Welcome to the Democratic Republic of Congo, a nation blessed with an abundance of valuable minerals yet cursed with a legacy of exploitation and suffering. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is a country blessed with an abundance of natural resources, including minerals, precious metals, and other valuable commodities. It is often referred to as …
The Scramble for Africa, also known as the Partition of Africa or the Conquest of Africa, refers to the invasion, annexation, division, and colonisation of most of Africa by seven Western European powers during an era known as New Imperialism (between 1870 and 1914). This period of rapid European colonisation led to a significant shift in the …
Leopold II was the second King of the Belgians from 1865 to 1909. Born on 9 April 1835 in Brussels, he was the eldest surviving son of Leopold I, the first King of the Belgians, and his second wife, Louise-Marie of Orleans. Although Leopold II played a significant role in the development of the modern …
Emperor Haile Selassie ruled Ethiopia between 1930 and 1974. He steered his country into mainstream post-World War II African politics through his modernisation efforts. Ethiopia was admitted to the League of Nations and the United Nations under his leadership. Addis Ababa became the primary centre for the Organization of African Unity (now the African Union). …
Comoros, officially known as the Union of the Comoros, is an archipelago island nation located in the Indian Ocean. Its history is rich and diverse, shaped by various civilisations and colonial powers. We will explore the journey of Comoros from colonisation to independence, highlighting key events, cultural influences, and the struggles faced by the nation. …
Malawi, a landlocked country in southeastern Africa, has undergone significant political and social changes since its transition to democracy in 1994. From the promulgation of a new constitution to the challenges faced by successive administrations, let’s explore the country’s democratic transformation and the subsequent political challenges it has encountered. Explore Malawi’s history from From ancient …
Malawi, a landlocked country in southeastern Africa, has a rich and complex history that spans thousands of years. From its early beginnings as a home to ancient civilisations to its struggle for independence from colonial rule, Malawi’s past is filled with fascinating stories and significant events. Prehistoric times: Ancient inhabitants and cultural artefacts The paleontological …
In 1781 over 100 enslaved Africans were thrown overboard the Zong slave ship to allow the slave owners to collect insurance money on their human commodities. This is one of the most egregious acts of inhumanity in Black history. The slave trade brought vast wealth to British ports and merchants but conditions were horrific. Enslaved …
Somalia, a nation in the Horn of Africa, has a rich and complex history spanning centuries. From early settlements and the influence of Arab traders to European colonisation and eventual independence, the Somali people have experienced significant political, social, and cultural changes. Early history: Arab traders and Islamic influence The history of Somalia dates back …
Kwame Nkrumah (1909-1972) was a prominent Ghanaian politician, political theorist, and revolutionary who played a crucial role in leading the Gold Coast to independence from Britain in 1957. As Ghana’s first Prime Minister and later President, Nkrumah championed pan-Africanism and was a founding member of the Organization of African Unity. His socialist and nationalist policies …
Where is Ghana? Ghana is a country in Western Africa. Situated on the coast of the Gulf of Guinea, it is bordered by Burkina Faso, Togo and Cote d’Ivoire. Ghana was the first black African country south of the Sahara to achieve independence from colonial rule. The modern state of Ghana is named after the …
Where is the Gambia? The Republic of The Gambia is the smallest country within mainland Africa and is sandwiched by Senegal. Banjul is the capital and the largest city in the Gambia. The Gambia has long been home to several different ethnic groups who have maintained their individual cultural traditions; as such, the country has …
Queen Anna Nzinga was a 17th-century African ruler who ruled the Ndongo and Matamba Kingdoms of the Mbundu people in Angola and fought against the slave trade and European influence in Angola. Anna Nzinga was born in 1581 in Kabasa, the capital of the Kingdom of Ndongo, which was ruled by a Mbundu-speaking people called …
Nestled in the heart of West Africa, Niger is a country steeped in history and rich cultural heritage. From its early civilisations to its struggle for independence and its journey towards democratic governance, Niger’s history is a tapestry of triumphs, challenges, and resilience. Early traces of civilisation Niger has been home to human civilisations for …
Burundi, a landlocked country in East Africa, is known for its rich history and complex ethnic relations. From its pre-colonial era to the present day, the region has witnessed a series of political upheavals and ethnic tensions. Pre-colonial Burundi: A land shaped by indigenous peoples The history of Burundi stretches back to the 16th century …
Rwanda, a land-locked country in Eastern Africa, has a rich and complex history stretching centuries. From the dominance of the Tutsi over the Hutu to the tragic events of the 1994 genocide, Rwanda’s past is marked by both triumphs and tragedies. Early Settlements in Rwanda Rwanda’s history stretches back to at least 10,000 BCE when …
The 1994 Rwandan genocide is one of modern history’s most horrific and tragic events. In just 100 days, an estimated 800,000 people, primarily from the minority Tutsi community, were brutally slaughtered by ethnic Hutu extremists. This genocide, marked by its unprecedented scale and cruelty, left an indelible mark on the collective memory of Rwanda and …
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has a rich and complex history, marked by periods of remarkable prosperity and devastating conflict and human rights abuses. Early history and the emergence of kingdoms The first inhabitants Evidence suggests that the area now known as the Democratic Republic of the Congo was populated as early as …
Liberia, located on the west coast of Africa, has a fascinating history spanning from its colonisation to its fight for independence. The American Colonization Society and the Birth of a Colony In the early 19th century, the United States grappled with the question of what to do about slavery. The American Colonization Society, founded in …
Africa is the second largest continent in the world, made up of 54 countries. There are many different religions in Africa, and some of them have been celebrating their faith, telling their stories and teaching their principles for thousands of years. Islam has been in Africa for so long since its beginning on the Arabian …
Mansa Musa was the first African Muslim king to make the pilgrimage to Mecca. He was also the richest person in all history, with a £321 ($400) billion fortune. Much richer than Bill Gates, the Rockefeller’s and the Rothschild family. Musa Keita I came into power in 1312 following the death of his predecessor, Abu-Bakr …
Boko Haram is a militant Islamist group based in northern Nigeria and founded in 2002. It has been terrorising Nigerians through assassinations and bombings for several years. They want to overthrow the Nigerian government and create an Islamic state, imposing Sharia law. Boka Haram means “Western education is sinful but the group’s official name is …
Apartheid South Africa was a period characterised by institutionalised racism, segregation, and the oppressive governance of the non-white population. Apartheid created a deep divide between people based on race, leading to widespread discrimination and violence spanning almost five decades. In this article, we will explore the roots of apartheid, its enforcement, and eventual dismantling, as …
Africa Rising examines how the West’s policy has affected Africa. From Clover films and filmmaker Jamie Doran, comes a documentary examining the failure of western policies towards Africa and rethinking the role of western aid workers on the continent. Narrated by Tilda Swinton, Africa Rising takes a look at the benefits of ‘Self Help’ in …
