The News: Ukraine, Energy and Africa


It is well known that the media is a powerful tool for manipulation. I am not one to watch the news every day, but I try to stay on top of things a couple of times a week. Like many others, I have my own thoughts on plenty of these headlines.

War in Ukraine: This is one thing sure to make the news every single day. It is hard to believe it has been over a year since it started.  Why this war gets so much attention I cannot exactly say, but propaganda is written all over it. All the financial support Ukraine is getting from the world's superpowers is very suspicious. We are talking about over $100 BILLION spent so far! What about the many other ongoing wars that have lasted years, if not decades? Also, the blatant one-sidedness in the media is cringeworthy. Who made Ukraine the victim? When the US wages war in the Middle East, we never see images of the casualties plastered all over the news. The double standard just grates at me. I am not an expert on war, and I am not saying Putin is innocent...it is just hard to ignore the one-sidedness of it all. All I see is the West once again trying to control things, but now faced with an opponent who can fight back. I just hope Putin does not get squashed the way Gaddafi was. Let it at least be a fair fight.


Energy Crisis and Inflation: The impact of this is felt by almost everyone. Most blame the Covid-19 pandemic for inflation, and the energy crisis is said to have been triggered by the ongoing war in Ukraine. Russia, being a major energy supplier in Europe, was bound to take advantage of this after being severely sanctioned by the EU. One cannot help but wonder where we go from here. I am particularly hopeful that this crisis will speed up the transition to clean energy. Let us keep our fingers crossed for major breakthroughs in research. But it could go both ways. Many companies are already falling back to oil and coal to keep operations and meet production targets.


Presidential Elections in Nigeria: The power of corruption once more proved itself in Nigeria a few months ago. A win for the underdog Peter Obi would have meant the beginning of the end for African politics as we know it. Many prayed for a miracle. Well, some say it is not over yet. May God hear the voices of those crying for justice and put evil to shame. It is obvious to anyone who the most competent candidate was. I am still shocked at how boldly Tinubu expressed his entitlement to the position. At what age? To lead a young, vibrant country? We are indeed our own worst enemy. Nigeria has so much potential, and could eventually have the power needed to chase out the other Western powers mercilessly pillaging many African countries. We can only continue to pray for another miracle as Tinubu is now officially president and is sure to perpetuate the status quo. 


Mali and Burkina Faso: What a joy it was to see Mali and Burkina Faso stand up to France. The injustices carried out by France in Africa to date are unbelievable. How come African rebels never run out of ammunition or sustenance, yet our countries are steeped in poverty? Who funds these rebel groups? For what gain? As long as resource-rich countries remain unstable, the West can get away with stealing from them. But Mali and Burkina Faso put an end to France's thieving. And to prevent other African countries from joining them president Macron visited four of its former African colonies. Talking about restructuring military bases. Hello Mr. President it is long overdue! 50+ years after colonialism?!?! Why would you operate military bases in a country to which said country has no access? The audacity. But they have the power. And we let them. So they do. But one day the hammer of divine justice will fall...and I pray that day is not too far ahead.



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