Latest news with #liberation
News24
2 days ago
- Politics
- News24
Liberation movements unite against Western interference in African affairs
Tebogo Letsie Liberation movements from six African countries gathered in Johannesburg to strengthen unity against Western interference. Leaders warned that external forces are attempting to divide African countries and recapture the continent economically. Presidents pledged continued resistance to colonialism while defending democratic gains and pursuing socioeconomic development goals. Several heads of state whose liberation movements now serve as governing parties in their respective countries gathered in Kempton Park, Johannesburg, over the weekend. They reflected on their roles in the struggle for freedom and recommitted to unity while defending democratic gains against neo-colonialism. The delegates also reflected on their role in improving and uplifting the standard of living on the continent. The ANC hosted the gathering, which included liberation movements Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) from Tanzania, Frelimo from Mozambique, Swapo from Namibia, Zanu-PF from Zimbabwe and MPLA from Angola. They were supported by allies from other countries, including the communist parties of China, Russia, Cuba and Algeria. Apart from internal political issues gripping the organisations, the leaders of the political parties also identified the interference of Western countries in African affairs. They blamed external forces from the West for fuelling divisions on the continent. In a united front, the parties, which were mostly represented by their presidents, vowed not to allow colonialists to recapture the continent through economic and other sanctions. President of Zimbabwe and Zanu-PF, Emmerson Mnangagwa, warned that united they stand, but divided they would fall. 'Unity, cooperation and solidarity among us as liberation parties must realise maximum benefits. To achieve this, it is critically important that we address contradictions within our respective parties and the overall body politic. 'Divergent views and strategies need not cause fractures detrimental to the revolution. Our colossal movements must remain bigger than individuals.' He said counter-revolutionary forces have doubled up on antics to divide and fragment their movements. In what is perceived as a direct response to the latest sanctions by US President Donald Trump, Mnangagwa said the external forces have been unrelenting in their nefarious quest to obliterate liberation movements from the political radar in the region. However, we must remain emboldened by our rich liberation history, which is our greatest teacher. The millions of people who look to liberation movements with hope for a better tomorrow should be a source of inspiration Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa Mnangagwa said democracy, freedom and independence did not come on a silver platter. 'The infrastructure that denied us democracy and independence has mutated and expresses itself in numerous forms. These include interference in the internal affairs of our parties and governments; sabotage of our economies; and, at worst, covert support of conflict and war in our jurisdictions,' he said. Mnangagwa said the liberation movement needs the same vigour and energy that defeated the colonial powers to defeat them again. 'We defeated them in the past, and we shall defeat them again, and again and again. Through our unity and unbreakable solidarity, victory is always certain,' he said. He emphasised that they have a sacred duty and responsibility to retain power to advance the people's agenda. 'The fruits of our independence and freedom translate to affordable education, healthcare, transport, water and sanitation, among other basic social services. Let us not shy away from looking at new financing models and partnerships to deliver on our mandates,' he said. The president of Namibia and Swapo, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, concurred with Mnangagwa and said that there were concerted efforts by those who were opposed to independence, who masqueraded in economic, political and diplomatic conspiracies to undermine the gains of the revolution. 'They are motivated, as we are all aware, by both domestic and foreign policy interests and actively seek to undermine the political dominance of our liberation parties, with the long-term objective of weakening and unseating us from power altogether,' she said. Nandi-Ndaitwah said those external forces wanted to divide and conquer while extracting the wealth of the continent to benefit their countries. Their target is always our youth, who are the majority voters in our countries. The outcomes of most of our recent elections in our respective countries are clear warnings that should not be taken lightly Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah Nandi-Ndaitwah said their resoluteness has bruised the ego of the former occupying powers as colonial masters who seek to avenge the humiliation they suffered from African national liberation movements. She said that, for Swapo, the liberation movement summit granted them an opportunity to reaffirm their resolve to defend the hard-won gains of national liberation, advance integrated socioeconomic development and strengthen Pan-African unity in the face of escalating global challenges. 'Today, unlike in the past, we face complex and unprecedented challenges, including socioeconomic inequalities, high youth unemployment, migration pressures, and the rise of populist and reactionary forces, all intensified by a global scramble for Africa's critical resources, including Namibia's vast mineral wealth,' she said. Nandi-Ndaitwah condemned the imperialist ambitions, which she said were demonstrated by policies that seek to divide Africa and exploit its resources for AI, digital technology and green energy. She said their strength should not only lie in resisting external threats but also in their ability to hold each other's hands and hold one another accountable as sister parties. In his closing remarks, President Cyril Ramaphosa said liberation movements should refuse to accept colonialism as fate. He said the liberation movements have a rich history that made the mountains shake and empires tremble. 'We also recall that the project to dismantle apartheid, racism, colonialism and hate was one which profited from international solidarity with the OAU Liberation Committee as well as the progressive diaspora and friends at the forefront,' he said. Ramaphosa reminded the delegates that the struggles were not simply for political independence but for the total liberation of their people: economic, cultural, intellectual and social. We must ask ourselves: Are our movements still vehicles of justice, or have they become platforms for status and convenience? Let us renew our ideological clarity. Let us reclaim the narrative of transformation. Let us reaffirm our commitment to international solidarity, not as a memory of the past but as a living force for change in the present and future SA President Cyril Ramaphosa He said they would need to double down on their current approach to international relations within the southern African region. That approach would be informed by their historical experience and relationships with the Frontline States that were forged during their protracted years of struggle for liberation against racism, colonialism and apartheid. 'We have also noted the growing tendencies of unilateralism. These right-wing populist-led tendencies undermine global collective decision-making and, if left unfettered, stand to undermine global peace and security,' he said. Ramaphosa said they could not afford to let these fractures deepen. 'Therefore, solidarity demands that we recommit to multilateralism and dialogue. Equality requires us to confront the stark disparities between the Global North and Global South, and sustainability is the cornerstone of our collective future,' he said. He said there was a renewed scramble for Africa by both traditional and emerging powers. The challenge has become more nuanced. These nuances have taken political, economic and military dimensions. Thus, in navigating these new global realities, we must continue to be guided by the principles that have guided our movements. These include self-determination, anti-imperialism, social and economic justice, and the pursuit of equality and freedom Cyril Ramaphosa The summit was concluded with an exchange of pleasantries among the liberation movements. The ANC closed the summit by handing over the leadership to the CCM of Tanzania, which is scheduled to host the forthcoming summit.
LBCI
4 days ago
- Politics
- LBCI
Russia says seized second village in central Ukraine
Russia on Saturday said it had captured a second village in Dnipropetrovsk in a fresh advance in the central Ukrainian region following Moscow's February 2022 invasion. The army stated that its forces "liberated the locality of Maliyevka." Dnipropetrovsk is a key industrial and mining area, and Russia seized its first village there in early July.
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Trump Honors 81st Anniversary Of Guam's Liberation From Japan
President Donald Trump marked the 81st anniversary of Guam's liberation from Japanese occupation with a message honoring the American forces who reclaimed the Pacific territory on July 21, 1944. The Presidential statement emphasized America's continued commitment to defending its territories and interests through military strength. 'As Imperial Japanese forces tried to hold their ground, they struggled to withstand the full might of the U.S. Armed Forces,' Trump said in his White House message. The battle for Guam lasted three weeks across challenging terrain. American forces fought through jungles, caves, and rugged hills to regain control of the strategically vital island. The victory positioned U.S. forces within striking distance of ending the war in the Pacific. The liberation came at a steep cost. More than 1,200 service members and over 1,000 Guam residents died during the campaign. Trump characterized the 1944 victory as 'a bold reassertion of American sovereignty at a time when our future and our freedom were in peril.' 'Under my leadership, the United States remains committed to upholding a foreign policy of peace through strength,' the president stated. He pledged that America would 'never waver in defending our interests, our citizens, our territory, and our glorious way of life from all enemies, foreign and domestic.' The liberation ended nearly three years of Japanese occupation that began December 10, 1941. Guam served as a crucial base for subsequent American operations in the Pacific theater.
Al Jazeera
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Al Jazeera
‘Is it making a difference? Absolutely': UK celebrities rally for Gaza
London, United Kingdom – Khaled Abdalla remembers sitting on his father's shoulders as a three-year-old, peering over a sea of heads and waving flags as chants of 'free Palestine' rose around him. It was the early 1980s, a time when hearing 'Palestine' was rare in the United Kingdom. The details of those moments in Glasgow are faint, but he remembers how important the protest felt to his father and the crowds around them. 'My first Palestine protest was on my father's shoulders,' Abdalla told Al Jazeera. 'I've had a relationship with protest for Palestinian liberation since then.' Decades later, the Egyptian British actor – most known for his roles in The Kite Runner and The Crown – is still marching. But now he carries the weight of his public platform. 'After October 7, my first act was at The Crown premiere in LA, with 'Ceasefire Now' written on my hand,' he said. 'I didn't know if that would immediately terminate my career. But it opened up a space far more positive than I expected. In standing up, I found my people, and my people found me.' Since then, Abdalla has used every stage he can. At the Emmys, he wrote 'Never Again' on his palm before stepping onto the red carpet. 'Each time I've done something like that, there has been fear,' he said, adding that while being cancelled does not worry him, he sometimes feels uncertain about how his protests might be received. 'My first protest was on my father's shoulders when I was three. I don't want that to be the fate of my grandchildren.' Sharing opinions about the onslaught in Gaza, particularly as a public figure, is fraught with tension in the UK, as criticising Israel's military actions can lead to accusations of anti-Semitism. Israel launched its latest war on Gaza after Hamas, the group that governs the enclave, led an incursion into Israel during which about 1,200 people were killed and 250 taken captive. Since then, Israeli bombardment of Gaza has killed almost 60,000 people and destroyed the majority of civilian sites. For 72-year-old Alexei Sayle, a veteran British Jewish comedian who has long been an outspoken supporter of Palestinian rights, silence is not an option. In December 2023, his 'alternative Christmas message' posted to his social media channels went viral, as his words about politicians' alleged lies and complicity in Israel's assault resonated with thousands. 'It was clear from very early on that Gaza was going to be different,' Sayle told Al Jazeera. 'The Israelis were going to do what they are doing, really. And nobody seemed likely to stop them. This was going to be another step forward in the Zionist project – the expulsion or murder, the ethnic cleansing or elimination of the Palestinian people, with the complicity of the West. 'If you remain silent during this holocaust, then you would have remained silent during that holocaust. I think the comparison is justified.' He said he has no fears when rallying for Palestine. 'It's the younger artists who risk cancellation by speaking out,' he said. 'As an elderly Jew in show business, I'm in a position like Miriam Margolyes or Michael Rosen – a sort of protected status,' he added, referring to the British actor and children's author, respectively, both of whom are Jewish and have condemned Israel's war. Comedians and artists are used to holding a mirror up, he said. 'Throughout history, comedians have been the ones to point out the excesses of government. That is our role. Politicians have sacrificed whatever moral compassion or humanity they had. There is clearly a moral void at the heart of this government. 'They are frightened cowards. They care about their job more than they care about children being murdered.' Even so, he knows activism has limits. 'Positive change does not come just from demonstrations,' he said. 'There needs to be a relentless focus on political gain and political power as well, and that is the only way that life will get better, both for the people of Britain and for those abroad, whose lives we are complicit in destroying.' Abdalla shared this view. 'Is it stopping the genocide? No, not yet,' he said. 'But is it making a difference? Absolutely. 'There's been a shift in global consciousness, but there hasn't yet been an avalanche… It's our job to make that avalanche happen.' Sayle and Abdalla are preparing for another weekend of protest mixed with art. They will be among 20 artists, comedians, musicians and humanitarians at Voices of Solidarity, a one-night-only fundraiser for Palestine, on July 19 in London. The singer Paloma Faith, doctor Ghassan Abu Sittah, actor Juliet Stevenson and comedians Sami Abu Wardeh and Tadhg Hickey are also on the lineup. As Gaza continues to be bombed, more Britons are critical of Israeli policies. Last month, a survey carried out by YouGov and commissioned by the Action for Humanity charity and the International Centre of Justice for Palestinians (ICJP) advocacy group found that 55 percent of Britons are against Israel's aggression. A significant number of those opponents – 82 percent – said Israel's actions amount to genocide. 'Yes, there is a move away [from politicians], particularly because of frustration with the lack of action,' said Dina Matar, head of the Centre for Global Media and Communications at SOAS. She said the turn towards artists for moral clarity reflects public disillusionment with formal politics. 'The implications might not be seen immediately, but will be reflected in public rejection of official party politics … We need to continue efforts by all – and here thanks to all these artists – to educate people about the aims of these policies and to make clear the association between capitalism and the settler-colonial state.' Jacob Mukherjee, a professor of political communication at Goldsmiths University in London, said artists and cultural figures are stepping into a political vacuum, a role shaped by history. Since the counterculture movements of the 1960s, musicians and artists have often voiced popular discontent, he said. This is partly due to what sociologists describe as the inherently oppositional and radical culture of artistic spaces, and partly because art is capable of expressing the public mood. 'In the UK, like much of Western Europe and North America, governments have largely remained loyal to what they perceive to be the wishes and interests of the USA,' he said. But while artists can voice discontent and spread awareness, 'there are limits to what artists and cultural movements can do. 'Without effective new parties, the disconnect between public opinion and political elites will only grow,' he said. 'History shows us political reform needs political movements, too.'
Russia Today
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Russia Today
Nelson Mandela ‘never lost spirit'
Nelson Mandela, South Africa's first president and a global icon for his anti-apartheid efforts, 'never lost spirit' during his fight for freedom, his granddaughter Ndileka Mandela has said as part of a new RT Africa's film. Visiting Robben Island for the first time in 40 years, she joined an RT crew to retrace the steps of her grandfather's imprisonment. Speaking of the cruelty and inhumane conditions under apartheid, Ndileka Mandela recalled the attempts to crush not only her grandfather's body, but also his soul. 'I had never imagined ... how the apartheid system searched to break the humanity, searched to break the spirit,' she said. RT Africa's upcoming film, 'Mandela: man behind the legend', is set to premiere on July 18, Mandela Day. It offers a look into the life of the South African liberation icon. Told through a tapestry of interviews with people who lived and worked close to Mandela, the film intertwines memory and history, politics and legacy. 'He remained a rural boy at heart through and through,' Ndileka Mandela said. Xoliswa Ndoyiya, Nelson Mandela's former personal chef, describes feeling more like a daughter than an employee, saying: 'The legacy for me is the values that I took from him. Loving people, sharing with people, caring for people, and most of all to respect people.' 'Mandela: man behind the legend' leads viewers to Robben Island, once a symbol of brutal repression where Mandela spent 18 years behind bars, but now a place of memory. Through intimate stories and reflections, the film reveals the enduring strength behind Mandela's message and how his values continue to shape generations far beyond South Africa. The apartheid era in South Africa, which lasted from 1948 to 1994, was a system of racial segregation implemented by the all-white government. It enforced policies that discriminated against non-white South Africans. Nelson Mandela became a leading figure in the resistance, organizing campaigns against the regime. After being imprisoned for 27 years on charges of sabotage, he was released and eventually elected president. Mandela, who passed away in 2013, became the first democratically elected president of South Africa and the first black person to hold the position.
