Russia is the most sanctioned nation on planet Earth. This is quite the achievement because the previous record holders, the likes of Iran, Syria and North Korea, are no slouches when it comes to attracting sanctions. However, as of last month, the sanctions Olympics have an out-and-out lead in the mould of the Russian Federation.
They have done exceedingly above and beyond to attract the wrath of all the super powers of this world, excluding China of course. Beijing prefers to walk the path of most controversy. They are just drawn to the wrong side of history.
We woke up to the news that Russia had finally invaded Ukraine on 24 February 2022 after months of Russian military intimidation tactics along the Russia-Ukraine border. Many world leaders attempted to pacify the situation before it developed into a full blown war. They initiated bilateral talks with the man calling the shots pleading that he may reconsider. Judging by Russia’s subsequent actions, the message fell on deaf ears.
Since the invasion, over 500 civilians have been killed and 1000 more injured. Ukranians fleeing the confilct have surpassed the total population of Eswatini by a country mile. Poland seems to be the preferred safe harbour for now. Anywhere will do, I guess, but Poland isn’t just “anywhere”. Poland is a NATO member and if Russian soldiers do so much as to gaze for too long in that direction, woe unto them. The US has sworn to defend every inch of NATO territory.
This conflict is a global event that can only be compared to the worst disasters of human civilisation and one may be left to wonder why Russia would start a war in the 21st century. We discussed this in an article from earlier this year when this was still a “weekly” blog.
"Weekly blog"
I know you’re tired of reading about how this war will make everything more expensive. Russia is a huge energy exporter… Ukraine is a huge commodity exporter… a shortage crisis is looming… prices will will jump to the moon and stay there… sprinkle some more doomsday rhetoric here… then there’s this, that and the other… but, hear this: The Cardiff Philharmonic Orchestra has cancelled Russian composer Tchaikovsky’s 1812 overture from their programme for a concert scheduled for this week citing that it is “inappropriate at this time.” Would you believe it? The sanctions against Russia have transcended the grave! They are sanctioning someone that has been dead for 130 years. What does he even have to do with this situation? Ay Cha!
Riky Rick
I do not even think that the news of Riky Rick’s passing has fully sunk in yet. I cannot pretend to have suddenly become his biggest fan after making headlines for having taken his own life, but I do feel the loss. I do offer my deepest commiserations to his loved ones and fans.
If death is a grim subject, suicide is a shade darker. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), suicide is a serious health problem, annually accounting for as much as 700 thousand deaths worldwide. This roughly translates to about 2,000 people taking their own lives every day; a number that is only the tip of the iceberg when it’s compared to that of people who have chronic suicidal thoughts and those that go as far as making an attempt against their own lives.
The numbers suggest that there are too many of us that find themselves left with only this kind of option. Too many people have lost any hope of finding relief while they live. The WHO attributes these feelings to mental health issues as well as financial and relationship problems in certain episodes where one finds themselves overwhelmed by sudden misfortune and impulsively self-harm to make the pain go away. Experiencing conflict, abuse or loss can also cause feelings of isolation associated with suicide.
Southern Africans are especially at risk. Lesotho, Eswatini and South Africa are amongst the countries with the highest suicide rates in the world. You probably know someone who has struggled or currently is struggling with unrelenting hopelessness. We do not wish to lose anyone to suicide. I hope that we will continue to open up to each other about this topic. If we’re lucky, we will find the words that will keep us together just long enough for the hope that was once fleeting to return.
What I’m Reading
I’m still reading the longest book ever. Okay, it’s not the longest book ever. I’ve just been very inconsistent but for very good reasons...
Let’s start with a book recap. It’s a fictional story about a high value man who attracted the envy and jealousy of his close associates to the point that they conspired to have him imprisoned on spurious charges. He languished in prison until Providence introduced him to a fellow inmate that would eventually change his life both financially and intellectually. Upon his escape from prison, he strives to reacquaint himself with the jealous associates introduced above. I do not think that he comes in peace. I believe he wants to avenge misdeeds. To be blunt, he wants to kill the people behind his imprisonment. Nobody has died yet, I just have a feeling.
The book is called the Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas. I would recommend it, but, please, clear your entire calendar.
We can now move on to my extended absence. All my reasons, although very good, are also very private 😂. Sorry about the anticlimax. But if anything else happened this week, I missed it. Till next… 🤔 TIME👋🏾 .
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