Chitra

Victims of a terrorist insurgency talk back So many stories of suffering in Africa are told by others; so few by the people living them. An oral history of people living through the Boko Haram conflict aims to correct this. --- THE WORLD Was in Our Hands is an oral history of people affected by the Boko Haram conflict, comprising testimonies collected by Chitra Nagarajan from 2016 to 2021. It contains 47 interviews with "women, soldiers farmers, and fishermen"; displaced people, some of them insiders; and those who experienced the violence, either directly or indirectly. You can sense the sensitivity of Nagarajan, the author-researcher, in collecting these stories. Narrators relate their stories in their own languages and review what was recorded. The stories ofwomen and girls are prioritised: from falling pregnant or being kidnapped, to missing years of school. The conflict's effect on elder-youth dynamics is also highlighted, as is citizens' relation to the state, often complicated by the perception that governments are corrupt or do not care about their people. Nagarajan shows great insight in addressing the root causes of the conflict, a complex interplay of religion and an absent state. She records the rise of Boko Haram, from a separatist community founded in Yobe State in 2003 to the increasing popularity of its charismatic leader, Mohammed Yusuf, who government forces killed in 2009 "After Yusuf's killing, his group went underground, regrouped, and returned, calling itself Jama'atu Ahl al-Sunna li-1-Da'wa wa-l-Jihad, translated as

People Committed to the Propagation of the Prophet's Teachings and Jihad. The media named it Boko Haram in reference to one of its slogans,' Nagarajan writes. The group became increasingly violent and more insular under the new leadership of Abubakar Shekau, indulging in a spree of violence that led to retaliation and reprisals from the government. The victims were frequently innocent people who refused to reveal what they knew about the group's members. This was a factor in extending Boko Haram's influence, ultimately leading to what has effectively been a civil war. The victims were frequently innocent people who refused to reveal what they knew about the group's members As one of the affected people testifies: "If you identified them, they would kill you. Ifyou didn't identify them, soldiers would kill you. What were we supposed to do?" People have suffered bereavement and families have been separated Livelihoods have been ruined and people turned into beggars. Many people have been displaced - and then scorned for being refugees. Children have missed out on years of school People have been displaced to camps, where they face food insecurity - yet are still relieved to be removed from the fighting. Young women who were taken - some willingly, others against their will-speak of being Boko Haram "wives" "[I]t felt good to have this power after a lifetime of being told you had none because you were a girl. We wives could do anything we wanted, whatever it was." There are many stories from people who escaped Sambisa Forest where Boko Haram had its base. A mother tells of her grief at her son being willingly recruited; she talks about fleeing with her younger sons to protect them from the influence of the older boys, now insurgents. One woman talks about the many men she saved by hiding them in her home. Another tells how a woman protected her daughter from being kidnapped byburying her underground. We also hear from the daughter herself about that experience There a…

My latest for @thecontinent.org: on @chitra.bsky.social's The World Was In Our Hands: Voices from the Boko Haram Conflict, from @cassavarepublic.bsky.social

Thank you so much for this thoughtful review - really appreciate it x

Gender polarisation in voting intentions at all ages but more at younger ages for all parties. The need to
- build social relations between ages & genders
- address radicalisation of far-right older ppl
- act on backlash to racial & gender progress that these figures represent
couldn’t be clearer.

Shot, chaser

Young men more likely to vote Green than Reform. Young men second most progressive group of any demographic. Combined right-wing vote barely bigger than Green vote alone for young men

British colonialism thrived on narratives like Rudyard Kipling's poem “The White Man’s Burden” which portrayed empire as noble. In this episode, we examine how the Kikuyu and Giriama employed oaths to push back against that lie.

Listen to full episode:

willthisbeaproblem.co.ke/2021/11/29/2-f…

Brass tacks beats boss tax in Africa’s quest for equality Four men are richer than half of all other Africans combined. Taxing them more feels like a no-brainer – but a lot needs to be fixed before that would truly address wealth inequality.

Analysis: Four men are richer than half of all other Africans combined. Taxing them more feels like a no-brainer – but a lot needs to be fixed before that would truly address wealth inequality.

Nigeria says it won't accept deportees from U.S.: 'We have enough problems of our own' Nigeria's government is pushing back against U.S. efforts to send the country migrants and foreign prisoners, with Nigerian Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar quoting Public Enemy to drive home his point.

We already have over 230 million people," [Foreign Minister] Tuggar said. "In the words of the famous U.S. rap group Public Enemy — you'll remember a line from Flavor Flav: 'Flavor Flav has problems of his own. I can't do nothing for you, man.'"

lol. lmao

www.npr.org/2025/07/11/n...

The Colonial Origins of the Nigerian Police Why a thing can never do a thing that the thing was never designed to do

I wrote this in 2017, reflecting on the colonial origins of the Nigerian police & why these origins illustrate the state's continuing commitment to [violent] order rather than [just] justice. Why a thing can never do a thing that the thing was never designed to do.
folukeafrica.com/the-colonial...

A powerful tribute to Prof Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o—writer, academic and radical thinker. Hear voices reflect on his legacy and impact on African literature, identity and resistance.

Listen to the full conversation on SoundCloud: bit.ly/4lO8ecf

Tribute to Kenyan writer Ngugi, in terms of what his writing meant to African writers.
via the @thecontinent.org

African prisoners made sound recordings in German camps in WW1: this is what they had to say African prisoners in German camps were studied by ethnographers, who recorded their voices. What they had to say is poignant and unexpected.

🎤 During WWI, African POWs’ voices were recorded by German linguists—often without understanding. Now, their stories are finally being heard. 📚🎶

theconversation.com/african-pris...

#ArtsCultureAndSociety

Completely agree. It seems that, even if some people are here, they’re not posting very much. And many people are either still on Twitter or just less active on all social media…

CLIMATE IN COURTS: States’ obligation to protect climate-related human rights heads to African Court on Human Rights

A group of lawyers and civic organisations have formally asked the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights to issue an advisory opinion on the obligations of African states to protect climate-related human rights on the continent in a ‘heartfelt plea for justice’.

photo noir et blanc d'une manifestation, foule sur une place écriture 1er mai Jour de lutte

Le 1er mai c’est la Fête internationale des travailleuses et des travailleurs
Et pas la fête du travail !

Et vous savez pourquoi ?

Allez, un peu d’histoire !

The origins and funding of Boko Haram have been intensely debated recently. Beyond this are real people whose lives have been forever changed.

Our forthcoming book, The World Was In Our Hands edited by Chitra Nagarajan shares their voices.

Hear their truths⬇️

The World Was in Our Hands Featuring Jonathan Rauch's reading list

Check out last week's newsletter! Jonathan Rauch's reading list | Spotlight of "The World Was in Our Hands" by Chitra Nagarajan | Q&A with our host Reighan Gillam!

newbooksnetwork.substack.com/p/the-world-...
@jonrauch.bsky.social
@dartmouthartsci.bsky.social
@cassavarepublic.bsky.social

Honor the Pope’s Legacy by Resolving the Global Debt Crisis Pope Francis wanted to dedicate himself this year to forgiving the injustice of debt.

Nearly half of humanity lives in countries that spend more on debt servicing than on education or health. That’s a moral wrong. Pope Francis said resolving global debt crisis is a “matter of justice.” To honor his legacy, the world must forgive this debt.

Me too! There the first week of May. What about you?

The un-African mechanisms of queer repression Anti-queer laws in Africa are often framed as cultural defense—but their roots lie in colonial legacies, religious nationalism, and global reactionary alliances.

Anti-queer laws in Africa are often framed as cultural defense—but their roots lie in colonial legacies, religious nationalism, and global reactionary alliances. africasacountry.com/2025/04/the-...

Photo Essay: Old Lagos, new light In studios across the city, negatives lay gathering dust. Now those forgotten negatives are being developed – bringing Lagos’s history into focus.

In studios across Lagos, forgotten in dusty back rooms, are thousands of discarded photographic negatives. A pair of photographers have dedicated their time to preserving, digitising and then archiving these snapshots from the city that would otherwise be lost.

Looking forward to your review ;-)

What a great thread of short stories to read over the Easter weekend - thank you!

‘They were chanting as they killed people in their homes’: survivors describe attack on Sudan’s Zamzam camp On 11 April Rapid Support Forces paramilitaries attacked the country’s largest displacement camp. The extent of the brutality remains unclear, but some accounts are now emerging

‘They were chanting as they killed people in their homes’: survivors describe attack on Sudan’s Zamzam camp

Macron announces joint commission with Haiti amid calls for reparations France imposed harsh ‘ransom’ after revolution that campaigners say stunted Caribbean country’s development

I was supposed to talk about this today at Radio France International but as I explained, my position is the same as the Foundation I'm a member of. The report we at the Foundation submitted to the French Gov is pretty clear on what needs to be done!
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/a...

Image of the world showing the difference in land mass size actual (dark blue) versus Mercator projection (light blue) usually used.

Difference in land mass size actual (dark blue) versus the Mercator projection (light blue) usually used. Yes, Africa is that big:).

Au Cameroun anglophone, assassinats et enlèvements se multiplient de nouveau

Au Cameroun anglophone, assassinats et enlèvements se multiplient de nouveau

Two Years On, Sudan’s War is Spreading | Crisis Group After the Sudanese army recaptured Khartoum, many hoped that Sudan’s war would start winding down. Instead, as it enters its third year, the conflict is escalating and likely to expand in scope, unles...

Today Sudan enters its third year of war.

As the world’s largest humanitarian crisis deepens, there are growing risks of the conflict escalating.

Let’s hope the UK’s one day conference today focuses on how to stem the country’s destruction & fragmentation.

www.crisisgroup.org/africa/horn-...

Today's quick update [Apr 13]:

- On day 3 of onslaught, RSF now controls of Zamzam IDP Camp; widespread violations reported, w/civilian death toll in the hundreds (at least 300 reported killed).

- Heavy clashes reported b/w SAF/Joint Forces & RSF in Elfashir city.

#KeepEyesOnSudan

Chris Mullin in the Weekend FT