Can African Nations Break Free from Foreign Currency Pegs?
A currency peg means a country fixes the value of its money to another currency at a stable exchange rate. For example, some countries in West and Central Africa use the CFA franc, which is tied to the euro. Others manage their currencies closely against the U.S. dollar.
Historical context:
During the late nineteenth century, numerous West African nations underwent a major transition, moving from commodity based currencies such as cowrie shells, gold and metal items to European or colonial currencies. t is important to note that this shift was not chosen by Africans; rather, it was imposed by their respective colonial rulers to establish monetary systems in their African territories. This is why, to this day, more than 60 years after gaining independence, many West African countries formerly under French rule still have their currencies tied to the CFA franc (Franc CFA).
With the historical context in mind, let’s briefly examine the impact of this system. While this sytem still facilitates trade between African countries and European nations/formal colonies, it is crucial to remember that these systems were primarily designed for control, not just stability and unfortunately,post independence many African countries continued to operates under these inheritated financial structures. Tday, the challenge is determining whether African nations can break free from these systems, achieve greater economic sovereignty, and still compete effectively in international trade without triggering severe inflation?
To learn more on this topic , please find my recomanded article to read below
Striking a sour note: why the CFA franc’s days as legal tender could be spent
The CFA Franc Zone: Common Currency, Uncommon Challenges
Can Africa build economic sovereignty in an era of global shocks and debt risk?
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Expulsion of African Immigrants in Tunisia
Streams of Thoughts
President Kais Saied’s decision to deport black immigrants in Tunisia was driven by his own fear of somehow being overthrown by Black Africans. Mr. Saied embraced and spread a conspiracy theory which he referred to as a “criminal plot.” On Tuesday, February 21, President Saied gave a speech, and during his speech he suggested that the arrival of Sub-Saharan migrants was part of a plot to weaken the country's Arab Islamic identity. Furthermore, he ordered the authorities to strictly enforce the law regulating the presence of black Africans in Tunisia. Inevitably due to his offensive statements, fear was widespread amongst black asylum seekers and violent attacks against them erupted. According to France 24, several hundred of migrants were taken to the Tunisia-Libya Desert against their will. Those expelled are from many Sub-Saharan countries including Senegal, Mali, Ivory Coast, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Cameroon, Sudan ,Chad, and others.
Learn More: Migrants between life and death in Tunisia-Libya Desert.
Jihadist Presence in the Sahel Region of Africa
It all begins with an idea.
Streams of Thoughts
It saddens me to see the unprecedented and alarming jihadist violent attacks in Africa. Their presence continues to increase drastically in the Sahel Region of Africa. Jihadist groups currently have branches in Twenty-two African countries including Mali, Chad, Niger, Burkina Faso, Mauritania and Nigeria. Thousands of people have been killed and displaced as a result of the Jihadist attacks. My fear is that the lack of international attention to this issue will enables the jihadist extremists to infiltrate other region of Africa, and ultimately control the entire continent.
Enclosed is an article to help understand the truest essence of Jihad and the intentions.
Modern Slavery: The cost of Cobalt Mining in DRC
Streams of thoughts
The more technology advances, the more dependent on Cobalt we become. It is in our phones, our laptops and now in our electric vehicles. The survival of so many Congolese is measured in kilos of cobalt they are able to get on a daily basis. The situation in Congo is sad all the way around. The Democratic Republic of Congo is considered the richest country worldwide in terms of row minerals and natural resources, however, it is among the top five poorest countries in the world. Driven by the need for survival, an enormous labor force of people including children are willing to put their lives in danger just to get a dollar per day. Cobalt Mining is at the same time dangerous and essential. It helps with the regulation of the battery's temperature.
Enclosed is a link to a book that provides a more in depth look on the negative impact of the cobalt business in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
A prayer for South Sudan
Donate to make a difference .
Un women’s organizations and other UN agencies provide immediate lifesaving response to enable women to remain safe and cover their basic needs. This include – among others - PEP kits, dignity kits, psychosocial support and trauma assistance, and emergency cash assistance.
This Photo is an ultimate example of what hope looks like. These children should inspire us all to be optimistic and maintain a more positive outlook on life. Even in the midsts of the storm, there is always a reason to smile.
We send prayers and healing energy to all the people of Sudan who has been impacted by the war. May God be their comforter, their healer and bring them peace. Our thoughts and prayers are with them.
Humanitarian Crisis in South Sudan
Streams of thoughts
The weaponization of fear is a very dangerous thing. Through out the course of human history, all the catastrophic events that took place were driven by the pursuit of power based on fear of uncertainties. The quest of power is what has lead to what seems like an endless ethnic conflicts and violent power struggle within the military leadership since the countries independence in 2011. It has been estimated that they are over 2 million South Sudanese refugees in neighboring countries like Chad, Ethiopia and Uganda. Additionally, over 7.8 million of South Sudan’s Population continues to experience food shortages, and thousands of them are facing extreme hunger and starvation. Currently over a million of children in the southern region of Sudan are malnourished.
Ethiopians seek to recreate ancient manuscripts to preserve their history.
It all begins with an idea.
Did you know?
The converting of Christianity in Ethiopia dates to the fourth-century reign of the Aksumite emperor Ezana. From the days of King Ezana, Ethiopian Christianity had an intimate connection with local ideas about rulership. This is especially true of the Solomonic dynasty (1270-1974). As its name suggests, the family claimed direct descent from the Biblical King Solomon. According to Ethiopian tradition, a southern ruler, the Queen of Sheba, had journeyed to Jerusalem to give gifts to Solomon. The two monarchs conceived a child together, Menelik I, who would become the first emperor of Ethiopia. To this day, Christianity in Ethiopia is the country's largest religion estimating between 63% and 67% of the population.
Despite of a large number of Christians, Church authorities/priests are worried that certain aspect of what sets apart Ethiopian Christianity from the rest of the world, are no longer in use. In an effort to preserve and prevent ancient parchment manuscripts from disappearing, Priests and worshippers in Addis Ababa have been working by hand to replicate centuries-old religious manuscripts and sacred artwork.
In the picture above, Armed with a bamboo ink pen and a steady hand, Ethiopian Orthodox priest Zelalem Mola carefully copies text in the ancient Ge'ez language from a religious book onto a goatskin parchment.