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)
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)
“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" 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– )
In the article below independent historian Robin Loftin explores the past, present, and possible future relationship between the world’s most populous nation and people of African ancestry. Africa and China have had contact for more than a thousand years. Some scholars assert that the contacts … Read MoreAfricans and African Americans in China: A Long History, A Troubled Present, and a Promising Future?
"Image Ownership: Public Domain" On August 5, 1999 President William Clinton appointed Gregory Lee Johnson U.S. Ambassador to Swaziland. He served in that post from November 16, 1999 to October 18, 2001. Johnson began his career in the Foreign Service in 1968 and has served … Read MoreGregory Lee Johnson (1945- )
"Image Ownership: Public Domain" Bismarck Myrick is a retired United States Ambassador to Lesotho from 1995 to 1998 and the Republic of Liberia from 1999 to 2002. Originally from Portsmouth, Virginia, Myrick has held multiple positions with the U.S. government over a number of decades. … Read MoreBismarck Myrick (1940- )