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Africa, Africom & The Caribbean
“The Alliance of Sahel States” — by Zoe Alexandra & Vijay Prashad
Colonel Assimi Goïta, head of Mali’s transitional government, signing the charter of the Alliance of Sahel States on Sept. 16. (X, Président de la Transition, Chef de l´État). Zoe Alexandra and Vijay Prashad cover anti-French developments in the Sahel.
“Amnesty International Pushes Regime Change in Eritrea with Dubious, Unverifiable Report” — by Ann Garrison
Amnesty’s new report accusing Eritrea’s government of gruesome war crimes relies heavily on anonymous testimony, grainy satellite images, and zero field investigation. It is the latest salvo in the West’s campaign to topple the country’s independent government.
“The Bongo Family’s 56-Year Rule Over Gabon” — by Douglas Yates
Sept. 18, 2022: Gabon’s President Ali Bongo Ondimba signs a book of condolence in London, following the death of Queen Elizabeth II. (Jonathan Hordle/PA Media Assignments, Foreign & Commonwealth Office, Flickr, CC BY 2.0). Elections in the country during the dynasty’s decades in power were followed by protests, then security force crackdowns and ultimately silence, writes Douglas Yates. Until Wednesday, when the Bongo regime was finally overthrown.
‘“Obama’s Man in Africa’ Under House Arrest as Popular Coup Rocks Gabon” — Max Blumenthal
President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama with Ali Bongo Ondimba, President of Gabon in the Bl. Before his removal in a military coup, Gabon’s hopelessly corrupt President Ali Bongo was courted by Obama and feted from Washington to Davos. The US war on Libya which destabilized the region may not have succeeded without him.
“Another Regime in ‘French West Africa’ Is Toppled” — by Joe Lauria
Post-coup celebrations in Gabon on Wednesday. (Lord Bebo/Twitter). Military officers in Gabon on Wednesday overthrew and arrested the country’s president, whose family ruled since 1967. It is the fourth coup in a former French African colony in the past three years as pressure mounts on Paris.
“Delegation of ECOWAS, Which Threatens Military Intervention, Arrives in Niger” — by Pars Today Staff
The West African diplomatic mission arrived in Niger a day after issuing an ultimatum to the military leaders to reinstate the pro-Western president who was toppled on July 26.
“Western Media Glorifies TPLF Mob Violence Against Eritrean Festivals” — Ann Garrison
This summer, violent mobs associated with the US-backed Tigray People’s Liberation Front assaulted Eritrean festivals across the US and Europe. Western media is now spinning the targeted mob violence as legitimate protest against Eritrea’s government.
“African Union will not back ECOWAS intervention in Niger” — Pavan Kulkarni
Leaders of the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland, Niger’s ruling military junta, at a rally on August 6. Photo: Balima Boureima/Anadolu Agency Niger’s popular military government has been consolidating domestic and regional support. Meanwhile, ECOWAS is beset by disunity and domestic opposition after threatening military intervention to restore the ousted Mohamed Bazoum with the backing of France and US
“Niger Rejects Rules-Based Order” — by M.K. Bhadrakumar
A French military helicopter over the Nigerien town Madama. (Thomas Goisque, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0). France and the U.S. have been blindsided by popular support for Niger’s coup, as the trend towards multipolarity emboldens Africans to confront neo-colonial exploitation, writes M.K. Bhadrakumar.
“Revolution in Sahel? Military Coups in Guinea, Mail Burkina Faso and Niger — by All African People’s Revolutionary Party
Crowds express support for the new Nigerien government. “France must go. Long live Niger.”(Photo: AFP via Getty Images) As the U.S. and France move to interfere in the Sahel region of West Africa, Niger, Guinea, Burkina Faso and Mali have spoken up to defend their sovereign rights and declare their determination to be free from western hegemony.
“Bola Ahmed Tinubu: From Drug Lord To Presidential Candidate” — by David Hundeyin
From Gary, Indiana to Abuja, Nigeria via a stopover in Chicago. Here is how the bagman for a 1990’s Chicago drug ring has become a frontrunner for Nigeria’s most powerful office. And then some.
Niger Army spokesman Colonel Major Amadou Adramane speaks during an appearance on national television, after President Mohamed Bazoum was held in the presidential palace, in Niamey, Niger, July 26, 2023 in this still image taken from video. Photo: ORTN/via Reuters TV/Handout via Reuters.
“Less Than a Mile From Drone Base, Bandit Stole Bags of U.S. Tax Dollars in Broad Daylight“ — by Nick Turse
U.S. soldiers gather at Nigerien Air Base 201, in Agadez, Niger on Dec. 21, 2021. Photo: Ericka A. Woolever/U.S. Air “The Americans have drones, they have planes, they have sophisticated equipment,” a Nigerien activist told The Intercept. “But it’s not helping.”
“Sudan’s Crisis and the Hidden Hands of the IMF” — Dian Maria Blandina
Fighting in Sudan. Photo: CGTN. As the people of Sudan continue to experience conflict and violence, the role played by international financial institutions is often ignored. Decades of IMF-imposed austerity policies and cuts on spending played a huge role in the deterioration of living conditions in the country
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