Champions of West Africa

The most cohesive superheroic organization in western Africa is the assemblage of heroes known as the Champions of West Africa. Formed in late 1996, and known often simply as the Champions or the CWA, this group of superheroes is made up of various member nations of ECOWAS and the occasional expatriate hero from abroad. The group spends most of its time in actions akin to their peers elsewhere in the world: foiling criminals, stopping disasters, and dealing with a variety of super-powered threats. In addition, the group tries to keep the actions of various terrorist groups and warlords under control, many of whom have recruited or hired their own superhumans over the years—in some cases to specifically oppose the Champions.
The complex problems of violence, unrest, and corruption that regularly erupt over some parts of the region fuel similar outbursts of superhuman violence in various parts of West Africa, particularly during civil wars and West Africa other upheavals. The targeting of many heroes’ families by extreme groups has led most members of the CWA to keep their identities secret.

Structure

Though ideally the team would like to have at least one member from each state in the region, various political disagreements and other problems have resulted in a reduction in CWA membership. An ideological dispute over the importance of sovereignty of the regional states versus direct intervention by the team in various situations, particularly those that involve violence against minorities, children, and women, resulted in a split in the Champions. In late 2013, several members of the team left to either go solo or join other groups with a more proactive stance. The current roster of the team includes the following heroes.

EXEMPLAR

Agyenim Annan, the Ghanan national hero who sees his nation as a model for stability and progress in the region. Possesses great integrity and courage, but can be a bit overbearing. His name is a traditional Akan name that means “great divine one.” He is super-strong, tough, and able to leap great distances.

JALI

Seydou Truore, a mystic griot (story-teller and historian of the oral tradition) from Mali who possesses the power to summon representations of various legendary heroes and mythical beasts by singing. He claims to stay with the group based on a vision of some future calamity they will need to oppose together.

GENOME

John Jackson, an idealistic Liberian superhuman with the power to duplicate the natural abilities of living organisms, including animals, aliens, and mutants. He is unsure of the origin of his abilities.

MAITREAIMANT

Ismael Boka, a mutant hero from the Ivory Coast possessing power over magnetism. He and Jali are a couple, which keeps Maitre Aimant on the team despite some personal misgivings about its effectiveness. His name is French for “Master Magnet.”

THE FUTURIST

Fama Mendy, a Gambian super-genius, deeply concerned with education and civil rights, whose cautious nature and ability to see numerous possible outcomes of each action have caused her to reject more proactive measures.

FANTASMA

Daphne Barros, mistress of invisibility and illusion from Cape Verde. She is as much an entertainer as a superhero and sticks with the CWA because they allow her to do good while still advancing her career.

Founding Date

1996

Type

Adventuring Party