“Trade Should Work for People”: A Conversation with Transform Trade + Gabon's elections, Sudan vs UAE
Issue #421: Japan’s ambassador loves Yorkshire tea, Meta gets sued in Kenya, Andrée Blouin is back, and so much more.
This week, I'm watching the elections in Gabon and breaking down what U.S. tariffs mean for countries like Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Cambodia — spoiler: nothing good. I spoke to Transform Trade, a UK-based charity pushing for fairer trade rules, about what’s at stake when trade is built to serve corporations, not people.
Also inside: Egyptian street rap, why Japan’s ambassador to the UK might be more British than the Brits, a Kurdish documentary on kolbars (smugglers) along the Iran–Iraq border, and how Ethiopians are taking Meta to court in Kenya (finally) over violence linked to hate speech on Facebook. I also have a rare profile on five Sudanese children, news that Andrée Blouin’s memoir is finally back in print (and why you absolutely should read it), and the latest on Sudan taking the UAE to the International Court of Justice over alleged genocide support. And yes, there’s more.
Gabon's got a new president, and yes, it's the general who led the coup in 2023
What happened Gabon just held a presidential election, and the guy who led a coup, ended nearly 60 years of Bongo family rule and has been calling the shots for the past 19 months—General Brice Oligui Nguema—is officially president. Like, “90% of the vote” big. [Insert skepticism here.]
Why this matters: This small, oil-rich country in Central Africa (population: 2.5 million) punches well above its weight economically—ranking among Africa’s wealthiest by income per person (World Bank says US$7,800). But like a lot of resource-rich nations, the wealth hasn’t trickled down. One-third of Gabonese people live on less than US$6.85 a day.
Tell me more Nguema ran against seven others, including ex-PM Alain Claude Bilie-by-Nze (who got just 3%). Turnout was solid—over 70% of registered voters showed up. But… there were some issues: delays, missing names on voter rolls, and claims of unsecured ballots. Plus, several big-name opposition candidates weren’t allowed to run. Critics say the new constitution and voting rules were tweaked to help Nguema win.
Fun fact: His campaign slogan was "C'BON" – a play on his initials and the French word "c'est bon", meaning "it's good"
Who is General Nguema?
He’s 50 years old and from Haut-Ogooué, a southeastern province that’s a Bongo family stronghold [The Bongos were Gabon’s ruling family for decades and they have deep roots and loyal support here]. Some whisper General Nguema is even a cousin of Ali Bongo. He led the Republican Guard [Gabon’s most powerful and well-armed military unit, kinda like the president’s personal security force] and spent 10 years in exile after falling out with the Bongos. Quietly returned, worked his way to the top of the army, and in 2023, he forcibly took over of the government to remove President Ali Bongo after a messy election. [The UN, the African Union and France condemned the coup; it was the eighth to take place in West and Central Africa since 2020]
Since then, he’s been working on a rebrand: taking back control of foreign-run oil operations, bringing opposition figures into government, paying off unpaid pensions, and talking up anti-corruption. He’s also managed to unite Gabon’s army, which was previously split along ethnic lines [meaning loyalty in the military often followed tribe or region, not rank].
Zoom out: Since 2020, five countries in West and Central Africa have had coups. Gabon’s the only one that’s moved toward civilian rule and kept close with France [a big deal, since many of these former French colonies have recently been ditching ties with France].
What now?
Nguema’s seven-year term starts now. He’s promised to:
Move Gabon away from oil dependency [oil makes up a huge chunk of the economy; the country is also loaded with timber and minerals like manganese, a metal used in steel and batteries]
Improve housing rules and government efficiency
Attract skilled Gabonese folks living abroad
Crack down on corruption [although, awkwardly, he’s been accused of some himself]
Btw, going into this newsletter's very own Spotify playlist, "Go Global Weekly" is: "(I've Got) The Power". Nguema blasted it onstage on occasion and danced to it after the election results. Quite the song choice for a man who seized power by force and now seeks legitimacy through the ballot box.
What these paused U.S. tariffs really mean for countries like Bangladesh, Cambodia or Sri Lanka – interview with "Transform Trade"
What happened On April 2, 2025, President Trump rolled out a new wave of tariffs — calling it “Liberation Day.” Basically, he slapped a 10% tax on pretty much all imports (except Canada and Mexico), and added even higher tariffs for countries that sell more to the U.S. than they buy.
For countries like Cambodia (49%), Bangladesh (37%), and Sri Lanka (44%), that’s a serious hit — especially since so much of their economy depends on exporting clothes and goods to the U.S.
The only break? Those big tariffs are paused for now. They’re set to kick in this July, so there’s a 90-day window where countries can try to negotiate their way out of the worst of it.
Why this matters Even with the pause, the clock’s ticking — and the damage could be massive. Countries in the "Global South" don’t have the cushion to absorb this kind of shock. Take Cambodia: nearly half of its exports go to the U.S. If orders dry up, so do factory jobs, wages, and whole livelihoods. This isn’t just trade drama in D.C. — it’s about real people losing work, struggling to eat, or being forced into worse jobs just to survive.
Tell me more I spoke with Transform Trade, a UK-based charity advocating for fair trade practices. They support producers worldwide and campaign for a trade system that prioritizes people over profit. Recently, they’ve launched a petition opposing these “weaponized” tariffs. They believe trade should work for people, not just big corporations. So I wanted to hear their take on what’s happening — and what’s at stake.
whlw: What is the most overlooked consequence of these tariffs on countries like Bangladesh, Cambodia, and Sri Lanka?
Transform Trade: It’s the scale of the tariffs that is the most shocking. Such high rates are devastating, especially since the U.S. is a major market for these countries. For instance, the U.S. accounts for 40% of Cambodia’s exports. These nations have limited alternatives and can’t easily offset the impact. Efforts to increase imports from the U.S., like Bangladesh’s plan to buy more cotton from the U.S., could further strain their economies and affect other cotton-exporting countries in West Africa.
whlw: Transform Trade has warned that the added costs are often pushed down the supply chain to those least able to pay. Can you share a concrete example of how this dynamic is playing out right now — perhaps in agriculture or garment production?
Transform Trade: The phenomenon of costs being pushed down the supply chain is well known, and it gets worse in a crisis. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, many companies canceled orders or refused payment, even for shipped goods. Workers faced wage cuts, reduced hours, or sudden unemployment. In crises, manufacturers often pass costs down the supply chain, targeting labor expenses since other costs like energy or materials are less negotiable.
whlw: You describe these tariffs as “weaponized.” How so? And: What makes this trade policy fundamentally different from previous US approaches?
Transform Trade: Trump is clearly using tariffs not just to achieve U.S. goals in areas like industrial strategy or even trade. These tariffs are used punitively, based on a misunderstanding of trade deficits. Historically, since 1974, the U.S. offered favorable trade terms to 119 of the world’s poorest countries, acknowledging their economic challenges. Now, tariffs on some products have jumped from zero to over 10%, and in many cases, much higher.
whlw: What would “trade that builds peace and progress” look like, especially for vulnerable "Global South" countries?
Transform Trade: The world has changed since the major trade agreements — like the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA, now replaced by the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement) — were created. These deals talked about environmental sustainability and labour rights, but only the parts covering goods, services, and some regulations were legally binding.
The assumption was that liberalising trade would automatically create growth and that everyone would benefit. But the reality is, the system was built by — and for — big business.
Trade that truly builds peace and progress needs to put people and the environment at its centre. That means giving climate, human rights, and labour rights legally binding priority over trade rules — so companies can’t use trade laws to dodge basic responsibilities.
It also means listening to people. Around the world, citizens’ assemblies and other public forums have shown just how many thoughtful, creative ideas emerge when people are invited into the conversation.
From a Global South perspective, this means ensuring that workers’ voices — through unions, co-ops, and local organisations — are heard and respected. And it means paying attention to small farmers, who provide most of the jobs and a huge share of the food across the Global South.
If trade doesn’t work for them, it doesn’t work for anyone.
whlw: What role can European countries play in responding to these developments? Could they help counterbalance the pressure — and if so, how?
Transform Trade: We believe that making supply chains fairer is now more urgent than ever. Right now, it’s one of the only tools other countries have to help reduce the harm these tariffs will cause to the Global South.
In the UK, we’re calling for a Business, Human Rights and Environment Act — so companies can no longer get away with human rights abuses in their supply chains. With garment-producing countries under growing pressure, we also want a fashion watchdog to make sure UK brands treat their suppliers fairly. Too often, we see severely delayed or missing payments, last-minute contract changes, hidden fees, or the use of middlemen to force prices down even further.
The UK and EU can at least put their own houses in order — and make sure their supply chains aren’t making things worse.
April 24th marks the anniversary of the Rana Plaza disaster (the 2013 factory collapse in Bangladesh that killed over 1,100 garment workers). What better moment to take action and show that the people making our clothes — and all the other products we rely on — deserve to be treated with dignity and fairness?
Finally, as the UK develops its new trade strategy, we’ll be calling for it to properly address these issues.
whlw: If Trump is re-elected, what long-term shifts in trade policy are necessary to protect livelihoods and ensure equitable trade?
Transform Trade: Our hope is that Trump doesn’t succeed in changing the rules on elections — and that this is his second and final term.
We believe the world has changed: climate change, growing inequality, and shifting global dynamics mean we need to completely rethink how we do trade. International agreements on climate action, the Sustainable Development Goals (a UN framework for global progress), human rights, and labour rights must take priority over trade rules.
There are already many companies going beyond the bottom line — putting workers on boards, focusing on sustainability, and investing in their communities. Trade rules and supply chains should support and reward those businesses, not undercut them.
We have to remember: trade is just a tool to help us reach the things we truly value — but in chasing growth at all costs, we’ve lost sight of that. If Trump returns, other countries will need to work more closely together, finding new ways to cooperate and use trade as a force for good.
what else happened
Bad
South Sudan / USA: The U.S. is still freezing visas for South Sudanese citizens. Why? Because South Sudan originally refused to accept the deportation of a Congolese national who had used a South Sudanese passport. Even though he’s been admitted now, the U.S. isn’t budging yet. South Sudanese with revoked visas will need to reapply from scratch. (Semafor)
Global health: A new study says over 3 million children died in 2022 from infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria — mostly in Southeast Asia and Africa. (Al Jazeera)
Dominican Republic: The search is over after the roof collapse at Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo killed 221 people, including politicians, former baseball players, and the merengue singer Rubby Pérez. Another 189 people were rescued. The club was packed for a Monday night concert when the roof of the 50-year-old building caved in. Officials are now investigating what caused the collapse. Families are still waiting to identify and bury their loved ones, and the country is in mourning. (The New York Times)
India: Northern India is already facing extreme heat weeks before summer, with temps in Rajasthan hitting 46.4°C — that’s 6°C above April norms. In Bihar, the heat set off deadly storms and lightning, killing at least 19 people and damaging crops just ahead of harvest. April isn’t supposed to be like this. (The Guardian)
Israel/Gaza: An Israeli airstrike hit al-Ahli hospital in Gaza City early Sunday, destroying its surgery ward and oxygen station — the last fully operating hospital in the area. One child died during the rushed evacuation. Israel claims Hamas used the site for military operations, which Hamas denies. Doctors said patients had less than 20 minutes to flee. The strike comes as Israel expands its military control across Gaza, now holding over 50% of the territory. Aid groups warn of famine, medical collapse, and mass displacement, with 400,000 people evacuated in the last three weeks alone. (The Guardian)
Sudan: Over 200 civilians were killed as Sudan’s paramilitary RSF attacked displacement camps in Darfur — including the entire medical team at the only clinic in Zamzam camp. The UN says RSF launched ground and air assaults near El Fasher, the last major city held by the Sudanese army in the region. Aid groups call this a targeted strike on health infrastructure. (The Guardian)
Jamaica: Reggae legend Max Romeo has died at 80. Known for hits like "Chase the Devil" and "War Ina Babylon," he helped shape the sound of 1970s roots reggae. His music backed political movements in Jamaica and was later sampled by Kanye West and The Prodigy. Despite BBC bans, Romeo’s voice became one of the genre’s most iconic. (The Guardian)
Interesting...
Argentina: Argentina just secured US$42 billion in new funding from the IMF, World Bank, and IDB — its biggest financial boost in years. (Al Jazeera)
China / Moon: Lunar samples from China’s Chang’e-6 mission suggest the far side of the moon may be much drier than the side we see from Earth. Scientists found ancient lava crystals with way less trapped water than in previous samples from the near side — up to 200 times less. It could mean the moon’s far side has a drier interior, or that these rocks came from deeper, water-poor layers. Either way, it’s a big clue in figuring out how the moon formed — and why its two faces are so different. (The New York Times)
Ecuador: Voters headed to the polls in a tight presidential runoff between current leader Daniel Noboa and leftist challenger Luisa González. Results were expected Sunday night (which I missed). (The New York Times)
Mozambique / USA: U.S. President Trump just greenlit a US$4.7 billion loan for Mozambique’s massive LNG (liquefied natural gas) project. It’s the biggest U.S. loan ever given in Africa. The project had stalled since 2021, but now it’s back on. The U.S. wants to reduce dependency on Russian and Gulf gas — and Mozambique holds one of the world’s largest untapped reserves. China’s already got stakes here, but the U.S. is playing catch-up. (South China Morning Post)
Zimbabwe: 25 years after seizing white-owned farms, Zimbabwe has started paying compensation. The government sent out US$3.1 million to former farmers as part of a US$3.5 billion deal. The rest will come as low-interest treasury bonds. The move is part of a broader push to restructure debt and unlock new IMF funding. (The Guardian)
Nigeria: A Nigerian version of OnlyFans — called AllAccessFans — has already made over ₦1.8 billion (US$1.1M) in just a year. It’s paid out most of that to around 13,000 local creators. The platform focuses on fast payouts in naira and wants to expand across Africa, even though it’s still fighting investor hesitation and fraud issues. (Techpoint.Africa)
Tanzania: Opposition leader Tundu Lissu has been charged with treason over a recent speech. Authorities say he tried to stir up resistance ahead of October’s elections. Lissu’s party, Chadema, calls it political intimidation. (The Citizen)
Good
Sudan / UAE: Sudan dragged the UAE to the International Court of Justice, accusing it of helping the RSF commit genocide in Darfur. The claim? That the UAE armed and trained fighters targeting the non-Arab Massalit population. The UAE denies it and called the lawsuit a PR stunt. Legal experts say the case probably won’t go far — but Sudan wanted to put the spotlight on the UAE’s alleged role. (BBC)
Central African Republic / DR Congo: Andrée Blouin’s memoir is back in print — and so is her legacy. Born in colonial CAR, raised in a racist orphanage, and radicalized after her son died from denied malaria meds (because medicine was “for white people only”), Blouin became a key Pan-African figure. She worked with Congo’s first prime minister, Patrice Lumumba, helped organize tens of thousands of women, and even helped write his famous independence speech. After multiple expulsions, she kept going — turning her Algiers apartment into a hub for revolutionaries. Now, decades later, her out-of-print memoir is finally back — and it’s a reminder that some of Africa’s biggest political moments wouldn’t have happened without her. (Jacobin)
Ethiopia: In Addis Ababa, a small workshop is keeping one of the world’s oldest manuscript traditions alive. Writers and artists at the Hamere Berhan Institute are hand-copying religious texts onto goat skin parchment, using bamboo pens, Ge’ez script, and centuries-old techniques — with a little help from Google Images. Each book can take months or years to finish. They’re destined for churches across Ethiopia, but conflict in regions like Amhara and Oromia has stalled deliveries. Still, the scribes keep working — hoping their books will survive another 1,000 years. (The Guardian)
recommendations
Look at... Sudanese children's paintings on the wall. The Guardian just published a sensitive profile by Karl Schembri from the Norwegian Refugee Council. It's about six siblings who fled Omdurman to El Geneina. They lost their mother to dysentery, and their father had disappeared long before the war. The eldest child, Haroun (21), now works in a garage to feed the younger five: Asrar (12), Fatima (7), and twins Mujtaba and Mustafa (9) who draw pictures of tanks and machine guns on the walls of the abandoned house they now call home in El Geneina — where the RSF (a paramilitary group) has been accused of genocide by the U.S. and thousands have been killed. The piece doesn’t just track their 1,000-mile/1,600 kilometers (like Paris to Warsaw and back) journey across Sudan. It captures what war does to memory, imagination, and childhood. Some 17 million Sudanese kids are now out of school. This is a rare portrait of war through a child’s visual memory. But here’s the catch: no Sudanese experts, no activists, no civil society voices. It’s all emotion, no system-level breakdown. We know the kids are suffering — but who’s responsible? What’s fueling this war? That part’s MIA. Still, the story is worth your time. Just read it, knowing the whole picture’s still off-frame. Read the article here.
Read... about how Meta might (finally) stand trial. A Kenyan court just ruled that a US$2.4 billion lawsuit against Meta (Facebook’s parent company) can proceed. Why? Two Ethiopian claimants argue that Facebook’s algorithm amplified hate speech during Ethiopia’s civil war — and may have contributed directly to violence, including the murder of an academic after his address was posted online. One plaintiff is the victim’s son; the other, a former Amnesty researcher now in exile. Meta tried to dismiss the case by claiming Kenyan courts don’t have jurisdiction (despite their Ethiopian moderators being based in Kenya — nice try). The suit demands not just money, but algorithm changes, more content moderation in Africa, and a public apology. Read the article here.
Watch... "All The Mountains Give". Shot over six years, the documentary follows two Kurdish friends, Hamid and Yasser, who work as kolbars — basically, they smuggle everyday goods like teapots and shampoo across the freezing Iran-Iraq border for a few U.S. dollars per kilo. The work is illegal, exhausting, and very dangerous. Around 200 kolbars die each year — from landmines, cliffs, or being shot by border guards. The director, Arash Rakhsha, was a kolbar himself. "Often even documentaries can become formulaic, but every once in a while, a documentarian comes along and creates a film that makes you forget you are watching “real life.” Shot on one camera, Rakhsha builds a narrative that creates the illusion that you are watching a scripted film," writes filmint.nu. Watch the trailer here.
video of the week
Houda Nasser Is what Egyptian street rap sounds like right now I The track came out of Rap Shar3, a rising platform that’s basically Egypt’s answer to grime channels like SBTV or COLORS — but with more diesel, more noise, and less polish. If you're craving some street rap, this is the YouTube channel for you.
on a funny note
If you’ve ever wondered who’s living their best expat life in the UK right now, it’s not some influencer in Shoreditch — it’s Hiroshi Suzuki, Japan’s ambassador to the UK.
Since landing the role in late 2024, Suzuki has been all over British social media doing what most diplomats absolutely don’t: drinking pints in local pubs, taste-testing fish and chips with suspicious levels of joy, and absolutely nailing the Welsh national anthem — in Welsh.
Basically, he’s built a fan base by being the least boring diplomat on Earth.