It feels like ages since I’ve written to you. I had to actually go back to read my last post to familiarize myself with where we left off. My last note to you was about my upcoming trips to Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda. While I intend to update you on those travels, I’ve come to you on a much more serious note.
We catch up on the latest news feeds via online outlets and can be updated on what is going on next door to what is happening the next continent over. I’m news junky so I actively engage in the news of the world. When Boko Haram took our girls, I sat behind my computer screen in grief, when terrorist attacks happened in Kenya, I sat behind my computer screen and prayed for survivors, when the bombings happened in Brussels I sat behind my computer screen and petitioned God for assistance. The common thread here is the electronic disconnect between these atrocities and myself.
Now, my computer screen has been removed and I’m staring such atrocity eye to eye. I was initially not going make this post, as I try not to relive valley experiences, but this valley experience has yet to pass and people have asked me about it. I thank you for your concern. If you’ve been following the news, you’ve seen headlines such as: “Riot in Zambia capital over ritual killings”, “Zambia xenophobic riots: Two burned alive in Lusaka”, “Zambia arrests over xenophobic attacks in Lusaka”, “Zambia arrests 200 in riots over ritual killings”
Such headlines were at the center of world news… before Prince departed from us (RIP). I won’t go into too many details but I’m currently living in the middle of these news headlines as a Resident of the Republic of Zambia.
After returning from the trips mentioned above, Lusaka was a bit changed. As Zambians would say “People are moving differently”. My colleagues were extra inquisitive about my comings and goings and whispers were getting louder. I later learned that in the weeks of my absence, mysterious killings had happened in Lusaka in which the victims were murdered in very gruesome ways (removing of organs, genitals, and extremities). After my return, bodies with missing organs were continuously being found under unexplained circumstances and the killers have yet to be implicated. After further inquiry I learned that these murders were a part of what is thought to be ‘ritualistic killings’ where it is believed that human organs are used in witchcraft to bring one success or wealth in life.
After the 6th body was found, the blame game started. Since no killers have been implicated the rumor mill has accused Zambia’s highest population of foreign immigrants, the Rwandese, as the culprits of these murders. Recall, the Rwandese sought refuge in Zambia during the Rwandan genocide in 1994 and have remained here as a new start to a life torn apart. Rwandese businesses and those suspected as Rwandese businesses have been looted and have resulted in several deaths. Per last reports, over 300 people have been jailed in response to either suspected connection with the ritualistic killings or participation in riots.
To answer everyone’s question, I am Ok. My spirit is disturbed yet strongly composed. I’m in constant prayer that peace returns to our nation. These events have come as shock to the Zambian and outside nations, as Zambia has an ongoing reputation of being one of the most peaceful African countries to reside. Precautionary measures have been taken to ensure that I am safe and I have received security directives from the U.S. Embassy Zambia. Armed military and police forces are in every space livable in Lusaka, which makes me feel like I’m in a constant war zone. My work has been impacted in that one of the Compounds in which I work has been at the center of the riots. My movement has been restricted from entering this compound at the moment.
I find it mind-boggling reading the news headlines as an onlooker and then going outside my home and realizing, “I’m not much of an onlooker.. this is happening right outside of my door!” I just wanted to send a quick note letting you know that I am safe. I’m also requesting prayers for protection, not just for me, but for the world as a whole. Nowadays I need a therapy session after catching up on daily news, as so much is happening.. or at least it is now being publicized on a larger platform. What’s happening on the African continent is the same oppression that is happening in the U.S. but named differently. Ritualistic killings may not occur in your geographic space but Islamophobia, transphobia, racism and many other struggles of oppression are present in your territories; thus, the intersectionality of these issues deeply connects us. Whomever you deem your higher power… Allah, Jehovah, Olorun, Jah, Yahweh, and anyone else you can think of …in a Unified way we need them.
Ubuntu – I am because you are.
