Here I am, wrapping up my final column of 2024, my mind drifting back to gather echoes of what was said and the silences of what remained unsaid. This exercise of looking back at the recent past carries a bittersweet taste: the words I’ve written —those biweekly 500— reflect their loyalty, but also the frustration of issues that remain stagnant, unchanged by the passage of time or human action.
In these columns, we’ve navigated together through topics that span continents and emotions: immigration, always heartbreaking, always urgent; the tragedy of the DANA in Valencia, which reminded us of our fragility before nature; the political shift in the United States, a prelude to new global balances; the struggle for Africa, where the BRICS, traditional powers, and emerging forces vie for its future; food insecurity, a specter that still haunts millions; Greenwashing, a deception painted green that challenges us to act authentically; and at home, the transformation of Mallorca into a Mediterranean hub, a bridge between cultures and economies, uniting what sometimes seems irreconcilable.
I cannot close this reflection without highlighting two memories that encapsulate the essence of this year. On one hand, the painful shadow left by Palestine and the tragedy that still weighs heavily on Valencia, open wounds that defy our collective capacity to respond as humanity. On the other hand, the brilliance of an achievement that fills me with hope: the twinning of Palma de Mallorca and Tangier, two cities I hold dear, now looking at each other as sisters, united by a commitment to collaborate beyond their borders.
If this year has taught me anything, it’s that the future is never a blank canvas but a tapestry where the present weaves its influence. For the coming year, my radar detects inflection points we cannot ignore: Syria and the United States, with their stories of reconstruction and transition; Ukraine, where an end to its devastating war might emerge; China in Africa, sharpening its plans with surgical precision; cryptocurrencies, always balancing between the revolutionary and the uncertain; and, as always, food security, the basic right still denied to so many, and climate change as an undeniable threat.
I promise to keep writing about what matters, maintaining a focus on Africa, Mallorca, and those corners that don’t always have a voice. My commitment is to provide a sincere perspective, distilled from the best information I can gather, always served to you, my readers, on a silver platter. During this festive season, my thoughts are especially with those going through difficult days. May 2025 be for everyone, and especially for them, a year of progress, solace, and renewed hope. Happy holidays, and thank you for walking with me through this 2024.
