Bar Afrique Podcast

Meet John Okello, a man who claims that God spoke to him in a dream, telling him to free the people of Zanzibar from Arab rule. We debate this holy mission and its revolutionary consequences.

After gaining its independence in 1975, Angola was finally a free nation. But that freedom and peace was to be short lived, as two of Angola’s anti-colonial guerrilla movements fought for power for over 27 years. This is the story of the Angolan Civil War, in three acts.

The dream: a nation in Africa founded as a refuge for formerly enslaved African-Americans and their descendants, where black people could live freely. The reality: accusations of slavery and forced labour against the native Africans. This is the story of the Fernando Po Crisis.

Centuries after the fall of Timbuktu, a legend persists: that prized ancient manuscripts are hidden in secret locations throughout the city. But a wave of terror in Mali puts the manuscripts in danger. To save them, a group of librarians must steal them first. It's time for a book heist!

For more info, read "The Bad-Ass Librarians of Timbuktu" by Joshua Hammer

Buckle up: we're re-releasing the very first episode of Bar Afrique from 2023. In 1958, the nations of Francophone Africa were given a choice. Join the “French Community”, where you receive aid and support, but no sovereignty. Or vote for total independence... and get nothing. Every country voted to remain with France… except for Guinea. Here’s what happened next.