African Stream

WHO IS DAN GERTLER? Israeli businessman Dan Gertler stands out as a central figure in the exploitation and control of minerals in the Democratic Republic of Congo - raking in $200,000 daily from his operations in the DRC. Those profits allegedly go towards the construction of apartheid-imposing walls in the West Bank. His family’s legacy is rooted in diamond exploitation on the African continent during the colonial era, and Gertler followed in their footsteps. His business grew massively thanks to unscrupulous deals with DRC’s former ruling Kabila dynasty. He’s been heavily sanctioned by the US government, but the Biden administration is now looking to soften the restrictions to give him a chance to sell up and get out of Africa - and thereby ‘demonstrate’ that its stick can be wielded with effect. African Stream’s Wambura Mwai explains what you need to know about Dan Gertler. Please follow us on Telegram, Link in Bio

DAVE CHAPELLE SCHOOLS HECKLER ON PALESTINE Comedy can get very serious, as a Dave Chapelle audience found out in October last year when a heckler took issue with his unscripted comments on Isreal and Palestine towards the end of the gig. He condemned the 7th October killing spree and hostage raid, as well as Israel’s mass killing of innocent civilians and the world’s (then) silence - at which point someone shouted out that he should “shut the F up.” And that was like a red rag to a bull. In this clip, journalist Briahna Joy Gray (@bjoyg) - then a co-host on The Hill’s Rising show - relates how the exchange unfolded, and how the stand-up, with enthusiastic support from the rest of the audience, stood up for Palestinians. How do you think Chapelle handled the heckler? Video credit: The Hill Please follow us on Telegram, Link in Bio

Continued….. Worse, some Black people in America seem deeply confused about who they are, judging by the comment the creator of this video was responding to - claiming there is such a thing as a ‘Native Black American’ identity. As this brother responds, “Y’all gone and lost your damn African minds!” What are your thoughts on this important topic? Video credits: PORTCITYVIBES via TikTok Please follow us on Telegram, Link in Bio

BELIEVE THE DNA: YOU’RE AFRICAN! The science confirms it: the average Black person in the US typically has around 73% African ancestry, genetically speaking. Given the history of slavery, that’s hardly surprising. But a debate has sprung up within America’s Black community about whether links to the African continent should be de-emphasised in favour of focusing on the systemic, knock-on harm done to it through slavery. One reason is that, for example, wealthy Nigerians coming to study at prestigious US universities can skew diversity quotas if the distinction between descendants of slaves brought to America and Africans who arrived more recently isn’t kept clearly in mind. Even if that’s the case, though, there’s no reason why Black people in America should deny their roots in the face of overwhelming scientific evidence. Rather, it’s the diversity quotas that need better criteria.

CONGO SLAVERY POWERS BATTERY INDUSTRY Global tech companies are making billions of dollars churning out products whose rechargeable batteries are supposedly made using ethically sourced (clean) cobalt. But it's all a lie, as Siddharth Kara, author of "Cobalt Red - How the Blood of the Congo Powers Our Lives," reveals in this clip. As an expert on modern slavery, human-trafficking and child labour, Kara has travelled to the Democratic Republic of Congo to explore how the minerals in our devices are sourced. In this clip, he describes the horrific conditions he saw in one mine he visited. According to the IMF, four critical minerals in DR Congo - copper, nickel, cobalt and lithium - will generate $16 trillion in the next 25 years. This vast wealth is why the Congo has been in conflict for so long, thanks to foreign interests using proxy militia to control the mines. Your insights and reactions in the comments are always appreciated. Video credit: @PowerfulJRE Siddharth Kara: @siddharth.kara

DANAI GURIRA’S POWERFUL SPEECH AGAINST R*PE IN CONGO UN goodwill ambassador and Hollywood actor Danai Gurira drew attention to the unspeakable violence faced by women and children in war-torn counties during a UN Security Council debate. She called on powers to acknowledge women and survivors all over the world and bring to light crimes that have gone unseen. She highlighted the case of Africa in particular, where there’s been a shocking rise in sexual violence in DRC, Sudan and Ethiopia. She asks, “Is fighting your wars on the bodies of your most vulnerable a tactic of war?” What’s your reaction to her message?

CATASTROPHIC FAMINE LOOMS OVER SUDAN Sudan is in imminent danger of famine. UN agencies are warning that over 750,000 people in the war-torn country are expected to face catastrophic food shortages between now and September. The conflict has ruined harvests and imports have dwindled amid soaring prices. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) has put Sudan at its maximum ‘Phase 5’ level, meaning more than two people in 10,000 are dying daily from hunger. The Dutch Clingendael Institute has predicted an astonishing 2.5-million Sudanese people could die of hunger by September. Help raise awareness of this unfolding catastrophe in Sudan by sharing and commenting on this video. Please follow us on Telegram, Link in Bio

‘SIGNING BOMBS ODE TO MILITARY INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX’ ‘The Breakfast Club’ radio programme recently hosted US Congressperson Jamaal Bowman to discuss, among other things, former South Carolina Governor and one-time presidential candidate Nikki Haley recently signing ‘Finish them’ on artillery shells in northern Israel. Bowman said that move proves Haley’s loyalty to US military-industrial complex and white supremacy. While rejecting arming Israel, and citing the Rev Dr Martin Luther King Jr’s opposition to militarism, Bowman has supported the military-industrial complex in other ways, such as voting for the same $95 billion military aid package to Israel, Taiwan and Ukraine as his more hawkish colleagues. However, he voted no on the Israel portion. Video credit: The Breakfast Club Please follow us on Telegram, Link in Bio

MALAWI PARTY DEMAND INQUIRY INTO VP PLANE CRASH There are calls for a full investigation into the fatal plane crash that killed Malawi Vice-President Saulos Chilima. His United Transformation Movement (UTM) party is demanding the probe, saying it wants to know ‘what happened to our leader.’ It also slammed the slow response by search and rescue teams hours after the tragedy. One official said it was like ‘they were searching for a goat.’ Before the crash, tensions were mounting between President Chakwera and his right-hand man, Chilima. Both had announced plans to run in next year’s presidential elections, despite Chakwera previously agreeing not to stand.

HERE WE GO! BLACK PLAYERS BLAMED AGAIN With football’s Euros kicking off, it looks like English media have already got their fall guys lined up. In keeping with tradition, it’s Black players that are being targeted most when things go pear-shaped for the national football team. Take the recent warm-up match that saw the Three Lions lose 0-1 at home to Iceland (yes Iceland). Following the defeat, it was the face of Bukayo Saka that was splashed over the back pages, even though he only played 25 minutes. Reporters seemingly happy to spare the blushes of Harry Kane, Phil Foden and Cole Palmer who, by all accounts, had stinkers. Feels like things are picking up from where the last Euros left off, when Saka (and other Black stars) faced racist abuse after England lost the final. And no, we’re not being paranoid. It’s not just us that notices this prejudice. Have a look at this Instagram post from content creator @daud3. Video credit: @daud3