PAD 4083 exam 1
general haftar
"There will be no dialogue with terrorism. The only thing to say about terrorism is that we will fight it until it's defeated, and we have purified the country." - Gen. Haftar Khalifa Haftar was born in Libya in the 1940s. He helped Gaddafi come into power. But he fell out of favor with Gaddafi in the 1980s and went into exile in Virginia (not a bad place to be in exile). He had close ties with the CIA. After Gaddafi was overthrown, he returned to Libya. He led an uprising in the East (Libya Dignity). He is wildly anti-Islamist. He has been criticized by many for seeing terrorism and extremism where there is none. Haftar's opponents worry that he aspires to be the next Gaddafi. A claim he denies. But, this is why when you examine Libya you cannot simply look at the conflict through a counterterrorism lens. Defeating "Islamists" emboldens Haftar. And it's not clear what the long term consequences of this will be.
east versus west
"When we spoke on the telephone the night before I left for London, however, it became clear that Ronald Reagan saw the whole South African issue strictly in East-West Cold War terms. Over the years, he and Margaret continually raised with me their fears that Nelson Mandela and other anti-apartheid leaders were communists. My answer was always the same. 'How can you or anyone else know that?' I'd ask again and again. 'He's been in prison for 20 years and nobody knows that, for the simple reason no one has talked to him -- including you.' " - Former Canadian prime minister Brian Mulroney
the green book (1975)
"Woman is a female and man is a male." - The Green Book "According to a gynecologist, woman menstruates or suffers feebleness every month, while man, being a male, does not menstruate and he is not subject to the monthly period which is a bleeding." - The Green Book The book is a mixture of utopian socialism, Arab nationalism and the Third World revolutionary ideology.
south africa-brief history
1652 - Jan van Riebeeck, representing the Dutch East India Company, founds the Cape Colony at Table Bay. 1795 - British forces seize Cape Colony from the Netherlands. Territory is returned to the Dutch in 1803; ceded to the British in 1806. 1910 - South Africa became a self-governing dominion (like Canada and Australia). *So, essentially, the Dutch came to South Africa. Then the British. They both thought they deserved this land. Of course, there were many people living there already. They were not taken into consideration. *There were wars (The Boer Wars) that were fought. They are all very boring and not too important for the sake of this class. It's mostly important to know that the British and Dutch (who later called themselves the Boers [Boers translates to farmers], and after that the Afrikaners) fought over South Africa and Africans who were already living there suffered due to this rivalry.
refugees and slavery
171,635 migrants and refugees entered Europe by sea in 2017, down from 363,504 in 2016 More than 3,100 migrants/refugees died trying to cross the Mediterranean in 2017 More than 33,000 migrants/refugees have died at sea trying to enter Europe since 2000. The International Organization for Migration recently released a report that describes the "slave markets" in Libya. Migrants and refugees are being sold by smugglers and militia groups. "Of particular concern, it found that almost all refugees and migrants coming to Libya irregularly seek the help of smugglers or criminal networks, who now charge fees of around US$5,000, just to reach the country." - UNHCR Around 770,000 migrants and asylum seekers are still in Libya
the end of apartheid
1990 - ANC unbanned. Mandela released from prison after 27 years. 1994 - Mandela elected President of South Africa 1996 - Truth and Reconciliation Commission By 1998 they have found that apartheid was a crime against humanity and that the ANC is accountable for human rights abuses. Mandela championed non-violence as the president of South Africa. In fact, peace and equality became the hallmarks of his presidency. *It's amazing how Mandela evolved. He never wanted to use violence. He took up arms when he felt it was the only way to further his cause and free his people. Once the goal had been achieved he never used violence again. What does this say about using violence as a tool?
algerian civil war and birth of AQIM
1992 - Civil war (Also known as Algeria's "Black Decade") pitting Islamists against the government. This "dirty war" left 200,000 Algerians dead and approximately 15,000 forcibly disappeared. The Armed Islamic Group, known by its French acronym, GIA, waged a violent war against Algeria's secular military regime during the 1990s and was born out of the Algerian Civil War. The GIA vowed to raze the secular Algerian government and, in its place, establish a Muslim state ruled by sharia law. War concludes in 2002 but GIA morphs into GSPC which eventually becomes AQIM
isis activities in libya
2015 - 21 Egyptian Coptic Christians beheaded on beach in Libya. 2015 - Attack on Corintha Hotel, nine people killed. At one time, the ISIS affiliate in Libya was the most dangerous affiliate. This might be changing now that the group has been forced out of Sirte. When ISIS held Sirte they copied their affiliate in Syria and taxed the locals in order to build revenue for themselves.
unity government in libya
2016 January - UN announces new, Tunisia-based interim government 2016 March - New "unity" government (known formally as the Government of National Accord) arrives in Tripoli by boat after opposing forces block airspace. The GNA remains extremely weak and lacks support from many Libyans. And it has also lost support and credibility from many in the international community.
kommandokorps
A little-known but potentially dangerous extreme right-wing group. Children who attend this camp are part of the "born free" generation. Meaning those born after Apartheid ended. The organization claims to have trained more than 1,500 young white Afrikaners in "defense" skills since 2000.* This is not a terrorist organization but is instead a "survivalist" or paramilitary group. Still, the racist and anti-government rhetoric that is taught to children is problematic and troubling. With some fearing that members could turn to violence. *Luckily, that is not a very high number when you think of the population of SA
the arab spring- 2011
A series of uprisings that occurred throughout the Arab world in 2011. Compared with that other great international political upheaval, the relatively quick and mostly bloodless collapse of Marxism-Leninism in central and Eastern Europe in 1989, the events in the Middle East have been slow and inconclusive. Begins in Tunisia: On December 17, 2010, a street vendor named Mohamed Bouazizi set himself on fire in protest after a police officer seized his cart and produce. The self-immolation sparked protests that spread across the country, gathering in size and momentum. The message was spread through social media.
famine
According to the UN, there are "famine-like" conditions in the North East region of Nigeria (where Boko Haram is concentrated). It's estimated that 450,000 children could die from hunger (if not more). The UN has requested $1 billion in humanitarian aid but has only received 28% of this.
international intervention
African-led International Support Mission to Mali - organized by the ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States), a military mission to support the government of Mali against the rebels. January 2013 United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization in Mali (MINUSMA) April 2013 Operation Serval- French Military intervention in Mali. They launched airstrikes against jihadist positions in Northern Mali. Ended in 2014 and at its height involved 4,000 French soldiers, was largely "successful" in helping Mali push the al Qaeda -inked rebels out from the north of the country. 2015 Peace agreement signed with Tuareg rebels. Giving north greater autonomy. The deal also laid out a development program for Northern Mali. The process of being associated with extremists (even though many of the Tuaregs were not in agreement with the ideology) helped to taint their hopes for independence.
right wing domestic terrorism today
Afrikaner Weerstandbeweging or AWB (Afrikaner Resistance Movement) Formed in the 1970s in the hopes of creating a separate Afrikaner state. Often referred to as a Neo-Nazi Movement. When Apartheid was first dismantled, thousands of Afrikaners flocked to the AWB. Membership has since decreased dramatically (thankfully) but is still a fringe movement among some Afrikaners. *The AWB uses many neo-Nazi symbols and anthems. As you can see, their symbol resembles a Swastika.
operation barkhane
After Operation Serval ended, France launched Operation Barkhane (which continues to this day). The Operation includes 3,000 French soldiers and troops from Chad, Burkina Faso, Mauritania, and, of course, Mali. The main purpose of this operation is counterterrorism. There is a worry that this looks like (and is) just more French meddling. But France says this is a necessary precaution. Especially since AQIM has openly stated their hatred of (and desire to attack) France. Representatives from the Malian government have stated that they need and want France to continue this operation. "The Malian forces cannot secure the north - they lack means and logistics. We need those foreign troops." - Amadou Thiam, an MP from the presidential majority. But, it's still clear that the government is disconnected from ordinary citizens in Mali, as evidenced by the welcomed coup in 2012. So, it's still not certain if this is just causing more resentment, or helping to thwart terrorism.
mali
After independence from France in 1960, Mali suffered droughts, rebellions, a coup and 23 years of military dictatorship until democratic elections in 1992. Mali is small in population and quite poor Mali has had troubles with climate change. The average rainfall for the country has dropped by 30% since 1998. Additionally, the Sahara desert is expanding. This is forcing entire communities to migrate, pushing people from Algeria, Niger, etc. onto Tuareg land in Mali.
the end of colonial rule
After the Second World War people in Africa wanted change. Only Egypt, Liberia and Ethiopia were independent at that point. It was Indian self-rule which triggered the momentum leading to independence. In contrast with the start of colonization, independence was mostly non-violent, with some exceptions. Britain was completely broke after World War II and couldn't invest in its colonies. It found it easier to walk away than to start wars all over Africa to hold on to them France also gave independence to its colonies but only on its own terms, with French troops and administrators remaining in place for many years. One of the major tasks facing the leaders of these newly independent countries was to generate a sense of national unity which went beyond the unity created by being in opposition to colonial rule. *Growth of "African" nationalism. People were inspired by Gandhi in India and his success against the British.
terrorism in western africa
Al Qaeda in the Lands of the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) is an Algeria-based Sunni Muslim jihadist group Originally called the Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat (GSPC) Formed in 1998, it joined Al-Qaeda in 2006, it expanded its focus to Western assets and allies AQIM operates primarily in the northern coastal areas of Algeria and in parts of the desert regions of southern Algeria and northern Mali Uses conventional terrorist tactics, and mortar, rocket, and IED attacks Principal sources of funding include extortion, kidnapping, and donations. *Emerged from Algeria's civil war in the 1990s. Merged with al Qaeda in order to retain relevance and improve recruitment and fundraising.
other terrorist threats in mali
Al-Murabitoun: A new terrorist group formed from several other radical Jihadist groups (including the Signed in Blood Battalion). Al-Murabitoun is reported to have ties to AQIM.
algeria
Algeria was the only French colony in Africa occupied by a white settler population. France saw Algeria as an extension of France but the Algerians were determined to be independent. In late October 1954, a faction of young Algerian Muslims established the Front de Liberation Nationale (FLN) as a guerrilla organization dedicated to winning independence from France. It can't be stressed enough just how brutal this war was. "The best way to make a terrorist talk when he refused to say what he knew was to torture him," - Retired French General, Paul Aussaresses *Algerians were just subjects, not citizens. Even though the French considered Algeria a part of France.
mokhtar belmokhtar
Also known as Mr. Marlboro because of his prominent role in smuggling cigarettes across the Sahel (so, a less exciting cigarette smoking man)* He trained in Afghanistan (in the 90s) before joining AQIM. Belmokhtar was ousted from AQIM in 2012 and in 2013 he formed the Signed in Blood Battalion. It's believed that this is the group that carried out the In Amenas Plant attack. We think he's probably dead from a U.S. Airstrike...maybe? But maybe not...
isis in tunisia
Although Tunisia's steps toward democracy have enabled young people to express their dissident views, impatience and skepticism have evidently led a disgruntled minority to embrace the Islamic State's radically theocratic alternative. Unemployed college graduates — a large group in Tunisia, where education is inexpensive but jobs remain scarce — are prime candidates for jihad Tunisia has a long history of secularism, which many have felt infringed on their religious rights. Police harassment is common and is also a motivating factor for recruitment. Some who have trained with ISIS have returned to conduct terror attacks. March 18, 2015 Bardo National Museum Attack. 3 terrorists (2 of them Tunisian), 24 deaths. June 26, 2016, Beach Attack. 38 people killed. Conducted by one terrorist, a Tunisian student. The objective: Destroy Tunisia's tourism industry. Why? "The division of the countries is European," said Bilal, 27. "We want to make the region a proper Islamic state."
libyan islamic fighting group (LIFG)
An Al Qaeda linked terror group in Libya. Founded in 1995 in order to orchestrate the downfall of Gaddafi. Listed as an FTO (Foreign Terrorist Organization) by the U.S. and UN "LIFG participated with the Moroccan Islamic Combatant Group (QDe.089) in planning the May 2003 bombings in Casablanca, Morocco, that killed over 40 people and injured more than 100. LIFG has also been linked to the 2004 attacks in Madrid, Spain." - United Nations
apartheid 1948-1991
Apartheid means "separateness" in Afrikaans. A political/social system that enforced a racial hierarchy that privileged white South Africans through strict racial segregation (among various other laws). Established by the National Party There had been earlier laws that enforced segregation in South Africa. Apartheid made these laws more rigid and intense. It was incredibly brutal Essentially, Apartheid helped codify white supremacy into law. The National Party also promoted "Afrikaner Culture." The interesting thing about Apartheid is that it wasn't just a government for whites. It was a government for Afrikaners and Afrikaner nationalism.
chibok school abduction
April 2014 - 276 schoolgirls were kidnapped by Boko Haram. Boko Haram took the girls for some obvious reasons (sexual slavery, to sell, etc.) but they also saw the girls as a potential bargaining chip. They have attempted to trade out girls for high level operatives who are locked away in jails across the country. Some of the girls are believed to have been taken out of the country. Perhaps trafficked. Nigeria is a source, transit and destination country for trafficked women and children. It's a Tier 2 country. Human trafficking is a modern-day form of slavery involving the illegal trade of people for exploitation or commercial gain. Countries are ranked on how they deal with Human Trafficking on Tiers Tier 1: Countries whose governments fully comply with the Trafficking Victims Protection Act's (TVPA) minimum standards. Tier 2: Countries whose governments do not fully comply with the TVPA's minimum standards, but are making significant efforts to bring themselves into compliance with those standards. Nigeria is a Tier 2 country. Tier 3: Countries whose governments do not fully comply with the minimum standards and are not making significant efforts to do so.
don't let the door hit you on the way out
Around December of 2016 ISIS lost control of Sirte. This was a huge blow to the group, not only strategically, but symbolically. Because Libya' intelligence systems are in shambles (to put it mildly), we really don't know where a lot of the ousted fighters went. It's suspected that many will try to return to their countries of origin. Even though this is great news, it does little to help with Libya's stability.
returning tunisian fighter?
As ISIS has been pushed out of Sirte and appears to be falling apart/regrouping, Tunisian officials are very concerned about a flow of returning ISIS fighters. The UN has confirmed that some ISIS fighters in Libya are attempting to go to Europe or back to their home countries. There is currently no program for reintegrating ISIS fighters back into Tunisia. The new Tunisian constitution does not allow them to be barred from re-entry. They can be jailed (though putting radicalized individuals in jail can often lead to negative consequences). Human Rights activists say that not having a system in place to reintegrate these ISIS recruits just adds to the cycle of radicalization. Although it should be noted, that even as ISIS loses territory in Libya, they are still gaining recruits (particularly young Tunisians).
suicide bombers
BH has increasingly used women, girls, and boys as suicide bombers. They often force women and girls to hide bombs in baskets or under their clothes. These sneak attacks have killed hundreds of people in refugee camps. BH uses a six-tiered daily education track for the women called Primary One, Primary Two and so on. The first two levels are Quranic training. Primary Three is on suicide bombings and beheadings. So, as you can see, they get more intense as you move up the levels. The instruction given in the upper levels of the training — Primary Four, Five and Six — is a closely guarded secret among the fighters. We only know of it because of survivors who have been able to tell this information to the world. Aid groups have had to stop people from forming large groups in refugee camps. Often people have to go one at a time to get water, food, etc.
sambisa forest
Back when the Brits colonized Nigeria they thought they'd use Sambisa Forest as a game reserve. So, once they left the forest was just open for the taking. And Boko Haram swooped in. It was the main hideout for Boko Haram for many years. They brought a lot of their hostages and kidnapping victims to this forest. The forest was a good hideout because it was particularly difficult to penetrate. Boko Haram scattered land mines all over the forest. In 2017, President Buhari announced that the Nigerian military had pushed BH out of Sambisa.* *Here's the thing. This isn't the first time the Nigerian government has made pretty strong claims about BH. In 2015 President Buhari claimed that Boko Haram was, "technically defeated." And, well, that wasn't quite true. This claim about Sambisa appears to have some truth to it though. Even so, it's not entirely joyous news. It means that even though BH has lost a stronghold, they've now got fighters scattered about the north who might carry out violence wherever they go to hide.
colonialism and the scramble for Africa
Before 1880, Europeans had only made small incursions into Africa, with forts and trading posts mainly around the coast Then the new unified Germany began to flex its muscles. It saw Britain and France ruling the world and wanted to compete for its 'place in the sun'. Its explorers were beginning to penetrate the continent. This helped to create The Scramble for Africa. In 1884 - 85, The Berlin Conference was called to carve up Africa between Britain, France, Belgium, Spain, Portugal and Germany.
concentration camps
Black South Africans also suffered and died in these camps. However, since the Boers were racist they often didn't even mention this and only focused on the British hurt them. These camps are important because the Boers (later known as Afrikaners) would use them as evidence of how cruel the British were and how they were the ones who deserved South Africa! Again, they completely ignored the Black South Africans).
why colonialism causes problems
Borders were drawn with no consideration for languages, cultures, existing kingdoms, geography, etc. European countries acquired land they have never set foot on and knew nothing about. They justified this by saying they were bringing "civilization" and Christianity to the continent. Additionally, they justified colonization by saying they would end slavery inside the continent. The only way to "save" the continent was through the 3 "Cs": commerce, Christianity, civilization Colonialism was brutal and inhumane
government response to avengers
Buhari has offered amnesty and money to NDA fighters who put down their weapons. The amnesty program is allotted around $111 million. That monthly will give former fighters monthly stipends. What could possibly go wrong!? The government has also launched a billion dollar cleanup of the Niger Delta. As stated in the previous slide, it will take up to 30 years to clean up the Delta. Not only that, the question is, can you truly clean the land while oil companies continue to have a presence in the region?
AQIM stepping up the violence
Burkina Faso attacks - Jan. 16, 2016 Siege at Splendid Hotel and simultaneous attack on Cappuccino Cafe left 30 dead, 56 injured Most serious terrorist incident in Burkina Faso's history "A new message from the heroic champions of Islam, with their blood and their bodies, to the slaves of the cross, the occupiers of our homes, the looters of our wealth, and who would undermine our security." - AQIM official statement
Defining Terrorism
By Most Legal and Political Definitions, Terrorism Involves some of the following: The use or threat of extraordinary violence Political or religious in aims and motives Goal-directed or rational behavior The intent to have a psychological impact broader than the immediate victims The choice of victims for their symbolic, rather than their instrumental, value *terrorism isnt just random violence. it is goal-driven and always has a purpose. Terrorists are rational. they are trying to achieve their goals through their violence.
al qaeda (specifically AQIM vs ISIS)
By seizing and controlling huge chunks of territory in Syria and Iraq—and proclaiming a "caliphate"—ISIS had supplanted al-Qaeda as the preeminent force in the international jihadist movement. ISIS and Al Qaeda both desire a Caliphate, but ISIS is less patient and they believe the time to do this is now. Al Qaeda thinks the wider Muslim world must be purified in order to make way for a proper Caliphate. Al Qaeda believes that the killing of fellow Muslims (including Sunni and Shia) is counterproductive to the larger task at hand. Analysts say al-Qaeda's competition with ISIS in north Africa has driven it to act and, in particular, the two groups are wrestling over what is considered a terrorist crown jewel in the region: Libya. Each militant group is competing for the same things. *Each of the militant groups competes for essentially the same things: recruits, credibility and cash, all of which are scarce.
mummar gaddafi and terrorism
Carried out acts of state sponsored terrorism. In the early 1970s, Qaddafi established terrorist training camps on Libyan soil, provided terrorist groups with arms, and offered safe haven to terrorists, say U.S. officials. Gaddafi also openly supported the Provisional IRA (Irish Republican Army). He saw them as brothers in arms. 1988 bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland, that killed 270 people on board. On the U.S. state sponsored terrorism list from 1979 - 2006 How'd he get off the list?
some MK attacks
Church Street Bombing -1983 17 people killed, 197 injured when a car bomb went off in Pretoria, SA. The ANC formally admitted to carrying out the attack. Amanzimtoti Bombing - 1985 Five civilians were killed and forty injured in a bomb explosion in the Sanlam shopping center in Amanzimtoti, SA. Magoo Bar Bombing - 1986 Three people killed, 69 injured. Multiple soft target bombings Restaurants, malls, etc. Torture and executions Mandela admitted that the ANC had tortured some dissident ANC members. The use of land mines A.N.C. leaders said they had used only land mines that were set off by heavy weights like trucks and military vehicles, and only on roads heavily patrolled by army vehicles. But farm trucks carrying workers were also sometimes blown up by the movement's mines. In the end, the Congress stopped using them for this reason
colonial styles of governance
Colonies were intended to be cheap for British and French taxpayers and in many cases collected more in taxes from the colonies than they spent. France believed in the "Frenchification" of Africa and invested in instilling its language and culture into the people. The more you adopted French culture and language into your life, the better off you were. Consequences? Britain used indirect rule to control people through their own tribal leaders. They went about a different way with this. Basically ruled through proxy by appointing local leaders in charge. Consequences? Belgian colonial rule was by far the most brutal. Millions were killed in Belgian Congo in the quest for natural resources. "Neither imperialism nor colonialism is a simple act of accumulation and acquisition...Out of imperialism, notions about culture were classified, reinforced, criticised or rejected." Taken from Culture and Imperialism, Edward W. Said.
boko harams other grievances
Corruption Corruption continues to be a major problem in Nigeria. In Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index, it is 31st from the bottom. Police brutality "In most instances, officers' accounts are unchallenged and complaints are unprocessed. Investigations are rarely carried out. When investigations do take place, they do not comply with international standards. The few police officers who are suspected of extrajudicial executions are sent on training or transferred to other states instead of being prosecuted." - Amnesty International
extremism in north africa- the future?
Countries that have not previously experienced extremist violence are becoming increasingly concerned about the spreading violence of AQIM in west Africa. Senegal has taken some harsh measures in anticipation of this. Some authorities have called for a full face veil ban. Additional extremist groups with ties to AQIM have sprung up in Mali, including the Macina Liberation Front. Many in northern Mali credit these Islamist groups with providing services and help that the government doesn't. Operation Barkhane - An ongoing counter terrorism operation in Africa's Sahel region. A 3,000 strong French force. Headquarters located in Chad's capital, N'Djamena *The threat has grown since the fall of Libya's Muammar Qaddafi, and the focus has also shifted geographically: towards a desert "motorway" that reaches from the porous borders of southern Libya through the Sahel to the Atlantic. Along it flow arms, drugs, illegal immigrants and jihadists. The French want to disrupt these networks, which periodically target their citizens for hostage-taking. Hence the new emphasis on a light security footprint
ANC non violent tactics
Defiance Campaign of 1952 - The largest scale non-violent resistance ever seen in South Africa and the first campaign pursued jointly by all racial groups under the leadership of the ANC. For the first time Africans and Indians, with a few whites and coloreds were engaging in joint political action under a common leadership. The resistance won United Nations recognition that the South African racial policy was an international issue and a UN Commission was established to investigate the situation. Resulted in mass arrests, torture, beatings and brutal oppression. *The Youth League of the ANC (which included Oliver Thambo and Nelson Mandela), for the most part, felt that the ANC was moving too slowly and wasn't militant enough.
the construction of race in south africa
Don't ever forget that racism is a tool. It's used to subjugate people. And that's exactly what the whites in South Africa aimed to do. They divided South Africans up into four categories. The four racial categories of South Africa under Apartheid: -Black -Colored -Asian/Indian -White (English speaking whites and Afrikaners (afrikaners were Descendants of Dutch, German and French colonists. Afrikaners believed they were God's chosen people and were utterly unique. This helped lead to the rise of their racial superiority.)) *these were the official titles of the races in south africa under apartheid
livingstones legacy
Dr. Livingstone became famous back in England. When I say famous, I mean it. Even Charles Dickens was a huge fan. When he died he had a Princess Diana type of funeral. People were literally weeping in the streets. But, his legacy today? That's complicated. Especially when you think about how his actions helped to "justify" colonialism for the British. His diaries (which were heavily censored to hide his failures) were published after his death and used as a justification for colonization in Africa. Again, colonialism really had no positive sides. But many colonists still used Livingstone's legacy as a way to "show" how colonialism was a good thing - even though it was not He is also widely blamed for bringing the surge of missionaries into the continent. For helping to lead the way to colonialism, a violent and oppressive system of domination. *He showed the kind side of colonialism. At least, this is what many British people at the time thought. Livingstone's highly censored diary painted him as a hero. And it gave the larger colonial conquest of the continent, a larger meaning. Even though, this was hardly the case. Despite the brutality of colonialism, Livingstone helped to romanticize it. And for this reason, he is very important to remember.
egypt. the uae, russia
Egypt and the UAE have been putting their support behind Gen. Haftar since the beginning of this conflict. Egyptian President, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, is deeply concerned about hardline Islamists taking control of Libya. He also hopes to stop Libya from breaking up into parts. Remember that Libya and Egypt have a huge and largely porous border. Turkey and Qatar have been accused of propping up the Islamist western militias *russia has denied involvement
passbooks
Every black person had to carry a pass which gave details about where they were allowed to be or live. Many African men were forced to move to the urban areas to get work. Very few of their wives (or families) were permitted to accompany them because their passbook limited their movement. Employers had to sign them every month. Employment had to be shown in the passbook. Showed where you could live. Where you could visit. Any white person could demand to see your passbook at anytime for no reason. Failure to have your passbook or to have your passbook "fixed" or in order could result in imprisonment or forced labor on farms. This forced labor provided the Apartheid government with a steady stream of free labor.
boko haram
Everyone has probably at least heard of Boko Haram. They are a very radical and extremely brutal terrorist group. "Boko Haram," which means "Western education is forbidden" (the word boko is a holdover from the colonial English word for book) But, they don't just hate western education. They want to create an Islamic state in Nigeria. The group formed in 2002 by Muhammad Yusuf. Yusuf died in 2009. It's widely believed (in Nigeria) that he was killed by the police. This helped radicalize the movement. In 2010 the new leader, Abubakar Shekau, took control of the group. Fun fact, Shekau has (or had if he's dead) a photographic memory. 2011 Boko Haram attacked a UN administrative building in Abuja Nigeria killing 23, and injuring 80 Since 2011 the violence by Boko Haram increased drastically. *Jama'atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda'awati Wal-Jihad, or "people committed to the propagation of the Prophet's teachings and jihad." = Boko Haram's official title *A new leader, Shekau, took over the group in 2010. And the violence just starts to level up.
African National Congress
Founded in 1912. Considered to be Africa's oldest liberation movement. Originally the South African Native National Congress. It was formed by a group of African chiefs and intellectuals that felt (because they were) politically excluded by the Afrikaners (and British). *ANC really formed a lot of petitions prior to Mandela's involvement. And what do letter writing campaigns get you with a racist and oppressive government? Yea, nothing. Unfortunately, many of their non-violent attempts at change got them nowhere.
Eugene Terre'Blanche
Founder of the Afrikaner Resistance Movement and overall terrible human being. He wanted to organize a movement to create an Afrikaner state. The main language would be Afrikaans (English would be an acceptable second language.) He was murdered in 2010. The AWB still operates but has grown quieter throughout the years.
Francafrique
Francafrique- An old system of patronage. Charles de Gaulle wanted to ensure that French influence remained even after the colonies were gone. For years, France gave political and military support to African leaders who backed its economic plans, with a premium on stability, even if that meant ignoring rigged elections or, in the opinion of some critics, influencing them itself. Really, Francafrique is a system of cronyism. In return, the African leaders who went along with this gave the French kickbacks and favored French businesses. Francafrique remained unchallenged for three decades. Though there are some who still claim that France engages in a more subtle form of Francafrique to this day.
biafra and war
From 1967 until 1970, Nigeria experienced a devastating civil war. Here's what happened. When Nigeria became independent from Britain, they were still one country but the Nigerian government split the country into three regions. The regions were primarily based off of ethnic divisions. There was the state made up of Hausa/Fulani (in the north), the Yuruba (in the southwest), and the Igbo (in the southeast). The problem was that the military took over in the 1960s and tensions between the different ethnic groups grew. And the Hausa/Fulani began slaughtering ethnic Igbos. Igbos were concerned that they would never thrive (or maybe not even survive) with the current state of affairs. So, Lieutenant Colonel Odumegwu Ojukwu (along with other Igbo [and some non-Igbo] officials) established the Republic of Biafra. This war was just brutal. Over 1 million civilians died from a combination of fighting and famine. In 1970, Biafra surrendered to Nigeria and was reabsorbed back into the country.
human rights abuses
Gaddafi claimed to be a champion of the people but carried out policies that violated the human rights and legal freedoms of his people. Legal penalties included collective punishment, death for anyone who spread theories aiming to change the constitution and life imprisonment for disseminating information that tarnished the country's reputation. Other human rights abuses occurred under Gaddafi's rule including the 1996 Abu Salim Prison Massacre. Around 1,200 prisoners were killed by the Gaddafi regime and buried in a mass grave. Many of the prisoners killed in the massacre were political prisoners who were killed for speaking out against the regime. Gaddafi was always surrounded by female body guards (pictured below). They were often abused by the dictator.
gaddafi and the tuargs
Gaddafi liked to recruit the Tuaregs- they were skilled at desert fighting and easy to recruit because they were marginalized-- to serve in his military. In the early 1980s, he invited them join his Islamic Legion. But, when Gaddafi was killed, many Tuaregs who had joined him returned home. And many returned home with a great deal of weapons. Weapons they hoped to use to help them gain their own independent homeland.
apartheid and gross inequalities
Housing in Black townships was vastly inadequate, lacking running water and electricity. Bantu Education Act: Passed in 1953. In a nutshell? This was one of the most racist acts under apartheid. It was designed to limit black people from receiving an education that would lead them to aspire to higher level positions. Instead, it was supposed to provide "skills" for black people so they could do manual labor. Or, basically, to train them to be cheap labor for the Apartheid government.
cecil rhodes
I know, more dead white men. Stick with me though, this one is important too. Rhodes was another famous colonialist. Though, in many ways, he was much more violent than Livingstone. Livingstone's vision (while definitely paternalistic and therefore highly problematic) was more centered on bringing Christianity to the continent. Rhodes' was ALL about power and white supremacy. He often spoke about the superiority of the British. He was an ardent imperialist. "Africa is still lying ready for us and it is our duty to take it." Cecil Rhodes Yea, what a freaking jerk.
"charter for the city"
ISIS began filtering into Sirte in 2014. By 2015 Sirte had become the largest stronghold for ISIS outside of Syria or Iraq. In August 2015, the month it took over all of Sirte, ISIS circulated a "Charter for the City," as it had done in cities it controls in Iraq and Syria. The 13-point charter proclaimed that "people under our rule are safe and sound," offering protection even to fighters who sought to oust them, provided they repent and do not "defend the invaders." However, the charter warned, enemy forces that do not repent face death and thieves face amputation. The charter outlawed "all taboos" including selling or consuming drugs and alcohol, and smoking. It "encourages" residents to pray "all together, and on time" in local mosques. It rejected gatherings, political parties, and flags or insignia, and says polytheistic or pagan shrines must be razed. All public funds belong to ISIS, the document says.
women under isis in libya
ISIS has put pressure on fathers in Sirte to "marry off their daughters" to the group's fighters. Women are to spend their time "settling in the home ... refraining from leaving unless necessary." A decree that ISIS posted on a Sirte billboard, a photo of which was obtained by Human Rights Watch, displays the black, unadorned abaya and niqab headdress that women should wear, with seven instructions: First: It must be substantial (thick) and not transparent to show anything beneath it Second: It must be loose (wide and not tight) Third: It must cover the whole body Fourth: It must not be extravagant or celebrity-like Fifth: It must not resemble the clothing of female infidels and men Sixth: It must not be decorative clothing that attracts attention Seventh: It must not be scented (with cologne or incense)
king idris
In 1942 the Allies boot the Italians out of Libya. They divide the country between the French and the British. All of this is important because it quickly becomes clear from looking at Libya's past that they have been held by foreign powers for much of their history. Libya finally became independent in 1951. The newly independent Libya is ruled by King Idris al-Sanusi. Al Sanusi brought the country closer to western allies. And this made him appear to be a puppet of the west. The 1950s in Libya were characterized by great poverty.
tuareg rebellion 2012
In 2012 the MNLA (National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad) declared an independent state they called, Azawad. Initially, the MNLA distanced themselves from any sort of Islamist movement. The Mali army launched its own coup in response. Led by an American trained Colonel. The coup was widely welcomed by many people in Mali. *The formation of Azawad illustrated how poorly colonial borders had been drawn. It should be noted that this was not the first time the Tuaregs had rebelled. But this was their most successful rebellion so far.
the great trek
In the 1830s around 12,000 Boers (who would later be known as the Afrikaaners) migrated hundreds of miles inland and established their own two states: Transvaal and the Orange Free State (Map on the next page). They felt oppressed* by the British and wanted to establish their own land Diamonds and gold discovered. South African Wars [Commonly known as the First and Second Boer Wars] (fought between 1899-1902). The Second Boer War is the more important of the two: -The British set up concentration camps for the Boers (and the black South Africans!). -Eventually 28,000 Boer women and children and at least 20,000 black people died in the camps. *The irony isn't lost on me! The Boers and the British were terrible to everyone who was already living in South Africa. *The Boers (Note, the Dutch settlers in South Africa later became known as the Boers, and many years later became known as the Afrikaners) *the afrikaners established two states: the transvall state and the orange free state
france post-breakup
In the 1960s, when France gave most of its African colonies independence, it held onto control of many of them. France was, essentially, the worst ex imaginable. Charles de Gaulle appointed Jacques Foccart to the position of his chief advisor on African affairs. Foccart ensured that French influence remained in former colonies. Even established the Service d'Action Civique, a powerful private police force that was designed to battle communists.
isis (islamic state of iraq and syria or daesh)... and libya?
It has demanded that Muslims across the world swear allegiance to its leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi - and migrate to territory under its control. IS has also told other jihadist groups worldwide that they must accept its supreme authority. IS seeks to eradicate obstacles to restoring God's rule on Earth and to defend the Muslim community against infidels and apostates. At their height, U.S. intelligence agencies estimated that there were around 6,000 ISIS fighters in Libya. It is unknown how many there are now after the group lost Sirte.
no more isis! sadly no
It's believed that ISIS could be regrouping in Southern Libya. Remember, that the South is also unstable, and remains even more complicated with the ongoing rivalry between the Tuareg and the Tebu. ISIS forming into smaller, clandestine cells could still pose a serious risk to Libya's security. Small ISIS cells are still capable of launching devastating attacks.
italy and libya, its bad
Italy invaded Libya in 1911, wanting to officially take it from the Ottoman Empire. They conducted the first ever air raid that same year Libyans resisted but Mussolini resorted to brutal tactics, including deporting 100,000 Libyans to concentration camps. Thousands of Libyans died Omar Mukhtar was a Libyan leader who fought against the colonial rule of the Italians. He was captured by the Italians in 1930 and hanged in front of his followers. His name is still invoked today - a symbol of the struggle for freedom from western powers and dictators
in amenas gas plant attack
Jan.16, 2013 - Jan. 19, 2013 On 16 January 2013, the In Amenas gas plant in Algeria was attacked. Gunmen began the assault before dawn, taking numerous hostages and killing workers, but the Algerian army regained control of the plant on 19 January. 40 staff - most of them foreigners- and at least 29 militants had been killed. And who attacked the Plant?
years of protest against shell
Ken Saro-Wiwa: Spoiler, this is a very sad story. Saro-Wiwa was a writer and environmental/human rights advocate. He created a peaceful group (Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People, MOSOP) on behalf of the Ogoni people.* He was executed in November 1995 along with eight other environmental and human rights activists. And it's known that he was executed based on trumped up "murder" charges. His body was burned with acid and thrown in an unmarked grave. So, you can see why people of the Delta might not believe in peaceful protest anymore. *The Ogoni People primarily live in the Niger River Delta. Map on next page.As you can see, Ogoniland is where the oil production is. So, the Ogoni People have suffered the most. *Ken Saro-Wiwa's death was devastating for his people. And the world was outraged as well. Even former President Clinton tried to call the leadership in Nigeria and plead for Saro-Wiwa's life. It did not work.
the congo free state
King Leopold II of Belgium - Leopold was the founder and sole owner of the Congo Free State, a private project undertaken on his own behalf. Between 1880 to 1920, the population was slashed from 20 million people to 10 million people. That is half of the population. Labeled a genocide by many people. Why the large-scale massacre of so many innocent people? The bicycle. The Bicycle really took off during the Victorian age. Belgium used slave labor in the Congo to ensure that they remained one of the top producers of rubber (for the tires).
youth bulges and political violence- brookings institute report
Large youth cohorts will reduce recruitment costs for rebel organizations through an abundant supply of labor. This is particularly the case when the gain from joining is above alternative income earning opportunities. If young people have limited or no opportunity other than unemployment and poverty, they are more likely to join a rebellion as frustrations mount. Socio-economic problems provide fertile ground for terrorist recruitment. Prevailing unemployment amongst highly educated youth populations can cause frustration and grievances. High unemployment amongst the educated youth is one of the most destabilizing and violent socio-political phenomena in any regime. Semi-democratic regimes have greater openings for conflict over autocratic states. The potential is increased when large educated youth cohorts are barred from social mobility.
where weapons from libya have been found
Libya has a huge problems with weapons. And many militias and terrorist organizations have been purchasing weapons on Facebook. Most were offered for sale on "closed" or "secret" Facebook groups. This trafficking occurred in countries where the Islamic State is at its most active and where armed militias or other designated terrorist groups, including Al Qaeda, have a persistent presence. Col Gaddafi was obsessed with buying weapons and tightly controlled the market. During his 40 years in power, it is estimated he spent more than $30bn on arms.
"divide et impera"
Libya has always been a country that is deeply divided. This continues to be one of their main problems today. Their divisions have always been their undoing. The Italians were able to conquer Libya because of how divided they were. In addition to the regional divisions, there are tribal divisions. Libya probably has around 140 tribes (only around 30 are very significant). And then there are sub-tribes! Tribal connections are usually not as important in urban areas
arab spring- libya
Libya's uprising began in February 2011 after security forces in the eastern city of Benghazi opened fire on a protest. In March 2011, after the UN Security Council authorized "all necessary measures" to protect civilians, NATO powers launched air strikes on government targets, ostensibly aimed at imposing a no-fly zone. With military assistance from the West and several Arab states, rebel forces took Tripoli after six months of fighting in which several thousand people were killed After four decades in power, Gaddafi went on the run and was captured and killed outside Sirte in August 2011.
MNLA and al qaeda
MNLA, had cut a deal with Islamic fundamentalists from a locally dominant lot called Ansar Dine (supported by Al Qaeda). The pair agreed to join forces and set up a transitional government. Peace would follow. But the Islamists imposed an extremely harsh version of Sharia law. This is not what many of the Tuareg rebels had wanted. And it appeared that their revolution had been hijacked by terrorists. Prompted many to flee. *Many Tuaregs who just wanted independence fell victim to harsh punishments by the Jihadist groups.
us counterterrorism programs in mali
Mali was once regarded as a model democracy. But the connection between the country's elites (those who managed the elections) and ordinary citizens was superficial. Trans-Sahara Counterterrorism Partnership (TSCTP), a partnership of State, Defense and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) meant to focus on improving individual country and regional capabilities in northwest Africa. According to a Government Accountability Office study, Mali got roughly $37 million in TSCTP funds from 2005 through 2008. More than half went to Defense projects.
stigma
Many women who have escaped from Boko Haram face social stigma once they arrive home. Some poor girls and women have indeed been brainwashed to believe BH ideology. So, there is a legitimate fear that surrounds these newly freed women and girls. Victims of sexual abuse are often described as "Boko Haram wives" who are "annoba," meaning epidemics. Others fear that children born as a result of sexual abuse by the terror group carry "bad blood." And that these children will inevitably grow up to become BH fighters. Many are "Triple Victims"
isis and boko haram
March 2015- Boko Haram pledged their allegiance to ISIS. Now calls itself IS's "West African province" The level of interaction between the two groups is largely unknown. In 2016 there were reports from American military officials that the two groups were having closer interactions. There were even reports that ISIS was in favor of new leadership for BH and tried to push out Shekau, leading to a power struggle within BH.
reaction from the west
Margaret Thatcher described the African National Congress as "a typical terrorist organisation" and fiercely opposed sanctions against the apartheid regime. The Reagan administration also followed South Africa's lead on characterizing the ANC, naming it a terrorist group in the 1970s So, here is your answer. The west also saw Nelson Mandela as a terrorist which is really difficult to believe. What was the west really frightened of? This "terrorist organization the ANC or something else?
boko haram impacts on education
More than 670,000 children have been forced to miss years of schooling. More than 1,800 schools remain closed, damaged, looted, set on fire. Some of the schools still remain intact but are being used to house refugees or members of the Nigerian army. And these schools are essentially closed as well. And even if schools are not damaged, teachers and students are often afraid to go back to school for fear of being attacked by BH. The overall result is that an entire generation of children in the northeast is being robbed of their right to education.
nelson mandela....terrorist?
Nelson Mandela and the African National Congress remained on the United States terrorist watch list until 2008. Read that AGAIN! Think about how we use the label "terrorism." And how someone who helped free his people was called a "terrorist" by the U.S. for so long. When questioned about this, Colin Powell said that the "violent acts" that Mandela and the ANC had carried out were indeed terrorist acts. *He was only able to visit the US with special permission from the secretary of state, because the ANC had been designated a terrorist organization.
Nelson Mandela
Nelson Mandela did not wish to use violence but he came to believe that it was the only conceivable way to overturn Apartheid. He felt that many of the ANC's older leaders were out of touch with the reality of their situation. He argued that people were going to embrace violence and that if the ANC refused to join them it would become irrelevant.
nelson mandela imprisoned
Nelson Mandela was arrested in the 1960s for "conspiring to overthrow the government." He would spend 27 years in jail, housed on Robben Island. Mandela's imprisonment served as a symbol for the outrageous oppression of the South African government. A large and powerful anti-apartheid movement grew in popularity, especially in the 1980s
the commies! of course
Nelson Mandela was seen as a communist. And the Apartheid regime, was seen as a supporter of the fight against communism. -To be clear, Mandela had ties to the South African Communist Party. -The Apartheid regime worked quite closely with the Reagan and Nixon administrations to halt Soviet influence in the region. Reagan especially saw this as an East West struggle. He, and many in the western world, were fearful that if the black majority took power South Africa would turn into a communist state with Nelson Mandela as the leader. Margaret Thatcher felt the same way. Our fear of communism caused the United States to side with an oppressive and dehumanizing regime for many years. *Showing that there are sometimes ulterior motives for why we choose to label certain groups as terrorist organizations.
north south continued
Nigeria is still a relatively stable democracy. They have a power sharing agreement between Muslims in the North and Christians in the South. The Presidency is supposed to alternate between a Northern Muslim and a Southern Christian. This agreement is often known as "zoning."
operation safe corridor
Nigeria recently began a program to "rehabilitate" BH fighters. The "repentant" members are taken through various vocational trainings to reintegrate back into their communities. The government also documents all of these cases very thoroughly. A team of behavioral psychologists is working to deradicalize and rehabilitate detained Boko Haram members. There are currently around 800 former Boko Haram fighters in the program. This program was also created in response to all of the negative criticism the Nigerian government has received regarding the treatment of suspected terrorists (treatment as in death). *800 have been admitted into this program
nigeria
Nigeria was colonized by the British (around the 1850s). They did something strange with this country. They ruled directly in the south (trying to really develop the land and convert people to Christianity) but basically left Northern Nigeria (for the most part) alone. 1956 - Oil discovered in the Niger Delta. 1960 - Independence from Britain. *nigeria was colonized by the british *there are over 300 ethnic groups in nigeria
oil flares from the niger delta
Nigerian oil companies burn off the second largest volume of natural gases in the world, with the practice of gas flaring.
problem solved?
Northern Mali remains tense with both Tuareg separatists and Islamists sporadically active. Child recruitment into AQIM is thriving. Hundreds if not thousands of Malian children have been sold to armed groups by family members or school officials in exchange for money. Girls often are bought or abducted to become the wives of combatants. In other cases, the children themselves may have been lured in by money and the appeal of "fighting for God."
al-murabitoun attack on bamako hotel mali
November 20, 2015 22 people killed in this shooting attack. The hotel was hosting delegations attending peace talks. It also came a week after ISIS targeted France with shootings and suicide bombings, killing 130 people. Since Al-Murabiton has ties with AQIM this attack gets credited to them as well. *Now, the group is making a devastating comeback. Until relatively recently, it was best known around the world for kidnapping Westerners in remote parts of the Sahel and using the ransoms to support itself.
AQIM objectives
Objectives include ridding North Africa of Western influence. Overthrowing governments deemed apostate. Installing fundamentalist regimes based on sharia law. The colonial legacy of France is incredibly important to AQIM. It is one of their stated goals, to "free" North Africa from their colonial masters (think Francafrique). While AQIM does tend to attack the "near enemy," the group has declared Spain and France its foremost "far enemies." AQIM leaders regularly threaten to stage attacks in France, and praised the Charlie Hebdo Massacre in Paris in January 2015. *AQIM fell from about 200 in 2007 to fewer than 150 in 2008
oil
Oil is Libya's main natural resource, with a pre-revolt output capacity of about 1.6m barrels per day, accounting for more than 95% of exports and 75% of the budget. ISIS does not control oil fields in Libya, though supply lines have been disrupted by ISIS assaults in the North African country. They certainly wanted to control the oil in Libya. And this was one of the main motivations for establishing themselves in Libya. But it (thankfully) did not come to pass. Oil production in Libya has increased this year to roughly triple its production of over a year ago
bye idris
Oil was discovered in the 1950s. The profits began to help the country improve. The extraction of the oil was controlled by foreign oil companies. They set prices that benefited their costumers abroad but did nothing to help average Libyans. King Idris was ousted by Gaddaffi in 1969. It was a bloodless coup. One of the first things Gaddafi set his sights on was controlling the production and sale of Libyan oil. He succeeded and Libya was the first developing country to control its oil production. Gaddafi turned away from the west and focused on the Arab world.
but things arent all bad
Ok, the country is struggling with many problems at the moment. But Nigeria is actually on the rise. And here's why. The country has a growing middle class. It actually grew by 600% from 2000 to 2014. Nigeria also has a booming film industry. The country generates around 2,500 movies per year and they are very popular across the entire continent. It's such a big industry that it produces around $600 million a year for the economy. South Africa has narrowly reclaimed the title of "biggest economy" in Africa. But the competition is very close. Nigeria held the top spot for the prior two years. A lot of people think of Nigeria as a country dealing with conflict, and while that may be true, it's a country that is also thriving. It's far from a failed or failing state.
Umkhonto we Sizwe "Spear of the Nation" - MK
On 16 December, 1961, Umkhonto weSizwe (MK)* was launched as an underground armed wing of the ANC. "A freedom fighter learns the hard way that it is the oppressor who defines the nature of the struggle, and the oppressed is often left no recourse but to use methods that mirror those of the oppressor. At a point, one can only fight fire with fire" - Nelson Mandela Read that quote again? What do you think the Apartheid government called Nelson Mandela??? This is an interview with Nelson Mandela. Some of the interviewers questions are offensive but the interview is still valuable because of what he says about violence. The MK sets up training camps in other countries, including Angola, Algeria and Ethiopia, among others. 1964 - Nelson Mandela sentenced to life in prison. *Often simply referred to as the MK. In English this translates to Spear of the Nation.
cape to cairo railway
One of Rhodes' main ambitions was to create a railway that stretched across the entire continent (from the Cape to Cairo). The reason? This was to draw a "red line"* where one could cross the entire continent without ever leaving British territory. The main goal? To create an international movement to extend British influence. *The "red line" that Rhodes envisioned is pictured in this map (created by Rhodes).
legacy of mandela and the ANC
Palestine was critical of the apartheid system in South Africa. Nelson Mandela is widely considered to be a hero in Palestine. Nelson Mandela and the ANC are considered to be heroes (and rightfully so). Many people are shocked when they learn that Mandela was considered to be a terrorist by any government. The ANC is also widely held up as an example of a group that went from being labeled a terrorist organization to one is politically legitimate and recognized by the international community. *"Nelson Mandela was a truly great leader, not in spite of his complexity, but by virtue of it. His heroism does not stem exclusively from his violence or from his pacifism, but from his evolution between those things as the fight against oppression required." - Emmett Rensin
david livingstone
Part of the reason why the 3 "Cs" became a widely respected reason for colonizing the continent was due to the work of Dr. David Livingstone. Livingstone was a Scottish missionary and doctor. He was convinced that it was his duty to bring Christianity to the people of Africa. Livingstone was also motivated to abolish the slave trade. He was the first European to cross the width of Southern Africa and was one of the few westerners with any knowledge of the geography inside the continent. Henry Morton Stanley went on an expedition to find Livingstone in 1871. He died while still exploring the continent. He was alone (his wife had died of malaria long ago) and destitute. His body was brought back to England to be buried in Westminster Abby.
many heroes of decolonization
Patrice Lumumba A Congolese politician who was determined to free the Congo from the grips of colonialism and to secure the resources of his country for his people Lumumba spoke forcefully of the violence and humiliations of colonialism, especially the ruthless theft of African land. He became the first Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo Shortly after he took office as prime minister, the C.I.A., with White House approval, ordered his assassination and dispatched an undercover agent with poison. The would-be poisoners could not get close enough to Lumumba to do the job, so instead the United States and Belgium covertly funneled cash and aid to rival politicians who seized power and arrested the prime minister. On Jan. 17, 1961, after being beaten and tortured, he was shot and killed.
punishments in sirte
Punishments inflicted on residents, for crimes ranging from theft or alcohol production to "spying", included imprisonment, amputations, public crucifixions and beheadings. The group set up its own "police force" and carried out house to house raids and searches.
rhodes legacy
Rhodes created the De Beers diamond company in South Africa. Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) was named after him (what an egomaniac). The #Rhodesmustfall gained traction in recent years. This is a campaign in South Africa to remove many of the statues of Rhodes from South African campuses. Unlike Livingstone, his legacy is not really mixed. He is disliked by almost everyone. And seen as the principal architect of colonialism across the continent. His legacy is one of brutality and exploitation
royal dutch shell
Shell works in partnership with the Nigerian government in the delta. Shell claims that 98% of all oil spills are caused by by militants or thieves and only a minimal amount by deteriorating infrastructure.* However, there has been evidence of corroding pipelines, damaged pumping stations, etc. that point to Shell's responsibility. In 2015 Royal Dutch Shell reached a settlement with the people of the Niger River Delta. The total sum was $83 million. That's about $3,300 per fisherman *And that's definitely true. At least, for it's kinda true. Because the Delta does suffer from an illegal oil ring that helps to cause pollution.
hausa/fulani
So, the Hausa and Fulani are technically two different ethnic groups. But they have intermingled so much throughout history that they are often referred to as just Hausa/Fulani. As you can see from the map on the previous slide, they are primarily located in Northern Nigeria. Because they make up such a large part of Nigeria's population, they have been politically dominant since Nigeria's independence. Recently, they began the use of Sharia law in 11 of Nigeria's northern states.
the issues with "western education"
So, what's the deal? Why do they hate western education? Education is still tightly linked to British colonialism and it's seen that way by many in Nigeria (especially in the north). The education system itself is corrupt. Students are sometimes forced to pay bribes to teachers. And many of the ruling elite in Nigeria still do not prioritize education. And lastly, there are many Nigerians who hate civil servants. The government is seen as highly corrupt (not an entirely unfair assessment) and civil servants are just symbols of that. To get one of these civil service jobs you need an education. This helps to taint education and tie it to corruption. In Nigeria, many see education as just a tool to move up in a corrupt system. Rather than a method of enlightenment
dylan roof
Something really interesting is the link between white supremacy in the U.S. and South Africa. June 17, 2015 - Dylan Roof killed nine black churchgoers during a Bible study at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in South Carolina, U.S. Roof also had a website, which was called "The Last Rhodesian."* Along with a long, hate-filled racist manifesto, the site includes photos of Roof burning an American flag, taking aim with a pistol and posing proudly at places connected to the Confederacy. He hoped to inspire a race war in America. *Rhodesia is now Zimbabwe. It was also ruled by a white minority.
education under isis
State Run Primary and Secondary Schools Remained open, but were vastly changed. ISIS cancelled history classes. They only taught children "Islamic" stories and practice. Many parents were worried their children were being brainwashed. "Religious" Education ISIS morality police began forcing men and boys (ages 15 and older) to attend two-week courses in religious training at their local mosques. "Caliphate Cubs" ISIS conscripted children to be fighters and suicide bombers. ISIS affiliates had forcibly recruited children and in February 2016 celebrated the graduation in Sirte of 85 boys under the age of 16 whom the group trained in suicide bombing, booby trapping and weapons use.
So what is terrorism?
Terrorism - a form of political violence in which the terrorists have specific objectives that they are attempting to achieve and have chosen symbolic targets to draw attention to their cause. They hope that the violence or threat of violence will convey both a threat to a target audience and a political message. Remember, "One man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter." Meaning, if you believe in the terrorists' cause, you probably don't consider them to be terrorists. The question of who we call terrorists sometimes goes down to perspective. *terrorism is always about change. always. *the focus is on social change, or religious change, or even geo-political change. it is never "mindless" violence. *what is the difference between terrorism and revolution?
AWB attacks
The AWB has been tied to numerous terrorist attacks with members (at times) expressing the desire carry out a civil war to "liberate" the Afrikaners. The AWB carried out a bombing campaign during the 1994 election in order to stop people from voting. 21 people were killed and hundreds were injured. However, the bombings were largely unsuccessful in disrupting the voting process.
the boeremag
The Boeremag: An ultra right, white supremacist militia. In 2002 the Boeremag planned a coup in the hopes of overthrowing the post-apartheid government. They also hoped to assassinate Nelson Mandela. Luckily, they were unsuccessful They set off a series of bombs in the Johannesburg town of Soweto. One woman died and dozens of people were injured. They wanted to create chaos and take over the military bases. The ultimate goal being to reinstall white minority rule in the country.
multinational joint task force (MNJTF) to fight boko haram
The MNJTF was launched in March of 2015 in order to increase cooperation among countries in the fight against BH. Participating countries: Cameroon, Chad, Benin, Niger and Nigeria 8,000-strong regional force backed by the African Union In October 2015 the United States sent 300 troops along with surveillance drones to Cameroon to bolster a West African effort to counter Boko Haram. The MNJTF also receives intelligence assistance from France and Britain The MNJTF has been celebrated by many as being a successful operation. Though BH still carries out attacks against neighboring countries. *Boko Haram has launched attacks on these other countries. Porous borders have allowed them to do so. And in 2015 Cameroon, Chad, Benin, and Niger had had enough.
how did the colonists "succeed" in the large scale colonization of the continent?
The Maxim (Machine) Gun: First working model created in 1884. The Maxim gun was first used to slaughter a large group of people in 1893, when Cecil Rhodes killed over 3,000 people in order to create Rhodesia. More about Rhodes in later slides. He was a monster The discovery of Quinine in the 1850s allowed Europeans to explore deeper into the continent. Quinine helps to protect against malaria. Steamship (1787): The arrival of the steamship allowed Europeans to navigate rivers inside of the continent. *"These are the instruments that have revolutionized the methods of warfare, and because of their devastating effects, have made nations and rulers give greater thought to the outcome of war before entering ... " the Times wrote in 1897. "They are peace-producing and peace-retaining terrors."
the national part (NP)
The National Party governed South Africa from 1948 until 1994. Founded by Afrikaner* Nationalists in 1914. The Afrikaner Broederbond: An elusive and secret society that held enormous influence in the politics of Apartheid South Africa. Their goal as to advance the Afrikaner cause. *Remember that Afrikaners were formerly known as Boers who descended from the Dutch settlers. *Uh, look at these terrible white men. (picture of white men who were members of the afrikaner broederbond. they were horrible men).The party disbanded in 2005. *Broederbond = Brotherhood
oleum bellum
The New Delta Avengers have declared an Oleum Bellum (Oil War) on the Nigerian government. "We are going to do this through bloody attacks and destruction of oil assets in the creeks and upland areas so as to disrupt and eventually cripple oil prospecting and production operations in the state."
the niger delta avengers (NDA) and the new delta avengers
The Niger Delta Avengers are a terrorist organization that recently sprung up in the Niger Delta. They began a campaign called, "Operation Red Economy," in order to cripple the oil industry in Nigeria. This is an industry that usually produces around 250,000 barrels of oil a day. And these have appeared to be very sophisticated attacks. The NDA has called for the people of the Niger Delta to get a cut from oil profits and for the Nigerian government (along with the oil companies) to clean up the Delta. *They also object to the government scaling back a 2009 amnesty program which paid 30,000 militants to guard the installations they once attacked.
the fight against boko haram and war crimes
The Nigerian Military and the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) have both been accused of committing war crimes and of killing civilians. The CJTF is basically a vigilante group, formed by local residents to combat the threat of Boko Haram. Made up of both Muslims and Christians. And while both the Military and Civilian Task Forces have been successful at ousting BH from communities, they've forced alleged fighters to dig their own graves while filming the slaughter. Amnesty International said that 7,000 young men and boys had died in military detention in Nigeria since 2011. Many without any kind of trial. *In 2013, then President Goodluck Jonathan declared a State of Emergency in three Northern states (Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa).
abductions
The Nigerian government estimates that around 9,000 women and girls have been kidnapped by Boko Haram. According to Engr Satomi Ahmad, the Chairman of Borno State's Emergency Management Agency, "Being the chairman of this agency, the Chibok girls, for me, don't even represent 0.1 percent, not even 0.1 percent, of the entire abduction of girls."
1960- shapreville massacre
The Pan Africanist Congress (PAC), a splinter group of the ANC created in 1959, organized a countrywide demonstration for March 21, 1960, for the abolition of South Africa's pass laws. A crowd of about 5,000 to 7,000 black protesters went to the police station. The police opened fire on the protestors, killing 69 people. Around 180 protestors injured. The government banned the PAC and the ANC *This was the moment that was the breaking point for many and pushed people to consider taking up violence in order to topple the apartheid regime.
statue of westminister
The Statute of Westminster (1931):Removed the last vestiges of British legal authority over South Africa. Three years later South Africa was declared to be a "sovereign and independent state," by the Status of the Union Act. "South Africa had become a parliamentary democracy, but for white males only." - John Campbell, Council on Foreign Relations
the tebu and the tuareg
The Tebu (also known as Toubou) are primarily Muslim and (similar to the Tuareg) they are nomadic farmers. Many of them have ties to Chad. Gaddafi had (at one time) an "Arabisation" campaign, designed to favor the Arab communities of Libya.* Gaddafi did not like the Tebu and he often said they had no place in Libya because they were "non-arab." He mainly did this to play groups off of each other and cement his own power The Tebu were treated like foreigners. The Tebu claim that the Arabs of Libya are racist against them. Before Gaddafi was overthrown he actually stripped Libyan citizenship from many Tebus. After Gaddafi's fall the Tebu and the Tuareg began fighting for dominance in southern Libya.
aircraft for nigeria
The Trump Administration recently announced the sale of up to a dozen A-29 Super Tucano Aircraft for the Nigerian government. This deal was actually proposed and agreed upon by former President Obama, but it was halted after a devastating incident. 90 civilians (including children) were killed by the Nigerian Air Force when they mistook their community for a BH camp. So, there are many who worry about selling more planes to Nigeria.
who are the tuareg?
The Tuaregs were actually the last group of people to be defeated by the French. Because of this, their land was taken and absorbed into parts of Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, Libya, and Algeria. They are predominantly Muslim If you are familiar with the Kurds, the Tuaregs are similar to them. A group without a real homeland. Because they are minorities in these countries, they have been neglected and ignored (for the most part). *This map(a map on the slides) represents where the Tuareg live. As you can see, they don't really have a true homeland but are stretched across many different countries.
american air strikes
The U.S. has carried out targeted bombings of ISIS training camps in Libya. Between August and December 2016, the military carried out 495 airstrikes to drive out ISIS Feb. 2016: U.S. and regional officials said that U.S. F-15 fighter jets struck a suspected Islamic State camp on the outskirts of Sabratha, a restive city in western Libya, killing at least 40 people in an early-morning attack that targeted senior militant Noureddine Chouchane.
yoruba
The Yoruba were also favored by the British and held important positions during colonialism. However, they embraced both Islam and Christianity (along with some animist beliefs). This has kept them out of some of the recent conflicts. The Yoruba actually make up the majority of the population in Lagos.
south africa today
The end of apartheid was supposed to set the ground work for economic equality. In some places, those changes occurred. A black middle class formed and the economy was strengthened. The government mandated that private companies hire a certain portion of black employees. But today, whites, who make up about 9% of the population, earn about six times what black people do on average. Agriculture, mining and banking, three of the country's most lucrative industries, are dominated by whites. -The continued economic inequality has contributed to a new wave of racial tension. -There is definitely hope for South Africa though. The legacy of Apartheid will take a long time to overcome.
ansar al sharia-libya
The group, whose name meant "Partisans of Islamic law" in Arabic, emerged following the February 2011 anti-Gaddafi uprising. The group gained prominence in September 2012 for its alleged role in the Benghazi attacks that led to the burning of the US consulate and the killing of the US ambassador to Libya, Christopher Stevens. The group denied any links to al-Qaeda or other militant groups outside Libya, although the Tunisian security officials pointed to operational, financial and logistical links between Ansar al-Sharia in Libya (ASL) and Ansar al-Sharia in Tunisia (AST), with the latter receiving weapons from its Libyan counterpart. Ansar al-Sharia subsequently started focusing on charity and da'wah - or Islamic call - work, distancing themselves from militancy. Along with its advocacy work, which shows the group's organizational strength, Ansar al-Sharia operated social and education programs to gain local support. In 2017, Ansar al Sharia in Libya announced it was disbanding due to heavy losses. But they urged their members to join other militant groups.
igbo (or ibo)
The majority of the Igbo people in Nigeria are Christians. There have been occasions where Igbo people living in Hausa/Fulani dominated northern states have felt discriminated against. The Igbo were favored under British control (hence why they are mostly Christian today) but they've become less politically dominant as the years have gone by. In the 60s they played a huge part in a secessionist movement in and war in Nigeria *The Igbo were more politically dominant under the British. Once the British left, they lost some of that power. *The Igbo are number three but also really important. The Igbo are Christian and they were heavily favored by the British during colonialism.
lets break this down
The north of the country is mostly desert, sparsely populated, and is dominated by the Tuareg people. They think of themselves as apart, perhaps superior to, the rest of the population. They're a semi-nomadic, desert dwelling people.* The south dominates the economy and the politics of the country. Northern resentment of southern domination is longstanding. Government promises of increased local autonomy had regularly been made and broken.
oil production hurt
These attacks had a significant toll on the Nigerian economy. Oil accounts for around 80% of Nigeria's state revenues so any halt in production is a problem. During the height of the attacks, the country's production dropped to 1.65 million barrels per day (bpd), against the projected 2.2 million bpd.
nigeria and the north south "divide"
This is something you'll hear a lot about if you study Nigeria. The North South "Divide." It's true but also not that simple. But there are some stark differences. Poverty remains a problem for the entire country (around 61% of Nigerians live on less than $1 a day) but is more endemic in Northern Nigeria. Around 70% of people in Northern Nigeria live in poverty, whereas around 27% of people in the South are stuck in poverty. *Well how do you think the north and the south developed differently.
what is the NDA angry about?
This region provides 80% of government revenue and yet the citizens of the Delta live in poverty and with pollution. Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch (HRW) say oil companies working in the delta, of which Shell is the largest, have overseen a "human rights tragedy". It would take over 30 years to repair the damage. As much as 546 million gallons of oil spilled into the Niger Delta over the last five decades. That's nearly 11 million gallons a year. For comparison's sake, the Exxon Valdez spill in 1989 dumped around 10.8 million gallons of oil into the waters off Alaska. Shell discovered oil in Nigeria in 1956, and, ever since then, the people of the Delta have suffered from air, land and water pollution. A United Nations study found cancer-causing benzene present in drinking water at 900 times the World Health Organization guidelines. Life expectancy in the Niger Delta has fallen to 47 years old. That is the lowest life expectancy in West Africa. *Many families in the Delta say their children die of preventable illnesses because their immune systems are so weak, most likely because of the toxic water they drink.
timbuktu
Timbuktu was (and still really is) a great center for learning and Islamic scholarship. When AQIM took over the city they burned many of the manuscripts. Librarians and researchers were able to smuggle some out of the country and save them.
neo-nazi presence in south africa
To this day there is a far right, neo-Nazi presence in South Africa. Afrikaner Suidlanders: Fringe group that is ready for the collapse of South Africa Luckily, these far right groups only represent the fringes of Afrikaner society. But these far right groups are troubling.
the algerian fight for independence
Torture tactics were used by both sides, but were particularly brutal from the French. Many Algerian women participated in terrorist incidents. 1956 - The FLN decide to move away from just guerilla tactics to terrorist acts. Soft targets. Zohra Drif - An Algerian lawyer and terrorist (freedom fighter) September 30, 1956 - Zohra and two other Algerian women remove their veils and dress in French sundresses. They each had a bomb in their purse. Zohra's bombing at the Milk Bar killed three people and injured 50 (with around 12 people needing amputations). Drif was arrested in 1957 and sentenced to 20 years hard labor, followed by execution. She served five years of her sentence before being pardoned. Algerian Independence - 1962 "a cold peace in which Algeria's residual anger, in France as well as in the homeland, settled into long-standing resentment." - Robert Fisk, Middle East Correspondent for The Independent *millions killed
women in tuareg society
Tuareg society is (for the most part) matrilineal. They trace their heritage through their mothers. Tuareg women enjoy equal rights to men, but their main role is looking after their families. When in the company of women, Tuareg men pull up their veils above the nose as a sign of respect. With the introduction of radical Jihadists, there has been concern that Tuareg women could face a dramatic shift in their freedoms and roles. *The hardline Jihadist groups that took over were very extreme. Amputations, stoning, etc.
tunisia
Tunisia appeared to be the country with the most promise following the Arab Spring. Producing a real - and surprisingly liberal democracy The country has the advantage of one of the Arab world's most educated and cosmopolitan populations By some estimates, there could be more Tunisians fighting for ISIS than combatants from any other single country (around 5,000 ISIS recruits)...what happened?
anti-terror barrier
Tunisia has been working on an anti-trench barrier between themselves and Libya Security forces said the defenses - which aim to make the border impassable by vehicles - had already helped to reduce smuggling. Tunisia had originally hoped to build a wall. The trench was a compromise
what about the ladies?
What about the role of women in peace talks? Research shows that women's inclusion in the peace process leads to sustainable peace Plus, UN Security Council Resolution 1325 dictates that women have a place at the table
modern day secessionists
While the Nigerian Civil War ended many years ago, there is still a rather strong secessionist movement. Many still see themselves as citizens of Biafra, not Nigeria. The largest group among the secessionists are the Indigenous People of Biafra. (IPOB) Many in the IPOB see Nigeria as, not a legitimate state, but a holdover of colonialism. The Nigerian government has officially labeled this group a terrorist organization. Many Igbo still speak out against what they see as marginalization. They have had trouble getting a person of Igbo ethnicity elected to president or other government posts. Many IPOB protests have been met with violence by government officials *The Igbo don't remain completely marginalized. They do play an important part in the oil economy of south Nigeria.
gaddafi is gone! now what?
Who the hell has been running this country? Initially run by the National Transitional Council (NTC) (2011). 2012 Elections- Power handed over to the General National Congress (GNC). Voters chose a new parliament to replace the GNC in June 2014 - the Council of Representatives (also known as the House of Representatives), which relocated to the eastern city of Tobruk, leaving Tripoli controlled by powerful militia groups. But the GNC refused to acknowledge the new government, splitting the government in two.
....why?
Why be so brutal and racist and just inhumane? The ultimate goal was the control over the majority. But the real goal of all of this? Economic control. By making sure that the majority of black people had very little power, the whites ensured themselves a large and marginalized workforce that could be paid next to nothing. It was essentially a form of slavery, trapping Black South Africans in a system of oppression that ensured the white minority (both English speaking and Afrikaners) a lot of money. Like I said, absolutely terrible. South Africa has always been rich in minerals and this dehumanizing system of codified racism* helped ensure that these minerals would be mined for very cheap. *apartheid, youll read about that on the next slide
george washington williams
Williams was an African American historian, lawyer, and journalist. He visited the Congo Free State in 1890. "All the crimes perpetrated in the Congo have been done in your name, and you must answer at the bar of Public Sentiment for the misgovernment of a people, whose lives and fortunes were entrusted to you by the august Conference of Berlin, 1884—1 885. I now appeal to the Powers which committed this infant State to your Majesty's charge, and to the great States which gave it international being; and whose majestic law you have scorned and trampled upon, to call and create an International Commission to investigate the charges herein preferred in the name of Humanity, Commerce, Constitutional Government and Christian Civilisation." - Williams
youth bulges
Youth bulges (a pyramid-shaped diagram illustrating the age distribution of a population: the youngest are represented by a rectangle at the base, the oldest by one at the apex) have become a popular explanation for instability in the Arab world and for international terrorist network recruitment Terrorism is an urban phenomenon, with states undergoing rapid urbanization under an increased risk. Historically youth bulges, in conjunction with rapid urbanization, has been an important contributor to political violence; especially where unemployment and poverty exist. The existence of youth bulges significantly increases the risk of conflict.
ivory coast attack
march 13, 2016 Gunmen stormed three hotels Sunday in the beach resort city of Grand-Bassam about 40 kilometers (25 miles) from the country's largest city, Abidjan This attack is the furthest yet from al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb's (AQIM) traditional desert base, a worrying indication of the militants' growing reach. The third major attack on hotels in West Africa claimed by al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb since November.
ANC and terrorism
picture of an article "20 blacks dispute south African terrorism charges" This is a New York Times article from 1970. The African National Congress was labeled a terrorist organization by the Apartheid government. And guess who else called Nelson Mandela a terrorist?
arab spring results by country
picture on slides *As you can see, the only stable democracy to form after the Arab Spring was Tunisia. And later on we'll see that Tunisia is still experiencing the aftermath of the Arab Spring in their own way
british colonialism
ruling by proxy
at its peak, boko haram controlled all of this area
the Nigerian military has since reclaimed nearly all of this land *So, it's important to remember that the situation has improved a bit. Although, the loss of land has led Boko Haram to switch up their tactics. Carrying out more suicide missions to make up for their loss of territory.
Truth and Reconciliation Commission
the TRC was set up in 1995 to ease South Africa's peaceful transition to democracy and encourage reconciliation by shedding some light on the atrocities committed during apartheid. For a limited period, the TRC offered amnesty for crimes committed both by the apartheid regime and the liberation movements, on the condition that the perpetrators disclosed fully all the relevant facts and demonstrated that their actions were politically motivated. Many were turned down. Others argued that the TRC was biased and refused to come forward.