Season 5
Available to listen on all major platforms.
The African Union (AU) was officially formed in 2002 with a vision to create an "integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in the global arena.” In this episode we discuss how the AU came to be, its links to the Pan-African movement, and what the future holds for the continent under the AU.
This week we're in Guinea, looking at how the actions of market women went on to shape the policy of their nation through standing up against corruption. The cohesive nature of these demonstrations goes to show how market women became the most powerful collective group within their society. The revolt inspired other Guineans to speak up against Toure's oppressive regime, seeing him release political prisoners, culminating in an end to his ambition. The Guinean Market Women's revolt is remembered on August 27th, with Guinean young women and girls reminded of the power and influence they possess.
Gamal Abdel Nasser was an Egyptian political leader and second post-independence President. Nasser joined Egypt's Royal Military Academy in 1937, and whilst in the military, he helped form the Free Officers Movement. In July 1952, the movement overthrew the monarchy in a coup and led Egypt into complete independence. Two years later, Nasser emerged from behind-the-scenes and positioned himself as Prime Minister, and then in 1956, he became President.
Around a decade ago, one of the first “viral” moments of the social media age took place. This involved American men launching a campaign to make Joseph Kony the most famous man in the world. Kony, the leader of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) (which had existed for decades prior), had been indicted for war crimes and crimes against humanity. But was this a case of activism, slacktivism, or white saviourism on a global scale?
We're joined by Heizal Nagginda, a climate and environmental activist from Uganda, and founder of Climate Operation. The organisiation's mission is to educate Ugandan children and communities about climate change and its intersection with other social issues. We discuss the effects of climate change in Uganda and the wider continent, the world's response to climate change, and why we see Africans suffer disproportionately compared to those living in wealthier continents.
Africa contains five of the top thirty oil-producing nations, accounting for 85% of the continent’s oil reserves. However, unethical practices by some oil multinational corporations have seen social movements by host communities and human rights groups. Oil exploration has led to underdevelopment, pollution, and the eroding of traditional practices within host regions. In this episode we'll look at the relationship between oil companies and local governments, and how this has furthered corruption within Nigeria and Angola.
Prince Louis Rwagasore was a key political figure in Burundi's history. He was known as the unifying prince as he worked to unite the country's ethnic groups, which Belgium had divided. In 1958 he established the Party for National Unity and Progress (UPRONA), and in September 1961, they successfully won the elections to lead an independent Burundi. But on Friday 13th October 1961, Prince Louis Rwagasore was assassinated, only 16 days after being sworn in as prime minister.
The Aksum kingdom was a wealthy African civilisation and a major empire of the ancient world, thriving for centuries as a prosperous society and a spiritual home for the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. During the kingdom’s peak power, it conquered southern Arabia. This episode sees us discuss the empire's rich history, and how amazing it is that a lot of Aksum's artefacts can be found in Ethiopia, not exclusively in the British Museum.