IANA Blog- August 2023

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Happy August,

Also, Happy Black August. For those that don’t know, Black August is a commemoration and acknowledgement of the many organizers, activists, freedom fighters and political prisoners who sacrificed their freedom and lives in the continued struggle for Black liberation in the U.S. It was initiated by the Black Guerilla Family in 1979, to commemorate the deaths of fellow freedom fighter George Jackson, along with his brother Jonathan. 

August is just as important as Black History Month is, in some ways, even more important, especially since some dates are very important footnotes in Black History. August 1st is Emancipation Day in many Caribbean countries, August 17th is the birthdate of Marcus Garvey, August 21st was the beginning of the U.S. slave rebellion led by Nat Turner, August 23rd was the day enslaved Africans revolted in Saint Domingue in Haiti, which was the beginning of the Haitian Revolution and August 30th is the birthdate of Fred Hampton. I bring this up also, because some historical events are happening this month…especially in Africa.

Technically, this happened in July, but I heard of Niger, our neighbors from across the Continent, cut their ties with France on providing them with uranium, after France suspended Aid to Niger after the coup they had of former President Mohamed Bazoum. In Burkina Faso, President Ibrahim Traore kicked out French troops and banned Gold from being exported to the U.S. and France. They are now allying with Niger and Mali. Speaking of which, Mali also dropped French as their official language. Seeing our West African cousins say “Bye, Bye” to France always puts a smile on my face.

I told my friends about this, but whenever I see an African country tell Europe to “piss off,” an angel gets its wings. Unfortunately, this war will not be over…not without a fight from the opposition. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which is located in Abuja, Nigeria, are getting involved, threatening Niger and this is the last thing Nigeria needs; to be feuding with Niger. Tinubu is the chairman of ECOWAS, btw. As someone mentioned on Twitter, ECOWAS is “useless,” and full of “puppets who serve the U.S., the French and U.K.” instead of serving West Africa, and I had to agree. I’m already seeing videos of Nigerians totally against ECOWAS, against Tinubu, letting them know that they don’t want any war with Niger. I sure as hell don’t want that. I guarantee that if there is war…Nigeria will lose…in more ways than we could imagine.

I’m definitely going to be paying attention to what’s happening in these countries all month…and the rest of the year…because as I said before, this is the last thing Africa needs…especially for Black August…