The UK leaves the EU and David Cameron Will Resign

A referendum presented to the British public on whether or not to remain in the EU went the opposite of what David Cameron hoped. The UK is presently going through the legal process of living the European Union. This caused worry among investors and as a result the Dow Jones plummeted. The economic implications for the global market are uncertain. The fact is the global economy has not improved since 2008, with only modest gains in employment. Wages are stagnant and simultaneously Europe is enforcing fiscal austerity. All EU countries have to accept these measures as requirements to be members. Not only did economic policy influence the outcome, but it was also immigration policy. The EU still is dealing with the refugee crisis induced by NATO military action in Libya. Members of the EU try to get other countries to share the burden of taking refugees. There is an ideological battle being waged between globalism and the nation-state. It also is being exacerbated by left-wing and right-wing populist movements who object to the negative effects of globalization. Neo-liberalism, the reduction of national sovereignty, and the broad overreach of supranational organizations have induced a backlash. David Cameron claims that the UK "is stronger and better off " inside the European Union. The majority of the citizens disagree and are gradually understanding the limitations of a neo-liberal capitalist globalized economic system. This ushers in another contest between two opposing perspectives in European economic and political ideas.   

Gamal Abdel Nasser Interview

Today marks the 60th anniversary of  the the Nasser presidency. He held the office until his death in 1970, but accomplished much. Nasser was one of the founders of the Organization for African Unity and the the Non-aligned Movement. Gamal Nasser was a leader who challenged European imperialism around the globe. The nationalization of the Suez Canal and the subsequent confrontation with the UK, France, and Israel demonstrated his commitment to seeing Africa and the Middle East free from foreign rule or influence. He promoted Pan-Arab nationalism, Pan-Africanism , and liberation for colonized peoples. This 1969 interview Nasser explains the  political situation  and the conflict with Israel. Israel had conquered much territory which included the Golan Heights, the Sinai Peninsula, the West Bank, and Gaza Strip. Nasser was a supporter for Palestinian struggle for dignity and freedom. Gamal Nasser reveals in this interview that it was not the Arabs that attacked in the 1948 war. Israeli forces attacked what would have been a Palestinian state, while the British made their exit from the mandate. The Arab states reacted thinking Israel would expand into their territories. As the refugees fled for their lives, settlers took their land. There were attempts at negotiations in 1949 under a reconciliation committee, but Israel refused to discuss refugees. Nasser points out  Israel  was formed in created by the  1947 UN partition. His reasoning is that peace would come through UN resolutions, rather than direct talks. Nasser said that as long as Israel continues territorial expansion there will be no peace. This is more true today than in the past. The Netanyahu government refuses to relinquish the Golan Heights. Israel today continues to terrorize Gaza and Egyptians despise the 1979  Israeli- Egyptian Peace Treaty. It was unfortunate that Anwar Sadat did not share his predecessor's vision. Sadat dismantled most of his socialist policies and made peace with Israel minus a solution to the discrimination against the Palestinians. Nasser explains that for centuries Muslims and Jews were living in relative peace before the rise of Israel. It was when European Askenazim Jews began to colonize the area conflict exacerbated. Nasser should serve as a model to current Arab leaders. Only Pan-Arabism and a unified political front can solve the problems of Israel, imperialism, and Western military intervention.            

Russian track and field team banned from 2016 Olympics

The Russian track and field team has been banned from the 2016 Olympics. The reason was surrounding allegations of  use of performance enhancing drugs. This punishment is severe, considering there is no evidence that every Russian athlete on the team used drugs to give them an advantage in competition. There is no evidence that the Russian Sports Ministry had a doping program in operation for its athletes. There are many factors working in this situation. First, this is clearly a political motivation. Western Europe and the US are in conflict with Russia over Syria and Ukraine policy. Sanctions, presenting Russia as a threat, and now banning its sports teams from the Olympics is a way to harm the country in the international stage. This also highlights the fact that the War on Drugs has come to sports.  It is not so much a question of fairness in competition, but the fact millions are spent in drug testing and laboratory facilities. The fact is drugs have been a part of sports since its inception. There are so many available now, it is not possible to detect everything. The idea that use is some how "cheating" seems ludicrous, because use does not guarantee victory. A pill does not create a champion. The IAAF has a right to ban athletes who violate their rules in regards to drugs, but it should not model itself  on concepts such as pharmaceutical puritanism. The Olympics should be about bringing nations together in the spirit of a friendly game, not international disputes. Sadly, these are more than just games with athletes around the world, it another arena of international struggle.     

The Story of Hissene Habre

The former strongman of Chad has been convicted of crimes against humanity. During his rule from 1982 to 1990 torture, murder, and war atrocities were common. Chad during Habre's presidency was in a state of civil war, while fighting Libya. Human rights advocates and supporters of liberal democratization have declared this as a victory for justice. There is a problem with this narrative. His trail was in Senegal, when most of the crimes he committed were in his native Chad and Libya. The will never be a trial for the enablers of his regime which included the United States, France, and other Western countries. His regime was an asset to the Ronald Reagan administration who sought to overthrow Qaddafi's government. Chad was given extensive military aid to fight the Muslim north of the country. This was  method of destabilizing Libya, which was challenging US imperialism in Africa and the Middle East. Habre would eventually be deposed by one of his associates Idriss Deby, who rules to this day. A similar scenario has developed between Chad and the West. President Deby has become an enforcer of US and French objectives in the Sahel. Hissene Habre served a similar role during the Chadian Civil War and the Chadian-Libyan conflict. That period was an intersection of Cold War politics, neocolonialism, and attempts at regime change. It is obvious that Habre is guilty of criminal activity, but it is clear it is selective justice. Selective justice protects certain groups, even though they are guilty for similar crimes. African, Asian, and Latin American leaders are subject to this while it is rare that white or Western leaders are charged for war crimes or crimes against humanity. The ICC functions on selective justice, which is why it draws criticism. There is a reason neither American or French officials are put on trial for assisting the Habre regime. A careful examination of the past reveals how even after the anti-colonial movements Western powers still have a level of influence in the affairs of the African continent. The story of Hissene Habre is the chronicle of  the evolving model of  neocolonial policy. 

          To understand the nature of Habre's regime one must examine his past. Born in 1942, he was a son of a shepherd. Raised in Faya-Largeau he later  became a clerk in the French Army. Spotted by a French commander Habre was offered a grant to study in France. Hissene Habre is of the Toubou ethnic group, who are traditionally herders. Returning to Chad he had much ambition. He rose rapidly through the ranks and became deputy of prefect of Moussouro in 1963. Hissene Habre went back to France and received his higher education in Paris. Using his new found skills, Habre returned to N'Djamena. It was 1971 and Chad was dealing with civil war and various armed groups. Habre upon his return entered the government service. Gradually, he would maneuver to become one of the most powerful figures in Chad. It was clear at this point his main interest was power, not improving the state. President Francois Tombalbye was impressed with him enough to make him be a negotiator in talks with Abba Siddik head of FROLINAT ( Front De Liberation Nationale du Tchad). Habre was in nature opportunistic and joined Siddik thinking it would later advance his political position.

Habre felt that Siddik's political approach was too slow and limited The two dissolved their collaboration and Habre looked for another ally. He then joined Goukoni Oueddei  and became a leader of  the Forces Armees Du Nord. FAN based its operations from the Tibesti Mountains. Habre was part of an incident in 1974 which involved the capture of international hostages. The attack on the town of Bardi  resulted in the kidnapping of two European hostages, which got international attention. One was a German Christophe Stalwen and the other a French citizen Francoise Claustre. Habre demanded ransom, which he got from the Germans. The French refused to pay at first, but did so in 1977. Around this time, Hissene Habre was frustrated being a co-leader of FAN. He would then abandoned Oueddei and forged another alliance. This pattern of use and betrayal served him well for his ultimate goal of ruling all of Chad. Habre became prime minister under Felix Malloum. The Malloum presidency collapsed in 1978 when Goukouni Oueddei  was able to capture N'Djamena with his forces. The former government of national unity was replaced with another known as Gouvernement d'Union Nationale de Transition (GUNT) . Goukoni Oueddei became prime minister. Habre refused to accept the GUNT  and war broke out between opposing forces. Nine months of fighting in 1980 resulted in a loss for Habre. Goukoni had reinforcements from Libya intervene on his behalf. Muammar Qaddafi's reasoning for intervention was to settle the Aouzou Strip dispute and prevent a hostile government developing on its border. Relations between Egypt, Libya, and Sudan had deteriorated and an unstable Chad would only exacerbate matters. Habre fled Chad heading first Cameroon and then took refuge in Jaafar Nimeiri's Sudan. Hissene Habre then began amassing his troops for an invasion of Chad. The Organization of African Unity attempted to broker a cease-fire, but efforts failed and Habre invaded in 1982. Around June 19th, he proclaimed himself  interim president and established a Council of State. The Habre regime was now in power.

          Habre was now the sole ruler of Chad, but the fighting did not stop. He defeated Abdelkader Kamougue. There were some insurrections in Southern Chad, but not powerful enough for his overthrow. Goukoni had returned in 1983 again with Libyan assistance gaining some control over the north of the country. The United States, France, and Zaire began sending military aid to the Habre regime. The United States' motivation was clear. The Ronald Reagan administration had adopted a more hostile anti-Qaddafi policy than the Nixon, Ford, or Carter administrations. The reason was that the US wanted show how powerful it was by harassing nations that resisted its foreign policy objectives. Libya was arming the ANC, SWAPO, and ZANU in Southern Africa. These groups were fighting white minority rule, while the US was supporting them. This was part of Reagan's aggressive anti-communism. While other states that the Reagan administration harassed were not all communist , it was applied to any country opposed to US policies. 

Qaddafi was targeted because of his anti-colonial politics and his opposition to US involvement in Africa's affairs. Habre's regime was an opportunity for the US indirectly wage war on Libya and also develop a compliant ally in the region. This involvement got so deep that it would eventually lead to the US attack on Libya in 1986. Attempts at either using Chad, Egypt, or Sudan to invade Libya did not come to fruition. France was less interested in regime change, but instead wanted to reassert its influence in its former colonies. France was conscious of the fact the US was moving into an area that nation once dominated. Qaddafi relations with France fluctuated and during this period it was at a nadir. The OAU wanted to prevent Chad form being a gateway for former European powers and neighboring African states to make war. The 1981 arrival  of the OAU peace keeping force  was not effective. Only three nations contributed troops which included Nigeria, Senegal, and Zaire.  Libya and France were now indirectly in conflict. France was attempting to counter the rise of revolutionary leaders such a Thomas Sankara of Burkina Faso. Authoritarian regimes served French objectives better in the long term. Habre had two powerful allies in the US and France, which would guarantee his political survival. President Francois Mitterand  and Mummar Qaddafi agreed in 1984 to remove their armed forces from Chad. France did remove its forces, but Libya did not. France attempted to send troops back, but Habre did not allow it. Hissene Habre knew that the more he became involved with the French, the more they would try to dictate government policy. 

When major world power attempt to create a puppet, sometimes they turn against them. Habre knew how to manipulate situations in his favor. He has subdued the southern resistance by 1985, but there was still a force of 4000 Libyans in the north. Libya launched an attack in 1986 across the 16th parallel around February. The United States then provided Chad with $10 million in aid to halt the Libyan offensive. Habre then launched offensives in Bardi and the Tebesti mountains. Chad was getting weapons form the US transported from Cameroon. France had sent 1000 troops to support air units. It refused to get involved in combat, even though it had troops stationed in the African Central Republic. This time Habre wanted the French to return. France did not want to commit its military to ground combat. The French public would have not supported this. However, the United States then promised $15 million more in aid. The Chadian Civil War did not only involve Mitterand and Reagan, but Joseph Mobutu. Mobutu's foreign policy on the African continent was to arm anti-communist groups. He was opposed to leftist leaders through out Africa and aligned Zaire in the Western orbit of the Cold War. Being a country that is the center of the continent gives it access to many regions of Africa. Joseph Mobutu was reliable to the United States and allowed the CIA to operate as a conduit. Joseph Mobutu saw an opportunity to expanded his influence in Chad and challenge a leftist leader in Libya. This was an extension on his other policies which involved support for Jonas Savimbi's UNITA and Holden Roberto's FNLA  in Angola. Joseph Mobutu saw another leader like himself in Habre. It made since to him seeing as both Chad and the African Central Republic are north of Zaire. Mobutu's reasoning was that it would secure his rule if he fought other models of government across Africa. Hissene Habre had built a powerful network in the 1980s. The confrontations of the Cold War worked in his favor.  

       The Habre regime inflicted much damage upon the Chadian population. The country was being impoverished by long tern warfare and external foreign influence. The result was refugees fleeing to neighboring countries. Chad's civil war had attracted too many world and regional powers to become a stable state. Habre proved to be a violent, yet calculating leader. His current charges include crimes against humanity and torture. The estimates are still questionable, but it has been claimed that 40,000 had been killed by his government. He has also been accused of stealing $11 million in public funds before fleeing into exile in 1990. Habre's post-presidency was living in freedom in Senegal. Victims were pursuing him and Chad sentenced him to death in absentia. This move was not a surprise considering the current president Idriss Deby overthrew him in 1990. Deby invaded from Sudan defeating Habre's forces. The last phase of his rule was particularly brutal when the Civil War and the the Libyan War were coming to a close. Habre's offensive against Libyan attacks were reinforced by renewed French intervention. Aid did come, but Chad had to fight on their own. A development that worked in his favor was that Goukouni's forces changed sides and fought against Libya. Libya assumed that the French would not return to assist, but the Mitterand government changed its policy. Habre was winning the war having military victories at Bardi and the Tibesti Mountains. From 1986 to 1987 Habre was becoming more powerful. Libya was repulsed from Fada. France then sent 1000 troops for support for the Habre regime. Libya suffered another major defeat when Ouadi Doum was captured. Habre's forces killed 3,6000 Libyans. Others died fleeing into harsh desert ( an estimate of 2000). The Libyan retreat continued to Faya-Largeau. A portion became stranded and isolated in the Darfur region of Sudan. About 3000 Libyan troops were in Sudan after Habre's massive offensive. The war by this point was extremely unpopular in Libya and the country had to make peace. 

The Reagan administration failed in its attempt to assassinate and induce regime change in Libya, but they saw in Chad a future opportunity to do so again. Qaddafi recognized the Habre regime in 1988 at an OAU meeting. Relations between Chad and Libya were gradually being restored. Goukouni was losing political power and influence. His supporters joined Habre, even his most loyal Achiek Ibn Omar. So much death and destruction resulted in high casualties. Besides war which was killing the Chadian people, it was Habre's regime. The  Directorate of  Documentation and Security  (DDS) was a secret police force that hunted dissidents and imposed Habre's will upon the population. It was notorious throughout the country for extreme violence and oppression. Survivors claim they used electric shocks, near asphyxia, and having gas sprayed into their eyes. An even more starling revelation is that the CIA was involved in training of the DDS. The Reagan administration was known for its support of human rights abusing regimes in Latin America as well as Asia, and it was extended to Africa. It has been said that there was an underground prison Habre utilized for dissidents known as " the Piscine." This was a swimming pool that was converted into  detention center and prison. Most of the detention centers were in the capital and political prisoners were sometimes held in the presidential palace. While this abuse was occurring, Habre used the excuse he was trying to impose order in a country plagued by war and insurrection. Hissene Habre also engaged in ethnic persecution. The Zaghawa,  the Sara, Chadian Arabs, and the Hadjerai were subject to racist attack. Between 1984 and 1987  Sara and Hadjerai were subject to violence. The Arabs and Zaghawa faced the same fate between 1989 and 1990.  The United States and France enabled this brutality by giving Habre loyal support through out his regime. CIA director William Casey made sure Habre was well supplied with weapons through Egypt and Sudan. Donald Norland the ambassador to Chad from 1979 to 1981 had stated that CIA involvement contributed to Habre's rise to power. The Habre regime also received AWACS electronic surveillance planes from the Reagan administration. Norland accused the Reagan presidency of turning a "bind eye" to human rights abuses. The 1980s saw the end of the Cold War and  a shift in US foreign policy. Habre when Idriss Deby invaded got no assistance from Washington or Paris. Habre did not have an external ally to turn to or another local ally to collaborate with. He then fled to Cameroon, making Senegal his permanent place of exile. 

      From 1990 to 2016 Hissene Habre lived in relative comfort in Senegal. The new Idriss Deby regime did attempt to pursue him. The Deby regime had a commission assembled in 1992 to gather a list of former DDS agents and Habre regime members. They did produce a report, but it had little impact. Habre did face in 2005 from a Belgian judge charges of crimes against humanity. A warrant was put out for his arrest. This seemed to be a violation of national sovereignty, seeing as his crimes were committed in Chad not Belgium. Living in Senegal complicated matters legally. European leaders should not punish Africans for the crimes they commit on their continent. Only the African criminal justice systems should be allowed to do that. Habre was arrested under the universal jurisdiction law. There was an attempt to then extradite him to Belgium. This indictment was brought about from testimony of Chadians living in Belgium. Habre was briefly released on appeal, but then put under house arrest. The extradition did not happen, because Olusegun Obasanjo President of the African Union did not want African nations sovereignty undermined. If there was to be a trial it was to be in an African country. As the 2000s progressed other victims appeared in court to testify against the former Western ally. Human Rights Watch pushed further with victims to get Habre in court. Currently, after a long case he has been sentenced to life imprisonment. There are still problems with the legal process. The trial was conducted by the Extraordinary Court of Chambers. It is the first national to charge an African head of state under universal jurisdiction. This concept opens the door to distorted justice. War crimes most of the time are investigated by international tribunals. The International Crimes Court has not attempt to pursue Habre or any other war crimes related to Chad. The ICC has in many ways lost credibility, because it only targets African or non-Western leaders. It is rare that a European leader would go to trial for the civilian deaths in Libya or Syria. No US official or president  has been brought to trial for the aggressive war waged in Iraq.

When Hissene Habre appeared in court it was hard not to forget who enabled his reign of terror. The US and France gave Chad weapons and money to continue the civil war and the conflict with Libya.There are no Reagan or Mitterand associates on trial for the formulation of a pro-Habre foreign policy. There have not been any trials of CIA officers that trained the DDS. While it is clear Habre did commit crimes and atrocities, it is a distorted justice if Americans and French are not charged for involvement with the regime. Calling the imprisonment of Habre a victory for justice is not accurate .        This trial of Habre has many implications. Some question why this happen at this particular time . These are speculations, but highly probable: Idriss Deby wants to eliminate a former enemy, The US and France want to cover their involvement, or its an attempt to make universal jurisdiction imposed on nations. Idriss Deby had for a long period of time wanted to capture and execute Hissene Habre. The fact that a former rival was still alive caused him concern. Habre during the 1990s and 2000s kept out of politics and was not intending to return to Chad with an armed force. He had done so in the past, but he lost an immense amount of support. Habre was no longer a political threat, but it is clear that Idriss Deby wants to eliminate the possibility of external resistance. Idriss Deby still holds power in Chad and the regime is once again getting support from France and the United States. It comes down to the situation in Libya. After the NATO intervention and the assassination of Qaddafi the country does not have a stable government. Armed groups and militias rule the streets.ISIS has emerged in the country, while others already had a presence including Ansar Al Sharia, the Libyan Islamic Fighter Group, and Al-qaeda. Deby's government enjoyed better relations with Libya. Libya was even responsible for brokering a peace between Sudan and Chad in the mid-2000s. The 2011 civil war in Libya and the NATO invasion put Chad in a precarious situation. They had lost a friendly government to the north of their border. The US and France see in Idriss Deby as a stable force in the region that has to be supported for the sake of the War on Terror. However, the past French and American actions have to be sanitized in order to advance this policy. The public has either limited knowledge or understanding of history to make accurate judgments on US and French actions. Habre's trial ignores their involvement in human rights abuses. Habre will be made an example of as a means to cover atrocities of the West and the fact they enable authoritarian regimes. Idriss Deby will be remade in terms of media image to appear to be a leader "fighting terrorism." Deby's rule has longevity and it is clear that its abuses will exceed that of the Habre regime. Deby has been accused of favoring his Zaghawa ethnic group while discriminating against others. Universal jurisdiction is not being used to promote justice, but to target a certain leaders. Although Habre was a loyal Cold War ally, the US and France no longer needed him when that period was over. The convenience of having him detained ensures he will never discuss financial transactions and weapons deals with the US and France. This does not mean Habre is innocent. It should be understood that more are guilty, besides one man.   

Further Reading 

Arnold, Guy. Africa A Modern History. London: Atlantic Books, 2005. 

Arnold, Guy. Civil War in Africa. Plymouth: The Scarecrow Press,2008. 

Farah, Doglass. "Chad's Torture Victims Pursue Habre in Court."Washington Post. N.p., 27 Nov. 2000. Web. 6 June 2016. <https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/2000/11/27/chads-torture-victims-pursue-habre-in-court/9da03c6b-ed13-477e-9e94-7f80450ca3b8/>.

"Profile: Chad's Hissene Habre." BBC News. N.p., 30 May 2016. Web. 20 June 2016. <http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-18927845>.

"One Dictator down." The Economist. The Economist Newspaper, 04 June 2016. Web. 20 June 2016. <http://www.economist.com/news/middle-east-and-africa/21699871-chads-former-president-has-been-convicted-whos-next-one-dictator-down>.

      

                                                          

      

     

        

50 Dead In Florida Nightclub Shooting, Worst In US History

The worst mass shooting so far in the US occurred in an Orlando nightclub. The United States has a major problem with gun control. The media coverage however tries to distract from the major issue. The bigger question is what is making people so violent? The motivation is both hatred and influence from extremist sources. The shooter was targeting this nightclub, because it was a gay nightclub. The assailant was of Afghan descent and apparently was coming under the influence of religious extremist ideology. Islamophobic individuals began saying this was an act of terror and proof that Islam is at war with the United States. There is no evidence that the shooter had links to ISIS. However, this does not stop the mainstream media pushing this myth.Religion whether it is Islam, Christianity, or Judaism has preached homophobia and this was the result. Hate being preached from a place of worship or the internet is encouraging individuals to act. The prevalence of guns in US society has made matters worse. As long as Congress and law enforcement refuse to act more people will die. 

W.E.B DuBois (1868-1963)

William Edward Burghart DuBois was a scholar, educator, writer, and activist. He was a major thinker in the ideology of Pan-Africanism and African American cultural thought. His activism established the groundwork for the Civil Rights Movement. W.E.B Du Bois was an active contributor to the anti-colonial freedom struggles in the 20th century. W.E.B Du Bois was one of the founders of the N.A.A.C.P,  which was born out of the Niagara movement. The movement was launched in 1905 calling for the end of discrimination and racial segregation in the United States.  Du Bois published many works including The Souls of Black Folk and   founded the Crisis magazine in 1910. During his lifetime he became a major spokesperson for the freedom struggle for African Americans. Educated in Fisk, Harvard, and the University of Berlin his intellectual abilities were copious. Before his death he composed a compendium of African history and culture known as the Encyclopedia Africana. This encyclopedia continues to be published to this day. Du Bois lived a very adventurous life  that had him travel around the world. 

      W.E.B DuBois became interested in taking the movement for racial equality internationally. He contributed to the organization of the second Pan-African Congress in 1919. DuBois understood that imperialism is international and as long as it exists the situation in America would continue to be unbearable for African Americans. The black people of the Americas he believed were connected by diaspora politics. DuBois visited the African continent in the 1920s witnessing the abuses of colonial rule. DuBois also lauded India's independence movement and expressed solidarity with other anti-imperial freedom movements. His new found international perspective became more pronounced when he adopted socialist philosophy. The impact of the Great Depression had effected the American population and the world horribly. Racial equality would mean nothing without economic equality. W.E.B DuBois  when his politics became more international, became a target of the U.S. government. He was elected international president of the Pan-African Congress of 1945. As the Cold War's intensity grew, DuBois became a staunch critic of US foreign  policy. DuBois became active in the international peace movement . W.E.B Dubois decided to remain active for the rest of his life for the cause of peace and anti-imperialism. 

          Dubois was later persecuted in the 1950s by the US Department of State, FBI, and the US government. He was indicted under the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938. This legal battle was won, but the US Department of State refused ti issue him a passport. By 1958, Du bois was able to acquire a passport and realized it was no longer safe to remain in the United States. He was effectively banished from the US. His support of anti-colonial movements, the peace movement, socialism, and a favorable view of the Soviet Union resulted in the amassing of reactionary forces in US politics against him. Even colleagues such as Walter White and the wider civil rights mainstream abandoned him. After the passport ban was lifted Du Bois  went to the UK, Belgium, France, Holland, China, and the Soviet Union. During his travels he lectured on the importance of nuclear disarmament, peace, and the right of national self-determination for all colonized peoples. Du Bois expounded further on the ideas he put forward in Color and Democracy : Colonies and Peace and The World and Africa. Du Bois spent his last years in Ghana still working for the cause of African Diaspora liberation. He did not live to see colonial rule end in Africa and Asia or the fall of US segregation, but his contributions enabled these events. 

Further Reading 

Addams, Russell. Great Negroes of the Past and Present. Chicago: Afro-Am Publishing Company, 

          1964. 

Appiah, Anthony, and Henry Louis Gates. "William Edward Burghardt Du Bois." Africana: The Encyclopedia of the African and African American Experience. New York: Basic Civitas, 1999. 636-37.

Hillary Clinton's Racist Remarks

Hillary Clinton appears to be close at securing the Democratic nomination. Bernie Sander's attempts at a contested convention seem futile as long as the delegates work mathematically in favor of Hillary Clinton. While it is obvious that Trump has racial hatred, Hillary Clinton also has the same problem. Hillary Clinton was in her youth a Barry Goldwater supporter. This staunch conservative was opposed to  the Civil Rights Movement and the Great Society of the Lyndon B. Johnson administration. She attempts to appear as a feminist and a champion of racial equality. This is a fabricated myth. Her former right-wing past was molded into a New Democrat philosophy under the political strategy of triangulation. There was an infamous speech that Hillary Clinton gave in 1996 at Keene State College in New Hampshire. The speech delineates the progress of law enforcement at "stopping" crime. Here coded language is used to refer to African American youths. The term "super predator" refers to African American youth who are criminal. Hillary Clinton paints a picture in this speech that all African Americans are criminal and targets adolescents specifically. White America has either viewed African Americans as a threat or danger. What this irrational fear masks is a pathological hatred and the paranoid idea that someday the African American population will take vengeance for past injustices. The 1994 Crime Bill and the War on Drugs negatively impacted the African American community and society at large. Currently, there is prison overcrowding due to mandatory sentencing in accordance with drug laws. This is not a matter of crime prevention or public health, but to target the African American population and make profit from their incarceration . 

Hillary Clinton used racism and fear in that speech to get her husband reelected in 1996. Her racist attitudes are influenced by her earlier conservative upbringing. Her actions are more telling. As Secretary of State she was pushing for the intervention in Libya. This was a country that supported numerous national liberation movements in Africa and across the globe. That symbol of African unity was destroyed and resulted in the ethnic cleansing of Tawergha. Instead of devising a diplomatic solution to the crisis in Libya, she decided that military force was the only solution. Qaddafi's death induced the migration crisis still paralyzing Europe. Her lack of respect or concern for the Libyans and their country demonstrate an imperial hubris. This was a devastating defeat for Africa, due to the fact it destabilized Mali, strengthened terrorist organizations, and brought an end to a leader advancing a Pan-Africanist vision.  She has been known to accuse the Chinese of "being colonizers in Africa." This poor attempt at a new  yellow peril  has racist overtones as well. Casting the Chinese as evil conquerors in Africa is an attempt to hide Western political and economic motives on the continent. Africa has more natural resources that the West wants to extract for business and political purposes. There are plans for regime change and nation building by France, the UK, and the United States. China although not entirely altruistic, never demands an African state to adopt its form of government. As Secretary of State Hillary Clinton did very little to improve relations with African nations or China.   Hillary Clinton continues to show a general lack of respect for African Americans. The protesters for Black Lives Matter have been met with negative responses or forced removal at her rallies. They are not there to cause a disturbance, but to raise an issue of police brutality and murder that has reached astronomical levels. She either dodges their questions or ignores them completely. Sometimes she responds with venomous anger. The only time she shows concern is if it gets her votes or support. Her appearance with the mother of  Trevon Martin  was a carefully planned public relations stunt. So far as many can tell, this grieving mother was used to advance the cause of Hillary Clinton's campaign. There is the counter argument that African Americans voted for her in the primaries. Supporters use this as evidence she is not racist or has prejudice. That is not evidence at all considering there were African Americans who voted for Richard M. Nixon. He was a president who have extreme intolerance for African Americans and Jews. The reason some African Americans  would vote for Hillary Clinton is because they do not accept Bernie Sander's socialist ideas or they feel he could not beat Donald Trump in a general election. Age plays a role, where younger African Americans would favor Sanders, while older African Americans would favor Clinton. 

She presents herself as something she is not. This well crafted image is what propelled her forward in the primaries and the caucuses. Hillary Clinton once said at a debate "I'm a progressive, but I'm a progressive that likes to get things done ." This falsehood was a simple message that resonated with the public. She supported the Defense of Marriage Act, the 2003 invasion of Iraq, and the 1999 Kosovo intervention. These are not the credentials of a progressive. Racial matters she cares little about and at times incites animosity to advance politically. Her fist attempt at becoming president is another example. During the 2008 race she encouraged racial division when campaigning in West Virginia. She said at one of her rallies " I'm one of you."  This coded language in 2008 was designed to court blue dog Democrats and southern racists.Barack Obama was subject to abuse and interference by her during his presidential run. When he did get the nomination, a compromise had to be reached to keep the Clinton political machine at bay. After a few meetings, it was agreed that Hillary Clinton would work for the Obama administration as Secretary of State. It should not be forgotten that she played the race card during her 2008 presidential bid. She then tried to hide her intolerance by making it into a feminist issue. Hillary said after her defeat " we did not break the glass ceiling, but we cracked it a bit."While there has been a consistent pattern of her dislike or disregard for African Americans, her record with the Latino community is lacking. She hardly discusses US immigration policy or how Republicans are extremist in their views. Donald Trump has used the issue to advance the agenda of anti-immigrant organizations and supports across the country . If Hillary Clinton does not reach out to the various ethnic groups of the country, she will lose the general election. Whoever the next president is racial persecution will continue unless there is active resistance. While Donald Trump's comments and beliefs are no shock, it is disturbing coming from a person who considers them self "progressive." The political spectrum of left or right do not matter when whites want to preserve white supremacy.  

  

      

RIP Muhammad Ali

Africa’s Last Colony: Western Saharan Independence Movement Mourns Loss of Polisario Front Leader

The death of Mohamed Abdelaziz the leader of the Polisario Front has caused complications in a delicate peace process. The Western Sahara has been fighting for independence since 1975. Morocco invaded in that year and in 1991 reached a cease fire agreement. The Western Sahara has yet to see full independence. Morocco only recognizes it as an autonomous entity. However, eighty-four African nations already recognize it. Algeria was the biggest supporter of the Polisario Front, providing arms for resistance. The war between this emerging state and Morocco has created refugees. Algeria has refugee camps and Ban Ki-Moon when visiting the town of Tindouf called Morocco's actions "an occupation." While the UN Secretary General is quick to speak out on this matter, he has been silent on the abuses in Libya. UN resolution 1973 legitimized the brutal NATO war against Libya in 2011. The UN functions as a tool for intervention and neocolonialism in Africa. The UN has a horrible record in Africa in regards to the DRC, Sudan, South Sudan, Rwanda, and the African Central Republic. Without firm leadership the movement could either fade or spark violence . Destabilization has spread across the Sahara since the NATO war and the US-EU block will continue its attacks. Africa must unite and come to a resolution to continental conflicts to challenge European aggression. King Mohammed VI should work to make peace with the Western Sahara. If not another full scale war could break out. This would lead to the collapse of his throne and possibly a wider Arab Spring like revolt. Morocco has to decide whether or not it wants to be a puppet of France and the United States or make its own foreign policy. The Sahrawi people deserve political rights and respect. The referendum for independence must happen to prevent war. There must be African solutions to African problems.