Ali Bomaye! Today we lost one of Africa’s heroes

Muhammad Ali on the African Continent

by Nosarieme Garrick, Executive Producer

I was awakened this morning by a subtle ping on my phone. While I typically refrain from checking messages in the middle of the night, I decided to look at my notifications. A headline popped up reading: Muhammad Ali dead at 74. With a groan, I rolled over wishing to wake up from what was obviously a bad dream. Unfortunately it was all too true.

My mind scrolled back to the ’96 Olympics where my family in Abuja all crowded around the TV watching the opening ceremony. My parents ooh-ed and aah-ed about the awesomeness of Ali, then in his fragile state lighting the Olympic flame as his body trembled. While I was still young, my parents reaction let me know that Muhammad Ali was a great athlete, whose career they had followed and respected for decades.

Perhaps it had to do with his tour to a number of African countries in 1964, after his decision to change his name to Muhammad Ali. The tour, some say, was to escape the pressure he was under in the US, due to his vocalized dissent of US politics, as well as an affirmation of his new identity and religious conviction.

For the continent, the tour came at a time where African nations were fighting for their independence. Leaders were standing up to colonial powers, and Ali’s refusal to fight in the Vietnam War, despite being stripped of his titles, elevated him to hero status. His rebellion was a vital link, and an extension of Africa’s fight against white colonial rule.

Muhammad Ali in Nigeria

Muhammad Ali in Egypt

Ali in Ghana

Once Ali became a symbol of resistance, he was forever embraced by Africans. The second major trip to the African continent was in 1974, when the famous “Rumble in the Jungle” was organized by the infamous Mobutu Sese Seko president for life of then Zaire, now Democratic Republic of Congo. Ali and opponent George foreman were paid $5M each for the fight. According to my parents, this fight for them was about Africa versus America. With the crowd screaming “ Ali Bomaye!!” ( Ali, Kill him!), Muhammad Ali was the African in the fight. His victory further cemented him as a hero for many people who stayed up to watch the fight on the African continent, and in the diaspora.

Muhammad Ali’s popularity on the African continent was eventually misused, when he was asked by Jimmy Carter in 1980 to tour African countries and persuade them to boycott the 1980 Olympics in Moscow as a protest of the 1979 invasion of Afghanistan. Leaders saw the motion as not only condescending but a slap in the face. Americans who had never supported sanctions against apartheid South Africa, were asking African leaders to support their sanctions against a country who was supporting other African countries in their fights for independence. President Julius Nyerere of Tanzania, and President Shehu Shagari of Nigeria rejected meetings with Ali. However, their rejection didn’t have anything to do with Muhammad Ali himself, but everything to do with the message. The mission was eventually labelled a “diplomatic disaster.”

Muhammad Ali’s passing has made headlines around the world, while he was left without his gift of gab due to Parkinson, his story was never silenced. Muhammad Ali’s spirit fighting spirit throughout the years has served as inspiration for many regardless of their affinity for sports. His legacy will remain that of a hero who was never afraid to stand up for his beliefs, and will continue to permeate borders. He will remain one of the most unforgettable symbols of all time, who belonged to everyone.

Ali was truly “the Greatest”.