Africa

Thabo Mvuyelwa Mbeki Speaking at Thabo Mbeki African School of Public and International Affairs in Pretoria, South Africa on March 13, 2024

On March 13, 2024, the former president of South Africa, Thabo Mvuyelwa Mbeki,  addressed students and alumni at Thabo Mbeki African School of Public and International Affairs at Unisa’s Muckleneuk campus in Pretoria, South Africa. In his speech, he focused on the on-going conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo or DRC). As he plans a visit to Rwanda  in upcoming weeks as an invitee of Rwandan dictator Paul Kagame, he has made controversial statements supporting the narrative by the Rwandan government and military  justifying the invasion of the DRC under the cover of M23 rebels,  with questionable claims of defending some ethnic groups.

Alaa Salah, Kandaka or Nubian Queen, leading protests in Sudan, in April 2019

As 2024 started, African dictators have persisted in holding onto power and grooming their sons and daughters as heirs. In the most recent years, some dictators were deposed or killed. Meanwhile, many African dictators have  remained in power, including some already featured among AfroAmerica Network African ruthless dictators (Africa: African Dictators of 2021; 3 Down, More to Go).  New dictators have been trying to join the ranks.

Rwandan refugees in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) on a Visit to Rwanda during the Rome-Kisangani-Kasiki Peace Process in 2008-2009

On March 3, 2024, the  Eglise du Christ au Congo (ECC) issued a statement to the Government of the DR Congo, recommending to organize a national dialogue aimed  at addressing and resolving issues of peace, security and state governance.  Meanwhile, AfroAmerica Network has learned that the DR Government, in accord with the calls from the Eglise du Christ au Congo (ECC) and after constructive discussions with world powers and governments, including the United States of America (USA), The European Union (EU), Southern African Development Community (SADC), and the United Nations (UN),  has decided to reengage in a process to repatriate or resettle the Rwandan refugees who have been in  the DR Congo for 30 years and their descendants.