Sheikh Al-Moustapha Kouyateh: the “Farafina Mansa” who advocates for a reconciled, sovereign and industrialized Africa

By Abubakar Sani

A leading figure in contemporary Pan-Africanism, His Excellency Sheikh Al-Moustapha Kouyateh, better known as “Farafina Mansa,” has established himself over the years as a personality whose discourse blends political convictions, public ethics, and an ambition to transform the African continent. A former Ambassador-at-Large and Special Envoy of the President of Liberia, he continues today to champion a vision based on reconciliation, the empowerment of African peoples, the accountability of leaders, and economic development.

In the African political landscape, some leaders are distinguished less by the positions they hold than by the ideas they champion. Sheikh Al-Moustapha Kouyateh belongs to this category. Nicknamed “Farafina Mansa,” an expression that evokes a man of his word, conviction, and courage, he has built a reputation as an unwavering defender of African interests.

His commitment stems from a deep conviction: Africa can only fully control its destiny by breaking with the economic models that confine it to the role of a mere supplier of raw materials. For him, the continent must become a space for wealth creation, industrialization, and local processing.

A philosophy based on four pillars

At the heart of his commitment are four principles, which he presents as the foundations of all sustainable governance: reconciliation, empowerment, accountability, and development.

According to Sheikh Kouyateh, no nation can build a stable future without first healing its internal divisions. Reconciliation, therefore, is in his view the essential prerequisite for any national or continental unity.

Empowerment then represents the capacity of African peoples to control their own resources, industries, and economic development. This vision goes beyond mere political rhetoric to become part of a strategy for structural transformation.

Finally, the responsibility of those in power appears as the guarantor of transparent management of public resources, while development must directly benefit the people.

The “DANGOTIZATION”, an explicitly stated economic vision

One of the concepts most often associated with Sheikh Al-Moustapha Kouyateh is that of “DANGOTIZATION”.

Through this concept, he argues that African raw materials should no longer be massively exported in their raw state. They should be processed locally in order to create more jobs, added value, and industries on the continent.

This approach aims to promote genuine African economic sovereignty, based on industrialization and the strengthening of local capacities.

A notable stint at the top of the Liberian state

For more than two years, Sheikh Al-Moustapha Kouyateh served as Ambassador-at-Large, High Representative for Special Missions and Special Envoy of the President of the Republic of Liberia.

During this period, he claims to have voluntarily waived any remuneration related to his duties.

According to him, this decision was in line with a commitment he made back in 2014 when he was a Senate candidate in Montserrado County. At that time, he promised to dedicate a significant portion of his income to causes of public interest, particularly in the areas of education, health, and good governance.

For Sheikh Kouyateh, serving the state should never be equated with personal enrichment but with a moral duty towards the nation.

These stances are causing controversy.

His time in the state apparatus was, however, marked by several public stances regarding the management of Liberia’s natural resources.

He notably felt that the various concession agreements concluded around mineral and natural resources did not sufficiently benefit the Liberian people.

In his statements, he also mentioned certain past cases, particularly those related to the ArcelorMittal group, calling for greater transparency in the management of contracts and strategic resources.

These statements provoked strong reactions within the political class. Invited by Parliament to retract some of his remarks and to issue a public apology, he refused, believing he was defending what he considered a truth of national interest.

This political confrontation ultimately resulted in his departure from office following a vote of no confidence.

A new stage with the African People’s Movement

After leaving the government, Sheikh Al-Moustapha Kouyateh continued his commitment to pan-Africanism.

He is presented as the founder of the African People’s Movement (APM), a movement created with the intellectual support of Professor PLO Lumumba and other personalities sharing the same vision of African unity.

The movement advocates for an economically strong, politically sovereign Africa capable of transforming its own wealth for the benefit of its people.

According to its promoters, this organization aims to be pan-African, open to all and founded on a vision of Africa that transcends racial or national divisions.

A vision of an Africa without economic borders

For Sheikh Al-Moustapha Kouyateh, the future of the continent depends on deeper economic integration, strengthened cooperation between African states and responsible exploitation of natural resources.

His ambition is for an Africa where wealth benefits Africans first and foremost, where industries create jobs on the continent, and where leaders are accountable to citizens for their management.

His message remains true to the four principles he has championed for several years: reconciling peoples, empowering economies, demanding accountability from leaders, and promoting sustainable development for the benefit of future generations.

Through this vision, the man many call “Farafina Mansa” continues his fight for an Africa that he wants to be stronger, more united and fully in control of its destiny.

Ex-Gombe Deputy Governor Hails Velocity Foundation for Empowering Christian Clergy in Gombe

By Auwal Ahmad Umar

Former Deputy Governor of Gombe State, Charles Iliya, has praised the humanitarian efforts of the Velocity Humanitarian Foundation, describing its support for Christian clergy as a significant contribution to peacebuilding, religious tolerance and community development in the state.

Speaking at an empowerment programme organised by the foundation, Iliya said the initiative reflects the founder’s commitment to promoting unity and improving the welfare of religious leaders, regardless of faith or background.

He noted that the intervention would enable Christian clerics to strengthen their service to their congregations while encouraging peaceful coexistence among people of different religious beliefs.

According to him, the foundation’s decision to extend assistance to Christian leaders demonstrates that genuine humanitarian service should not be influenced by ethnic or religious considerations.

Iliya said such interventions complement government efforts aimed at improving the living conditions of vulnerable residents and fostering social cohesion across communities.

He urged the Velocity Humanitarian Foundation to sustain its charitable programmes, stressing that many disadvantaged families and religious leaders would continue to benefit from its interventions.

The former deputy governor also appealed to wealthy individuals, corporate organisations and other philanthropists to emulate the foundation by investing in initiatives that promote inclusiveness, social welfare and sustainable community development.

Also speaking, the Gombe State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Mohammed Inuwa Dantata, commended the foundation for demonstrating that compassion and humanitarian service should rise above political, ethnic and religious differences.

He said the foundation’s support for Christian clergy sends a strong message of unity and mutual respect, values he described as critical to maintaining peace and stability in Gombe State.

Dantata encouraged beneficiaries to make effective use of the assistance provided to improve their lives and communities, while urging the foundation to broaden its humanitarian outreach to include more vulnerable groups across the state.

Representing the foundation, Abubakar Danzariya said the organisation remains committed to supporting vulnerable people irrespective of their religion, ethnicity or political affiliation.

He explained that the empowerment of Christian clergy aligns with the foundation’s broader vision of reducing hardship, promoting social justice and strengthening harmony among diverse communities in Gombe State.

According to him, the founder of the foundation, Engr. Aliyu Muhammad Kombat, believes that every citizen deserves equal opportunities and access to support that can improve their standard of living.

Danzariya said the foundation would continue to implement programmes in education, healthcare, youth and women empowerment, humanitarian assistance and community development as part of its long-term strategy for improving livelihoods.

He added that the interventions are designed to produce sustainable results by enhancing the well-being of vulnerable residents and creating opportunities for self-reliance.

Danzariya also appreciated community leaders, Christian organisations and volunteers who partnered with the foundation to ensure the successful implementation of the programme.

He reaffirmed the commitment of Engr. Kombat to building a more peaceful, united and prosperous society through sustained humanitarian interventions that reach people without discrimination.

Zulum assesses security situation, ongoing capital projects in Borno South

By Tada Jutha, Maiduguri

Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum performed his official government duties on Thursday from the Zonal Department of Monitoring, Evaluation and Special Projects (MESP) office in Biu, Biu local government area.

This underscores his administration’s commitment to grassroots governance and bringing government closer to the people.

The Biu MESP zonal office, which operates under the Governor’s Office, was established and commissioned by Governor Zulum in 2022 to strengthen public service delivery, enhance accountability, improve project monitoring and evaluation, and accelerate infrastructural development across the Southern Borno senatorial zone.

Similar zonal offices have also been established in Monguno and Bama to serve the Northern and Central Senatorial Districts, respectively.

Thursday’s engagement marked the first time Governor Zulum officially operated from the Biu Zonal Office since its establishment, making it a significant milestone in the decentralisation of government operations.

The Governor, while in the office, met with the Sector 2 Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, Brigadier General Edet Effiong, and the Brigade Commander, 29 Taskforce Brigade, Benishiekh, on how to consolidate the recent gains in the counterinsurgency operations.

The governor’s decision to conduct official state business from the facility reflects his leadership philosophy of taking governance to the grassroots rather than confining government activities to Maiduguri.

Throughout the past seven years, Zulum has maintained a unique style of governance, travelling extensively across all 27 local government areas to personally assess projects and engage directly with the community.

In addition to operating from the Government House, the governor has, since assuming office in 2019, regularly conducted official functions from the Musa Usman Secretariat, which serves as his second operational office for attending to state affairs.

Zulum is currently on a working tour of Southern Borno. On Wednesday, he flagged off the 2026 Wet Farming Season and launched the sales and distribution of 200 truckloads of NPK fertiliser at 50 per cent subsidised rates, alongside the distribution of free agrochemicals, knapsack sprayers, certified seeds, water pumps and 10,000 bicycles to smallholder farmers in Kwaya Kusar Local Government Area.

During the visit to Biu, the governor also announced the employment of 100 unemployed graduates from Biu Local Government Area as part of measures to tackle youth restiveness, political thuggery and other social vices. The announcement was made during a courtesy visit to the Emir of Biu, Alhaji (Dr) Mustapha Umar Mustapha II.

The governor also met with members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) serving in Biu, where he announced a welfare package of ₦50,000 for each corps member.

As part of the intervention, corps members who are nursing mothers will receive an additional ₦200,000 each, while the NYSC Zonal Inspector was given ₦250,000. Other NYSC officials, including the liaison officer, received ₦100,000 each in recognition of their service and commitment.