Insight Africa

Often during economic downturns in all human societies, those existing today and those of the past, ethnic minorities are the first targets of the majority populous and their frustrations. Foreigners regardless of how assimilated or integrated they maybe be, often bear the brunt of misguided hate. In 2012 I was asked to take part in a BBC debate on the radicalisation of the Somali youth, once again we being demonised, chastised and eventually ended up being victims of circumstance leading to a high number of hate crimes. What was even more disturbing was the other Somalis who were engaged in the debate along side myself. It seemed that they felt indifferent to the community; therefore they had no reservations in condemning an entire community for the actions of a very minute ill-advised segment of the British Somali youth. I asked one gentleman whether the average white British citizen would be able to differentiate between him and the community he was denouncing on live...

Wisdom, finally I have found you while rekindling my love in Africa’s bosom. Remembering the time my mind dwelled in utter confusion, and my heart played possum. This man made system demands absolute submission, but this soul will never willingly seek damnation. I refuse hypocrisy to use me; something forces me to swim against the currents of constructed lies, laid out bare by my people’s tearful eyes. They say the world has plenty; sweet rhetoric to deceive me, rose lips and the velvet nudity of democracy, lady liberty seeks to seduce me, such vanity only tickles the weak minds fancy. I never trust the promise of those who wish to enslave me, played the fool and ended up with my hands damaged, scared and empty. Taken was my land and sovereignty but now I am wise, it took me centuries to see beyond your suited disguise.   From morning to sundown patiently I await, knowing that once again I am to face your impending hate. If the mothers of Gaza can withstand the opp...

During the colonisation of the African continent and the subsequent years that followed the heinous enslavement and pillaging of our people and natural resources, Africans knew the difference between enemy and friend. It was this knowledge that lead to the fight for independence cross the entire continent. As a person who only knows of that time through history books, elder’s tales and documentaries, I reflect fondly on the resolve of my ancestors. Their bravery, wisdom and their undying determination to overcome and abolish the white mans rule was undeniable. They struggled and gave their lives to fight a system that was created not only to destroy them physically but also to engrave the will of the slave on their hearts, minds and their unborn children. The world is a different place today, yet I have no doubt in my heart that if our ancestors did not fight and lay down their lives for our futures, we would all be a shackled slave working the plantations. Even worse wou...

#KenyaImNotATerrorist is the controversial campaign and brainchild of Hamza Egal and Muna Ismail. We had a brief chat with Hamza Egal ,a lawyer, father and Kenyan Somali, about the deeper issues that face not just our nation but the continent at large. Where are you from and where were you born? I was born in Saudi Arabia to Kenyan Somali parents but raised in the United Kingdom from age 1. Kenya has always been home as we spent every vacation here up until mother’s passing in 1996, when we decided to move back to the country permanently. Were you personally affected either by the Eastleigh attacks or the Mass detention of Somali’s at Kasarani Stadium? I was not directly affected by either. But in the aftermath, I did have an unfortunate encounter with the police who knocked on my door late one night when my family was asleep. They very forcefully demanded to conduct a search. I did not protest, for the sake of my family’s safety, but told them they were welcome to ent...