Sarkodie - Ibrahim Traore (Song Breakdown)

Jul 23, 2026

Mainstream African artistes typically avoid mentioning sensitive political themes or names in their music for fear of rocking the boat in the politically-exposed entertainment industry.

Ghanaian hip-hop superstar Sarkodie is not one of them. His latest single titled ‘Ibrahim Traore’ directly takes aim at the attempted imperialist targeting of Burkina Faso’s revolutionary president, urging Africans to close ranks around Traore and protect the nascent political revolution in the AES.

For The Spearhead, McKay Chukwu, who has been active in the entertainment industry reviews the new single and gives his informed verdict.

Protests Erupt in Italy’s Bologna City After Moroccan Man Dies Under Police Restraint

Protests against police brutality broke out in the northern Italian city of Bologna after Abderrahim Fakir, a 42-year-old Moroccan, died in police custody on 19 July. He could be heard crying for help and saying “Enough!”

Many non-Europeans have complained of xenophobic and anti-Black sentiment in Italy.

Have you ever experienced r*cism in Italy? Drop us a comment.

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Video credit: europa and 4 DI SERA NEWS.

Six Months After Trump’s Peace Deal, DRC Takes Rwanda to ICJ

Six months after the Washington Accords for Peace and Prosperity were signed, the promise of peace in the Eastern DRC remains unfulfilled.

With the DRC now taking Rwanda to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), we have to point out that these foreign-led agreements don’t prioritize genuine peace but rather access to critical mineral resources.

As residents in Goma continue to wait for relief, it is becoming clear that external agendas often sideline the sovereignty and needs of local communities.

True stability cannot be transactional; it must be built. The path forward lies in African-led, homegrown solutions focusing on regional diplomacy, sovereignty, and lasting peace instead of the scramble for natural wealth.

Julius Malema: Africa’s True Friends Are China, Russia, Cuba, Palestine and Iran

Pan-Africanist Julius Malema gave these sharp remarks at the Botswana National Front’s (BNF) national conference, held 18-20 July 2026 in the southern African country’s Jwaneng town.

The BNF holds state power in Botswana, with party leader Duma Boko serving as the country’s president.

Do you agree with Malema bashing the United States in favour of China, Cuba, Iran, Palestine and Russia? Drop us a comment.

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Video credit: BTV News

Former CIA Official Nominated As US Ambassador To Rwanda

The nomination of Nicholas Checker, a former CIA official, as the next US Ambassador to Rwanda shows a strategic shift in Washington’s diplomatic posture. With his background in the Middle East and the Horn of Africa, Checker’s appointment suggests that the US is increasingly viewing its relationship with Rwanda through a security and intelligence lens, particularly amid ongoing tensions regarding the conflict in eastern DR Congo and allegations involving the M23 rebel group.

As the US moves to potentially increase scrutiny of Rwanda’s regional influence, Kigali faces the delicate challenge of engaging with this new diplomatic reality while firmly defending its own national interests and sovereignty.

Anti-Corruption Efforts In The Sahel Have Improved: Mo Ibrahim Foundation

The Mo Ibrahim Foundation (everywhere else) ] has released a report revealing that Alliance of Sahel States (AES) members Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso have seen significant improvements in anti-corruption since the popular revolutions in each country.

Given that the Mo Ibrahim Foundation is led by staunch anti-revolutionary and neocolonialism denialist Mohammed Fathi Ahmed Ibrahim, this report speaks to the otherwise undeniably growing influence of the AES in Africa’s political, cultural and information space.