Cassava Tuesdays: Creole Brand of The Republic of Seychelles

Capital: Victoria
Population: 94,677 (2016)
Official Language Spoken: Seychelles Creole (Seselwa), English and French
 Religion: Christianity, Islam, Bahai and Hinduism

President Danny Faure 

“Seychelles was part of the Paradise Papers, which revealed financial dealings of politicians, celebrities, corporate giants and business leaders.”

— November, 2017

COLONIAL PERIOD 

1502- Vasco Da Gama sailed from India to Africa at his arrival, he named the islands after himself, Les Amirantes (Admiral Islands). He is credited for discovering the island because none of the colored folks within distance ever dared to visit. I mean Seychelles is a hop and skip from two continents, but it took a European to “discover” this Island.

               ESTIMATED SHIP ARRIVALS TO SEYCHELLES

10 days from India
10 days from Saudi Arabia
4 days from Kenya
23 days from Portugal

I find it hard to believe that no one from these spaces “discovered” the island. In the late 1700s, the French colonized Seychelles and will name the island in honor of Viscount Jean Moreau de Sechelles (Minister of Finance, 1727 to 1743).

Portugal's Vasco da Gama explored the Seychelles (1502)

“Seychelles has the highest Gross Domestic Products (GDPs) per capita in Africa ($15,410 in 2016), but increasingly the effects of climate change are placing its economy—which relies heavily on high-end tourism and exports of tuna—at risk.”

— World Bank, 2017

As our other stories with "Empire" and Africa spaces go, there was a struggle from the French, British, Dutch, Arabs, and the Italians. They stopped by the island for precious stones, spices, and slaves. Similarly, to the early stories of Australia, Seychelles was used as a place to hold prisoners or exiles by the British.

Oddly enough, Seychelles keeps Somalian prisoners and it is all funded by the United Nations.

THE CASE OF NUTS AND NEUROTIC SAILORS

Coco De Mer, I am sure you can guess the Male and Female one right?

“World Bank approved a $9 million loan to help indebted Seychelles to restore economic stability.”

— 2009 (It was rough for everyone)

“Seychelles is ranked 93rd out of 190 economies on the Doing Business ”

— Word Bank, 2017

Seychellois Rupee

“
Seychelles is the smallest country in Africa ”

We discussed country branding last year, with the Sega Branding of Mauritius

What is the Creole Brand ? 

BLUE ECONOMICS & SUSTAINABILITY

BLUE ECONOMICS IN 2014

Seychelles relies heavily on tourism but the nation is on a mission to change that. The Island nation is trying to move away from being totally dependent on its tourism sector by developing its blue economy.

“ 40 out of 168 (No ranking available in 2016)”

— Transparency Corruption Perceptions Index, 2015

the outcome  IN 2016 (BRANDING ASSET #1)

Subscribe to us on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/CCTVcomInternational Follow us on: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cctvcom Twitter: https://twitter.com/cctv Instagram: http://instagram.com/cctvenglish

SUSTAINABILITY IN POLICY AND IN PRACTICE (ASSET #2)

The country has also taking a proactive approach instead of a reactive approach to dealing with sustainability and the blue economy of the country. Read below to understand more on the Seychelles Blue Economy Strategic Roadmap.

VISA RELATIONSHIP WITH THE REGION & power of passport? (BRANDING ASSET 3-4)

Country Branding done the right way “CAN” lead a country to the path of Soft Power. Remember, you can have a brand that is “sellable” but have no soft power. Despite the word SOFT, it is not easy to craft or apply into foreign policy. 

The Maldives has a recognizable brand, spectacular views that really are “The sunny side of life” but struggle with poverty and health care.

The Republic of Seychelles was first to scrap visa requirements for other African nations, despite the feelings not been mutual. In return, the country now has the most powerful African passport. The Seychelles passport ranks number 1 in the continent, 26 globally with a total of 141 accessible countries.

“Seychelles is home to one of the heaviest land tortoise, The Aldabra Giant tortoise born in 1846. ”

THE PEOPLE MUST BE CONSIDERED IN THE BRAND? (problem#1)

Marie Josee Bonne, Special Adviser, Ministry of Social Affairs, Community Development and Sports, Seychelles

“Majority of the 115 islands are uninhabited, they are dedicated as nature reserves ”

The Seychelles has one of the most progressive social development policies in the developing world, arguably owing to its size and population of just over 860,000 people. The United Nations, however, believes the policies are workable, even in heavily populated countries. It says the model should be deployed in other African countries.

COUNTRY CARRIER AND TOURISM (ASSET #5) 

We have discussed the importance of a country having a reliable safe country carrier. Air Seychelle might be a small airline but enjoys six major code share partnership agreements with Alitalia, Jet Airways, Air Serbia, Air France, South African Airways, and Etihad Airways that owns 40% of the airline. Tourist can also enjoy authentic creole music on board. Your airline is supposed to celebrate and sell your country brand but with your culture constantly on the background.

The amazing Seychelles Islands...Not just another place,another World ! For a glimpse into this amazing island Nation ,please view the video. For more information about the Seychelles,please visit : www.seychelles.travel

CREOLE CULTURE
 

FOOD CULTURE

The traditional meal for the country is this delicious fruit bat. It can be served as a warm curry, stir fried or in coconut milk. 

SEGGAE MUSIC
 

This is a blend of reggae and sega, very popular with African Island countries. 

SEGGAE MUSIC

Kolonel from Seychelles Island Title : Parey Mon Devret Production : Dreamventure Special Thanks to : Darren Ladine : Hillary Rita

“The use of wood or charcoal is illegal in the island”

 

WE SHALL LEAVE YOU WITH THIS....

Promotional Seychelles Music Video geared in promoting Seychelles artist on an International level... Please feel free to subscribes, rate and view. Share it to your family and friends, Seychelles has been described as a Paradise on Earth, there's your chance to learn a little bit about it vast culture, through it's people's music.

See you next Cassava Tuesday!

Public Health Wednesdays (PHW)- Africa & Asia Health Check

        Join us at Water & Cassva in observing Cervical Health Awareness Month

Actress Cote de Pablo talks about her own cervical cancer scare and shares advice for other women. Comments on this video are allowed in accordance with our comment policy: cdc.gov/SocialMedia/Tools/CommentPolicy.html This video can also be viewed at cdc.gov/wcms/videos/low-res/NCCDPHP/2015/cote_video_english_60_925629.mp4

This public service announcement encourages women to learn the symptoms of gynecologic cancer and pay attention to what their bodies are telling them. Comments on this video are allowed in accordance with our comment policy: cdc.gov/SocialMedia/Tools/CommentPolicy.html This video can also be viewed at cdc.gov/wcms/videos/low-res/NCCDPHP/2015/ayl_video_english_30_925657.mp4

Hello, World!

WHO WEEKLY REPORT-AFRICA

Zambia ended the year fighting Cholera. South Africa is still struggling with Listeriosis .

“ Botswana, Congo, Gabon, Eritrea, Senegal, Gambia, Guinea and Algeria ended 2017, with no PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCIES. ”

— WHO-AFRICA

RWANDA AND TANZANIA-DRONE TECHNOLOGY "UBER-ING BLOOD"

Both countries start 2018 with applying new technology towards healthcare access for all. Drone deliveries of blood to hospitals within the network are 45 minutes compared to the normal 4 hours. Zipline International has partnered with Tanzania to deliver 2,000 lifesaving deliveries to over 1,000 health facilities, that is about 10 million people.  

To know more about Zipline International

ASIA

MALAYSIA AND A CASE OF MERS-CoV

Malaysia started 2018 with the case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (Mers-CoV).  A man returning from Saudi Arabia tested postive for the virus, he was reported to be in stable condition. 

“Sexual Health is part of Public Health. ”

— Water & Cassava

THAILAND- WHITE PENIS ENVY

The first read is comical but then it gets sad. I mean of all the needs in Thailand, A White Penis? Questions come to mind such as: What can a white penis do that a colored penis cannot carry out? Then you must go back to the space of Orientalism!

“What power does the white penis hold in global south spaces?”

— Water & Cassava asking our Asian Brothers, WTH?

It is troublesome that a Thai Penis does not feel as loved compared to a White Penis. But  that there is a technology to whiten the penis, I just kept saying......

does the asian penis speak?

Therefore, we need more Sex Therapist of Color from Asian spaces and African spaces as well. There is an obvious need to deconstruct the Asian Penis and this platform can only go so far into the Orientalism stereotypes that have historically hunted Asian men.

However behind this blog, is a by-product of the West. I can say, Asian men are often viewed through western media has either the Geek or Kung Fu hero. In addition, I am not so sure on just how this happened, but western media has desexualized Asian men.

Asian Media has also fueled this complex of whiteness in their spaces as well. Hallyu to Bollywood, we have a colored problem and we need to talk.
 

FRANTZ FANON NEEDS YOU TO KNOW

Post Colonial Theorist, Psychiatrist Frantz Fanon.

Frantz Fanon spoke of this penis issue and complexes in White Society. Brother Frantz expressed that white men see not a black man but a black penis. There is nothing more to the Black man just a penis. I am afraid with our Asian brothers, there is no penis. Penis is only visible if it is white. 

Seriously love your sexual organs as they are, good grief we need to decolonize our beds as well!

To read more about Brother Frantz and the Black Penis in Society "Black Skin, White Masks"

To read more on this article on Whitening of the penis in Thailand. 

To learn more on Asian Sexuality and Narratives from an Academic lens, check out The Intersections Journal: Gender and Sexuality in Asia and the Pacific.
 

To learn more on Black Sexual Narratives from an Academic lens, check out the Journal of Black Sexuality and Relationships.

See you next PHW!

Cassava Tuesdays: Where is Morna in the Cabo Verde Brand?

“The thread to the fibers of the Green Cape

The heart beat of cape verdean people ”

— Morna Music

SIDE BAR #1

My younger years, this was the flag of Cabo Verde. The current flag came to be in 1992 but this flag below shares the familiar colors we associate with Pan African Colors.

Pan-Nationalism is quite a common theme throughout Africa. Western Asia and North Africa States sometimes labeled as Pan-Arab States share similar flag colors. Think of the following countries and the colors of their flags: - Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Sudan, Yemen, Syria, and United Arab Emirates.

the current flag of cabo verde

“The (10)gold stars represent the (10) islands of the country.

Dark blue represents the Atlantic Ocean

The Red Stripe - Represents the road to economic progress.”

— Cape Verde

“ On a scale of 0 (Highly Corrupt), 100 (Very Clean)

Cape Verde scores 59 ”

— Corruption Perception Index by Transparency International

Capital: Praia
Languages Spoken: Portuguese, Creole
Religion: Christianity, Islam(Very small minority)
Population: 539,560

Prime Minister, Ulisses Correia e Silva

President Jorge Carlos Fonseca

“Depending on which Island, Self- Identity/Cultural Identity can be tricky. The countries listed below influence Identity Politics and Cultural Hertiage:
Brazil
Portugal
United States
Netherlands”

— Struggles of Colonialism- Water & Cassava

“Cabo Verde scores 56.24/100 on the ease of doing business.
”

— The World Bank Group (Doingbusiness.org)

Cape Verde currency...Does that face look familiar??? Look Below.... She sang with no shoes in solidaritary  of poor women that could not afford shoes.

“Do you know your phones?
Lusophone- Portuguese
Arabophone-Arabic
Francophone- French
Anglophone-English
Hispaniphone-Spanish
Rusophone-Russian”

— Behind Water & Cassava (Half Anglophone/ Half Francophone)

THE PAST

Amílcar Lopes da Costa Cabral, (G.O.A.T).  (1924-1973)

OUR BROTHER IS ALWAYS OUR BROTHER

Amílcar Lopes da Costa Cabral, we shall call him (Grande Irmao) of African Lusophone spaces. He is credited to be the architect of freeing Guinea Bissau and Cape Verde from Portugal.  He founded and lead the organization, Partido Africano da Independência da Guiné e Cabo Verde (PAIGC). This is the reason for the still close relationship between Guinea Bissau and Cape Verde. Both countries still consider each other as brother countries because of their joint colonial past in fighting for independence. He is also one of the founding fathers of the Angolan political party, MPLA (Movimento Popular Libertação de Angola). I hope to touch on the other founder Agostinho Neto on another Cassava Tuesday for my take on Angola. All two were close to Mozambique’s Eduardo Mondlane a force to be reckoned with on his own right. Our three musketeers were mates at the University of Lisbon.  All three men are very important to the Lusophone political narratives in Africa.

Unfortunately, as most of our stories go with fighters of colonialism in Africa, Mr. Lopes was murdered by some disgruntled PAIGC members with the help of the Portuguese police and never lived to see an independent Guinea Bissau and Cape Verde. I should note that American Intelligence deny any intervention of the Portuguese and claim that this as an issue of Creoles(Mulattos) not wanting him to be leader of the party and president of the country.

“Our Lusophony brothers and sisters are passionate about him as the Francophones feel about Patrice Lumumba and Thomas Sankara. The Anglophones on Steven Biko and Kwame Nkrumah. The Arabophone on Gamal Hussein.

All those phones in a sentence.. go use a phone today..”

— Water & Cassava

A song for our Lusophony friends by the Cape Verdean Queen of Morna, Cesaria Evora. That is the lady on the currency above this text. This song could be an ode to Angola during the time of civil war about still seeing and loving the beauty of Angola. This song also has some Cape Verdean Creole, which makes it a bit difficult to translate. It is still such a beautiful song, I hope you enjoy.

COUNTRY BRANDING EXAMPLES

  A country that is: Clean, Modern, Secure, (Outside)
   
Safe/Attractive Airline Carrier, Culturally Seductive, Positive Reputation and Behavior (Inside)

Benefits: Media and Tourists love you and it feels like this

Uploaded by Be_ Gentel on 2016-04-03.

Let's take a look at the Republic of Mauritius through the lenses of Air Mauritius

Description

now

A country that is: In-War, Transitioning out of War, High Crime, Severe Poverty(Outside)
Corruption, Citizens abuse Tourists, Poor or Inadequate Infrastructure (Inside)

Expectations: No Tourists and the Media will show more of this below. 

 Let's look at Libya through Libyan Airlines just in case the media is biased. 

أكثر من نصف قرن من العطاء ،، ليس الافضل و لكن من هنا البداية نحو الأفضل ..

Do you see yourself excited for that trip to Tripoli? Libya or Mauritius?

“Cape Verde Scores

72.2- Overall Governance Score

76.1-Safety & Rule of Law

78.0- Participation & Human Rights

60.6-Sustainable Economic Opportunity

74.0-Human Development”

— Ibrahim Index of African Governance

cape verde or cabo verde or green cape or .......

This is the importance for branding your country correctly.  This issue was so important that the country asked the United Nations to formally recognize a name change to Cabo Verde.

WHERE IS THE MORNA IN BRANDING?

There is something missing in the brand of Cabo Verde.  There are tools in their branding box, but the government is not investing in the box to promote the brand effectively. We will go through problems and opportunities for Cabo Verde in this section. 

The lack of appreciation towards country branding and working on investments that support the brand of the country thoroughly is the norm with some African countries. This is not to bash our Cape Verdean friends, few African countries truly invest in their brand and even their soft power, which we refer here to as Cassava Diplomacy. Interesting enough, despite the lack of investing in infrastructure that supports brands and soft tools, there are no issues with enjoying tools and brands from China and from former colonial countries. 

Branding examples and Soft Tools IN AFRICAN SPACES

• My use of all those phones
• Francophone countries in Africa that still view boulangeries to be of upper class but the local bakery to be for the locals. They can say Merci to Napoleon, his goal of francophonising the world down to cuisine is still effective.
• Lusophones are you Latin, Hispanic or Lusitanic? Please do not bring this up among people who identify as Lusophone unless you want to feel all their passion and love for all that is Portuguese. Please take my word for this, speaking to Mozambicans, Angolans, Brazilians you shall just be passion-ed to death.
•  The Anglophones in Africa  proudly say: My English name is…
   

BRANDING PROBLEM #1

COUNTRY CARRIER (NO LONGER AVAILABLE AS OF 3/18)

As discussed earlier with our Cassava Tuesday entries, part of the country brand must include a country carrier. The role of a country carrier is not just for quick safe transportation but to sell the country. This separates countries that are Developed, Underdeveloped and “the other”.

Inflight Magazines and Infight Entertainment highlight key players and areas of your destination. They are purposely designed to promote: Investment Opportunities, Culture, and Tourism, they are tools found in the country brand box. In this age of International Relations or state play, never forget that if the global community does not eat like you, drink like you, watch your entertainment, vacation with you, wear you as fashion. You do not matter, you are other and fair game to push other states’ soft tools or brand.

TACV Cabo Verde Airline is the country carrier of Cabo Verde but have you seen this airline before? They fly to ten destinations in North America, South America, and Europe, still does not ring a bell?

You can have a country carrier but if you do not market your brand effectively, you might as well not have one. It becomes an expense and not an asset for the country brand. Speaking of expenses, as of last year Loftleidir Icelandic will take over all marketing and business operations as the new strategic management partner of TACV. In return Loftleidir Icelandic, will have “right of first refusal” to own majority stake in TACV and Cabo Verde will be a minority holder. TACV is currently in the red of about $100 +million and as of last month, Cape Verde has decided to privatize the airline by March 2018.

SIDEBAR #2: COOL NORTH DIPLOMACY

Icelandair Group owns Loftleidir Icelandic which is the largest corporation in Iceland. So, let us say Thank you to Cabo Verde for pushing the country brand of Iceland. One country's lack of understanding in branding is another's soft power. In case you were curious, the Nordic country is part of a collective in diplomacy known as Cool North Diplomacy. 

OPPORTUNITY  #1

BLUE TOURISM- ACTIVE SPORTS TOURISM

At the coast of west Africa, there is a serious business of fun in the sun. From nearly nothing just a few years ago, water sports have taken off in Cape Verde. It's even been named one of the world's best places to surf. Now the government is trying to catch the wave.

“Cabo Verde’s (Cape Verde’s) Gross Domestic Product (GDP) increased by 4.9% year-on-year in the third quarter of 2017, compared to 3.0% in the previous quarter”

— MacuHub

OPPORTUNITY #2

Attracting new markets and adding variety to its tourism package -- that is what Cape Verde chamber of tourism believes can help boost an already lucrative sector. Tourism is the highest foreign exchange earner in the country, which is made up of 10 islands off the West African coast.

“More Cape Verde Citizens stay in Brazil, Portugal, United States and Netherlands”

BRANDING PROBLEM #2-HUMAN CAPITAL FIGHT

Cape Verde is a collection of 12 islands off the coast of North-west Africa. Here, foreigners outnumber locals, and 9 percent of the country's GDP comes from expatriates. Cape Verde has few natural resources, little arable land and is prone to drought - just some of the reasons why many residents are desperate to move to greener pastures.

OPPORTUNITY #3- NEIGHBOR APPEAL

The Ghanian Company, Trasacco group purchased land in Sal Island for the purpose of tomato production. 

““We expect an investment of approximately 140 million euros, employing 3,600 workers, providing housing for most of them, to export approximately 150,000 tons of tomato per year, worth approximately 300 million euros”

— CEO of the FOISal company, Ronald Quist

OPPORTUNITY #4- GLOBAL APPEAL 

“Tourisim accounted for 44 % of the GDP in 2016.”

— World Travel & Tourism Council

The country will exempt all E.U citizens from visas to visit the country in hopes to boost tourism by 7%. This is excellent in promoting the brand because European tourist make for a huge chunk of visitors. It would be much better if this was extended to all African states, like other African countries such as Kenya, Nigeria, and the island country of Seychelles dropping visa requirements for other African countries. Global Appeal is only believable if your neighbors do the boasting for your brand. 

SIDEBAR #3: THE CASE OF CHINA  

The “Belt and Road” Initiative is about China Soft Power in African Spaces. This is not about economic and social development for Cabo Verde. This is China playing the game of Power and Engagement. Be CAUTIOUS of state to state “friendship” in which one state has HARD AND SOFT POWER. Former Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton called this Smart Power, that was the approach of Uncle Sam’s interaction with China during her term.

China is playing and Cabo Verde is getting played, you would have to go back on our MulDay entry on Africa Blue Economics and Overfishing to understand this piece. 

Cape Verde's leaders said they support the China-proposed Belt and Road initiative during Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi's trip. Both countries plan to deepen bilateral cooperation. Wang Yi said Cape Verde is one of China's most important partners in Africa -- and that their bilateral friendship sets an example for large and small countries on mutual respect and treating each other equally.

The Brand of Cabo Verde must invest and work on diversifying the economy and even focusing on entrepreneurship.

Institute of Surfing-Cabo Verde, Do not laugh at me. There is a Cannabis University in the states making millions in revenue. To know more about Oaksterdam University and their subjects that include Business Courses, Cannabis Laws and Raising the best bud

Europe makes up for the largest trading partner and foreign investment for Cabo Verde. This is highly problematic and feeds into the poverty rate of the country. Cabo Verde needs to work with more African countries in this area not Europe. Reach out to Mauritius perhaps?

We shall leave you with the Princess of Morna, see you next Cassava Tuesday!

Cassava Tuesdays: Cape Verde

We will be back next Cassava Tuesday!

Our first Lusophone Country for Cassava Tuesdays will be Cape Verde. There is a reason for the use of Cape Verde and Cabo Verde.... Hrrrggggh, What is in a name? We will discuss next time!

Cape Verde has no Soft Power but there is potential to build on a brand thanks to their Blue Economy.

Are you aware that Cape Verde has the second-best education system in Africa?
 

We will start with Amílcar Lopes da Costa Cabral and end with the branding possibilities for this island country. 

In the meantime, please enjoy the legendary Barefoot Diva, Cesária Évo from Cape Verde

Cesária Évora - Sodade Official music video - corrected and better HD sound

CASSAVA TUESDAYS: LIBYA KIF H'ALEK? (Are you okay?)

The Flag of Libya

Currency: Libyan Dinars

Capital: Tripoli
Population: +6.2 Million
Official Language Spoken: Arabic
Vernacular Languages: Varieties of Berber, Tedaga and Domari
*You can also speak Italian, English and French in the country. 
 Religion: Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism and Judiasim

 

LIBYANS ARE AFRICANS, ARE WE CLEAR??

“If you dey chop fufu..Nah African you be...

Fufu by any other name nah Fufu”

— Water & Cassava

Proper African Child... (My dad eats fufu with cutlery, it really hurts my feelings..)

Asida "Boiled Pudding".... All North African countries eat Asida, maybe different styles but this is usually eaten in the morning.  SMH!!! FUFU IN THE MORNING, YOU ARE SO AFRICAN!!!

“Sub-Sahara African Countries know fufu in many ways, in Libya they say Asida. You know the drill, eat with your right hand and if you can use your index and middle fingers, you my friend are an AFRICAN. ”

— Water & Cassava

MAN MAY LIVE ON FUFU ALONE

Bazin, Libyan style. Barley Fufu. This could be lunch or dinner

Sub-Sahara African Cassava Fufu with Egusi and vegetables

what is north africa? what is sub-saharan africa?

There are some extremely disturbing answers to this question which is surrounded around my beautiful Sahara. Have you visited? I had the opportunity of visiting the entrance to the Sahara through Morocco. The most popular arguments are
 

North Africa is part of the Arab World

“We all understand that the Arabs colonized North Africa and took part in the slave trade, right? ”

— Water & Cassava

Imagine terms like “British West Africa”??Damn I forgot, my maternal grandfather was born in a space that no longer exists, that is another issue with words like country. He was born in British West Africa in a space known as British Cameroons. 

“My maternal grandfather is a Bakwerian from Cameroon”

— Njoku People

Geography as a Divider
The argument is around my beautiful Sahara! Do you know there are some folks out there that use terms like North Africa and Sub-Saharan based on the line of the Sahara? The Sahara is part of the following African Countries: - Algeria, Chad, Egypt, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Sudan, Tunisia. My visit to Morocco, I had the pleasure of meeting people from the Sahara that do not wish to be called Arab. They find it offensive and rude. 

Similarly, to people that listen to American Hip-Hop songs that mention the N* word. These people believe that ending it with -ga compared to -er towards any black person or anyone for that matter is perfectly okay. 

“Read this twice: I know many people that will beat the breaks out of your body for using the N* word, please do not let your favorite rapper send you to the hospital...”

— PSA from Water & Cassava

But in the words of X…..You don't know....Who We Be?

Best of DMX: https://goo.gl/LVLFFu Subscribe here: https://goo.gl/RLFjLM Music video by DMX performing Who We Be. (C) 2001 The Island Def Jam Music Group

---

HISTORICAL BACKDROP OF NORTH & EAST AFRICA SLAVERY 

TIPPU TIP:  THE AFRICAN SLAVE RUNNER

Slave runner or in my books a SOB but his parents named him Hamad bin Muhammad bin Juma bin Rajab el Murjeb. My primary school teacher referred to this man as Tippu Tip, a name forever stamped in African History. He was born in modern day Zanzibar, owner to 10,000+ slaves and sold people throughout North and East Africa. 

Let us use his name in a sentence: -
Hamad bin Muhammad bin Juma bin Rajab el Murjebi be tip man!  

.. THE ATLANTIC SLAVE TRADE WAS NOT THE SAME AS THE ARAB TRADE??

“These are the folks in the plantation, please avoid them... RUN AWAY”

— Daughter of Bantu Folk

STUDY YOUR MAPS, PAY ATTENTION TO DATES....

You know about this story....

EXHIBIT A- EGYPTIAN SLAVE MERCHANT

Slave merchant, Cairo, c 1865 - National Maritime Museum. Slave sellers. (Pinterest)

Read that date as many times as you need to wash that disease of colonialism. 

exhibit b-COLONIAL TRAUMA ON AFRICAN SEXUAL LIBERTIES

The Arab slavemasters refer to some of those stolen men from the map above as Chamba. Chamba are Eunuchs. Now with your new map, see those spaces and let them stay in your brain. These men from those African spaces, had their penis sliced off their bodies.

 After slicing the penis from the body, hot coals were pressed on to the fresh wound. You can guess many of those men did not survive such injury. The female slaves were kept for the sick depraved sexual privileges from Arab colonial masters.  

Do you understand now why we argue African Sexual Liberties and our Sexual Ontology is thoroughly corrupted? We spoke of this topic on our Public Health Wednesdays entries. 
 

“...Before we discuss the modern day slavery in Libya, we need to be aware of certain issues. We are not
Believers in Historical Revisionism but......
”

LEADERSHIP IS COMPLICATED IN LIBYA...

There is a version of this story that begins with a young boy born in a colonial space, known as Italian Libya. Child to a camel and goat herder in the arms of economic oppression and a minority twice from foreign invaders and as a reality. Italian Libya previously colonized by the Ottoman Empire, a young boy growing up in a colony as his illiterate father’s father.
As a young man he would admire champions against colonialism such as Gamal Abdel Nasser Hussein and in a very short time, he would be an associate to his hero.

“Gamal Abdel Nasser Hussein was a G.O.A.T. ”

— Water & Cassava

This man will be celebrated as a leader/hero to those from occupied spaces particularly in North Africa. However, for others, this man was a monster and nightmare that lasted for decades. 

“Redistribution of Wealth or Buying Loyalty??
Free Healthcare, Electricity, Interest free loans, push gifts for mothers, newlyweds got money for homes and citizens got some money from the oil sales of Libya.” ”

— Asking for a friend...

“Push Gifts: Your partner gives this to you after you push the child.....Apparently, he gave out $5k a push!”

— Water & Cassava

Muammar Mohammed Abu Minyar Gaddafi is now dead and long gone. However Libya is left with a plate of complications.

This is the Prime Minister Fayiz Al-Saraj of Libya but depending on whom you ask.....it is complicated

HOW THE HELL DID LIBYA GET HERE?

On this day five years ago, a NATO-led coalition began its military intervention in Libya. French fighter jets were deployed over the African country on March 19th, 2011. The operation triggered a series of events that changed the face of Libya. RT LIVE http://rt.com/on-air Subscribe to RT!

ABOUT THE ARAB SPRING AND LIBYA.......

DEAD BODIES ON THE SHORES OF LIBYA

The bodies of migrants headed across the Mediterranean desperate for a better life wash up on the shorelines of Garabulli, Libya. Christiane Amanpour reports.

AUCTION, AUCTION

Smugglers in Libya are auctioning migrants off as slaves. At a property outside Tripoli, CNN's Nima Elbagir witnessed a dozen men go under the hammer in the space of minutes.

EXPLOITATION

Hundreds of African refugees and migrants passing through Libya are being exposed to harsh realities in their quest to reach Europe. Many are held for ransom or subjected to forced labour or sexual exploitation. Leslie Mirungu now brings us the story of returnees from Gambia.

MALTREATMENT AND CHILDREN

Sky's Alex Crawford uncovers evidence of beatings and poor treatment inside overcrowded detention centres which house thousands of migrants moving through Libya to try to get to Europe.

“Slaves in 1850 cost on average $400 -$1600, currently in Libya a slave is sold for $400”

“Our Top 7 Reasons for Modern Day Slavery in Libya”

— Water & Cassava

1.   Civil War & Isis

Shit is bad in Libya and there are no ways to mince words about this very clear fact that some wish to be in denial about.

The Government House of Representatives were democratically elected in 2014, while the global community accepts this as fact, in Libya it is just complicated. The rival party General National Congress (AKA, National Salvation Government) in addition to countless rival groups that rule different regions of Libya will not come together as one government.

This is the definition of insanity and madness. The same people killing each other came together to kill Gaddafi but cannot come together for their country.
Well as the Libyan people are slaughtering each other, ISIS is enjoying the oil reserves of the country.

A couple of days ago, there was an issue with Tobruk airport and the Government House of Representatives not allowing the plane to land

2.   Academia

During the days of Gadaffi, Libya had the highest literacy rates in Africa. Schools and Universities were completely free because of all that oil! After his death, infrastructures of schools and constant bombings made it very difficult for students to access education. It is very difficult to understand your instructor as bombs drop around you or as classmates and teachers get killed daily.

3. Banking
Constant robbing and bombing around the bank makes it difficult to conduct business. The inflation rates are so high in Libya and there are barely any foreign investors trying to invest in the country.

Central Bank of Libya Governor Saddek Omar El-Kaber speaks to Capitol Intelligence/CI MENA using CI Glass during IMF World Bank Annual Meetings in Washington, DC. October 14. 2017

4. Oil Production

The country of Libya is home to one of the largest reserves on our big blue planet with over 45 billion oil barrels. During the reign of Gadaffi, the country produced over 1.6 million barrels of oil a day but now that has dropped to 260,000 barrels.

5. Liquor and Drugs

Alcohol consumption in Libya is now a norm and people are making their own stronger versions of vodka, this is also killing the people.

6.  Who oversees Libya?

There are no governing bodies and no agreed legal frameworks!... We have two “governing bodies" again I use governing bodies very loosely as they cannot agree on anything. Ministers and Government officials at anytime can be killed, kidnapped or assaulted. There are no functioning hospitals or staff members to treat the people. These dysfunctions with daily bombings is just a brewing pot for the current issue.

7. Slavery/Human Trafficking

The new thriving economic despicable nauseating industry since the death of Gadaffi. Proximity to Europe makes it a popular passage for immigrants from Libyan’s southern neighbors: Ghana, Senegal, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Niger, Cameroon, and Chad. Smugglers can enjoy their new business because there is not a functioning government in the country.

THIS IS THE FAULT OF ALL MENTIONED COUNTRIES AND LIBYA.

 On Monday we discussed the Blue Economics of Africa, but we also discussed the need for agreed frameworks which would prevent such tragedies.

See you next Cassava Tuesday