to elite business and political classes who are content to be overseers for absentee landlords and bosses in the West.
In the words of the new Burkina Faso president, Ibrahim Traore, “Why does resource-rich Africa remain the poorest region of the world? We ask these questions and get no answers. However, we have the opportunity to build new relationships that will help us build a better future for Burkino Faso . . . a slave who does not fight for his freedom is not worthy of any indulgence. The heads of African states should not behave like puppets in the hands of the imperialists.”
African people have suffered at the hands of leaders who have been unduly influenced by the West for hundreds of years. The puppet government
trend did not stop just because these nations gained political independence. In most cases the word “puppets” may be too strong. Maybe the term “facilitators” is more appropriate. In many cases even “reluctant facilitators.” Even the hero of Zimbabwean independence and icon of African resistance, Robert Mugabe, entered into agreements with the coloniser nation which facilitated the wealth of Zimbabwe remaining under Western influence. Western nations have gone as far as to assassinate African leaders who did not get with the programme. African nations have also struggled to unite for collective security and prosperity.
Caribbean leaders struggle similarly.
As we in the Caribbean seek to find our own way out of post-colonial colonialism we should not be under any romantic notions that situations like those in Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali will necessarily lead to progress.
We have the example of the implosion and collapse of the Grenada coup and revolution to cure us of that illusion.
Internal conflicts work as well for the colonisers as do puppets or facilitators.
What also works well for them is our self-induced illusion that this region has a special place in the bosom of post-colonial colonialism. More than killing ourselves to punch above our weight class, we have to learn to spar cooperatively with our brothers and sisters in our own class, with the nations of Africa and the Global South.
Adrian Green is a communications specialist. Email adriangreen14@gmail. com.
Source: Nation
Thanks for that Rickross
What an impressive woman!!!
Niger’s military rulers accuse France of unilaterally releasing ‘terrorists’
By Rédaction Africanews
Last updated: 09/08/2023
Niger’s new military rulers on Wednesday accused France, the country’s traditional ally, of having “unilaterally freed captured terrorists,” a term used for jihadists, and of breaching a ban on the country’s air space.
They claimed that France released a number of jihadists, who then gathered to plan an attack on “military positions in the tri-border area,” a hotspot region where the frontiers of Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali converge.
“Events of an extreme gravity are unfolding in Niger as a result of the behaviour of the French forces and their accomplices,” according to the statement issued by the new regime, called the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP).
Judge says UK owes trillions in reparations
https://www.nationnews.com/2023/08/24/judge-says-uk-owes-trillions-reparations/
David, seems as though Gabon is the newest addition to the list of African countries where the military has staged a coup. Apparently, the Gabonese military announced that they had ‘seized power’ following President Ali Bongo Ondimba’s re-election, while claiming election fraud.
@Artax
Many countries in Africa operate with unstable governments. As the new hegemonists take occupation and there is increasing economic activity discord is sure to rise. History is replete with how these situations evolve.
David, according to news reports, Gabonese are fed-up that Ali Bongo’s family has been ruling the country for over 50 years. France has benefited significantly from Gabon’s production of oil.
‘Trouble is also brewing’ in Belarus.
@Artax
Same with Haiti, ruled by a few families.
Another interesting development in Niger, David. The French ambassador has refused to leave country. The military authorities have ordered the suspension of electricity, water and food supplies to the embassy and all other French entities in Niger.
According to media reports, the Gabonese military authority said security agents discovered billions of dollars in ‘raw cash’ during a search of Ali Bongo’s home. He is expected to be charged with treason and money laundering.
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