The People’s War Radio Show, Episode #76: “The Truth About Afghanistan - Colonialism: the graveyard of imperialism”

In this episode we present Part One of a 2-part series titled “The Truth About Afghanistan - Colonialism: the graveyard of imperialism”.

That was the title of a September 7th web broadcast, put on by the African People’s Socialist Party to discuss the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan and the implications that this defeat has for the liberation struggle of African and other colonized peoples.

That broadcast featured presentations by Luwezi Kinshasa, Secretary General of the African Socialist International; Yejide Orunmila, President of the African National Women’s Organization; Tafari Mugeri, Director of Organization for the ASI Africa Region; Omali Yeshitela, Chairman of the African People’s Socialist Party; and Penny Hess, Chairwoman of the African People’s Solidarity Committee.

First is the presentation delivered by Secretary General Luwezi Kinshasa. SG Luwezi was born in the Congo and is currently based in London. He is affectionately known as Mwalimu, which means “teacher” for his extensive knowledge and engaged story-telling about the history of the world’s peoples.

Next up, Penny Hess gave a recap of the CIA’s role in the creation of modern so-called Islamic Fundamentalist forces, under U.S. president Jimmy Carter, to draw in and defeat the Soviet Union in Afghanistan. She critiques the failure of the white peace movement to mount effective opposition to the U.S. invasion and occupation of Afghanistan and credits the African People’s Socialist Party for its consistent stance in active solidarity with the right of colonized peoples to resist colonial war and occupation.

Then we heard from President Yejide Orunmila of the African National Women’s Organization (ANWO).  In her talk, President Yejide reaffirms her complete solidarity with Afghan women.  President Yejide dispels international propaganda that suggests that the imperialist invasion of Afghanistan was done to liberate Afghan women.  She notes that the largest abusers of women’s rights in the region are US allies and that the US remains silent on French government abuses against Muslim women in France as well as the oppressive anti-abortion laws in Texas.  President Yejide notes that US intervention stopped the progress of Afghan women and noted the anti-imperialist organization that existed amongst Afghan women before the US instigated war with the Soviet Union.  President Yejide views this victory as a victory for Afghan self-determination and the future of Afghan women.

In Part Two we’ll hear from Director Tafarie Mugeri of the African Socialist International Africa Region and Chairman Omali Yeshitela.

The People's War radio show is produced by WBPU 96.3 FM "Black Power 96" in St. Petersburg, Florida. It is hosted by Dr. Matsemela Odom and Dexter Mlimwengu, bringing an African Internationalist perspective to the important issues of our world.