International
International Secretariat News 07/03/25
The Alliance of Sahel States
Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, is leading the way in Africa’s continuing fight against colonialism. At a rally held in Harlem on June 19th, grassroots organizations from the Alliance showed support for the Alliance’s policies. The crowd emphasized now there is a confederation rather than separate countries as speakers emphasized how France had tried to hold back the development of true independence. The new flag showcasing the AES logo, a new national anthem, and posters with all three leaders promoted the spirit of one people. In addition to unveiling a new flag, the Sahelian nations have introduced measures aimed at deepening integration. They launched a Sahel-wide passport system and established a joint military force to deepen military coordination against jihadist insurgencies linked to Al-Qaeda and ISIS-affiliated groups.
December 12th Movement advocates for Cuban resolution passage by City Council…
On May 28th, 2025 NYC Councilwoman Gale Brewer, 6th District(Manhattan) introduced a resolution (# 0882) into the General Body of the Council calling on the United States Congress and President to end the Cuba embargo and Cuba travel ban and to remove Cuba from the State Sponsors of Terrorism list due to the unjust harm it causes the Cuban people. The Resolution is currently in the Committee of Cultural Affairs, Libraries and International Intergroup Relations for consideration, debate and passage out of said Committee and into the whole Council body for a vote. The Committee has not scheduled a hearing on the Resolution and has no planned committee meetings until September. The December 12th Movement will continue its support for the resolution’s passage through advocacy with Councilwoman Brewer’s office and with other city council co-sponsors.
Vietnam’s top leader plans US trip as tariff deadline looms…
HANOI – Vietnam’s Communist Party chief, To Lam is preparing to travel to the US in coming weeks as the two sides look to clinch a trade deal before US President Donald Trump’s higher tariffs kick in, according to people familiar with the matter. He is expected to lead a delegation of Vietnamese officials and business executives, they said, as the nation looks to seal more deals to buy additional American goods to reduce its trade surplus with the US. Negotiators are close to a framework agreement under which Vietnam is pushing for tariffs in the range of 20 per cent to 25 per cent, Bloomberg News previously reported. The US is demanding stricter enforcement against the transshipment of Chinese products and the removal of non-tariff barriers.
Source: The Straits Times, Link:
https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/vietnams-top-leader-plans-us-trip-as-tariff-deadline-looms
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda enter into a controversial peace agreement – ‘PEACE FOR EXPLOITATION’
On June 27, 2025, the DRC and Rwanda entered a peace treaty to end the conflict occurring in the mineral rich eastern DRC. While the agreement calls for the withdrawal of Rwandan troops from the DRC within 90 days and for the DRC to end its support for the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda(FDLR)militia, the March 23 Movement (M23) is not a party to this agreement. M23 currently controls the two largest eastern cities of Goma and Bakavu. The treaty establishes a Joint Security Coordination Mechanism (JSCM) within 30 days whose mission will be to neutralize FDLR and its affiliated groups.
The political objectives as stated are to reestablish trust between the two countries; neutralization of the FDLR by the DRC and the removal of forces by Rwanda from the DRC; create a secure environment that promotes the renewal of socioeconomic activities; ensure peace in the region and respect for human rights; ensure protection of civilians of both countries and an end to hate speech and verbal attacks.
However, criticism of the treaty is due to its exploitive resource extraction language: “… the Parties shall launch and/or expand cooperation on shared priorities such as national park management; hydropower development; derisking of mineral supply chains; joint management of resources in Lake Kivu; and transparent, formalized end-to-end mineral value chains (from mine to processed metal) that link both countries, in partnership, as appropriate, with the U.S. government and U.S. investors.”(Emphasis added).
It should be noted that in February 2025, President Felix Tshisekedi (DRC) sent a letter to President Trump offering access to his country’s mineral wealth in exchange for security assistance. Subsequently, negotiations mediated by the US and Qatari governments resulted in the June 27 agreement.
Thus, the US’s motive in negotiating the peace agreement is its exploitive access to minerals such gold, cobalt, copper, lithium and other minerals in the eastern DRC. The treaty while seeking to establish peace is more likely a return to a past political-economic condition wherein exploitation of resources results violence, displacement and disruption of local citizens.
UN declares International Day against unilateral coercive measures….
On June 17, 2025, The United Nations General Assembly declared December 4 as the International Day against Unilateral Coercive Measures, with the intention of observing it annually starting in 2025. The country of Zimbabwe was one of the primary sponsors of this initiative which seeks to raise global awareness about the detrimental consequences of unilateral sanctions and actions that deviate from international law, international human rights law, or the UN Charter. The resolution underscores the significance of dialogue, multilateralism, and international cooperation, urging states to refrain from imposing such measures, particularly those that impede development in developing nations. Furthermore, it calls upon the Secretary-General, UN organizations, member states, civil society, and other stakeholders to promote and commemorate the day through various activities, all funded through voluntary contributions. The passage was opposed by the Global North countries such as the United States, EU, Britan, Japan and Canada.
Iran is principled, consistent and persistent in its defense of its sovereignty and in support of liberation struggles…
The People of Iran have acted in self-defense and stand triumphant against attacks from Israel and USA. Iran’s defense was initiated by an Israeli air campaign “with the stated objective of degrading, disrupting, and removing the threat of the Iranian nuclear program”. Iran has consistently defended itself against US and Israel and their assaults on Iran’s people and nuclear program. In an address on June 26, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei declared victory and the intention of the nation of Iran to continue development of their nuclear program despite the aggression of Israel and the United States. He pointed out, correctly, the US’s overstatement of their military success during this conflict. We stand in solidarity with the Iranian people and their ability to defend themselves via nuclear capabilities. Self-defense is the appropriate and necessary response to imperialist aggression.
It is the 100th birth anniversary of Malcolm X and Iran’s solidarity with Black people should be highlighted. During the 1979 Iranian student-led hostage crisis, wherein the US Embassy was occupied for 444 days, African Americans were released as a show of solidarity. Also, The Islamic Republic of Iran has demonstrated reverence to Malcolm X with marches, demonstrations, and the first ever commemoration of Malcolm X on a postage stamp in 1984, 15 years before the US. Iran’s revolutionary anti-imperialist rhetoric expresses collective struggle amongst the third world and is linked to marginalized people of African descent. At this time Black people must show solidarity with Iran and its people.
Burkina Faso says it has earned $18 Billion from gold…..
Burkina Faso’s transitional government says it has generated $18 Billion in revenue from gold mining since Captain Ibrahim Traore seized power in a 2022 military coup. Captain Traore said that gold profits are now being used to benefit the nation rather than foreign companies and private interests. The country’s mining minister said the revenue has been a vital part of government efforts to strengthen the economy and funding public services including health care, education and security. Burkina Faso one of Africa’s top gold producers, continues to face security challenges particularly from ongoing conflict with extremists in the north and the east. Source: Garoweonline(Somalia)