We only remember Africa when it benefits charities
This week, the opposition leader in Burundi has been assassinated, Nigeria is winning a war against Boko Haram, Ethopia is going through landmark elections, the horrific genocide in Congo still rages on and rape camps are rife in Sudan. Yet it's barely reported. The Middle-East has the monopoly on protests and humanitarian help. So why doesn't the media or government care about Africa?
Africa is a beautiful and troubled continent. It was colonised by the British, French, Dutch and even the Germans managed to create a pitiful empire there. Unlike Australia, our forefathers arrived in Africa, saw that it was god's country and stayed - with devastating results.
Since then, the people of Africa were forced into Christianity through missionaries, forced into slavery by merchants and since independence, forced in civil war by its own people. This is largely why when people think of Africa they think of the images peddled by Bob Geldof and the British Red Cross to emotionally blackmail us into parting with cash. However, I aim to dispel this common perception. Ethiopia isn't full of skinny, fly riddled, crying babies sitting in dirt. It looks like this:
Although Ethiopia is making great strides towards economic growth and stability. The very foundations it's built on are somewhat shaky. This weekend, Ethiopians went to the polls. However, US backed reform only goes so far. Ethiopian government has shut down independent media outlets and has imprisoned around 40 bloggers and journalists for questioning the regime and calling for peaceful protest. So how credible can any election result be? Why is Obama turning a blind eye to it and why, more importantly, isn't it being reported.
As one of the most famous Africans once said 'people aren't born to hate'. However, in Africa it seems they're born into famine, poverty or to become boy soldiers in senseless tyrannical battles, which can only lead to hate. Where did this come from, could it be the German's early blueprint to the Jewish Holocaust in Namibia or perhaps it was the Belgian classification of the people of Rwanda or maybe it was British Royalty abducting Prince Alemayehu and looting Ethiopian Royalty?
For centuries we've been raping and pillaging this beautiful content for our own gains, from Cote d'Ivoire blood diamonds to South African gold. We've been keeping Africans oppressed so we can plunder their food bowls, natural resources and people to keep our greedy, selfish selves happy. What's worse, is we do it in an almost clandestine fashion.
The FCO are currently advising against travelling to the east side of Congo and the region in and around its capital Brazzaville. And its neighbour, the ironically named Democratic Republic of Congo is an absolute no-go area.
Some people don't realise there are two Congos. And perhaps don't realise that it's formally known as Zaire, which hosted the legendary Rumble in The Jungle boxing match between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman. Since then, thanks to another tyrannical regime it's become ravaged by war. The recent troubles started in 1997, after the Rwandan civil war, Hutu refugees in Zaire in coalition with Uganda sort to overthrow President Mobutu. He was replaced by Kabila and son for a new age of tyranny - one put in place to protect this political dynasty and the best way to do this is to divide. And so the circle of institutional racism continues. However, this is one in a long line in its bloody history.
This beautiful, mineral rich country which has been populated for 80,000 years has been destroyed by conflict since it was colonised by the Belgians in 1877 who murdered 10 million people. Now, the UN rank it 186 out of 187 in human development and nearly 6 million people have lost their lives. Currently, around 45,000 people are dying every month and 400,000 women are being raped every year. ISIS sneeze and it's front page news, yet this is virtually ignored. Why?
The media has flirted with the current crisis in Burundi. Basically, a group of senior generals tried and failed a military coup. This ignited troubles in yet another former Belgian colony. And again, a result of the Rwandan genocide was a civil war with both Tutsi and Hutu genocides happening in Burundi also. However, since 1993 thanks to peace talks and efforts to stabilise, it has been relative safe in an incredibly troubled region. Until now. The current president isn't really allowed to run for a third term, but he is and he's purging the government and silencing critics.
As one of the five poorest countries in the world, it's easy to understand why the president won't give up his seat. So the leader of the opposition was shot dead, leading to suspended talks and even more unrest. All these people want is democracy and it's being denied by yet another power-hungry leader. However, where's the news coverage on this?
Children of the Kingdom of Kush have been locked in battle since its independence from British rule in 1956. Again, due to tyrannical leaders who impose their prejudice on their people. The non-elected, pro-Arab leader Omar al-Bashir has been accused of genocide and the ICC has issued two arrest warrants for him. However, South-West Sudan is an FCO no-go area probably because of the mass rapes in Darfur. I know there's conflict over this oil-rich area for obvious reasons and the attackers are Sudan's national army, but I'm not clear on the extent of the problem in Sudan.
If you get a free hour or so, please read up on Sudan's incredible and impressive history, from the native kingdom to Assyrian, Greek, Egyptian and Ottoman rule. It has 8 milliennia of civilisation and is awash with UNESCO Heritage sites, including one of the oldest cathedrals in the world at Faras dating from 10th Century.
The reason I'm talking about Uganda is because that terrible waste-of-space Chelsea Handler made a "comedy" show called Uganda Be Kidding Me about her travels to the country. This is an absolute insult to the landlocked oasis that is steeped in impressive and troubled history.
Uganda lies in the Nile Basin and is a place of outstanding natural beauty. It was a land of hunter-gatherers until 1,700 to 2,300 years ago. It attracted Arab travellers from the East and British explorers who colonised until independence in 1962. The charismatic Idi Amin ruled the country, led it to the genocide and displacement of nearly 600,000 Indians.
Currently, Uganda has a non-political involvement in Joseph Kony's guerrilla group Lord's Resistance Party, who are basically the Christian ISIS in Africa. It's guilty of child slavery, rape and mass murder. And the political involvement in the troubles in DR Congo.
Kenya has been in the news a lot recently, so bucking my argument that Africa is ignored. There was the recent massacre at Garissa University of Christian students and at Westgate Mall, both carried out by Islamic extremist group al-Shabab.
Until then Kenya had been a safe haven. It's Indian Ocean coastlines, Maasai Mara tribes, national parks and cities like Nairobi and Mombasa attracted tourists (mostly British due to it being an ex-colony) in their droves.
What we don't know is the aftermath to these tragedies and what the Kenyan government are doing to ensure that these attacks don't happen again. Kenya isn't the only country affected by Islamic terrorism, Nigeria has fallen victim to Boko Haram, however its new government seems to be winning against the group that has pledged allegiance to the aforementioned media whores, by rescuing 1,000 kidnapped girls and destroying camps. Yet this victory isn't mentioned by mainstream news corporations.
Zimbabwe has been quiet of late. It used to be constantly in the news due to its comical dictator Robert Mugabe. Despite Zimbabwe being the home to 13 million people who speak 16 different languages, Mugabe's anti-colonial and racists stance against white people in the former British ruled colony of Southern Rhodesia has reigned supreme since 1980.
Its human rights track record is terrible and the Mugabe administration goes to extraordinary lengths to quash any opposition. Its economy is now stabilizing after years of rampant inflation and the government declaring that had just over $200 in the bank. However, democracy is still non-existent.
All this makes me sad as, just like the Middle-East, I'm desperate to visit and I want everyone to know about its majestic civilisation and unrivalled landscapes, and not think of the propaganda images that are pumped to us by the media whenever Africa is mentioned - usually to raise money for charity or gloat about how superior and fortunate we are.
I wanted to unpick this, figure out exactly which corporates have fingers in what pies. I'm sure they're behind this in some way. Perhaps keeping the people of the Congo distracted by war, they can benefit from cheaper minerals. Perhaps it's Africa's brutal regimes, lack of education and poor conditions that are preventing locals, national and international journalists from reporting on what's going.
It's just too complicated to understand and we don't have all the facts in order to make a proper assessment. So it's left to developed world's governments and international agencies to help and negotiate with despotic African governments. Making Africa a problem that can only be solved by people in the know, so we're really leaving Africa in the hands of the self-serving few whose balls are in a political and/or corporate vice.
If we, the people, are furnished with the facts and given the news as it happens, perhaps we have a fighting chance of putting pressure on the UN, Amnesty, diplomats, ambassadors and governments to do something about it. We can't let innocent people live in fear of rape and slaughter any longer. It's a shameful act and turning a blind eye makes us all guilty.
First published 25/05/2015
Africa is a beautiful and troubled continent. It was colonised by the British, French, Dutch and even the Germans managed to create a pitiful empire there. Unlike Australia, our forefathers arrived in Africa, saw that it was god's country and stayed - with devastating results.
Since then, the people of Africa were forced into Christianity through missionaries, forced into slavery by merchants and since independence, forced in civil war by its own people. This is largely why when people think of Africa they think of the images peddled by Bob Geldof and the British Red Cross to emotionally blackmail us into parting with cash. However, I aim to dispel this common perception. Ethiopia isn't full of skinny, fly riddled, crying babies sitting in dirt. It looks like this:
Although Ethiopia is making great strides towards economic growth and stability. The very foundations it's built on are somewhat shaky. This weekend, Ethiopians went to the polls. However, US backed reform only goes so far. Ethiopian government has shut down independent media outlets and has imprisoned around 40 bloggers and journalists for questioning the regime and calling for peaceful protest. So how credible can any election result be? Why is Obama turning a blind eye to it and why, more importantly, isn't it being reported.
"No one is born hating another person because of the colour of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite."
Nelson Mandela from Long Walk to Freedom, 1994
As one of the most famous Africans once said 'people aren't born to hate'. However, in Africa it seems they're born into famine, poverty or to become boy soldiers in senseless tyrannical battles, which can only lead to hate. Where did this come from, could it be the German's early blueprint to the Jewish Holocaust in Namibia or perhaps it was the Belgian classification of the people of Rwanda or maybe it was British Royalty abducting Prince Alemayehu and looting Ethiopian Royalty?
For centuries we've been raping and pillaging this beautiful content for our own gains, from Cote d'Ivoire blood diamonds to South African gold. We've been keeping Africans oppressed so we can plunder their food bowls, natural resources and people to keep our greedy, selfish selves happy. What's worse, is we do it in an almost clandestine fashion.
Congo and DR Congo
The FCO are currently advising against travelling to the east side of Congo and the region in and around its capital Brazzaville. And its neighbour, the ironically named Democratic Republic of Congo is an absolute no-go area.
Some people don't realise there are two Congos. And perhaps don't realise that it's formally known as Zaire, which hosted the legendary Rumble in The Jungle boxing match between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman. Since then, thanks to another tyrannical regime it's become ravaged by war. The recent troubles started in 1997, after the Rwandan civil war, Hutu refugees in Zaire in coalition with Uganda sort to overthrow President Mobutu. He was replaced by Kabila and son for a new age of tyranny - one put in place to protect this political dynasty and the best way to do this is to divide. And so the circle of institutional racism continues. However, this is one in a long line in its bloody history.
This beautiful, mineral rich country which has been populated for 80,000 years has been destroyed by conflict since it was colonised by the Belgians in 1877 who murdered 10 million people. Now, the UN rank it 186 out of 187 in human development and nearly 6 million people have lost their lives. Currently, around 45,000 people are dying every month and 400,000 women are being raped every year. ISIS sneeze and it's front page news, yet this is virtually ignored. Why?
Burundi
The media has flirted with the current crisis in Burundi. Basically, a group of senior generals tried and failed a military coup. This ignited troubles in yet another former Belgian colony. And again, a result of the Rwandan genocide was a civil war with both Tutsi and Hutu genocides happening in Burundi also. However, since 1993 thanks to peace talks and efforts to stabilise, it has been relative safe in an incredibly troubled region. Until now. The current president isn't really allowed to run for a third term, but he is and he's purging the government and silencing critics.
As one of the five poorest countries in the world, it's easy to understand why the president won't give up his seat. So the leader of the opposition was shot dead, leading to suspended talks and even more unrest. All these people want is democracy and it's being denied by yet another power-hungry leader. However, where's the news coverage on this?
Sudan
Children of the Kingdom of Kush have been locked in battle since its independence from British rule in 1956. Again, due to tyrannical leaders who impose their prejudice on their people. The non-elected, pro-Arab leader Omar al-Bashir has been accused of genocide and the ICC has issued two arrest warrants for him. However, South-West Sudan is an FCO no-go area probably because of the mass rapes in Darfur. I know there's conflict over this oil-rich area for obvious reasons and the attackers are Sudan's national army, but I'm not clear on the extent of the problem in Sudan.
If you get a free hour or so, please read up on Sudan's incredible and impressive history, from the native kingdom to Assyrian, Greek, Egyptian and Ottoman rule. It has 8 milliennia of civilisation and is awash with UNESCO Heritage sites, including one of the oldest cathedrals in the world at Faras dating from 10th Century.
Uganda
The reason I'm talking about Uganda is because that terrible waste-of-space Chelsea Handler made a "comedy" show called Uganda Be Kidding Me about her travels to the country. This is an absolute insult to the landlocked oasis that is steeped in impressive and troubled history.
Uganda lies in the Nile Basin and is a place of outstanding natural beauty. It was a land of hunter-gatherers until 1,700 to 2,300 years ago. It attracted Arab travellers from the East and British explorers who colonised until independence in 1962. The charismatic Idi Amin ruled the country, led it to the genocide and displacement of nearly 600,000 Indians.
Currently, Uganda has a non-political involvement in Joseph Kony's guerrilla group Lord's Resistance Party, who are basically the Christian ISIS in Africa. It's guilty of child slavery, rape and mass murder. And the political involvement in the troubles in DR Congo.
Kenya
Kenya has been in the news a lot recently, so bucking my argument that Africa is ignored. There was the recent massacre at Garissa University of Christian students and at Westgate Mall, both carried out by Islamic extremist group al-Shabab.
Until then Kenya had been a safe haven. It's Indian Ocean coastlines, Maasai Mara tribes, national parks and cities like Nairobi and Mombasa attracted tourists (mostly British due to it being an ex-colony) in their droves.
What we don't know is the aftermath to these tragedies and what the Kenyan government are doing to ensure that these attacks don't happen again. Kenya isn't the only country affected by Islamic terrorism, Nigeria has fallen victim to Boko Haram, however its new government seems to be winning against the group that has pledged allegiance to the aforementioned media whores, by rescuing 1,000 kidnapped girls and destroying camps. Yet this victory isn't mentioned by mainstream news corporations.
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe has been quiet of late. It used to be constantly in the news due to its comical dictator Robert Mugabe. Despite Zimbabwe being the home to 13 million people who speak 16 different languages, Mugabe's anti-colonial and racists stance against white people in the former British ruled colony of Southern Rhodesia has reigned supreme since 1980.
Its human rights track record is terrible and the Mugabe administration goes to extraordinary lengths to quash any opposition. Its economy is now stabilizing after years of rampant inflation and the government declaring that had just over $200 in the bank. However, democracy is still non-existent.
All this makes me sad as, just like the Middle-East, I'm desperate to visit and I want everyone to know about its majestic civilisation and unrivalled landscapes, and not think of the propaganda images that are pumped to us by the media whenever Africa is mentioned - usually to raise money for charity or gloat about how superior and fortunate we are.
I wanted to unpick this, figure out exactly which corporates have fingers in what pies. I'm sure they're behind this in some way. Perhaps keeping the people of the Congo distracted by war, they can benefit from cheaper minerals. Perhaps it's Africa's brutal regimes, lack of education and poor conditions that are preventing locals, national and international journalists from reporting on what's going.
It's just too complicated to understand and we don't have all the facts in order to make a proper assessment. So it's left to developed world's governments and international agencies to help and negotiate with despotic African governments. Making Africa a problem that can only be solved by people in the know, so we're really leaving Africa in the hands of the self-serving few whose balls are in a political and/or corporate vice.
If we, the people, are furnished with the facts and given the news as it happens, perhaps we have a fighting chance of putting pressure on the UN, Amnesty, diplomats, ambassadors and governments to do something about it. We can't let innocent people live in fear of rape and slaughter any longer. It's a shameful act and turning a blind eye makes us all guilty.
First published 25/05/2015
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