Zhou Enlai with Unidentified African Leader, 1963 Image Ownership: Public domain Zhou Enlai’s first tour of Africa, popularly known as Zhou’s “Safari,” was a series of state visits to ten independent African countries, undertaken between December 1963 and February 1964 by the Chinese Premier. These … Read MoreZhou Enlai’s African “Safari” (1963-1964)
"Image Ownership: Public Domain" Ilhan Omar is a Somali American politician from Minnesota. She is the director of policy and initiative of the Women Organizing Women Network which encourages women from East Africa to take on civic and political leadership roles. In 2016 she was … Read MoreIlhan Omar (1982– )
Somali Tanks Entering Ethiopia at the Start of the Ethiopian-Somali War, 1977-1978 "Image Ownership: Public Domain" In 1977 Ethiopia and Somalia engaged in a brief territory conflict over the Ogaden region situated between and claimed by both nations. This conflict however held significance greater than … Read MoreEthiopian-Somali War Over the Ogaden Region (1977–1978)
Al Shabaab Fighters in Somalia "Image Ownership: Public Domain" Harakat al-Shabaab al-Mujahideen, more commonly known as Al-Shabaab (meaning youth), is a clan-based jihadist terrorist group in East Africa. Originating as the militant youth wing of the Somali Council of Islamic Courts (ICU), which took over … Read MoreAl-Shabaab (2006- )
"Image Ownership: Public Domain" The Second Italo-Abyssinian War was Italy’s conquest of Ethiopia, a process it began after the 1885 Partition of Africa. Italy was defeated in its first attempt at conquest at the battle of Adwa in 1896, allowing Ethiopia to become the only … Read MoreThe Second Italo-Abyssinian War (1935–1936)
"Image Ownership: Public Domain" Bonnie Jenkins is a retired U.S. Naval Reserve officer, diplomat, and expert in international security, arms control, treaty laws, and nonproliferation and disarmament of weapons of mass destruction. Born in Queens, New York, and growing up in the Bronx, New York, … Read MoreBonnie Denise Jenkins (ca.1960– )
"Image Ownership: Public Domain" Believed to be the first military aircraft pilot of African descent, Ahmet Ali Çelikten (birth name ?zmirli Alio?lu Ahmed, a/k/a Arap Ahmet Ali) was born in the coastal city of Izmir (formerly Smyrna), Turkey. Some sources claim he was the grandson … Read MoreAhmet Ali Çelikten (1883-1969)
"Image Ownership: Public Domain" Anti-fascist Afro-Italian partisan Giorgio Marincola lived a brief but heroic life. Born September 23, 1923, in the south central coastal town of Mahaday in what was then called Italian Somaliland, he was the son of Italian military officer Joseph Marincola and … Read MoreGiorgio Marincola (1923–1945)
"Image Ownership: Public Domain" Suzan Johnson Cook is a religious leader, pastor, motivational speaker, and diplomat who was born on January 28, 1957, in Harlem, New York. Her father, Wilbert Johnson, was a trolley driver and later founder of a successful security company, and her … Read MoreSuzan Denise Johnson Cook (1957– )
"Image Ownership: Public Domain" Michael Battle is an educator, religious leader, and diplomat. Born on July 28, 1950, in St. Louis, Missouri, he was one of twelve children from Jessie Battle Sr., a Pentecostal pastor, and Mary Battle. Michael received his bachelor’s degree from Trinity … Read MoreAnthony Michael Battle (1950– )