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)

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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!

Silk Road Thursdays: Cool Japan for Everyone but for Africa, Yadah Yadah ....

LAST TIME WE TOUCHED ON JAPAN...

Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD)

We will touch on an incident that involved TICAD & the U.N Security Council. This is very important to understand the piece of Aid in our series as a soft power tool. While this is a strong soft power tool for the country, it is also a challenge for Japan.

Cultural Diplomacy

We will start here and TICAD much later.........

---

what is yadAH yadah?

George's new girlfriend explains things using 'Yada-yada' to gloss over things.

---

BEFORE WE START OUR STORY....

THE PAST OF JAPAN  & CULTURAL DIPLOMACY 

Cultural Diplomacy from Japan can be a touchy subject for the Asia Pacific Region. This Japan brings back memories of “Empire” and “War”. There is no soft power in this Japan below, this is pure Hard Power and Realism. Depending on you ask, Japan has never apologised for the war.  

“We are not going to apologize every year based on the new elected administration

We are not going to give funds for every new administration

We are not going to apologize for every former minister that speaks harshly about this topic

Take your statues down and then we can speak of shrine visits.”

— Japan to South Korea, China and the Asia Pacific Region

This tension will push Japan to go inside and not invest on Cultural Diplomacy because Japan is viewed through the lenses of this flag.
 

This flag was in use during the Edo period or Tokugawa period (徳川時代) about some 200+ years before the war.
However, it should be noted that this flag is controversial and painful for people of South Korea and China. Think the swastika for Germany, The Confederate Flag in America, Afrikaner Oranje, Blanje, Blou Flag of South Africa and Namibia.

This flag is a reminder of Colonialism and Imperialism.

DOES JAPAN'S DARK CULTURAL DIPLOMACY MATTER TO AFRICA?

There are three major players in Africa from Asia: China, Japan, and South Korea. Currently, there is an unspoken competition between all three on just who can be the most influential friend for Africa but that will be addressed later with TICAD.

In 2013, there were some serious tensions brewing between China and Japan on the role of “influence” and “leadership” with ASEAN. China accused Japan for trying to “assert complete leadership” in the region. 

Just because Japan invested a tiny $1.5 billion into the ASEAN union and I forgot to mention the “soft loans” that topped over $500 million from Japan to Myanmar...... 

Japan has also made sure that with every natural disaster in the Asia Pacific region, before the U.N, International Red Cross, like this Sting song... It is first to help with recovery efforts.
 

I will touch more on ASEAN states later with this blog. The ASEAN way can also serve as a great platform for some African States. Here is a tiny bit about ASEAN.

This competitive relationship between the two is creeping into Africa. 

“So, you understand now that Korea and China would not mind if Japan was out of African Affairs.

There will be no wasabi tears to shed here..

But
This does not mean Korea is simply so happy with the presence of China in Africa.

However, China and Korea could care less for Japan in Africa and for that matter Asia Pacific Affairs.”

— Water & Cassava

COOL JAPAN TO THE WEST LOOKS LIKE

However as with most things (not all), time mends and shapes everything. Japan is now known for its own unique soft power known as Cool Japan. Cool Japan was birth in the 1980’s and since then we are all trying to keep up with the cool factors of Japan. Japan is cool in the Americas, Europe, Asia, Australia but Africa???

COOL JAPAN & AFRICA OR YADAH...

“... THE LACK OF RESPECT AND AWARENESS OF YOUR COUNTRY IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS TRANSLATES TO
YOU ARE NOTHING BUT A MEMBER OF THE OTHER, aka “SUBALTERN”.”

— Water & Cassava

“Antonio Gramsci used this term to refer to people considered infererior be it race, class, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, or religion.

This term is forever stamped in International Relations Theory because of an essay by Gayatri Spivak. She asked a simple question,
Can the Subaltern Speak?

This blog is about Africa and Asia, so I do not see a problem using this word in both spaces. I should note that academically, this word is getting a bit trendy and abused. ”

— Subaltern

At this point of the Water & Cassava Blog you are versed on Soft Power and Cultural Diplomacy. But if you need a refresher, just go back to any Silk Road Thursday Entry or Cassava Tuesday entry. 

“A state’s public diplomacy is a direct response to its culture, foreign policy, and political ideologies.

These three elements drive attraction and create a unique soft power for the respective state.

All three elements must be present for the soft power effect to occur.

Cultural Diplomacy is a soft power tool that occurs during the long-term run while Public Diplomacy focuses on the short-term run of the country.”

— Understanding the complex ties with Japan and Africa through the lenses of China and Korea

Officially the name of the Japanese flag is called Nisshōki ("sun-mark flag"). Commonly people refer to the flag as Hinomaru ("circle of the sun").

AFRICA IN JAPAN POP CULTURE

SIDEBAR #1 : "SOFT CONNECTIONS" CHINA IN AFRICA.

While China's economic and trade impact on Africa has raised global attention, China also runs one of the world's largest short-term training programs. It also gives generous support to 31 Confucius Institutes teaching Mandarin and Chinese culture at many top universities in Africa. So what do Africans feel about the deliverables of China's soft power investment?

“Do you see the problem here? The China culture must be understood and learned but noticed the African leader not advocating that this street be a two-way street. 

Japan can use this as an entry tool to Africa. Korea and China still don’t understand this piece on diplomacy in Africa must be fluid. ”

JAPAN IN AFRICA CULTURE???

Japan does not have a strategic plan in this area for Africa.  It is a yada-yada approach! The assumption here on both sides is, in the name of TICAD all will be great. Diplomacy must be fluid and Soft influences must go both ways. Majority of African leaders suffer from forms of the colonialism disease that range from early stages to fatal stages in development, so they do not invest in their “soft influences”. They have no problem absorbing other soft influences on the behalf of aid and relief. Africa has made no efforts to work on the art and execution of niche diplomacy in Asian spaces.

Culture is an extended arm in International Relations. A successful relationship between Africa and Japan will be expected for Japan not to downplay the role of culture and identity of Africans in Japanese spaces.

 

BUT JAPAN HAS AFRICAN FESTIVALS...

Festivals do not count per-se, because they are just extra pluses towards the city brand. It benefits cities in Japan that have “African themed festivals”, it shows the global stage, “Japan is DIVERSE!!”.

INTERCULTURAL RELATIONS

International Relations can be best described today as Intercultural Relations. The U.S vs. West Asia is a great example on just how the lack of respect and appreciation of Intercultural Relations can bring countries to their knees.

The very definition of International Relations that is “relations with other nations” rests on the shoulders of that each country has unique traditions, social interactions, political dynamics, and intellectual orientations that make up the country. Japan must understand, with interactions towards any African country, it will go favorably if they start to pay attention to those shoulders.  

There is no fluidity in cultural diplomacy between Africa countries and Japan. This is not unique to Japan because China and Korea do not value this or have no clue on a starting point. However, this gap could be the golden ticket of applying “Cool Japan Diplomacy” to Africa. The neglect or underestimation of cultural diplomacy towards Africa by Japan hinders fluid relations but because China and Korea are guilty of this issue, Japan can use this as winning attribute to building on African Affairs.

some examples on how Japan can work on CD with Africa:

• Pop Culture
  Anime and Manga with African Myth and Folklore, Cool Japan!

• Academic
  Educational Exchanges that include professors and students from both spaces. So not just African students going to Japan for graduate studies but Japanese students and professors in Africa Academic spaces. This also means more African Professors and Deans in Japan universities that claim to teach Africa Affairs.
  

“If the Education Sector can appreciate the importance of “French Academics” teaching Francophone studies ....
Then it must have no problem understanding the importance of African Academics teaching African Studies”

• Blue Economics (Beyond Fish)

• AgriMarketing/ Agri-Economics

• “Experimental” Tourism

  LASTLY ON CULTURAL DIPLOMACY

The new diplomatic language of the 21st century diplomat rest on:-

• Do your “friends” and "neighbors" speak and understand your cultural diplomacy?

• Does the global stage speak and understand your cultural diplomacy?

• Are you humanitarian friendly? (Later on this piece)

Cultural Diplomacy is not about countries explaining their “self” onto the global stage. It is based on Cleverness in Cultural Diplomacy. 

“Applying unique intelligence base on culture, history, identity, etc. to build and increase understanding with other countries while simultaneously working on your own interests. Multiple actors, cultural promoters are needed to get this point across....”

— Cleverness in Cultural Diplomacy

JAPAN HAS A MEDIA PROBLEM IN AFRICA

Japan lacks international mass media presence on the global stage to promote its image. The United States has CNN and FOX. The UK has the BBC, but do you know the name of Japan’s international broadcasting channel???

Waiting……….

The NHK network could be key to setting up stronger ties to Africa. What better way to spread your message to your new friends using their language with their faces?

P.S NHK has a KiSwahili Channel but BBC has Pidgin, Hausa and so much more. NHK needs to pick up the pace. 

We leave you with this video of African artist, Dobolo based in Japan.

See you next Silk Road Thursday!

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

WHO WEEKLY REPORT: AFRICA

“This feel good R & B jam by the elements goes out to: Namibia, Botswana, Swaiziland, Gabon, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Algeria and Eritrea for no ongoing events.”

— Water & Cassava

---

AFRICA

“There is a conscious effort here not to touch on issues that occur in or around the United States. However, the United States is a super power state that touches, “influences” all that is on this blue ball we call home. So, time to time, I will have to touch on U.S Foreign Policy, especially with conversations that include South Korea and the continent of Africa. ”

— Behind Water & Cassava

This so called global gag rule has been ongoing, since President Ronald Reagan. It is just with Trump, as with policy and law, it was upgraded.

A loss of over $8 billion in aid will be felt globally and services that are offered from this funding includes: HIV, Malaria, Cervical Cancer, TB, Family Planning, and a host of comprehensives health care needs. Groups that accept funding must stop offering abortion services even if it is legal.

I should point out here that every woman that goes in for services is not getting an abortion. I am not so sure the concern on a uterus and sets of ovaries that are not yours. This fixation on genital parts and reproductive organs and never the proactive health on the organs.

Research on gynecological diseases and disorders??? Sanitary napkins that do not include nail polish remover?? Condom use and research for women?? There are a host of other issues but moving along…….

Comprehensive health care for women includes full family planning services and that includes abortion services. It is ironic, the current administration views killing children in West Asia and Africa making “America Great” again. A fetus gets more sympathy and adoration that its final stage of development.  

Unfortunately, or (Fortunately) the States is the largest donor to all International Reproductive Health Efforts. African Countries have continuously not placed public health on the top list of development. They depend on Medical Diplomacy to take care of their own citizens. The U.S cannot be forced to give aid. The current administration is applying realism to all interactions with other states. What happens to America if some girl in Mozambique or Kenya lacks access to condoms, pills, well woman visits or abortion services? …….

“Therefore, you do not depend or pray to which colonized you. You will and always stay a slave.”

— Biko and 'dem tried to warn you...

The Trump administration has argued that forcing America to give aid that includes abortion services is Western Cultural Imperialism. With all 54 countries that make up the continent of Africa, abortion was only learned from westerners. I appreciate the insult inside the insult.

“…. Cultural Imperialism for Medical Aid now you say? My goodness, what do you call constantly raping the land of all resources, putting in “applicable heads of state”, Ah yes! Stealing people??? Could you please leave all together and return raw materials as you leave?....”

— Everyone below the Equator

Which African Countries will be affected?

Check out the map below.

EBOLA & CORRUPTION

Apparently all three countires lost over $6 million due to corruption during the Ebola epidemic. 

AIR POLLUTION AND AFRICA

“Air pollution may kill more Africans than HIV/AIDS”

— Shut the Front Door, No way!!! Who the Hell?? What..

WHAT YOU ARE TOLD ABOUT BIO MASS

ASIA

THAILAND

We touched on this briefly last PHW, but there is a drug resistant form of Malaria that has developed from Cambodia and is spreading to Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam. How is Thailand dealing?

CHINA

Uyghurs: Muslim Minority

China is offering free health care that includes wrap around services for a minority group in China known as the Uyghurs. With the disguise of using applied public health, China is collecting and storing DNA samples that includes biometric data to keep track of the Ugyhurs population.

OUR PINK NEWS IN ASIA- QUEER RIGHTS IN ASIA

JAPAN

ARE YOU OVER 60? MOVE TO JAPAN

Once again, Japan is the best country in Asia for older people to live. If you stay or have visited Japan, this is not surprising at all. I do still see a need for more interactive programs that target the senior population.

KAROSHI & MENTAL HEALTH IN JAPAN

Japan is notorious for incredible working hours that care less of your mental health and more on your dedication to get it done. Even if it means this will kill you, that form of death is known as Karoshi. Workers work 80+ hours over time a month, I am familiar with this kind of work hours. I had a lot of interaction with Texas State Troopers, Houston Police, and Clearlake Police, as I slept on the side of the freeway in my car from one case to the next case. 

I recall making it to a gas station and telling myself if I would just crash for 15 minutes. That ended up to be 1 hour with a police officer banging on my window, asking about my social welfare. After seeing my work ID, he simply said “This job will kill y’all”. I feel the pain and exhaustion of the video below.

A Japanese phenomenon known as "Karoshi," which means "death from overwork," is affecting many young men and women in Japan. Almost 2,000 people in the country committed suicide for reasons related to their job in 2016. Lucy Craft reports from Tokyo.

But it appears a change is coming for Japan…

SOUTH KOREA

ASSISTANCE TO BANGLADESH

South Korea will donate $500,000 to UNFPA Bangladesh to help wth women and girls affected by the ongoing Rohingya humanitarian crisis.

PILLS,PILLS, PILLS

“Africa Countries,
Do you hear what Kimchi Land knows???
Do you hear what Kimchi Land sings???
South Korea will be investing a bit over $ 3 Billion in their pharmaceutical and health care industries”

— Do you Hear What I Hear with a Twist?

Sister Whitney to all....

MENTAL HEALTH in south korea- ‎한,정

There is room for intersectionality in discussions of mental health. However, the gravity and complexes with mental health surrounding South Korea is heartbreaking and complexing. I am a product of Africa and the diaspora and I appreciate minding my space with some topics.
I can only give my opinions and thought on this issue from my professional and academic background. However even in critiquing the issue of mental health, I am coming from the lenses of the ‘Asian Diaspora”. This is not sufficient, I think to truly critique the issue however as an applied public health professional, I shall try with framework.

South Korea has a unique psychology (Han,  ‎한) that shapes the social dynamics of the society. These pressures of “making it” might be responsible for why less than 48 hours ago, the leader of the Korean pop group SHINee died by suicide.

South Korea is one of the most advanced countries on earth but sadly the stigma behind mental health puts the country on the list of countries that do the least for mental health. There is also the case of Jeong ( 정) that requires you to exercise sympathy and empathy, which is why the lack of care and efforts towards mental health is perplexing.

Until next PHW

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

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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