The hidden threats of the US military bases in African nations

 

The U.S. and Cameroonian forces. Photo credit: dronecenter.bard.edu

The United States maintains a network of military outposts across Africa through cooperative security locations, forward operating sites, and drone bases, often in cooperation with host nations. Despite its claims that it does not want permanent bases, the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) operates under various arrangements in multiple countries.

 

The US government argues that its bases' access points throughout Africa are essential for fighting extremist organizations like Boko Haram and al-Qaeda affiliates, especially in the Sahel and Horn of Africa regions, as well as for advancing its counterterrorism goals, securing strategic interests, and countering the influence of rival powers like China and Russia.

 

However, this raises concerns about the veracity of those bases in African nations, considering the attacks on other nations using US-established bases. I don't think it makes sense for America to convince the world that establishing bases is to combat terrorism, as no nation faces global dangers like the United States. More significantly, neither China nor Russia poses a threat to the Black Continent.

 

Following the widespread independence of African countries, the US administration and the West implemented a number of misleading programs to persuade African leaders of their advantages. However, given America's history of aggression against oil-producing nations like Iraq, Iran, and Libya, it is simple to accept that America has bases in Africa, not because it cares for the continent's citizens.

 

Securing access to Africa's abundant natural resources, particularly oil and gold, and maintaining U.S. geopolitical dominance in a continent increasingly sought by foreign investment and influence are the fundamental reasons why the US established bases in African nations. As a result, the US bases serve as a reminder to rival nations like China and Russia that "our bases are there, so don't come close."

 

I believe that strategic access to key geographic locations, such as Djibouti - Camp Lemonier, Kenya - Manda Bay, Niger - Air Base 101, Niamey, and Air Base 201, Egypt -MFO South Camp, Egypt - MFO South Camp, and Cameroon - Contingency Location Garoua, would enable a rapid attack on any rich resource country. In my opinion, America’s aggression against rich source nations should serve as a lesson to African leaders to prevent the setting up of bases in African countries.

 

The United States used military equipment stationed at bases in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, such as San Isidro Air Base and Las Américas International Airport, which were authorized for U.S. use for counter-narcotics operations, to launch its attack on Venezuela and capture its president, Nicholas Maduro. After Libya and Iraq yesterday and Venezuela today, which African nation is next?

 

AFRICOM frequently overshadows diplomatic and humanitarian organizations, weakens African sovereignty, and displaces civilian development initiatives. It also encourages internal repression by supporting authoritarian regimes.

American military installations in African nations present a complex threat that includes worries about sovereignty, neo-colonial influence, and the possibility of further instability. Ghana's first president, Kwame Nkrumah, saw this threat and warned the newly independent African nations before he was deposed and died in exile. 

Military force doesn’t define a nation’s greatness; it’s the power to prevent war – Joel Savage

Worldwide, developed nations and many of their citizens believe that a great nation is defined by its military force. More significantly, superpowers like the US, Russia, China, and North Korea frequently display their military might in parades for the world to see. 

However, I hold a different view; I firmly think that a nation's greatness is determined by its capacity to promote national harmony and avert war, not by its military might.

 

The world is suffering from wars, which are taking their toll on humanity. However, many don’t even know that these wars can be avoided, though. These conflicts are caused by a variety of factors, including greed, arrogance, and the desire to dominate and control the world. 

Everyone is bragging about their weaponry and military capabilities, but frequently, this verbal boasting turns into actual action. Yesterday it was Russia and Ukraine, and today it is Israel and Iran. Who knows what comes next?

 

The world is advancing rapidly due to the effects of modern technology. In the past, the US government could simply devise a scheme to accuse an African leader of accumulating wealth while denying the people food. 

The US military-backed coup to overthrow the African government comes next. However, today, Africans no longer support this fallacious US policy. When the United States wrongly accused the leader of Burkina Faso of accumulating a fortune and starving his people, the world stood up for Captain Ibrahim Traoré.

 

The Russian-Ukrainian and Israel-Iran wars are not Africa's fault, but the Black Continent bears the brunt of their effects. Although the accusations are denied, legitimate papers frequently blame Western nations and the US government for coups and political instability on the African continent.

However, the political situation in Burkina Faso is France's fault. After successfully assassinating Thomas Sankara, the former colonial master now wishes to try on Ibrahim Traoré.

 

World leaders should recognize the effects of war on mankind, including the destruction of the economy, the displaced people and refugees, environmental catastrophes, and the disruption of global stability, rather than displaying their incompetence to stop conflicts. 

The world doesn't need leaders who are intent on using war to prove their superiority. It's enough!

My thoughts on how China became a superpower country

China, once the least respected country in Asia, has now become the world's most powerful country.

 

China is now a superpower. This is a status that can't be achieved overnight or in a decade. So how did China, a country that, about six decades ago, many developed countries hardly respected, suddenly become such a great country, ready to conquer the whole world?

 

"Superpower" is a word associated with politics and science. I used to hear a lot, especially about America, when I was a student, and the thorough explanation of what a superpower country is increased my liking of America, because if you are not a great country, you can never be a superpower.

 

So what is a superpower?  A superpower is a very powerful state with enormous political, economic, military, and cultural potential, possessing a superiority over most other states, which allows it to exercise hegemony not only in its region but also in the most remote parts of the planet.

 

However, it seems some of the weaker countries realized that the US government, or America, actually preaches virtue and practices vice. They don't do what they say; they rather took the opportunity of being a superpower to oppress weaker nations. 

 

That sent a wake-up call to sensible nations, including China and North Korea, to pursue a rigorous ambition to be superpowers themselves. Today, North Korea and China can be classified as the two most dangerous countries in the world, after the United States of America.

 

We need to find out how China, a country that many developed countries don't have respect for, suddenly became one of the most fearful countries in the world.

 

An African Student In China

 

In the late seventies in Ghana, I read the book 'An African Student In China,' by a Ghanaian author, Emmanuel John Hevi. The book discussed many issues about human rights violations and the abuse of women in China, but there is a particular story that caught my attention.

 

Student Emmanuel John Hevi went to a Chinese shop to buy a pressing iron. I have to make it clear here: a new pressing iron, not a second-hand one. Within the first week, the iron broke down, and he took it back to the shop. The iron was repaired and given back to the student, but each time after repairs, the iron breaks down again.

 

This is a story, in my opinion, of the Chinese were finding out and studying what was actually breaking down the pressing iron until they gained the perfection of creating a perfect pressing iron today. 

 

Thus, in the entire period, while the advanced countries were underestimating China, the Chinese government was creating perfection from their mistakes. 

 

Emmanuel John Hevi's experience in his book relating to the pressing iron, which broke down many times and was repaired by China many times, can be a lead story in world scientific journals of how China became perfect in the electronics industry today.

 

Mao Zedong's perception

 

There is another story that I can bring out that I think inspired China to pursue higher dreams. Between 1960 and 1964, Chinese leader Mao Zedong became very worried, and during a conversation with a delegation of the Japanese Socialist Party, in relation to his theory, he spoke about how the US government had joined hands with Russia to dominate the world. 

 

He called both countries superpowers that possess more military and economic power than all other countries of the world, taken together, and display aggressive aspirations unprecedented in world history.

 

Underestimation is like a virus that spreads from advanced countries towards developing countries, then after a period of time, comes back to the countries of origin to haunt them. The United States government, from time to time, has underestimated China, but it has learned a very bitter lesson from the coronavirus.

 

There was a time Donald Trump referred to Africa as a 'shithole nation,' yet it was the same government that killed Gaddafi of Libya because he was too strong and wanted to change the face of Africa. It was the same US government that planned a coup together with Ghanaian soldiers to overthrow Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana.

 

"How long shall they kill our prophets, while we sit aside and look?" asked Bob Marley in his 'Redemption Song." 

 

If this article means something significant to African leaders, then they should do away with corruption and lift the face of Africa and the downtrodden masses from the dust; after all, the creator has already provided them with all the rich mineral resources.

10 TOP MYTHS ABOUT HIV/AIDS

HIV/Aids pills

Original article published by REAL HEALTH TREATMENTS

Beginning to understand the challenges of HIV/AIDS starts by dealing with some of the common myths people tend to believe about the disease. The following are some of the myths and facts about the disease.

1. 1. HIV/AIDS is mostly a disease of homosexual men

Primarily spread by heterosexual sex, HIV/AIDS now infects as many women as men worldwide. Although the disease was first recognized in the United States among gay men, it has also significantly spread among IV drug users. Internationally, it is more often a disease of heterosexuals.

2. HIV/AIDS is mostly an African problem.

Found in every country in the world, HIV infections are growing most rapidly in countries outside of Africa, including India and Russia. Many African countries have been decimated by HIV/AIDS, but the impact is also significant in Asia, Eastern Europe, and India.

3. HIV/AIDS spreads mostly because of poor moral choices

Women are often infected by their husbands. Children most often contract HIV by being born to HIV+ mothers. It isn’t helpful or meaningful to determine who is at fault or who is an innocent victim.

4. Plenty of money is being spent on fighting HIV/AIDS.

While a great deal of money is being spent by governments, private organizations, and individuals to fight HIV/AIDS, much more is needed.

5. HIV/AIDS is no longer a problem in developed countries like Canada, the United States, e.t.c.

Because medications (Antiretrovirals or ARVs) are widely available in developed countries, the death rate has decreased. But the number of people living with HIV/AIDS has not decreased, and the rate of new infections is not declining.

6. ARVs are widely available

While antiretrovirals are becoming more available, they are still difficult to find in many rural areas and in some countries. Both drugs and systems to distribute them are needed in many poor countries.

7. A cure exists for HIV/AIDS

While there are treatments to prolong life, there is no cure. Many scientists are working on a cure, but few believe there will ever be one way to effectively cure someone because the virus constantly changes.

8. There is no hope for those with HIV/AIDS

Great progress is being made in treatments, and the rate of infant infection in some countries is dropping rapidly. There is also a dropping rate of new infections in many countries with strong prevention programs.

9. If I’m not HIV+, the disease doesn’t affect me

The high rate of HIV/AIDS infections is causing instability in many countries and reversing the progress made in development. It is also causing a worldwide tuberculosis pandemic. Every community is affected. A pandemic affects everyone, even if not immediately recognized.

10. There’s nothing I can do

Everyone can do something. First, become educated. Then help teach others in your church, school, and community. Begin to care and pray about how you and your church, school, and community can become involved. 

Begin to share your knowledge with your peers to help break HIV stigma and the discrimination that exists in most communities today, and to encourage others to be a part of this fight to end the stigma of those affected or infected with HIV/AIDS.