Category Archives: History

Beauty of Mali

I was excited to get Mali as my country because I already knew couple facts about its rich history. Since the early colonial ear, Mali was the powerhouse among all kingdoms of Western Africa. The symbol for its influence was the Grande Mosque which was constructed in 1280 by King Konboro. As the 26th King of Djenne, the Islamic King helped Kingdom of Mali to reach its peak by incorporating infamous Islamic scholar and opening trade routes to the east. The Grande Mosque has the wooden spars that jut out from the walls not only form part of the structure, but also support the ladders and planks used during the annual repairs. This structure really mesmerized me when I first read about it in my history book.

Another reason why I had enjoyed learning more about Mali was I love its modern music. The artist name Mali Music has very nice tracks about his country and I got to learn more about the Mali music from researching. It was always rich in culture regarding music and dance.

Another thing I love about Mali is that every Monday, the wide open area in front of the mosque is transformed into the clamorous Monday Market, which has barely changed since the days when Saharan camel caravans brought salt across the sands to the gates of Djenné. Thousands of traders and customers come from miles around, and many of these itinerant traders follow the calendar of local market days in the region’s villages, their week culminating in Djenné.

Most arrive the night before, and by 06:00 on market day traders are already staking out the best sites  It spills over into the surrounding streets, especially those to the west. It’s all the more atmospheric because it’s a local’s market, with little on sale for tourists, and stallholders are too busy hawking their wares to each other to worry about the intrusion of travelers. Put simply, this market experience is not to be missed.

Also, I remember hearing about a crisis in Africa on the news. I did not recognize which country until now. The news was actually about the coup that happened in Mali against President Toure. In March 2012, President Touré was overthrown in a coup by mutineering soldiers who said they were acting in response to the government’s response to the rebellion by the Tuaregs, nomadic insurgents of Berber and Arab descent who live in the north.. The soldiers looted the presidential palace, suspended the constitution, and implemented a curfew. The coup did not impede the rebels. In fact, days after the coup, the rebels seized the city of Timbuktu, and thus gained control over much of the northern part of the country. They declared a cease-fire on April 5. The next day, however, the rebels said they had seceded from Mali and formed an independent state, called Azawad. Although that was far as the news told me then. After doing some research the coup had ended with the threat of sanctions against them. Both side gave up their power and let a party that was not affilated with neither sides took up the presidential power.It was unfortunate to learned that a country with high cultural value and rich history was still struggling with political conflicts.

Another reason that I enjoyed learning about my country was because it has a respected soccer program that aims to produce talented soccer players. As a person that is very interested in soccer, I was surprised to find out how many players I was able to recognize from Mali’s 2014 national team roster. Players like Keita and Doumbia have made their names known by playing for famous french clubs such as Toulouse and Bastia. I also found out that they produce immense amount of talents that are often picked up by French and English clubs. But I also learned that Mali has a very close affiliation to France not just in terms of soccer but politics and economy. This is due to the close colonial relationship that shared for a long time.

 

Somalia Hope

This Video contains graphic images from the Somalian civil war. If you are unable to view such images i advise you to fast forward or to not watch the video.

The Land of Beauty – Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe is well known for the beauty of the land where it has “Victoria Falls on the Zimbabwean border is neither the widest nor the deepest waterfall in the world – but many claim it to be the largest in sheer volume of water. More than a mile (1.6 km) wide, cascades of water plummet 350 feet (108 m) to crash on rocks below. The roaring falls kick up such a heavy spray that you can’t even see the base of the falls during the wet season.”

Victoria Falls is only one of many stunningly beautiful sights in Zimbabwe. Located in southeast Africa, Zimbabwe (formerly Southern Rhodesia) lures travelers from all over the world to experience its national parks, wildlife, beauty, and culture.

Whether you want to travel with a wildlife safari or try your hand at white-water rafting down the thundering Zambezi River, Zimbabwe has a lot to offer—including a thriving community of Latter-day Saints.

here are more than 23,000 members of the Church living in Zimbabwe. Membership has grown swiftly in the last 35 years. Prior to 1980 for example, there were just over 1,000 members.

The prophetic declaration issued by President Spencer W. Kimball (1895–1985) on June 8, 1978, that “all worthy male members of the Church may be ordained to the priesthood without regard for race or color” (Official Declaration 2) had a positive impact on the growth of the Church in Zimbabwe.

Many Latter-day Saints have helped strengthen the Church in Zimbabwe. Here is a brief look at some of those pioneers.

Missionaries were sent to Southern Rhodesia for a limited time in the early 1930s. Yet by 1935 all missionaries were pulled from Southern Rhodesia (then part of the South African Mission) and the area was closed because of the shortage of missionaries and the distance from the mission home in Cape Town, South Africa.

In September of 1950, eight missionaries were sent to reopen Southern Rhodesia. Five months later, the first convert baptism in the area took place.

Born in England in 1926, Hubert Henry Hodgkiss moved to Salisbury, Southern Rhodesia, in 1949. He initially learned about the Church from a friend who was investigating the gospel. Hugh had doubts about the restored gospel and set out to prove to his friend that the Church was not true. Instead, after searching the gospel closely, Hugh developed a testimony of its truthfulness and decided to be baptized. “I was wrong,” he told his friend. “I am joining the Church.”

Hugh was baptized February 1, 1951, marking the first convert baptism in Southern Rhodesia. He enjoyed being around people and made friends everywhere he went. His friendly nature allowed him to make great contributions to the growth of the Church in the area.

In 1959 Hugh became president of the Salisbury Branch. His counselors were also local members. This was the first time this branch presidency consisted of local members. Before this, full-time missionaries had always filled the responsibilities of the branch presidency.

Ernest Sibanda met two Mormon missionaries on bicycles—Elder Black and Elder Kaelin—in December 1978. They left a Book of Mormon with him. Before their visit, Ernest had already spent many years studying religion. In fact, he had been a teacher for his church for nine years and a pastor for three years.

The night Ernest received his copy of the Book of Mormon he stayed up until 2:00 in the morning reading enthusiastically. He couldn’t wait to meet the missionaries the following day. Ernest told them that he had learned more from Joseph Smith about Jesus Christ than all the ministers he had ever met. Ernest was baptized shortly thereafter, followed by his wife and children a few weeks later.

Of his baptism day, he wrote, “I felt very free. I felt released from every evil. I found there was love in me for my family. I found there was love within me for the Church.”

Ernest Sibanda proved to be a great strength to the Church. He served as Sunday School president, branch clerk, and second counselor in a branch presidency. He also fulfilled an assignment from the South Africa mission president to translate hymns from English to Shona.

Reference:

https://www.lds.org/ensign/2014/03/zimbabwe-land-of-beauty-people-of-faith?lang=eng

To answer the following question

How does this impact your original thinking (stereotype, bias, neutrality) of the country?

I honestly thought that Africa was a very poor country but after taking this class you will be aware of the reasons behind this. Also because of my several researches about Zimbabwe I came to know that Africa is a very beautiful country but no only that the people are trust worthy as well. What I find interesting through our class discussions is that we are so ignorant about Africa and only view Africa in a stereotypical perspective.

Leader of African Soccer

FIF_NewCrest

Each country has its own positive things. They can be anything: society, politics, culture, art and music. These positive things play a big role in shaping up the country. They do not have to be famous, but they hold the value of the people and the country. For Ivory Coast, I think that the most positive thing about this country a game of sport, called soccer.

If you asked everybody who watches soccer about national soccer teams in Africa, they all would know about how good Ivory Coast national soccer team is. Soccer is a major sport in Ivory Coast, and there are soccer fields existed in every town and villages in Ivory Coast. The Ivory Coast national soccer team is controlled by the Federation Ivoirienne de Football or FIF. Moreover, Ivorian national soccer team, also known as “The Elephant”, is always famous in its continent, but it is known worldwide after it qualified for the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

The Elephant has an impressive record in African Cup of Nation. The team captured fourth place in 1970 and 2008, third place in 1965, 1968, 1986, and 1994, second place in 2006 and 2012, and it won the cup in 1992 against Ghana on penalties at the Stade Leopold Senghor in Dakar, Senegal. Other than that, it captured fourth place in FIFA Confederation Cup in 1992. Most importantly, Ivorian national soccer team has qualified for three consecutive World Cups, first in Germany in 2006, second in South Africa in 2010, and lastly in Brazil in 2014. Unfortunately, they have never moved on from the group stage. Nevertheless, the Elephant has produced many world class soccer players; for example, Didier Drogba who is now playing for Chelsea Football Club in Barclay Premiere League in England, Yaya Toure who is now playing for Manchester City Football Club in the same league with Drogba, and Gervinho who is now playing for Associazione Sportiva Roma in Serie A in Italy. In national ranking, Ivory Coast is ranked 25th in the world, higher than Russia, Sweden, and Poland; furthermore, it is ranked 2nd in Africa. Ivorian national soccer team once was ranked 12th in the world in 2013, which is the highest ranking it has ever gotten.

For the Ivorian, soccer is more than just a sport. In 2002, the First Ivorian Civil War began. The Ivorian split into two sides; the rebel held Muslim North and the government held Christian South. There were raids and hostile attacks on foreign troops and civilians. This conflict came to an end, thanks to the Ivorian national soccer team that qualified for the 2006 World Cups in Germany. This qualification of the team led to the temporary truce between the two sides, which decrease the tension between the two parties. Moreover, this truce led to a peace agreement to end the conflict, which was signed on 4 March 2007.

I think that it is a wonderful thing that a game of sport can bring people from the entire nation to come together and stop the violence. I always know that Ivory Coast soccer is the best in its continent, and the knowledge that it also brought truce between the two sides in the First Ivorian Civil War amazed me even more. This teaches me that little group of people, uninvolved with politics or religions, can bring peace to the whole nation. More importantly, this makes me change my thought toward this country and the game of soccer. It makes me want to learn more of how this game will shape Ivory Coast future, as it played a significant role in bringing peace to the country in 2006. Remember, sport is much more than just a game.

Nigeria – The big bro of Africa.

Africa is the richest in natural resources continent in the world. Since the colonization period ended, African countries gradually become to be known as the next super-powered countries. Surviving from the British colonial, Nigeria now becomes one of the most powerful country in the Africa. Although there are some political problems, Nigeria has the massive of resources that could make it a great and wealthy country if there is a good administration on those national assets. Nigeria is also listed in the Next Eleven (N-11), among those high-potential economic countries. Furthermore, Nigeria has many cultural resources and places that help growing the tourism revenues, and its economy.

Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa. It locates near Gulf of Guinea, and its neighbors are Benin, Niger, Cameroon, and Chad. Nigeria has long and interesting history. The first group of people that habit Nigeria was Nok (500 BC.) Then Kanuri, Hausa, and Fulani gradually migrated to the land of Nigeria. Islam religion was first introduced to the Nigeria in the 13th century. It was Fulani that ruled the region until British seized control by 1886 and become the colonial. On 1960, Nigeria got independence and join the United Nations as a member of the commonwealth nations. After that, there are many conflicts between ethnic groups, military coups. Somehow, Nigeria is now free and on its way to the greatness.

Nigeria is affected by 4 climate types and most of it are tropics. Tropical rainforest in the southern area contributes natural abundance for Nigeria. You can see many forests in that area. Tropical savanna in the western and central area of the country where it is less humid and less hot. Alpine climate in the highland parts of Nigeria offers nice scenario for tourists. Last but not least, Tropical dry in the northern part of the country. The variety of climates has been helping Nigeria’s natural abundance and economic since its history.

Nigeria has been produced great people throughout the time. There are many people that are recognized by the world populace, and some are the role models that later generations use. Hakeem Olajuwon is a great basketball player that is recognized by the world of sports. Fela Kuti who used music to encourage and increase consciousness to the society. It was the peaceful action to against the corrupted state and should be a model for the modern day political reforms. There are also many great scientists that are Nigerian. Nigerian people has the potential to drive the country and the world.

Since the great amount of Ebola-related news come out, almost every people in the world is in panic. Most of them think that every African countries has stained with dead virus. But in reality, it isn’t. According to the WHO (World Health Organization,) Nigeria is free of Ebola. Outside people use stereotype to judge sanitation in African countries for a very long time. The stereotype is also a barrier of African economic growth. Because tourists may think that African country (in this case, Nigeria) has poor sanitation and afraid to come to Africa. No one wants to be nasty just because what he/she is born.

In the vision of people outside, Nigeria and other African countries are not developed and has poor administration. But in the reality, these countries have potentials that can keep up with other super-powered countries in the world. It is stereotype that keep them (African countries) under the condition that slow down the countries’ development; for example, African’s Ebola administration that affect the tourism growth. If the ignorance are reduced, African countries (not only Nigeria) will rise as the new and shine super-powered countries, and greatly help the current world struggles.

(This is part of the Blog Assignment #6.)

The making of Idi Amin’s Regime

Amin-2

“His Excellency, President for Life, Field Marshal Al Hadji Doctor Idi Amin Dada, VC, DSO, MC, Lord of All the Beasts of the Earth and Fishes of the Seas and Conqueror of the British Empire in Africa in General and Uganda in Particular.”

– Self title

In 1971, General Idi Amin elected himself as President after over throwing the first established government of the nation under Milton Obote, post independence. He ruled as Commander in Chief for 8 long years. During that period of time, Idi Amin went on a rampage, killing over 300,000 Ugandans.

Obote was a well respected Ugandan politician but didn’t meet the Western standard in regards to English-Ugandan relations. He desired his country to be as liberated as possible, after all, that was aim of the fight for independence.

Let’s back track a little…

Interestingly, Amin was inducted into Britain’s Colonial African Troops, “KAR” at a young age with no significant educational experience. This military organization in question was a multi-battalion regiment, carried on by the British during colonial times, extending over most of East Africa.

As he was ascending through the ranks, he became infamous for his brutality and torture. From ordinary soldier, Amin excelled to  an “effendi”, the highest position achievable for an African soldier within the British army.

Once President, Idi Amin terrorized the entire nation of Uganda as England turned a blind eye.

One question I cannot help but ask myself: is it by pure chance, that the English bred one of the most ferocious dictators in the History of Africa, immediately after their Independence, at such a crucial, vulnerable and premature time period?

Idi Amin1

In recently declassified documents from England’s Colonial era, many of their atrocities lead and influenced  globally, including Asia and East Africa, were revealed. 

According to Sky News, a very reputable English TV channel, they quoted these British documents stating “Amin was reliable”.

Eleven days before the Coup against Obote’s government, Richard Slater, British High Commissioner in Kampala stated many issues the new regime caused the British, qualifying the Anglo-Ugandan relations as “deplorable”. What issues you may ask?

  • Obote’s new legislation gave all ownership of the import and export business to the Ugandan government.
  • 60% of the shares of oil companies, manufacturing industries, banks, insurance companies and others would be nationalized.

Normal right? Considering, Uganda was an INDEPENDANT country. But no, this was greatly challenging the British business interests in Uganda.

Moreover ‘there is a danger that other countries will be tempted to try and get away with similar measures with more damaging consequences for British investment and trade’. Three weeks after Uganda proceeded with all these new legislations, Sudan decided to nationalize foreign businesses in a “ even more unacceptable way”

African burden

Amin being a simple marionette, unconsciously  by his “allies”, he plummeted the country’s economy, racked up over 200 million dollars in debt, raised inflation to 20%, destroyed families, established poverty and unemployment but moreover mentally emotionally and physically scared an entire nation.

According to the British High commissioner , Ambassador Harold Smedley, Amin was ‘corrupt and unintelligent’ fully aware of his savagery but yet “despite his limitations Amin has considerable dignity and more the air of a leader than Obote.”

We’ve all seen Amin’s cruelty in class, dismembering his own spouse, using government officials heads as trophies. Now, is that the new definition of “dignity”?

Coming from a family of Ambassadors myself, the thought alone of someone of such stature conveying these thoughts is very frightening because this mindset itself can go a long way. And as we’ve learned, it did. It was only during the last few years when Idi Amin’s craziness made him turn against the English that they in return decided to stop any funding and ended relations with the country.

We need to open pour eyes and carefully inspect such situations in order for it to not repeat itself.  Nothing is really as it seems . A little food for thought.

” Nobody is as powerful as we make them out to be” – Alice Walker

http://www.biography.com/people/idi-amin-9183487

http://africanhistory.about.com/od/biography/a/bio_amin.htm

http://www.nytimes.com/2003/08/17/world/idi-amin-murderous-and-erratic-ruler-of-uganda-in-the-70-s-dies-in-exile.

html://www.hartford-hwp.com/archives/36/502.html

Amadou Toumani Touré

Although Mali does not have a famous anti-colonial politician, there were many that influenced its political foundations. My person of interest was Amadou Toumani Toure of Mali during the political unstable era of 20th century. Before he became known as a famous politician, Touré studied to be a teacher and later joined the army in 1969, receiving military training in France. It was interesting to find out that he was once part of the National Guard of Mali for a short period of time.

He came into the political scene by advocating speech and legal skills he acquired from many school. Touré first came to international prominence on 1991, as the leader of a coup that toppled Traoré.  Touré’s coup was generally welcomed because of Traoré’s poor policies, which had led to popular unrest, often resulted in violent riots. It was after days of such rioting that the coup took place, and it seemed to many that Touré had acted in the name of the people and brought stability and democracy to the country.

His impact was very significant in bringing peace and stability to politics in Mali. In preparation for Mali’s 2002 presidential elections, Touré resigned from the armed forces in September 2001. He ran as an independent candidate in the first round of voting, held on April 28, and did well, receiving the most votes. He prevailed in the second round, held on May 12, with the support of more than 40 parties and received 65 percent of the total vote, although the election was marred by low voter turnout and allegations of fraud. Nonetheless, Touré was inaugurated on June 8, 2002. As a president without party affiliation, he did not have the automatic support of a party in the National Assembly, but he offered to work with any party or coalition of parties that could gain legislative control. To that end, in September 2002 the Presidential Bloc coalition was formed to work with Touré, and he enjoyed the support of a stable legislative majority for a few years.

He continued his popular legacy in the Mali political scene by running for the next election. Touré was reelected in 2007, again running as an independent candidate, although he had the backing of the Alliance for Democracy and Progress. Touré captured 71 percent of the vote in the first round of voting, held on April 29, thus avoiding the need for a runoff election. In legislative elections held a few months later, the ADP won the majority of seats, and Touré again was able to enjoy stable legislative period.

However, On March 21, 2012, a coup was launched by a faction of the military that was unhappy with the way the administration was handling rebel activity in northern Mali. As the mutinying soldiers announced the suspension of the constitution and closed the country’s borders, Touré’s actual whereabouts were unknown, but he was said to be in a safe location guarded by troops still loyal to him. A week later Touré confirmed that he was still in Mali.  Nevertheless Toure was extremely influential in building the foundations after the colonial era of Mali.

Egyptian Revolution of 1952

Naguib and Nasser at the 1954 Anniversary of the Revolution

Egypt is a country that not many people know about. Many people probably assume that the only history that Egypt had was pyramids, pharaohs, and mummies. However, there is much more to it than that. Just in 1952 they actually had a revolution. The two leaders of this revolution were Muhammad Naguib and Gamal Abdel Nasser. The whole thing started when the people wanted to overthrow King Farouk, but it soon became about more than just overthrowing the king.

Muhammad had a very extent military background so he was very familiar with how the politics in Egypt worked. He joined the Free-Officers Movement and worked his way up until he became the Major-General. Of course all of this was in secrecy. The Free-Officers were young men in the military who formed together to overthrow King Farouk. Naguib was a very important part of the Free-Officers Movement. He was basically the face of the movement in the eyes of the people. He talked to prime ministers, generals, colonels, peasants, and just about everyone else who wanted to overthrow the king. Naguib seemed to be a very persuasive person and could talk anyone into anything. With the help of his good friend Gamal, they managed to overthrow the king quite peacefully. After the overthrowing and exile of the king, Naguib became the first president of Egypt.

Gamal met Naguib when they were in the Free-Officers Movement. Gamal was actually the Colonel of the Movement and as Naguib slowly worked his way up to Major-General, Naguib ad Colonel Gamal became very close friends. They are both considered to have played the biggest part in the Revolution of 1952. Gamal had a very impressive military  background and served in countless wars. After him and his friend overthrew the king, he became the second president of Egypt.

Naguib and Nasser like a lot of friends, had their disagreements, but their disagreements ended their friendship. Right after the Revolution Naguib was sworn to office, but also became the prime minister and chairman of the RCC (Revolutionary Command Council). Nasser formed a government of mostly important army officials. Naguib’s political career was no the most popular. He basically just surrounded himself with his colleagues and stopped caring about “The People” of his country. As you might guess, this move was not very appreciated by most people. The RCC started to realize this and did not like it. They soon started clashing ideas with him and that’s when he had a realization. He seemed to drastically change his mind and suddenly thought that the army should have nothing to do with the government and they should only be there to protect the civilians ruling it. The RCC ad Nasser strongly disagreed with this. Nasser thought that if they pulled the army out of politics, that it would allow for parties like “The Muslim Brotherhood” to regain power. This is where their major conflict started. Nasser publicly accused Naguib of supporting “The  Muslim Brotherhood” and tried to turn everyone on him and eventually it worked. Nasser made everyone think that Naguib supported “The Muslim Brotherhood” and he was forced to resign and Nasser took the presidency, prime minister position, and chairman of the RCC. In 1954 an assassin tried to kill Nasser at a rally, but missed all eight shots, so Nasser calmly stood up and kept speaking and the people slowly started to stop panicking and loved every word he said. Nasser knew what the people wanted and did everything the people wanted. Nasser was a much better president than Naguib and really turned Egypt around.

-Austin Groff

Steven Bantu Biko

Steven (Bautu) Biko is one of the most famous advocates in South Africa. He was born December 18 1946, Tylden in the Eastern Province now called Eastern Cape. He died on September 12, 1977 in Pretoria, Transvall now called Gauteng. Steven was a Member of the SRC at University of Natal (Non-European section), first president of SASO, Chair of SASO Publications, Black Consciousness Movement leader, banned person, political prisoner, killed in police detention. Biko was not alone in forging the Black Consciousness Movement also known as the (BCM). He was by far South Africa’s most prominent leader, who with others guided the movement of student discontent into a political force unprecedented in the history of South Africa.

Biko and his peers were responding to developments that emerged in the high phase of apartheid, when the Nationalist Party (NP), in power for almost two decades, was restructuring the country to conform to its policies of separate development. The NP went about untangling what little pockets of integration and proximity there were between White, Black, Coloured and Indian people, by creating new residential areas, new parallel institutions such as schools, universities and administrative bodies, and indeed, new ‘countries’, the tribal homelands. The students that launched the South Africa Students Organisation (SASO) belonged to a generation that resisted the process of strengthening apartheid, in any manner they could. Biko’s rise to prominence is inextricably tied to the development of the BCM.

Steven believed mostly in politics and speeches, he strongly believed in the idea of a non-violent way to end Apartheid in South Africa, and to have the whites return to their original homes. Also he was strongly influenced by Mohandas Gandhi and the way he stood up for Indian rights in a non-violent way, and by Martin Luther King Jr. with his non-violent attempt to end segregation in the United States. This south african acknowledged that blacks could support themselves and live in a world without whites, and so, he started the Black Consciousness Group, which was a group that believed in black pride. He then started the Black Peoples Convention in 1972, which was a political front for the Black Consciousness Group and consisted of only blacks, all whites were excluded.

From the beginning Steve Biko  always found Anti–Apartheid interesting. He had a high appreciation toward groups and pollutions/politics. Biko, after going to a medical school, was involved with (NUSAS) National Union Of South African students. Steve himself worked on the social uplift project for the students around the Durban area. In 1973 the apartheid government banned Steve Biko. He was arrested and restricted to his house, but that did not stop him from helping out. He wanted to help the families of the blacks that were arrested and thrown in jail, and so, Biko set up a Zimele Trust Find, which helped support political prisoners and their families.

It has been 37 years since Biko has been killed yet his impact he had on the South african people still stands today. He was an ordinary young man of his time. Nothing could have distinguished him, his family circumstances and environment from any other young man growing up in a small township in a small Eastern Cape town. Steve Biko was an ordinary young man who lived in ordinary times but who made something extraordinary out of his life, not out of his own will, by but the machinations of an evil system. He touched the lives of young men and women of his generation and he was part of an abiding movement capable of changing the social and political face of our country. In other ways he gave birth to a society that could shape its own future. The first time I had heard of Steven Biko when I was watching a movie called the “The Color of Friendship”. It was a disney movie that highlighted an interracial friendship but Biko was mentioned for anti-aparthied riots that was at it’s peak. Apartheid ended in 1994 the year I was born but, Biko could not see the day that the south african people were free from it all. I am glad i was able to learn more about Steven Biko and how his impact changed the lives of the South African people forever through his commitment that could not have been denied.

http://allafrica.com/stories/200709130385.html

http://myhero.com/hero.asp?hero=S_Biko_nehs_US_2010_ul

http://www.sahistory.org.za/people/stephen-bantu-biko

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FLN- Terrorists or Freedom Fighters

zohra drif

Zohra Drif

 

casbah

Modern Picture of Algiers Casbah

 

There were many small cells and groups who began to organize in the early 50s to try and force the French out, eventually they all came together to form one cohesive group.

After nearly a century of French control, Algerians were more than tired of the colonial presence. The socialist political party FLN (Front de Liberation Nationale in French) or the National Liberation Front was formed to try to offer the Muslim population of Algeria hope for future independence from the French who had killed thousands of innocents, and continued to occupy land which was not theirs.

In November of 1954 there was an armed rebellion by Muslim forces. There were some skirmishes between French troops and the FLN, but it failed to gain international attention.  The FLN wanted their voices to be heard, and wanted the world to take notice of their struggle. Media attention would gain traction for their trajectory toward freedom.

In 1956 the FLN decided to begin to direct their efforts towards the capital city of Algiers to gain international attention, and also to combat the thousands of troops being sent to Algeria by the French government in 1956.

By May, around 250,000 troops had been deployed and there were frequent raids in the Casbah of Algiers. The FLN didn’t want to negotiate, and by the next month the French Prime Minister Guy Mollet increased the military presence to 400,000.

The FLN began ordering random killings of French officials,  The french bombed the casbah back in retaliation. Many Muslim residents sought to get revenge and planned to move into the French Quarter in a mob and inflict violence. The French had caught wind of the idea, and it was sure going to be a bloody exchange if followed through.

Yacef Saadi, the military leader of the Algiers FLN, sent his lieutenants to tell the mob to turn around to minimize civilian deaths. The FLN swore they would avenge the people of the Casbah.

The FLN began bombing French police stations and administrative institutions, as well as popular hang outs of French civilians. An infamous incident of such was on September 30th of 1956. A young woman Zohra Drif planted a bomb in “Milk Bar Cafe” killing three and critically wounding many others.

Because there were curfews and blockades around the Casbah, they used Drif to plant the bomb, as she had a lighter complexion and could pass for French when the curfew was in affect.

In 1957 the FLN sought to argue on their behalf to the United Nations that they were a legitimate political party and not a terrorist group who had the support of the Algerian Muslim population.

They planned a strike among shop owners and workers, yet after only eight days the French broke them down with force.

The FLN carried on with random killings. Soon Jacques Massu was appointed as leader of the French forces. He was a fierce military leader, and after the blunder of the French’s war with Vietnam, they wanted to avoid such an outcome in Algeria.

Massu was not opposed to extreme tactics against his FLN enemies. He was able to justify such treatment, as there had been much violence and brutality to French women and children, and their attacks were often at times when the military personnel were unaware and unable to fight back.

They eventually captured Ben M’Hidi, the FLN’s leader, it was a big media gesture. He eventually died in prison. The formal explanation was that he killed himself in his cell, but it is more likely he was tortured to the point of death.

The French would win the Battle of Algiers, but would go on to lose the war. There were around 1,000,000 casualties over the course of the struggle. And while both sides were suffering heavy losses, the Algerians could sustain it theoretically, yet the French could no longer politically justify such a heavy loss of life for a war not concerning their domestic country.

Charles De Gaulle, leader of France, decided to pull out. So the FLN succeeded in driving the French out.

The interesting thing about the FLN, is that they used very controversial means to achieve their freedom. Bombings of public buildings with much loss of innocent life is hard for me to justify. I know their cause was an important one to them, but it is morally disgusting to me. Yet, the French killed many innocents as well, and over time committed genocide. So, I suppose the rebels were merely firing back in accordance with what the French had done and were doing. If viewed through a Machiavellian lens, the end justified the means. A downtrodden people who had been oppressed and recognized as less than people had gained back the territory that was naturally theirs.

Zohra Drif, whom I mentioned earlier, would serve later in the Algerian government. While she and her counterparts may have used terroristic and dirty methods, they had something they wanted to accomplish, and many among the Muslim population saw the FLN as heroes beating the oppressors out of their homeland.

 

Sources:

http://www.sjsu.edu/faculty/watkins/algeria.htm

 

http://www.princeton.edu/~achaney/tmve/wiki100k/docs/Algerian_War.html