The African Union (AU) was officially formed in 2002 with a vision to create an "integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in the global arena.” In this episode we discuss how the AU came to be, its links to the Pan-African movement, and what the future holds for the continent under the AU.

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Sources for further reading:

· Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia (2020, February 14). African Union. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/African-Union

· The African Union: Pan-Africanism, Peacebuilding and Development by Timothy Murithi

· OAU Charter - https://au.int/sites/default/files/treaties/7759-file-oau_charter_1963.pdf

· The African Union: Autocracy, Diplomacy and Peacebuilding in Africa edited by Tony Karbo and Tim Murithi

· African Union - https://au.int/en

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Hello! We will be back with our usual shenanigans and historical tea in February, bringing you stories from the African continent, and a new concept too - we'll be exploring themes that transcend national stories such as the African Union, the CFA Franc and more. Join us next month for It's a Continent Season 5, and why not catch up on an old episode before then?

Follow us on IG: itsacontinentpod and Twitter: itsacontinent. Pre-order It's a Continent (2022) on itsacontinent.com/book  

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Hosts: Chinny: Twitter/IG: chindomiee

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Ceuta and Melilla are enclaved cities where the European Union has land borders with the African continent, as Spain continues to lay claims within Morocco. What is Spain doing in Morocco in the first place, and what are the wider implications? In this episode, we discuss why the two cities have been described as Europe’s “dirty secret" - the over-surveillance of the walls separating Africa from Europe, and the mistreatment and brutality towards those seeking a better life in Europe.

We're back with Season 5 in February 2022. This episode originally aired in May 2021.

Follow us on IG: itsacontinentpod and Twitter: itsacontinent. Pre-order It's a Continent (2022) on itsacontinent.com/book 

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Hosts: Chinny: Twitter/IG: chindomiee

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Artwork by Margo Designs: https://margosdesigns.myportfolio.com

Music provided by Free Vibes: https://goo.gl/NkGhTg

Warm Nights by Lakey Inspired: https://soundcloud.com/lakeyinspired/...

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Sources for further reading:

Ceuta and Melilla: why does Spain own two cities in Africa?

Melilla: Europe's dirty secret

World of Walls: The Structure, Roles and Effectiveness of Separation Barriers - ebook

French Morocco (1912-1956)

Alleged migrant smugglers arrested in Spain

Ceuta, Melilla profile

@ProdeinOrg 

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Our final episode of the season takes us to Algeria. We discuss the lead up to the Algerian War of Independence and the drastic actions France took in an attempt to retain power over the northern African nation. We also discuss the consequences of this conflict - including the mistreatment of Algerians in France, and those of Algerian descent demanding for official recognition of their treatment enshrined in law. See you in the new year! 

Follow us on IG: itsacontinentpod and Twitter: itsacontinent. It's a Continent (published by Coronet) is available to purchase: ⁠itsacontinent.com/book⁠

We're on Buy me a Coffee too:⁠ https://www.buymeacoffee.com/itsacontinent⁠

Visit our website:⁠ itsacontinent.com⁠

Artwork by Margo Designs:⁠ https://margosdesigns.myportfolio.com⁠

Music provided by Free Vibes:⁠ https://goo.gl/NkGhTg⁠

Warm Nights by Lakey Inspired:⁠ https://soundcloud.com/lakeyinspired/...⁠

Sources for further reading:

African Pride

News articles:

https://www.dw.com/en/confronting-frances-colonial-past-harkis-eye-reparations/a-59491421

https://apnews.com/article/europe-france-emmanuel-macron-781e0129b136872988d17b2ce804eddb

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/europe/macron-s-attempts-to-address-hurt-of-franco-algerian-history-proving-an-uphill-battle-1.4712089

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The Kingdom of Lesotho is a country enclaved within South Africa. The country’s formation stemmed from the work of King Moshoeshoe I (1786-1870) who founded the Basotho nation and helped define what it meant to be Basotho. In this episode, we’ll explore the country’s formation, its complicated relationship and history with South Africa, and recent political challenges which have shaped the nation.

Follow us on IG: itsacontinentpod and Twitter: itsacontinent. Pre-order It's a Continent (2022) on Amazon, Waterstones and Foyles

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Hosts: Chinny: Twitter/IG: chindomiee

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Vera Chirwa was Malawi’s first female lawyer and became a founding member of the Malawi Congress Party and the Nyasaland African Women’s league. Chirwa’s belief in multiparty democratic rule came at a time when a dangerous despot, Hastings Banda ruled a newly independent Malawi. In 1982, Banda ended up charging Vera and her husband Orton with treason, and the following year the court sentenced the couple to death. In this episode we look at Vera Chirwa's life and her drive to keep going despite being held as a prisoner of conscience in horrendous conditions.

Trigger Warning: this episode contains descriptions of police brutality and solitary confinement which some listeners may find upsetting.

Follow us on IG: itsacontinentpod and Twitter: itsacontinent. Pre-order It's a Continent (2022) on Amazon, Waterstones and Foyles

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Hosts: Chinny: Twitter/IG: chindomiee

Astrid: IG: astrid_monologuesx

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Warm Nights by Lakey Inspired: https://soundcloud.com/lakeyinspired/...

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Sources for further reading:

Fearless Fighter: An Autobiography – by Vera Chirwa 

Meet Malawi’s first female lawyer who fought for a multi-party system and spent 12 years on death row

CELEBRATING VERA MLANGAZUWA CHIRWA – BLACK HISTORY MONTH

Malawi campaigner still fighting

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To recognise Black History month in the UK, we're joined by the academic, activist and author Professor Kehinde Andrews. Kehinde is a professor of Black Studies at Birmingham City University and has written several books, his latest being ‘The New Age of Empire: How Racism and Colonialism Still Rule the World.’ In this episode we discuss black British identity, immigration, and how colonisation has shifted into its current form: benevolent imperialism.

Kehinde's projects include the Harambee Organisation of Black Unity, and Make It Plain, the home of black radical thought. In 2017 Birmingham City University became the first university in Europe to launch an undergraduate Black Studies degree course. Current offerings are undergraduate and MA courses.

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We're back in Uganda for the second part of our episodes focussing on Yoweri Museveni. This time we discuss the way his government silenced Bobi Wine's activities during the 2021 elections through excessive force and sanctioned killings. An internet blackout took place in Uganda, limiting reporting on internal conditions; however the Red Pearl Movement and social media has allowed Uganda's story to be shared with the international community. This episode looks at the extreme and violent measures taken by Museveni's administration to ensure his hold on power.

Trigger warning: police brutality.

Follow us on IG: itsacontinentpod and Twitter: itsacontinent. Pre-order It's a Continent (2022) on Amazon, Waterstones and Foyles

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Yoweri Museveni is a name you may have heard of during Uganda’s most recent elections where he was up against his main political rival Bobi Wine. This presidential election was entangled by fraud, threats, and sanctioned killings - but how did Ugandan politics get to this point? This episode is the first of a two-parter. We’ll look at Yoweri Museveni's rise to power: how his positioning as Uganda's liberator and increased stability for the nation gave way to a ban on other political campaigns and the removal of Presidential term limits. Museveni has remained in power for more than 30 years. 

Follow us on IG: itsacontinentpod and Twitter: itsacontinent. Pre-order It's a Continent (2022) on Amazon, Waterstones and Foyles

We're on Buy me a Coffee too: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/itsacontinent

Visit our website: itsacontinent.com

Hosts: Chinny: Twitter/IG: chindomiee

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Music provided by Free Vibes: https://goo.gl/NkGhTg

Warm Nights by Lakey Inspired: https://soundcloud.com/lakeyinspired/...

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Sources for further reading:

‘POPULISM’ VISITS AFRICA: THE CASE OF YOWERI MUSEVENI AND NO-PARTY DEMOCRACY IN UGANDA

After three decades in power, Uganda’s Museveni is running for president again

Uganda's Yoweri Museveni: How an ex-rebel has stayed in power for 35 years

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During the Scramble for Africa, Italy was eager to develop a 'second Roman Empire' within the continent. It set its sights on Ethiopia, which they were 'awarded' during the Berlin Conference of 1884-85. Now, all they had to do was remove the Ethiopian government and occupy the land. This proved easier said than done. At the time, Ethiopia was under the leadership of Emperor Menelik II, who was able to lead and defend his country against the Italian army. The Emperor helped to put Ethiopia on the map at a time where many African countries were being destroyed and exploited.

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Hosts: Chinny: Twitter/IG: chindomiee

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Music provided by Free Vibes: https://goo.gl/NkGhTg

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