You know, I lived in what used to be Zaire, prior to it becoming the Democratic Republic of Congo for two years. The president then was the infamous Mobuto and I'll never forget every night when the news would come on and my parents and I would gather to watch it, they would have a very long intro addressed at paying homage to the president and they would start by calling him "His highness, his greatness, the father of the country, the this and the that his excellency" then they would say his entire name....ready.......
Mobutu Sese Seko Kuku Ngbendu Wa Za Banga and I would just break down in laughter I thought it was the greatest thing lol.
Prior to that we were in Burundi, tiny county east of Zaire and south of Rwanda, we were also there for a couple of years but Zaire I remember very well because it was during the great battle between Mohamed Ali and George Foreman (Rumble in the Jungle) and the country was flipped upside down in excitement to that event. Being in those countries were some of the best times that I enjoyed very much. Unparalleled beauty and wonderful people.
What a story bro! I would never imagine you living in such countries. The world is small after all.
My familiarity with Sub-Saharan Africa is limited to once visiting Kenya and Tanzania. Did you know the close relations between Arabia (Oman in particular) and East Africa as a whole? In particular the Swahili (Arabic word as you know) coast. That there are still Arab minorities in those countries? I would love to visit more Sub-Saharan African countries one day. In general I have always believed in the need for closer Arab-African relations due to numerous reasons but mostly based on economic and geopolitical gains and the potential of such a cooperation down the road. There is also the historical aspect here (mostly trade but not only).
Wa Za Banga.
What a name.
Imagine doing the same with the late Ibn Saud?
Abdulaziz ibn Abdul Rahman ibn Faisal ibn Turki ibn Abdullah ibn Muhammad Al Saud
As for insane African dictators (we had a few in the Arab world as well) none of ours come close to some of the African lot. Mobuto as you mentioned and the infamous Idi Amin that strangely enough ended his days in exile in, you guessed it right, KSA (Jeddah) of all countries! He lived a very anonymous life in a Jeddah apartment (after an initial stay in a hotel) until his death 2 decades later. Why that was even the case I have no idea about (KSA gained nothing from this) but supposedly it was to keep Idi Amin out of power and a deal was struck somehow. Anyway Idi Amin was almost instantly recognized always whenever he ventured out due to his sheer size alone. That man was a giant in those days from what I am told.
Just like I have no clue why we host the likes of Ben Ali. Granted, KSA (Hijaz in particular) has a long history of hosting Muslim figures whether it be the Senussis (Libyan royal family and of Hijazi origin), Imam Shamil (Caucasian freedom fighter), Amir Abd al-Qadir ibn Muhyiddin al-Hasani (Algerian national hero and of Hijazi origin) and many others but some decisions I will never understand.
I can imagine. It must have been a totally different world. You know, I have been doing a bit of boxing (always liked to stay fit) for quite a few years and it is a sport that I like (not following it as closely as once) but of course that boxing match is a classic. If not THE classic.
Always like George Foreman for some reason while Muhammad Ali needs no introduction.
BTW speaking about Sub-Saharan Africa, I have always had a special affinity for the likes of Djibouti, Eritrea and Ethiopia. Of course mostly the Habesha (Southern Semitic speakers) who are by large very fine looking women.
So happy that KSA, UAE and Egypt are all increasing their presence on the Horn!
Always good to have a presence in the wider neighborhood.
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