Banksy in Mali
These were apparently done in Mali in early 2010, but only posted online now. (We’ll debate what he chose to depict another day. Serious.)
Via We are Awesome. h/t Monica Patterson
Further Reading
Why I’m done talking to straight people about homophobia
Homophobia doesn’t start with violence—it begins with silence, erasure, and everyday destruction. But straight people only seem to notice when it’s too late.
The Visa farce
The South African government’s rush to clear visa applications has led to mass rejections, bureaucratic chaos, and an overloaded appeals system—leaving thousands in limbo.
FIFA’s double standards
While FIFA swiftly banned Russia from competition, it continues to delay action on Israel—revealing the politics behind football’s so-called neutrality.
New route for old exploitation
A US-backed infrastructure project in the DRC is framed as development, but history suggests it’s just another pipeline for foreign powers to profit from Congo’s riches.
The forgotten women of slave revolts
Rebecca Hall’s “Wake” uncovers the hidden history of African women warriors and their role in resisting the transatlantic slave trade.
An Afro-Brazilian Christmas in Lagos
The Fanti Carnival transforms Lagos’s Brazilian Quarters into a vibrant celebration of history, culture, and Afro-Brazilian identity.
Is there an alternative in Germany?
As the far right surges and the center crumbles, can Germany’s left offer something different—or will reactionary forces set the agenda?
The mustache that swung an election
In Mauritius, social media memes and leaks exposed corruption, galvanized youth, and reshaped the nation’s political landscape.
Enter the Povo
Mozambique’s disputed elections triggered a deadly uprising, as citizens resisted Frelimo’s rule and exposed the cracks in neoliberal policies.
Mining, murder, and the machinery of exploitation
The massacre of artisanal miners in Stilfontein exposes the South African state’s violent allegiance to corporate interests and a long legacy of extraction and dispossession.
The fight for justice in Kenya’s narrative
Kenya’s youth are turning to theater, music, and film as tools of resistance against political injustices and systemic failures.
Macron needs to shut up more
France’s president can’t stop talking, but his condescending remarks on Africa are only accelerating the collapse of French influence on the continent.
Is AFCON a major tournament?
AFCON doesn’t need European validation to be major—it already is. But the real danger lies in how dismissive narratives shape the value of African football and its players.
Beats, borders, and the struggle for freedom
Amid global political turmoil and restrictive visa policies, artists are redefining resistance—on the dance floor and beyond.
The gig economy’s false promise
Touted as a path to empowerment, Africa’s gig economy is a digital twist on old patterns of labor exploitation—but workers are fighting back.
Caught at the border
Asylum seekers from Africa are caught in a growing crisis at the US-Mexico border, as Trump’s policies leave them in legal limbo and unsafe conditions.
Chad’s latest marshal
Mahamat Déby’s rule in Chad follows a familiar script of military power, political repression, and shifting alliances in an increasingly unstable Sahel.
Elon Musk’s South African fantasy
Musk’s outrage over land reform in South Africa isn’t about fairness—it’s about fueling right-wing paranoia and preserving economic privilege.
Trump’s fake refugees
The US president’s executive order on South Africa isn’t about fairness—it’s a cynical ploy to stoke racial paranoia and shore up his right-wing base.
Sam Nujoma: liberation hero, pragmatist and power broker
Namibia’s founding president led the fight for independence with unwavering resolve, but his legacy is complicated by economic compromises and political dominance.