(December 9, 2024)
According to the bloc, the departure of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger becomes effective one year after the announcement, in January 2025.
The trio have formed the Alliance of Sahel States after severing ties with France and pivoting towards Russia.
The letter, led by Türkiye‘s initiative, was signed by 52 countries and two international organizations, and submitted to the UN on Nov. 1, calling for a cessation of arms supplies to Israel.
“We must reiterate at every opportunity that selling weapons to Israel amounts to complicity in genocide,” Fidan said at a news conference in Djibouti, where he attended the third Ministerial Review Conference of Türkiye-Africa Partnership.
In 2007, former Nato commander Wesley Clark recounted a meeting at the Pentagon shortly after the US invasion of Afghanistan. An officer told him: “We are going to attack and destroy the governments in seven countries in five years. We’re going to start with Iraq, and then we’re going to move to Syria, Lebanon, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Iran.”
Clark added of the neoconservatives: “They wanted us to destabilise the Middle East, turn it upside down, make it under our control.”
As I documented in my 2008 book Israel and the Clash of Civilisations, Israel was supposed to carry out a central chunk of Washington’s post-Iraq plan, starting with its war on Lebanon in 2006. Israel’s attack there was supposed to drag in Syria and Iran, giving the US a pretext to expand the war.
This was what the US secretary of state of the time, Condoleezza Rice, meant when she spoke of the “birth pangs of a new Middle East”.
The plan went awry largely because Israel got bogged down in phase one, in Lebanon. It blitzed cities like Beirut with US-supplied bombs, but its soldiers struggled against Hezbollah in a ground invasion of southern Lebanon.
The West subsequently found other ways to deal with Syria and Libya.
By the 1920s, Lemkin was formulating the concepts and laws that were articulated in his best-known book, Axis Rule in Occupied Europe (1944). His unpublished manuscripts reveal that he saw colonialism as an integral part of a world history of genocide.
Those manuscripts covered an extremely wide range of cases where European colonial powers were responsible for mass killing, from the Spanish conquest of the Americas in the sixteenth century and the slaughter of indigenous peoples in Australia and New Zealand to the German massacre of the Hereros in Namibia a few decades earlier.
In North and South America, Australia, Asia and Africa, European settler-colonialists have left behind the evidence of their psychotic genocidal practices.
The European transatlantic slave trade may have halved the population of Africa, some historians believe. The US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and many African colonies were all built on the systematic extermination, displacement and internment of the original inhabitants.
In the Israeli settler-colonialism now on violent display in Gaza and the rest of Palestine, European colonialism is living up to its murderous infamy and has returned to the global stage with a vengeance.
For decades, scholars of European colonialism have been working hard to document, archive and connect these episodes of the premeditated mass murder of native people around the globe.
The undersigned Arab human rights organizations call on permanent member states of the United Nations Security Council and member states of the League of Arab States to take immediate action to prevent the situation in Gaza from developing into the crime of genocide against Palestinian civilians.
(…)
Signatory organizations:
– Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies (CIHRS)
– Adala For All
– Addameer Foundation for Rights and Liberties
– Algerian League for the Defense of Human Rights’ safeguarding Committee
– Aman Against Discrimination (ADD)
– Association for Freedom of Thought and Expression (AFTE)
– Aswat Media Network
– Bahrain Center for Human Rights
– Baytna Organization
– BELaady Organization for Human Rights
– Caesar Families Association
– Center for Arab Unity Studies
– Center for Strategic Studies to Support Women and Children
– Committee for Justice
– Cultural Media Center-Yemen
– Defender Center for Human Rights
– Egyptian Front for Human Rights (EFHR)
– Egyptian Human Rights Forum ( EHRF)
– Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR)
– EgyptWide for Human Rights
– Human Rights & Democracy Media Center “SHAMS”
– HuMENA for Human Rights and Civic Engagement
– Justitia Center for legal protection of human rights in Algeria
– Law and Democracy Support Foundation (LDSF)
– Libya Crimes Watch
– Libyan Center For Freedom Of Press
– Libyan Organization for Independent Media (LOFIM)
– Maeen Center for Community Development
– Musaala Organization for Human Rights
– Mwatana for Human Rights
– National Autonomous Union of Public Administration Staff (SNAPAP)
– Palestinian Counseling center
– Palestinian Human Rights Organisation „PHRO“
– PASS Foundation – Peace for Sustainable Societies
– Refugees platform in Egypt
– Release me organization working with women
– SHOAA for Human Rights
– Sinai Foundation for Human Rights
– Syrian center for Media and Freedom of Expression
– Taafi initiative
– The Libyan center for freedom of press LCFP
– The Libyan Network for Legal Aid
– The Sudanese Human Rights Monitor (SHRM)
– TUNISIAN ASSOCIATION DEFENDING INDIVIDUAL LIBERTIES (ADLI)
– Tunisian youth league
– Union of Detainees
– Wogood for Human Security
– Yemen Future Foundation for Media and Culture Development
India, which currently holds the rotating presidency of the G20, had proposed including the African Union as a full member. “No plan for the future of the planet can be successful without the representation and recognition of all voices,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said on the subject.
In the Horn of Africa, we have a saying which denotes the importance of experience. We say, “Ask the one who has experienced it.” Civil conflicts and good-intentioned foreign forces sent to a country never solve a country’s real problems and this is even more so when one is acting on behalf of the others, who take advantage of the bounties of that country.
Four days after the central African nation held disputed presidential elections that incumbent Ali Bongo was reported to have won, army officers appeared on state television to announce they’d canceled the Aug. 26 vote and dissolved the country’s institutions. Bongo first took office in 2009, succeeding his late father, who had held power since 1967. While the oil producer hasn’t had to deal with the jihadist attacks or spreading insecurity that’s dogged much of West Africa, the ruling family’s grip on power has come under pressure in recent years.
Seit 1975 hat Kuba die Kräfte der Regierung der Volksbewegung zur Befreiung Angolas (Movimento Popular de Libertação de Angola, MPLA) unter der Führung von Agostino Neto bei der Bewahrung der Unabhängigkeit entscheidend unterstützt. Rund 300.000 Kubaner nahmen an der Seite der Angolaner an diesem Kampf teil, 2.855 kamen bei Gefechten ums Leben, 204 weitere bei der Erfüllung ziviler Aufgaben.
Die kapitalistische und transnationale Globalisierung der Welt nach dem Zusammenbruch des Sozialismus sowjetischer Prägung brachte eine komplexe Ära mit vielfältigen wirtschaftlichen Auswirkungen für Lateinamerika/Karibik und auch für Afrika, wo eine regelrechte Rekolonisierung stattfand. In Lateinamerika erwiesen sich seit den letzten Jahrzehnten des 20. Jahrhunderts das Eindringen des Neoliberalismus und die Rolle des IWF als katastrophal. Es wuchsen aber auch die Wirtschaftsbeziehungen zu Russland, China und anderen Ländern und Regionen langsam an, einschließlich der noch spärlichen Verbindungen zwischen Lateinamerika/Karibik und Afrika.
Inmitten der Globalisierung hat dies unweigerlich den antiimperialistischen, antikolonialistischen und souveränen Aufstieg Afrikas und Lateinamerikas/der Karibik ausgelöst.
The Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, has ordered its standby force to restore constitutional order in NIger Republic.
The President of ECOWAS, Omar Alieu Touray made the declaration while reading the resolution of ECOWAS on the Niger coup at the ECOWAS Extraordinary meeting in Abuja on Thursday.
Leaders from the West African bloc ECOWAS will meet on Thursday for an emergency summit on the coup in Niger, after the country‘s military chiefs defied an ultimatum to restore the elected president.
The coup of the 26th July 2023 in Niger was precipitated by the stated desire of former President Bazoum to remove the head of the presidential guard. Irrespective of the reasons for the coupists seizing power, the coup, to gain legitimacy, has tapped into a festering resentment against the ex-colonial power, France. French control of Niger’s economy through fiscal and monetary means using a regional version of the Franc (CFA Franc), with the collaboration of elements of Niger’s elite, has meant that France has the scope and access to pillage the country’s resources relentlessly.
As Niger has no control over its currency, it is unable to embark upon any form of meaningful development to lift or transform the living standards of the people. The CFA Franc and the fiscal and monetary control that France has over its ex-colonies is a scandal. It represents the rawest form of neo-colonial domination.
Western allies are pressuring Nigerian President Bola Tinubu to take a tough stance against the new Niger junta. But lawmakers back home have signalled they are against using Nigerian troops.
Dieser findet vom 22. bis 24. August in Johannesburg unter dem Motto „Brics und Afrika: Partnerschaft für wechselseitig beschleunigtes Wachstum, nachhaltige Entwicklung und inklusiven Multilateralismus“ statt. Südafrika hat derzeit den Vorsitz des Bündnisses inne.
Parallel zum Gipfeltreffen der Staats-und Regierungschefs der Mitgliedsstaaten Brasilien, Russland, Indien, China und Südafrika werden der „Brics-Plus-Dialog“ und der „Brics-Africa-Outreach“ stattfinden. Diese Veranstaltungen beziehen Nationen aus dem Globalen Süden und dem afrikanischen Kontinent ein.
Mali said it and Burkina Faso, both neighbours of Niger run by military juntas, were sending delegations to Niger to show support. Both countries have said they would consider any intervention in Niger as a declaration of war against them.
I might also say that the – you know, the threats of other countries supporting the coup leaders – those are even more risible than the threat of invasion.
INSKEEP: Oh, meaning that other countries aren‘t – they don‘t have very many resources to make much of a difference even if they do want to support.
PHAM: Well, no. I mean, yes, definitely. For example, Burkina Faso, which has been very vocal, it‘s gone through two coups in recent years – very vocal in its support of the junta in Niger.
(07.08.2023)
A military source told CNN that Niger‘s armed forces brought in a convoy of about 40 pick-up trucks from other parts of the country on Sunday evening.
The U.S. has evacuated some staff from its embassy in the capital in Niamey, while the estimated 1,000 American troops stationed in the country were restricted to their bases.
Südafrika und die Republik Kongo drängten zudem darauf, dass der Krieg in der Ukraine beendet und die afrikanische Friedensinitiative beraten wird. Der von afrikanischen Staats- und Regierungschefs vorgelegte Friedensplan verdiene Aufmerksamkeit, sagte der Präsident der Republik Kongo, Denis Sassou Nguesso, auf dem Russland-Afrika-Forum.
African leaders also used the second day of the summit to press Mr Putin to move ahead with a peace plan they are proposing to end the war resulting from Moscow‘s full-scale invasion of its neighbour last year.
The plan calls for Russia and Ukraine‘s sovereignty to be recognised, urgent peace talks and continued unhindered grain exports.
One of the big questions about the summit is whether any African leaders will urge Putin to rescind his decision of last week to pull out of the Black Sea Grain Initiative (BSGI), and also to stop his bombardment of Ukrainian grain silos in Odesa since then.
Under the deal, Russia agreed to lift its blockade of Ukraine’s Black Sea ports to allow Ukraine’s grain to be shipped to international markets, including in Africa. In a year, nearly 33 million tonnes have been exported from Ukraine under the deal, which African countries considered critical to reducing high food prices and insecurity caused by Russia’s war against Ukraine.
China’s deputy U.N. ambassador Geng Shuang noted U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ commitment to make every effort to ensure that both Ukrainian grain and Russian food and fertilizer get to world markets. He expressed hope that Russia and the U.N. will work together to resume exports from both countries “at an early date” in the interest of “maintaining international food security and alleviating the food crisis in developing countries in particular.”
The Black Sea deal allowed Ukraine to ship 32.9 million metric tons of grain and other food to global markets. According to official data, 57% of the grain from Ukraine went to developing nations, while China received the most — nearly a quarter.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that 60,000 metric tons of grain destroyed by Russia’s strike on the port of Odesa on Wednesday were bound for China.
Putin pointed out that the Russian side has never rejected negotiations with Ukraine. It was Ukraine that declared its unwillingness, which was cemented by Zelensky’s decree.
Putin also pointed out that the Ukrainian authorities have preliminarily signed the draft agreement with Moscow, prepared in March, 2022, in Istanbul; however, after Russian forces were withdrawn, Ukraine disregarded the document. The President presented the document, which includes 18 articles and appendixes, to the African leaders. The document included clauses on neutrality and guarantees of security.
„It also touches upon armed forces and other things. It was all written down – up to numbers of vehicles and personnel,“ Putin disclosed.
Ramaphosa went on to outline a proposal that has been agreed upon by the seven countries involved in the mission:
– Both leaders must listen to one another;
– The war must be settled through negotiations and diplomatic means;
– There must be a de-escalation of conflict on both sides;
– The sovereignty of countries in terms of the UN Charter and internationally recognised principles should be recognised;
– There needs to be a guarantee of security for all the countries involved. This issue has been raised by all sides;
– The movement of grains across the Black Sea must be opened up to remove blockages so that commodities can reach markets;
– humanitarian efforts must be set up for those affected by the war;
– Prisoners of war must be released and children returned to Ukraine;
– There must be reconstruction of the destruction caused by the war; and
– Further engagements should be held to encourage more dialogue through the Africa Peace Mission.
South Africa‘s Ramaphosa, Zambia‘s Hakainde Hichilema and Comoros‘ Assoumani look much happier to be in Russia than they looked in Ukraine
Russian President Vladimir Putin has begun talks with a delegation of seven African nations that arrived in St. Petersburg to look for solutions to the Ukraine crisis.
The meeting is taking place at the Konstantinovsky Palace in Strelna, which was a residence of the Romanov imperial family and now hosts official events, including international ones.
„Judging by the schedule, after visiting Kiev [South African President Cyril] Ramaphosa will be the first to come here, President of the Union of the Comoros Azali Assoumani will be here, as well as Senegalese President Macky Sall, Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema, Egyptian Prime Minister Mustafa Madbuly. There will also be representatives of Congo and Uganda. This will be the African delegation that visited Kiev on the previous year, holding a meeting with [Ukrainian President Vladimir] Zelensky,“ Peskov added.
„I reiterate that we are thankful to every country, every state or every public figure – because many initiatives were personally proposed by prominent figures, internationalists; we are grateful to everyone, who speaks about peace, who speaks about [peaceful] settlement and, who wants to be useful regarding this issue,“ she said.
„There are interesting ideas, which may work. There are ideas that are in sync with our approaches, and, for instance, it includes the Chinese initiative,“ she continued.
“A lot depends on our activity in the region, on dialogues and contacts at different levels, on Minister Kuleba‘s direct tour and on the upcoming visit of the presidents of African countries. But, I emphasize: we should not expect that a change in the positions of countries will occur in the short term. This is a ‘long game.’ And it requires strength, enthusiasm and faith. I believe that in the end it will become absolutely clear to African countries that Ukraine is fighting for the same values, freedoms, and rights for which these countries have been fighting and shedding blood for many years,” the ambassador said in an exclusive interview with Interfax-Ukraine.
According to the Ukrainian Air Force, Russia launched six Kalibr cruise missiles, six Kinzhal ballistic missiles, and two drones to carry out the strikes.
No buildings or facilities were damaged in the attack, Klitschko said.
(16.06.2023)
The delegation from South Africa, Egypt, Senegal, Congo-Brazzaville, Comoros, Zambia, and Uganda is meeting President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday and President Vladimir Putin on Saturday.
But the timing of the visit seems off. It comes just as Kyiv is launching its much-vaunted counter-offensive.
In July 2017, France, Germany and the European Union, along with the African Development Bank, the World Bank and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), launched the Sahel Alliance, an international cooperation platform to do more and better in the Sahel region. Since its launch, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Denmark, the European Investment Bank, Norway, Sweden, the United States and Canada have joined the initiative as full members.
The Sahel Alliance has also 9 observer members: Japan, Belgium, Switzerland, Finland, the International Finance Corporation, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, Ireland and the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie.
Das Bundeskabinett will den Bundeswehreinsatz ein letztes Mal verlängern, noch im Mai soll der Bundestag abstimmen. Angestrebt wird zudem die Leitung der Sahel-Allianz.
(12. Januar 2007)
Sudan, Somalia, Somalialand, Äthiopien, Djibouti, Uganda, Tschad, Kenia sind der Schauplatz eines sich entwickelnden Krieges um Rohstoffe und Territorialmacht zwischen dem angreifenden Westblock und ihren örtlichen Verbündeten einerseits und China andererseits.
Offener Krieg, psychologische Kriegsführung, die Zerschlagung von Staaten, die Einsetzung von Schattenregierungen, die Finanzierung von Terrorgruppen, das Schaffen von Guerilla-Phantomen und die fortwährende Berieselung der erblindeten, systematisch verdummten und hypnotisierten Bevölkerung des Westens mit nichtssagender Vernebelung sind Mittel eines seit dem 11.September geführten Weltkrieges, dessen neuer Schauplatz das Schlachtfeld Afrika, und dessen Triebkraft die alles korrumpierende Wirtschaftsordnung Kapitalismus ist.
Das Fachwort für diesen Zustand: Imperialismus.
In this conflict frontiers have no significance, control of resources is the primary prize, with forces arising in borderlands seeking their revenge on once contemptuous metropolitan elites. Trafficking networks across swathes of desert are extensions of the “battlespace”, and almost innumerable actors with an axe to grind or an agenda to pursue vastly outnumber those who seek to stop the fighting.
All of this happens in a shadowy penumbra defined by backroom deals, obscure alignments of interests, brutal realpolitik and disinformation. The poor and the weak and the unarmed suffer most, as ever.
Das Mandat ist befristet bis Ende Mai 2024, die einsatzbedingten Zusatzausgaben beziffert die Bundesregierung für diesen Zeitraum auf 8,7 Millionen Euro.
In den letzten Jahren habe sich die Sicherheitslage in der Sahelregion trotz erheblicher internationaler Unterstützung weiter verschlechtert, schreibt die Regierung.
„The gas here goes to Bonny and Europe to power homes and industries but we have no benefits from it,“ one local community development activist from the Niger Delta told Bloomberg recently. „Nothing comes to us.“
The comment was part of an in-depth analysis by Bloomberg on Europe‘s mad dash for gas that has seen Nigeria, for example, send millions of tons of LNG abroad while local communities use illegally made fuels and wood to stay warm. Nigeria is far from the only one.