Nigerian versus Kenyan Music and Chad stands at a crossroads
The battle of the tunes and other stories from around Africa
Good day Alkebulanians,
I decided to do something a little different and give you a digest of stories from around the continent along with my thoughts on them. They range across genres and countries. Make sure to leave your comments on your thoughts. I always enjoy reading your comments and reactions! My paid subscribers will be receiving more detailed articles on the stories I find most important.
Do you like getting a weekly digest like this of happenings in Africa? If so let me know and I can make this a regular for my readers. I will continue the historical articles but I have found that my audience is very interested in the current situation in Africa and my commentary.
Burkina Faso Under Siege
The tranquility of Burkina Faso was shattered as about 170 lives were lost in a series of brutal attacks, marking another dark chapter in the country's decade-long battle against armed insurgencies. The West African Sahel nation has become a battleground, where the government's efforts to secure peace seem to be perennially outpaced by the violence unleashed by these groups. You know how much ink and pixels I’ve devoted to Burkina Faso and the exploits of Captain Traore. One thing we have to be realistic about is that when you try to drain a swamp, you’re going to uncover vermin and opposition. With the current situation there and the continued uprisings he has had to put up with, it is a difficult task he faces. We can only hope he has the resilience to bring peace and stability to his nation.
Chad's Presidential Aspirations Amid Controversy
In a significant political development, Chad's interim leader Deby has officially thrown his hat into the ring for the upcoming presidential elections. This announcement comes amidst a cloud of controversy, following the mysterious demise of his main rival. The move has sparked a flurry of speculation and concern about the future of democracy and governance in the country, highlighting the often volatile nature of political transitions in the region. I don’t want to say something is going on here but it does seem very odd and convenient how this worked out for Deby in this situation.
Kenyan Music on the Global Stage
Despite the international acclaim of African music, with Nigerian and South African tunes climbing global charts, Kenya's musical talents seem to remain in the shadows. The question of why Kenyan music hasn't broken through the global scene provokes a deep dive into the country's music industry, cultural dynamics, and the global marketplace. This introspection seeks to uncover the barriers to Kenyan music's global presence and explores the potential pathways to international success.
Somalia's Struggle Against al-Shabab
Somalia continues its relentless fight against al-Shabab, a battle that has consumed the nation and drawn international attention. The Deputy Prime Minister of Somalia sheds light on the ongoing war, the challenges ahead, and the impact on the country's stability and development. This conversation opens a window into the complexities of combating terrorism within the region and underscores the critical need for international cooperation and support.
Zambia Faces an Agricultural Crisis
Zambia has declared a national disaster following a devastating drought that has wreaked havoc on the country's agriculture. Over a million families face the dire consequences of this crisis, brought on by a combination of El Niño and climate change. This development not only highlights the immediate impact on food security and livelihoods but also raises urgent questions about climate resilience and the need for sustainable agricultural practices in the face of increasingly erratic weather patterns.
PAY ATTENTION
Hey MERC, I hope you're doing well.
1. It was my belief that jihadist groups basically follow the US and US ideology around to where ever it goes because of US hypocrisy and lies. Moreover, I thought jihadist groups knew US military bases are inherent to US world domination and colonialism, thus they chased them around.
Further, I thought that if Ibrahim Traore could successfully kick Western powers out, than along would go the jihadists. But given that over 170 people were harmed and, given that chaos to native people of Africa is nothing new from jihadist groups, the initial hypothesis seems to fall short.
Although not all Jihadist groups are the same, what is the deal with jihadist groups in Africa, in particular Burkina Faso, other West African countries, Zambia, and the rest of Africa where the US claims they are helping in? Are they merely fighting US ideology? What is true motive of Jihadist groups? Particularly groups like Al-Quaeda in Burkina and Al-Shabab in Zambia?