It's a Continent
Join hosts Chinny and Astrid as they uncover key moments in African history that have shaped the continent, one nation at a time. The podcast features bite-sized episodes perfect for history lovers and curious minds. It has been featured on BBC and The Guardian and won Independent Podcast of the Year 2024.
Episodes
Ghana Must Go (Part 2)
In 1983, Nigeria ordered millions of undocumented immigrants to leave within weeks: an event that became known as “Ghana Must Go.” But this story didn’t begin there. We trace the deep history of migration between Ghana and Nigeria, from cooperation and shared opportunity to economic crisis and political tension. Through accounts, we look at how mass expulsions unfold, why migrants are oft
Ghana Must Go (Part 1)
Ghana is often remembered for the 1980s “Ghana Must Go” expulsions of migrants from Nigeria. But years earlier, Ghana carried out one of West Africa’s largest expulsions.In this episode, we explore the Aliens Compliance Order, when hundreds of thousands of migrants were ordered to leave within two weeks. Why did Ghana introduce the policy, and what were the consequences?Plu
Resisting Empire: Eduardo Mondlane
This episode of our Resisting Empire series tells the story of Eduardo Mondlane: scholar, activist, and founding president of Mozambique’s liberation movement, FRELIMO. Born under Portuguese rule, Mondlane’s early encounters with colonial oppression shaped his lifelong beliefs. He used every opportunity to challenge the systems of empire that sought to define him.
As FRELIMO’s leader, Mon
Resisting Empire: Samory Touré
This episode of our Resisting Empire series explores the life of Samory Touré, the 19th-century West African leader who built an empire across Guinea, Mali, Sierra Leone, Côte d’Ivoire, and Liberia. Known as the “Napoleon of Africa,” he modernised his armies, outmanoeuvred the French for over sixteen years, and used scorched-earth tactics to hold back European expansion.
But Samory was mo
Resisting Empire: Queen Amanirenas
We travel back to the ancient world to spotlight Queen Amanirenas of the Kushite Empire. Known as one of the most powerful Kandake (queen mothers) of Kush, Amanirenas led her people in defiance of Rome after the conquest of Egypt.
From fierce battles and guerrilla tactics to symbolic acts, her story reveals how Kush resisted Rome’s expansion and secured a peace treaty on their own terms.
Introducing: Trapped History
Here’s a great episode from the archives of the wonderful Trapped History podcast – where hosts, Oswin and Carla, share hidden stories of unsung heroes.In this episode, they introduce us to one of the most important – and most overlooked – cultural icons of the last 60 years: John La Rose. Helping to forge a Black British identity, John set up dozens of political, cultural and community o
The Rise of African Queens & Warriors with Paula Akpan
We sit down with journalist, historian and speaker Paula Akpan to explore her debut book When We Ruled—an illuminating retelling of twelve pre-colonial African queens and warriors whose reigns spanned Nigeria, Rwanda, Madagascar, South Africa and beyond. Driven by a passion to fill the silences of mainstream history, Paula takes us through her research journey—navigating fragmentary archi
The Bongo Dynasty's Rise & Fall
Gabon should be a model of prosperity—yet its oil riches were siphoned into offshore mansions and luxury fleets by the Bongo kleptocracy. From Omar Bongo’s 42-year dynasty to Ali Bongo’s rigged re-elections and the 2023 palace coup, we trace how pipedreams of development gave way to pipelines—and ask whether Brice Oligui Nguema can finally reclaim Gabon’s stolen promise.
Spend Abacha's Lo
Winnie Mandela: The Weight of Resistance
In this episode, we journey to South Africa to explore the life and legacy of Winnie Madikizela-Mandela — a woman who became a symbol of resistance and resilience. Known to many as the “Mother of the Nation,” Winnie’s story is one of fierce activism, personal sacrifice, and deep complexity.
We are LIVE @ Hay Festival on June 1st! You can get tickets HERE
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Andrée Blouin: Central Africa's unsung heroine (rerun)
Andrée Blouin fought ardently for her belief in independence from imperial power. We look at her life, legacy and how colonial law impacted her experiences: from growing up in an orphanage, to losing her son from a treatable illness. Blouin used her experiences to advocate for women's rights both against traditional customs and European imperialism. How did she end up on the periphery of
Mauritius Unmasked: The 1999 Riots
Mauritius is often seen as a paradise island, known for its stunning beaches and luxury resorts. But beneath this idyllic image lies a history shaped by colonisation, enslavement, and deep-rooted social inequalities. In this episode, we uncover the 1999 Mauritius Riots—an eruption of inter-ethnic violence following the death of beloved Creole seggae singer, Kaya, in police custody.How did
The Stolen Children of Colonial Empire
During Belgium’s colonial rule, mixed-heritage children were branded a 'problem' by the authorities, taken from their families, and forced into an uncertain future. This episode explores their experiences, the lasting impact of these policies, and the ongoing fight for recognition and reparations.Sources For Further Reading
https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2021/2/3/the-children-colonial
Ghana’s Exiled King: Prempeh I
We're exploring the life of Asantehene Prempeh I, the exiled king of the Asante Empire (modern-day Ghana). From his rise to power, supported by his mother Nana Yaa Kyaa, to his defiance of British colonial demands, Prempeh’s leadership threatened imperial ambitions, ultimately leading to his exile in the Seychelles for 28 years. Prempeh’s resilience, diplomacy, and modernisation efforts s
The UAE and Africa: Investment or Influence?
With China scaling back its African investments, the UAE has stepped in, becoming the fourth-largest investing bloc on the continent. The UAE's expanding influence on the African continent has left investment, geopolitics, and conflict in its wake. From renewable energy and mining to humanitarian aid and allegations of fueling conflict, the UAE’s actions raise questions about the fine lin
Introducing History Daily: The Egyptian Revolution
Enjoy this bonus episode: It's A Continent recommends History Daily.We're treating you to a teaser of this exciting podcast by sharing the episode "The Egyptian Revolution".February 11, 2011. Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak steps down after nearly 30 years, following mass demonstrations that were part of the pro-democracy uprisings known as the Arab Spring.About History DailyOn History D
Reparations to Africa: Action not Words (rerun)
Calls for reparations have come at a time where we’ve seen the Head of State be removed in Barbados and the returning of looted items like Benin Bronzes, Patrice Lumumba’s tooth and skulls stolen during the Namibian genocide. In this episode we look at the case for reparations: its definition, political origin and what it could look like. This episode was originally aired on December 13th
Repatriating African Artefacts (rerun)
90-95% of Africa’s cultural heritage is held overseas, with Benin Bronzes languishing in museum basements all over the world for around 125 years. the British Museum containing over 73,000 items from the continent alone. Asante Royal artefacts sit at the V&A, Met Museum and Royal Family. Germany possesses the skulls of Tanzanian chiefs, upsetting the local community and natural order.
Benevolent Imperialism with Kehinde Andrews (rerun)
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, including ‘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
Francisco Macías Nguema - Equatorial Guinea’s Tyrant
We explore the story of Equatorial Guinea and its first post-independence leader, Francisco Macías Nguema. This small West African nation—the only Spanish-speaking country on the continent, is rich in oil but marred by a legacy of exploitation. From its colonial past as Spanish Guinea to Macías's rise to power, we uncover how he transformed from a court clerk into one of Africa's most bru
Unravelling the Black Tax (rerun)
This episode was first broadcast on 30th January 2024.In this episode, we explore the term Black Tax, originating in South Africa, to describe the financial support provided by black individuals to their families. Examining its roots, we navigate its historical context, cultural and emotional burdens, and its ties to imperialism, colonialism, and apartheid. Follow us on IG: itsacontinentp
Miriam Makeba: Empress of African Song
Miriam Makeba, known as the Empress of African Song, remains a symbol of the movement against colonialism, and Black Power movements in the US and the global Pan African movement. She unified the struggle for those of African descent across the world. We take a look at her story, and how Makeba used her talent to speak out against the apartheid movement in South Africa.Sources:Miriam Make
Mau Mau Uprising
*Trigger warning* Torture, human rights abuse and sexual abuse is spoken about frequently in this episode. The Mau Mau Uprising was a pivotal event in Kenya's independence fight against Britain. British land theft in Kenya and the resulting displacement of various ethnic groups led to oppressive colonial rule. British injustices led to the Mau Mau movement being formed by radical activist
President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf: A Liberian First
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf made history as Africa's first elected female Head of State. Her story is filled with numerous challenges, including surviving domestic abuse, enduring persecution, and navigating two civil wars. Despite the significant progress made towards peace and development during her presidency, her legacy is a complex blend of achievements and failures.Follow us on IG: itsaco
Forming the African Union (rerun)
The African Union (AU) emerged on the global stage in 2002, a pivotal moment in African history. 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 explore the historical context of the AU's formation, its links to the Pan-African movement, and what the future holds f
Decolonising Healthcare with Annabel Sowemimo
We're joined by Dr Annabel Sowemimo, author of Divided, Racism, Medicine and why we need to decolonise healthcare. Dr Sowemimo is passionate about addressing the colonial history of sexual and reproductive health. We discuss the whitewashing of science, the legacy of colonialism within both healthcare products and providers, and historic mistrust between the black community giving rise to
Accra: a Tale of Two Cities
The Year of the Return in 2019 marked a significant moment in Accra, Ghana, inviting people of African heritage to reconnect with their roots. In years since, the city has undergone a transformation in the wake of diasporan migration and tourism.Yet as the diaspora are settling in Accra seeking refuge from racism and comparatively lower paid Western jobs, Accra's landscape is shifting. An
A Special Announcement!
Buy your tickets here: AUGURE (OMEN): FILM NIGHT HOSTED BY IT’S A CONTINENTFollow 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/itsacontinentVisit our website:itsacontinent.comArtwork by Margo Designs:https://margosdesigns.myportfolio
Burkina Faso's Icon (birthday rerun)
Happy 4th birthday It's a Continent! We're throwing it back to our second ever episode. Thomas Sankara was the president of Burkina Faso from 1983-1987. He remains an inspiration to young Africans and those committed to a pan-Africanist future. His progressive policies, when it came to women’s rights, sustainability, education, and healthcare, were innovative and ahead of his time. We’ll
Patrice Lumumba: Congo’s Revolutionary Martyr
Patrice Lumumba was a distinguished Pan-African politician who served as the first Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) after the country gained independence. Lumumba was well-connected in both professional and social circles; however, as he became more politically active and vocal, calling for an end to Belgium's rule and advocating for the DRC's independence, he beca
Marcus Garvey: The Black Moses
Marcus Garvey was a prominent figure in Black nationalism and Pan-Africanism, whose ideology, known as Garveyism, continues to influence African pride and unity. Garvey championed the back-to-Africa movement, advocating for the empowerment of Africans and the African diaspora in the face of poverty, discrimination, and colonialism. We discuss Garvey's vision, the challenges he faced from
Reparations to Africa: Action not Words (rerun)
Calls for reparations have come at a time where we’ve seen the Head of State be removed in Barbados and the returning of looted items like Benin Bronzes, Patrice Lumumba’s tooth and skulls stolen during the Namibian genocide. In this episode we look at the case for reparations: its definition, political origin and what it could look like. This episode was originally aired on December 13th
Unravelling the Black Tax
In this episode, we explore the term Black Tax, originating in South Africa, to describe the financial support provided by black individuals to their families. Examining its roots, we navigate its historical context, cultural and emotional burdens, and its ties to imperialism, colonialism, and apartheid. Follow us on IG: itsacontinentpod and Twitter: itsacontinent. It's a Continent (publi
Repatriating African Artefacts
90-95% of Africa’s cultural heritage is held overseas, with Benin Bronzes languishing in museum basements all over the world for around 125 years. the British Museum containing over 73,000 items from the continent alone. Asante Royal artefacts sit at the V&A, Met Museum and Royal Family. Germany possesses the skulls of Tanzanian chiefs, upsetting the local community and natural order.
From Nigeria to Morocco: The Making of No U-Turn
We're joined by Ike Nnaebue, a celebrated filmmaker and cultural entrepreneur based in Nigeria. We discuss his documentary No U-Turn, a personal journey through a popular migration route from Lagos, Nigeria to Tangier, Morocco with the aims of reaching European shores. Together, we explore the themes of hope and shame, challenges faced — and the notion that in order for Africa to make spa
Queen Nanny of the Maroons
Queen Nanny, also known as Nanny of the Maroons, is Jamaica's only female national hero. This episode delves into the struggles and triumphs of the Maroons - enslaved people who gained freedom and formed their own communities. The British faced significant losses due to Maroon resistance, as Queen Nanny's strategic brilliance and leadership led to the freedom of over 1,000 enslaved indivi
Diamonds Unveiled: Who owns Botswana?
Botswana was one of the world’s poorest countries at independence – highly dependent on their former coloniser and beef exports. In 1967, De Beers geologists found diamond bearing deposits, changing Botswana's trajectory. The nation had the fastest growing economy in the developing world for over 40 years. Some see Botswana’s story as that of success, as they reversed the “resource curse.
The Scramble for Cobalt (rerun)
In this episode, we delve into the world of cobalt, a critical material in the production of rechargeable batteries, especially Lithium-ion batteries that power our everyday devices such as smartphones, laptops, tablets, and electric vehicles. We explore the supply chain, mining, investment, and the future of cobalt. Discover the challenges of exploitation in the Democratic Republic of Co
Samora Machel's Legacy in Mozambique
Samora Machel's legacy is rich and far reaching - he was a revolutionary leader, playing a vital role in Mozambique's road to independence. His work symbolised the end of Portuguese colonial domination, heralding a new era. We discuss Machel's upbringing, socialist policies and his suspicious demise in a plane crash.Follow us on IG: itsacontinentpod and Twitter: itsacontinent. It's a Cont
Nigeria: The Aba Women's War
The Aba Women’s War took place in south eastern Nigeria in 1929. By the late 1920s, restrictive colonial practice affected women in Igbo, Efik and Ibibio ethnic groups in Nigeria as societal structures weakened. These women took their traditional practice of “sitting on a man” to rebel against British rule by destroying symbols of colonial rule. The war remains a key example of colonial a
Immigration: The People are Not the Problem
The West's treatment of refugees has become one of the most devastating human rights disasters in modern times.We’re joined by Andrei Popoviciu (@AndreiPopoviciu), an independent investigative journalist, reporter, audio producer, and photographer based in Dakar, Senegal. There are countless misconceptions surrounding the refugee crisis, and migration from the Global South to North. We di
Sweet Salone: a Food Hug from Sierra Leone
We're joined by Chef, Entrepreneur, and Author Maria Bradford. Maria was born in Freetown, Sierra Leone, where her passion for food emerged. This passion led her to found the Sweet Salone (which means ‘fancy’ in Creole) catering business. We discuss how food can provide a unique narrative for understanding Sierra Leone, explore African fusion cuisine and fine dining, and delve into her em
The Comoros: a Neocolonial Split
Known as Africa's 'secret paradise,' the Comoros Islands are located in the Indian Ocean. Whilst it is is an independent state, the nation faces challenge concerning Mahoré, the fourth island - as it remains under the administration of France, effectively creating an EU border. The living conditions for residents of Ngazidja, Mwali, and Nzwani, the other three islands, continue to be cha
It's a Continent: Reintroduction Special
Our book baby It's a Continent celebrates her first birthday and is out in paperback this week! We're marking this occasion with a replay of our Behind the Mics episode. We're joined by Juliana from No Shame in My Name Podcast, where she interviews us (on our own show - why not!) We discuss the writing process, our origin story, secrets behind the podcast and what we'd love our readers to
Ghana: Fast Fashion Fallout
Around 15 million clothing items flood Accra, Ghana every week, mostly from Europe, North America and Australia. These items are mostly donations to charity bins, or cast-offs that are no longer needed. 40% of clothing received in Ghana is unacceptable for use, ending up as waste. Is this the continuation of a colonialist relationship - with the Western world dumping waste on the continen
Liberia's American Shadow (rerun)
Quite often – and misleadingly, Liberia is referred to as one of the only two African countries that were not colonised. Whilst Liberia was not carved up by Europeans in the Scramble for Africa, the country was actually founded by the American colonisation society, and many freed black Americans were sent to live in Liberia, despite living in America for generations. These black Americans
Thiaroye Massacre
On 1st December 1944, the French army opened fire on West African soldiers in Thiaroye, a suburb in Dakar, Senegal. These African soldiers previously fought for France during World War II, some even becoming prisoners of war in the process. Their crime? Asking for equal compensation for their war effort. We uncover this act of colonial violence towards Africans, and the erasure of colonie
The Scramble for Cobalt
In this episode, we delve into the world of cobalt, a critical material in the production of rechargeable batteries, especially Lithium-ion batteries that power our everyday devices such as smartphones, laptops, tablets, and electric vehicles. We explore the supply chain, mining, investment, and the future of cobalt. Discover the challenges of exploitation in the Democratic Republic of Co
West African cinema: a Francophone perspective
We're joined by Dr Estrella Sendra: scholar, teacher, filmmaker, journalist and festival organiser based at King's College London. We bring marginalised African film into the spotlight as we learn about the origin of Francophone West African film and its pioneers. We discuss the genre's evolution - including its globalisation and top tips for getting into Francophone West African cinema.F
Albert Luthuli: Champion of Freedom
Meet Albert Luthuli, the first African to win the Nobel Peace Prize for his nonviolent fight against apartheid. As the leader of the African National Congress, he became well-known in South Africa's anti-apartheid movement. In this role, his views on justifiable violence were tested and evolved. We explore his story of perseverance and courage.Follow us on IG: itsacontinentpod and Twitter
Cocoa: a Bitter Reality
Chocolate is something we all know and love to consume. However, it’s no secret that cocoa as a commodity has its roots in something a lot more sinister. Human rights campaigners continue calling on global chocolate companies to recognise the role the cocoa trade has played in enabling poverty and child labour, particularly in countries such as Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana - West Africa's top
The CFA Franc: Neo-colonial currency?
The CFA franc is one of Africa’s most baffling and misunderstood currencies. Introduced in 1945 to keep France’s African colonies under control, it has withstood decolonisation. Today, the CFA franc operates in 14 African countries and remains managed by France. Its existence remains controversial, with the currency described as ‘one of the straitjackets that keeps the African countries d
Andrée Blouin: Central Africa's unsung heroine
Andrée Blouin fought ardently for her belief in independence from imperial power. We look at her life, legacy and how colonial law impacted her experiences: from growing up in an orphanage, to losing her son from a treatable illness. Blouin used her experiences to advocate for women's rights both against traditional customs and European imperialism. How did she end up on the periphery of
Reparations to Africa: Action not Words
Calls for reparations have come at a time where we’ve seen the Head of State be removed in Barbados and the returning of looted items like Benin Bronzes, Patrice Lumumba’s tooth and skulls stolen during the Namibian genocide. In this episode we look at the case for reparations: its definition, political origin and what it could look like. Thank you for your support this year and see you i
Amílcar Cabral: Liberating Lusophone Africa
In this episode, we explore Lusophone Africa, that is, Portuguese-speaking Africa, through the lens of the revolutionist and Pan-Africanist Amílcar Cabral. Cabral played a critical role in ending colonial rule in Guinea-Bissau and Cabo Verde. We follow his story, legacy, and impact on the rest of Lusophone Africa. Follow us on IG: itsacontinentpod and Twitter: itsacontinent. It's a Contin
Uganda's Environmental Challenge with Heizal Nagginda (rerun)
We're joined by Heizal Nagginda, a climate and environmental activist from Uganda, and founder of Climate Operation (@climateoperation). The organisiation's mission is to educate Ugandan children and communities about climate change and its intersection with other social issues. We discuss the effects of climate change in Uganda and the wider continent, the world's response to climate cha
The Agojie: Dahomey’s Warrior Women
*This episode may contain The Woman King spoilers*The Agojie were fearless and skilled warrior women in the Dahomey Kingdom. By the mid 1800s, the all-female regiment was in its thousands, outmuscling rival kingdoms and participating in annual warfare. They lived in the royal palace and were taught how to fight and survive from an early age. However, the Agojie's existence is thought to h
Cabinda: a Complex Story
Cabinda is an exclave and province of Angola; however, this status is disputed and part of a long-standing conflict stemming from colonialism and decolonisation. This dispute has led to decades of conflict between Cabinda's liberation movement and the Angolan government. We discuss how this situation came to be and the present state of affairs. Follow us on IG: itsacontinentpod and Twitte
China X Africa: mutual gain or neo-colonisers?
As China looks for resources to benefit its growing consumption, African countries are looking for funds for development. We're now seeing Chinese state-owned firms building large scale infrastructure within the continent in exchange for access to minerals and oil. In 2000 Sino-African trade was 10 billion dollars. Just fourteen years later, this grew to 220 billion dollars.How did this h
The voices behind the mics
To celebrate It's a Continent's Pub Day, we're joined by Juliana from No Shame in My Name Podcast, where she interviews us (on our own show - why not!) We discuss the writing process, our origin story, secrets behind the podcast and what we'd love our readers to take from our book baby.Follow us on IG: itsacontinentpod and Twitter: itsacontinent. It's a Continent (published by Coronet) is
Kingdom of Aksum
The Aksum kingdom was a wealthy African civilisation and a major empire of the ancient world, thriving for centuries as a prosperous society and a spiritual home for the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. During the kingdom’s peak power, it conquered southern Arabia. This episode sees us discuss the empire's rich history, and how amazing it is that a lot of Aksum's artefacts can be found in Ethio
Burundi's Unifying Prince
Prince Louis Rwagasore was a key political figure in Burundi's history. He was known as the unifying prince as he worked to unite the country's ethnic groups, which Belgium had divided. In 1958 he established the Party for National Unity and Progress (UPRONA), and in September 1961, they successfully won the elections to lead an independent Burundi. But on Friday 13th October 1961, Prince
Oil: Africa's neocolonial crisis
Africa contains five of the top thirty oil-producing nations, accounting for 85% of the continent’s oil reserves. However, unethical practices by some oil multinational corporations have seen social movements by host communities and human rights groups. Oil exploration has led to underdevelopment, pollution, and the eroding of traditional practices within host regions. In this episode we'
Uganda's Environmental Challenge with Heizal Nagginda
We're joined by Heizal Nagginda, a climate and environmental activist from Uganda, and founder of Climate Operation (@climateoperation). The organisiation's mission is to educate Ugandan children and communities about climate change and its intersection with other social issues. We discuss the effects of climate change in Uganda and the wider continent, the world's response to climate cha
Kony 2012: Activism or Slacktivism?
Around a decade ago, one of the first “viral” moments of the social media age took place. This involved American men launching a campaign to make Joseph Kony the most famous man in the world. Kony, the leader of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) (which had existed for decades prior), had been indicted for war crimes and crimes against humanity. But was this a case of activism, slacktivism,
Chagos Islands: Britain’s last African colony (rerun)
The Chagos Islands are located in the Indian Ocean, home to Chagossians. However, the islands' sovereignty remains disputed to this day. The UK continues laying claims to the islands, despite being urged to end its unlawful occupation. In this episode we’ll focus on the expulsion of Chagossians from their home country, and the steps the British government have taken to make it more diffic
Nasser's Path to Presidency
Gamal Abdel Nasser was an Egyptian political leader and second post-independence President. Nasser joined Egypt's Royal Military Academy in 1937, and whilst in the military, he helped form the Free Officers Movement. In July 1952, the movement overthrew the monarchy in a coup and led Egypt into complete independence. Two years later, Nasser emerged from behind-the-scenes and positioned hi
Guinean Market Women’s Revolt
This week we're in Guinea, looking at how the actions of market women went on to shape the policy of their nation through standing up against corruption. The cohesive nature of these demonstrations goes to show how market women became the most powerful collective group within their society. The revolt inspired other Guineans to speak up against Toure's oppressive regime, seeing him releas
Forming the African Union
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.Follow us on IG: itsacontinentpod and
Season 5 Trailer
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: itsaconti
Ceuta & Melilla: Europe's African Frontiers (rerun)
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 Afri
Algeria’s Search for Reparations
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 tr
Lesotho: Africa's Enclave
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 th
Vera Chirwa: Malawi's Fearless Fighter
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 sent
Benevolent Imperialism with Kehinde Andrews
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 coloni
Museveni's Hold on Power (Part 2)
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'
Museveni's Rise to Power (Part 1)
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 a
Menelik II: Ethiopia's Emperor
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, wh
Freetown's British Origins
Freetown is the capital city of Sierra Leone, a country in Western Africa. The name of the city has links to its origin as a British colony used to repatriate freed black people from across the British Empire (Jamaica and Canada) as well as other places as far and wide as The Congo and Lake Malawi. Britain insisted Freetown represented humanity, justice, and freedom but it didn’t represen
Togo: Resisting Authoritarian Rule
We're joined by Farida Nabourema, a Togolese human rights activist, writer and Pan-Africanist who has fought for democracy in her country since her teenage years. Farida founded the "Faure Must Go" movement in 2011, where she organised Togolese youths to stand against the dictatorial regime of the Gnassingbés. The movement captures the civil resistance movement in Togo, of which Nabourema
Sundiata Keita: Founder of the Mali Empire
In our final episode of season 3, we're exploring West Africa during the 13th century and the founder of the Mali Empire, Sundiata Keita. The Mali Empire was one of the continent's wealthiest and most prominent empires spanning across modern-day Mali, Senegal, Guinea, Mauritania, Gambia and Burkina Faso. Sundiata's life story is one of overcoming adversity, surviving jealous family member
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