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    Default Keeping an eye on Africa

    Keeping an eye on Africa

    This thread shall be dedicated to all topics regarding Africa. Current events, politics, history, cultures, neo-colonialism, exploitation, wars, big players as well as to the tremendous riches and ressources, to the vast potentials of a whole continent. In the Western media it is depicted as a poor, underdeveloped, overpopulated, deplorable though dispensable (the people, not the mineral ressources!) place while multinational corporations draw massive profits from stealing the continent‘s natural wealth.

    It shall also be a space for sharing personal experiences and stories related to countries/people of the African continent to lighten up a bit every now and then. So I‘ll put it in the section ‚The Human Condition‘.

    In Europe, we know next to nothing about Africa except occasional headlines on catastrophies or terror attacks. In the US it may still be worse, I suspect. I don’t know. Africa is still like a blank spot (in German we say: white spot!) on the map. Countries of immense riches of natural resources. Why is that? You can guess.



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    Default Re: Keeping an eye on Africa

    The US Africa Command (AFRICOM)

    The United States is the only country to have divided the world into separate military sectors to monitor and patrol, NORTHCOM, PACOM, SOUTHCOM, EUCOM, CENTCOM and now AFRICOM.

    Under the stated goals of fighting terrorism and providing humanitarian assistance, AFRICOM implanted itself on the continent, conducting military exercises with a growing number of African countries.

    The establishment of AFRICOM was key for the consolidation of US interests in Africa.
     
    The Americans sought to establish the headquarters of AFRICOM as well as a headquarters for the CIA in Mali. The problem was that the Africans had a common position of refusing the establishment of new military bases.

    This opposition forced the US to set up the command of AFRICOM thousands of miles away, in Stuttgart, Germany [in 2007].

    Is the United States Africa Command’s military exercise “Flintlock 2019” Relevant?



    https://www.aljazeera.com/programmes...025023817.html

    When the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) was established in 2007, the White House announced that this military operation would “enhance our efforts to bring peace and security to the people of Africa and promote our common goals of development, health, education, democracy, and economic growth.” However, critics (including AFJN) have long argued that it functions more often as a mechanism to protect US economic and political interests in Africa (e.g., access to oil resources) at the expense of the African people, and lends support to unaccountable African leaders who often use the threat of terrorism as an excuse to, among other things, use US trained troops and equipment to suppress dissent and change the constitution to stay in power.

    Is the United States and Europe’s war on terrorism masking another kind of war? “Shadow War in the Sahara”, an Al Jazeera documentary eloquently answers this question.? From February 18 to March 1 of this year, AFRICOM held a special operations forces exercise known as “Flintlock 2019” in Burkina Faso, where roughly 2000 personnel from 30 countries gathered for counter-terrorism training. At the same time, however, the number of jihadists in the Sahel region of West Africa is growing with the return of fighters from Iraq and Syria, while the Trump administration has decided to reduce the American military presence in Africa by 10%. These developments have raised fresh concerns about the future of AFRICOM and its long-term impact on human rights and justice issues in Africa.

    Last edited by Iloveyou; 30th April 2019 at 08:13.

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    Default Re: Keeping an eye on Africa

    No civilization arose out of Africa.
    Egypt, of course, is situated in Africa but ancient Egypt was not an African civilization but Near Eastern.

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    Default Re: Keeping an eye on Africa

    I am sure this thread was NOT created for members to exercise their ignorance?!?
    I for one will join in with anyone, I don't care what color you are as long as you want to change this miserable condition that exists on this Earth - Malcolm X / Tsar Of The Star

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    Default Re: Keeping an eye on Africa

    Quote Posted by Didgevillage (here)
    Egypt, of course, is situated in Africa but ancient Egypt was not an African civilization but Near Eastern.
    This was less the case for AE. More melting pot-ish than modern day Egypt.
    Today is victory over yourself of yesterday. Tomorrow is your victory over lesser men.

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    Default Re: Keeping an eye on Africa

    Chris Hedges and Lee Wengraf on „Extracting profit: Imperialism, Neoliberalism,
    and the New Scramble for Africa“


    Debunking myths about Africa and a bit of history
    • African poverty is an inevitable and inescapable feature of African states themselves
    • Any debt owed by the West has been paid in full and must be put behind us
    • Africa is cursed by natural ressources
    • African nations are ungovernable, dominated by failed states and trapped by an
      unrelenting propensity for war and violence
    • Ordinary Africans are merely passive victims of authoritarian African rulers or fueled
      by the conflict of age-old ethnic devide
    • Mass unemployment and crisis make resistance in Africa futile



    Thomas Sankara


    Thomas Isidore Noël Sankara (1949-1987) was a Burkinabé military captain, Marxist revolutionary, pan-Africanist theorist, and President of Burkina Faso from 1983 until his assassination 1987.

    27 years on and Thomas Sankara's legacy still lives on. Sankara was a profound leader with deep love for his country, Burkina Faso. But he would not live long enough to see his vision change his country for better. He was assassinated. "Faces of Africa" takes you through Sankara's journey and how his ideas have stuck in the minds of the young generation, now seeking to resuscitate the country's economic and political status.

    http://www.thomassankara.net/facts-a...-faso/?lang=en



    Patrice Lumumba

    Patrice Émery Lumumba (1925-1961), African nationalist and Pan-Africanist and first Prime Minister of the independent Democratic Republic of the Congo (June-September 1960). Assassinated by an US- and Belgian-orchestrated plot which used Congolese accomplices and a Belgian execution squad to carry out the deed.

    Last edited by Iloveyou; 30th April 2019 at 18:20.

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    Default Re: Keeping an eye on Africa

    By the way, this might surprise some of you but here is an actual size comparison of the size of Africa versus some countries. Taken from Scientific American.

    Last edited by Forest Denizen; 2nd May 2019 at 18:59. Reason: For clarity
    "Love is the only engine of survival.." Leonard Cohen

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    Default Re: Keeping an eye on Africa

    Quote Posted by Didgevillage (here)
    No civilization arose out of Africa.
    Egypt, of course, is situated in Africa but ancient Egypt was not an African civilization but Near Eastern.
    How much longer are we gonna this overt kind of racism get spewed by this dude?

    This is straight out of white nationalist talking points and is so beyond ignorant that this dude does not belong here.

    Furthermore, how does his comment even fit the thread?

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    Default Re: Keeping an eye on Africa

    If you don't like him then call him out on his bs. Pick apart his post, point out where he's wrong. Educate everyone else in the process. I feel he cherry picks his info so I'll only debate him to a point but I wouldn't advocate him being banned.

    He's not far off w/ Egypt. I assume he'll pissed everyone off w/ 'no civilization' arose out of Africa. Yeah, I'll let him deal w/ that one. I assume it'll come down to the definition of 'civilization.'
    Today is victory over yourself of yesterday. Tomorrow is your victory over lesser men.

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    Default Re: Keeping an eye on Africa

    Quote Posted by Iloveyou (here)
    The US Africa Command (AFRICOM)

    The United States is the only country to have divided the world into separate military sectors to monitor and patrol, NORTHCOM, PACOM, SOUTHCOM, EUCOM, CENTCOM and now AFRICOM.

    Under the stated goals of fighting terrorism and providing humanitarian assistance, AFRICOM implanted itself on the continent, conducting military exercises with a growing number of African countries.

    The establishment of AFRICOM was key for the consolidation of US interests in Africa.
     
    The Americans sought to establish the headquarters of AFRICOM as well as a headquarters for the CIA in Mali. The problem was that the Africans had a common position of refusing the establishment of new military bases.

    This opposition forced the US to set up the command of AFRICOM thousands of miles away, in Stuttgart, Germany [in 2007].

    Is the United States Africa Command’s military exercise “Flintlock 2019” Relevant?



    https://www.aljazeera.com/programmes...025023817.html

    When the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) was established in 2007, the White House announced that this military operation would “enhance our efforts to bring peace and security to the people of Africa and promote our common goals of development, health, education, democracy, and economic growth.” However, critics (including AFJN) have long argued that it functions more often as a mechanism to protect US economic and political interests in Africa (e.g., access to oil resources) at the expense of the African people, and lends support to unaccountable African leaders who often use the threat of terrorism as an excuse to, among other things, use US trained troops and equipment to suppress dissent and change the constitution to stay in power.

    Is the United States and Europe’s war on terrorism masking another kind of war? “Shadow War in the Sahara”, an Al Jazeera documentary eloquently answers this question.? From February 18 to March 1 of this year, AFRICOM held a special operations forces exercise known as “Flintlock 2019” in Burkina Faso, where roughly 2000 personnel from 30 countries gathered for counter-terrorism training. At the same time, however, the number of jihadists in the Sahel region of West Africa is growing with the return of fighters from Iraq and Syria, while the Trump administration has decided to reduce the American military presence in Africa by 10%. These developments have raised fresh concerns about the future of AFRICOM and its long-term impact on human rights and justice issues in Africa.

    This is absolutely the best post on Avalon.

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    Default Re: Keeping an eye on Africa

    Don‘t worry, Praxis and Star.

    All kinds of people will show up. People with ‚white supremacist’-views, too, probably.

    This is why we are in the ‚Human Condition‘ section.

    @ Didgevillage, it would be a good idea to explain your statement or how you‘ve come to this conclusion.

    @ Soda, the eleventh commandment says: you shall not exaggerate

    Last edited by Iloveyou; 30th April 2019 at 16:54.

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    Default Re: Keeping an eye on Africa

    Kinda random, but I'd love to travel to Mali.
    Today is victory over yourself of yesterday. Tomorrow is your victory over lesser men.

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    Default Re: Keeping an eye on Africa

    A useful thread.

    If anyone is sincere about helping Africa, look at what they're doing in 2019. Otherwise this discussion will turn into an unproductive, meandering foodfight. Lord knows there are enough of them on the net already. Posters here have the option to quit blowing so righteous and hard and help builders on the ground. These people need their projects promoted and replicated. The internet intellectual discussion crowd is in danger of becoming utterly irrelevant and mindnumbingly tedious. This forum can do better.

    EDIT: Sorry if I sounded terse. I just hope genuine innovators get more help. I think some of you are too narcissistically in love with you opinions and words. They count for very little.

    https://africancrowd.org/
    https://www.afrikstart.com/
    https://www.forbes.com/sites/jonatha.../#7983bee3a458
    https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/e...start-africa#/
    https://www.thundafund.com/
    https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfund...teering/africa
    Last edited by Daozen; 30th April 2019 at 16:21.

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    Default Re: Keeping an eye on Africa

    Every continent contains large bio-ethical diversity of human species, more so Africa.

    And yes, there were many great civilisations and empires we just lost full memory of in Africa:

    https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.h...frican-empires

    Trying to compare any human civilisation of past to what we are part of now , 8 billion human beings and counting nearly all connected to the “grid”, the “net” and watchable from satellites is nearly impossible.

    Most civilisations come apart as result of attack from one or another group of barbarians. In today’s world both civilised and primitive people try to coexist in a blend of multi form society with members of both sub-groups ( civilised and primitives) masking and masquerading as the opposing group in order to protect themselves and retain their status and privileges.

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    Default Re: Keeping an eye on Africa

    This report reveals the degree to which British companies now control Africa’s key mineral resources.

    Africa’s wealth in natural resources is being handed over to foreign, private interests. The figures noted in this report indicate that it is foreign, private companies which will benefit most from the exploitation of these reserves. In only a minority of mining operations do African governments have a shareholding in projects, and even if they do this tends to be small at 5-20%.



    https://waronwant.org/sites/default/...olonialism.pdf

    Last edited by Iloveyou; 1st May 2019 at 02:07.

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    Default Re: Keeping an eye on Africa

    Quote Posted by Strat (here)
    Kinda random, but I'd love to travel to Mali.


    Official travel warnings are often overstated - in case of Mauritania, for example - but for Mali they are almost accurate. I‘ve been in Bamako, Mali in February/March for three weeks (as a traveller, not for work). Expats and embassy workers will tell you not to travel north of Segou (red zone). Locals will tell you that Djenne, Mopti and the Dogon Country east of Mopti is fine as long as you move along discreetly and low-key. I met three travellers who did it either on their own or with a guide. There‘s even a local travel agency who offer (expensive) round-trips in the region. Sadly north of Mopti is off-limits and this will probably not change for many years. Though everyone agrees on the region south of Segou (orange zone) being perfectly safe.

    So ancient towns like Tombouctou or Gao have become places out of bounds again.
    Who knows for how long . . .

    I‘d say: follow your dreams

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    Default Re: Keeping an eye on Africa

    Quote Posted by Iloveyou (here)


    @ Didgevillage, it would be a good idea to explain your statement or how you‘ve come to this conclusion.
    What OTHER conclusions can be feasible?

    Right. Blame it all on white colonialism for the state Africa is in.
    Goes to show what liberal education can do to reasonably intelligent minds.
    Last edited by Didgevillage; 30th April 2019 at 22:37.

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    Default Re: Keeping an eye on Africa

    Quote Posted by Agape (here)
    And yes, there were many great civilisations
    How are they affecting today's world if they ever existed?

    Quote Posted by Agape (here)
    Most civilisations come apart as result of attack from one or another group of barbarians.
    No. Civilizations fall because of inner parasitism.
    Last edited by Didgevillage; 30th April 2019 at 22:36.

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    Default Re: Keeping an eye on Africa

    Quote Posted by Iloveyou (here)
    Official travel warnings are often overstated - in case of Mauritania, for example - but for Mali they are almost accurate. I‘ve been in Bamako, Mali in February/March for three weeks (as a traveller, not for work). Expats and embassy workers will tell you not to travel north of Segou (red zone). Locals will tell you that Djenne, Mopti and the Dogon Country east of Mopti is fine as long as you move along discreetly and low-key. I met three travellers who did it either on their own or with a guide. There‘s even a local travel agency who offer (expensive) round-trips in the region. Sadly north of Mopti is off-limits and this will probably not change for many years. Though everyone agrees on the region south of Segou (orange zone) being perfectly safe.

    So ancient towns like Tombouctou or Gao have become places out of bounds again.
    Who knows for how long . . .

    I‘d say: follow your dreams
    You've been there? Very cool. Where else have you traveled in Africa? Anywhere you'd particularly recommend? I'd also like to see South Africa. Mainly cause one of their cities is a sister city to mine (Port Elizabeth), but I'd also like to check out Joburg.
    Today is victory over yourself of yesterday. Tomorrow is your victory over lesser men.

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