Agbo Discusses Couscous and Africa's Cultural Divide

Osmund Agbo recounts his first experience with couscous on an Ethiopian Airlines flight from Washington Dulles to Addis Ababa, noting his dislike for the dish, which he feels resembles Jollof rice but lacks its flavor. He describes couscous as a staple and cultural symbol in the Maghreb, particularly in Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia, made from semolina granules.

Agbo reflects on the broader implications of couscous, suggesting it symbolizes North Africa's complicated relationship with sub-Saharan Africa. He argues that while North Africa appears African from a distance, its political and cultural orientations often diverge from the rest of the continent.

Agbo emphasizes the need for genuine solidarity among African nations, stating that this cannot be a one-sided endeavor and questioning whether North African societies truly view themselves as part of the African project.