African journalism. July 11 2020 ISSUE NO. 13 The Continent with

Is Mali on the brink of a revolution? Government rocked by massive protests

Photo: Michele Cattani/AFP The Continent Page 2 ISSUE 13. July 11 2020 Editorial

Avoiding the ego trip

Malawi has been widely lauded for the running for a third term in office (see manner in which its people, and its p15). Doing so would dramatically institutions, protected its democracy heighten tensions ahead of what when it was threatened by a president is already expected to be a volatile with autocratic tendencies. electoral period, and for what purpose? For the political opposition, the If Ouattara really believes that there key to achieving an electoral victory is no one else capable of running so comprehensive that it could not the country, then his sense of self- be rigged away was the formation of importance must be getting in the way a coalition, led by . of his ability to make sensible decisions. He is now the president of , but perhaps the real hero of this story is : a rival opposition Perhaps the real hero leader who set aside his own of Malawi’s election presidential ambitions – and his ego – story is Saulos Chilima: to make the coalition work. a rival opposition leader Other political leaders would do well to ponder Chilima’s example. In who set aside his own Uganda, Bobi Wine made it clear this presidential ambitions – week that he is fully supportive of an and his ego – to make the opposition coalition to unseat President coalition work Yoweri Museveni in 2021 – but only if he gets to lead it (see p12). Could his insistence on being first on the ticket Of course, an outsized ego is key threaten the chances of the opposition to the success of many politicians – it forming a viable united front? And if takes remarkable self-confidence for so, would he be prepared to set his ego anyone to believe that they can govern aside and play second fiddle? an entire country. The difference And in Côte d’Ivoire, speculation between a good politician and a great is rife that – following the death of politician, however, is the ability to his hand-picked successor – President set that ego aside when the situation is considering demands it. ■ The Continent ISSUE 13. July 11 2020 Page 3

Inside: COVER STORY: After a day of massive unrest, protesters occupied Mali’s national broadcaster (p8). A meeting between the president and Wrong direction: Earlier this week, the imam leading the protests Zambia’s President Edgar Lungu (p30) failed to calm tensions. posted this photograph on Facebook. “I am impressed with the progress Nigeria: The anti-corruption report on the Kafue – Mazabuka road boss had one job... (p9) earmarked for completion by October Malawi’s new cabinet is a 2020,” he said proudly. Except this family affair (p14) is not a photograph of the Kafue – After the PM’s death, Côte Mazabuka road. It is, in fact, a stock d’Ivoire’s president has a photo, used previously in an article about roads in Lagos State, Nigeria. decision to make (p15) Once the mistake was pointed out in Our first illustrated story: the comments, the photo was quietly “2020 started like any other replaced with another one. year…” (p21) The Continent Page 4 ISSUE 13. July 11 2020 Continental Drift

In the headlines this week

Samira Sawlani

Ghana’s deputy minister for trade and industry (pictured left), just couldn’t wait, however, and has had to resign after venturing out before his Covid-19 self- isolation was over. Word on the street is that he was given a “jump or be pushed” ultimatum. Which suggests the government is not willing to entertain any toxic relationships – unlike a certain “bromance” in the United Kingdom. Boris Johnson and Dominic Cummings could learn a thing or two Ghana and Zimbabwe from Ghana, but apparently their love is Some say love is like a river. Unfortunately blind – no wonder Dom kept having to for Zimbabwe’s minister for health, go driving to “check his eyesight”. Obediah Moyo, the river in question appears to be the crocodile-infested Malawi Zambezi. The newest prez on the block, Malawi’s Someone must have fallen out Lazarus Chakwera, spoke his vows this of love with him, because Moyo has week in a small, intimate ceremony. found himself out of a job after he was Promising to fight corruption, he swore arrested and charged with corruption in to meet with the leader of the opposition connection with a multimillion-dollar once every three months, declare his Covid-19 equipment procurement assets, and appear in parliament to scandal. answer questions about his handling of This prompted the government to state affairs. tell him: “It’s not me, it’s you.” Love is He also announced a 31-member tender, love is kind. But love isn’t a kind cabinet. But there have been grumblings of tender, so maybe they have a point. Or over “family connections” in some of the an excuse? appointments (see p14). Here’s hoping Just like love, you can’t hurry Chakwera does not go breaking his quarantine. Carlos Kingsley Ahenkorah, country’s heart. The Continent ISSUE 13. July 11 2020 Page 5

Confrontation: Protesters in Nairobi were met with a violent police response (Photo: Billy Mutai)

Madagascar and Burundi Kenya Often, love requires admitting when On July 7 1990, Kenyans took to you are wrong. They aren’t apologising the streets demanding multiparty out loud, but the actions of Madagascar democracy, reforms and justice, and and Burundi’s leaders speak louder than the Moi government responded with words. deadly violence. Despite the bloodshed, Madagascar is the home of the Saba-Saba Day, as it is called, was a “miracle” tonic hailed by President pivotal moment in the undoing of the Andry Rajoelina as a preventative and regime. cure for Covid-19. And yet this week As the country marked the 30th the government bashfully placed the anniversary this week, activists led Analamanga region – including the protests over police brutality and capital Antananarivo – back in lockdown demanded full implementation of the amid a surge in cases. The presidency Constitution so that people have access also denied that Rajoelina is unwell with to basic rights. Many were teargassed, the virus, insisting he is in the country arrested and beaten by security forces. and in good health. A terrible irony, considering the day. Mass testing also began in Burundi Ultimately, the protesters in Kenya this week after the President Evariste then and now show us that the real Ndayishimiye described Covid-19 meaning of true love – for your country as the country’s biggest enemy, a and its people – is to not be blind to distinct change of heart considering he your flaws. previously exhorted Burundians not to Truly, it’s not about hearts, roses worry about the coronavirus because and empty promises, it’s about honesty, “God loves Burundi”. courage and care. ■ The Continent ISSUE 13. July 11 2020 Page 6 The Week in Numbers 35% 3,500 49,000,000 The percentage of the The number of The number of Africans Democratic Republic arrests made in that could be pushed of Congo’s Covid-19 Ethiopia during and into extreme poverty response budget being following last week’s by the coronavirus paid to “mafia networks” unrest, in which 239 pandemic, according to as “kickbacks”. This people were killed. the African Development claim was made by Details of what exactly Bank. The bank said that deputy health minister happened remain west and central Africa Albert M’peti Biyombo scarce, and there is are most vulnerable to in a letter to the prime no new information the economic slump. minister, which was on who may have There is a ray of hope, leaked. Biyombo been responsible for however: the bank claimed that his boss, the assassination of forecasts that Africa’s health minister Eteni the celebrated singer economies will bounce Longondo, has not been Hachalu Hundessa, back in 2021. following due process which sparked the when awarding funding. violence. 4,200 The number of Covid-19 tests carried out $12,740 per million people The Gross National in Africa, according Income per person to data analysed by in Mauritius in 2019. Reuters. This compares The figure means unfavourably with Asia that Mauritius this (7,650 tests per million) Island life: Port Louis week became only and Europe (74,255). by night (Photo: Peter “Even at the best of the second African Kuchar) country to be times, collecting quality recognised as a high- that improved their data from countries is income country by the classification, both not easy because people World Bank, after the moving from the are stretched thin,” Seychelles. Benin and low income to the said John Nkengasong, Tanzania were also lower-middle income director of the Africa among the countries bracket. Centres for Disease Control.

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The Continent Share real news. with The Continent ISSUE 13. July 11 2020 Page 8

DEVELOPING STORY

Protesters storm Mali’s state broadcaster Simon Allison

ccording to reports emerging from with the National Assembly told Le Athe capital Bamako on Friday Monde Afrique. evening, huge anti-government protests At least one person was reportedly turned violent as protesters attempted to killed, and 20 injured. storm several government buildings in a President Keïta’s government has bid to force the president out of office. been under enormous pressure in The state broadcaster, Office of Radio recent months, thanks to the worsening and Television of Mali (ORTM), went off economy and a deteriorating security air as the building was occupied. Reuters situation. reported: “A journalist inside the ORTM AFP reported that opposition leaders building told Reuters by telephone that on Friday also published a ten-point she was preparing her newscast when document calling for civil disobedience. protesters stormed the building and “Recommendations for actions laid out that people were asked to barricade in the document included not paying themselves in their offices.” fines, blocking entry to state buildings Protesters also attempted to occupy – except hospitals – and occupying the National Assembly, demanding crossroads.” the resignation of President Ibrahim This is a developing story. For more Boubacar Keïta as they did so. “Several context – to understand why the protests offices have been ransacked, documents are happening and who is leading them destroyed, property taken away. The – read our report page 30, written before police were forced to shoot,” an official Friday’s escalation. ■ The Continent Page 9 ISSUE 13. July 11 2020 News

Nigeria

But it’s easy to see why many did not Anti-corruption think this memo would amount to much. Memos are a familiar weapon in the boss arrested internecine world of Nigerian politics. They’re never made public but are always for...corruption conveniently leaked to the press. Aanu Adeoye As things stand, Magu is still in custody, his two residences in the brahim Magu had one job. capital already searched by security I By definition, Magu’s position agents. He has been relieved of his duties requires him to not be corrupt. After all, as the head of the anti-graft agency. as acting chairman of Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission In June, Magu was (EFCC), the government body whose accused of re-looting sole function is to investigate and recovered funds prosecute financial crimes, it would be incredibly ironic if he were alleged to But Buhari cannot act surprised that be involved in financial crimes. It would his man has been brought down. Magu’s be like finding out your town’s chief official title was “acting chairman” of the firefighter also moonlights as a notorious EFCC for a reason: the Senate had twice arsonist in his spare time. refused to confirm his appointment, But Nigeria is a place of wonder. It’s a partly for political considerations but country where seemingly contradictory partly because of allegations that he events can both be true at the same had suspicious links to a prominent time. So it was with great surprise, and businessman, Umar Mohammed. simultaneously no surprise at all, that The question now is why Buhari Magu was arrested on Monday. decided to take action after five years Magu’s troubles began in June when he of sticking by his man. The opposition was accused in a memo by the minister of People’s Democratic Party, which has justice, Abubakar Malami, of re-looting called for Magu’s prosecution, surely recovered funds and “insubordination wants answers – and so does the rest of and misconduct.” the country. ■ The Continent ISSUE 13. July 11 2020 Page 10 Zimbabwe

rig! Retweet and unfollow,” tweeted Hopewell Chin’ono, a prominent journalist. Also on Twitter, Mnangagwa’s spokesperson George Charamba commented on the campaign. “What a BALD propaganda gesture!! The can never be deserted by people he never had in the first place.” Social media has been a major Unfollow the battleground between supporters and opponents of Zimbabwe’s governments leader over the last few years – especially Campaigners urge as protesting in public has become more difficult thanks to government Zimbabweans to cancel restrictions and intimidation. the president on Twitter. Online activists have created Kudzai Mashininga hugely influential social media campaigns, including #ThisFlag and imbabwean President Emmerson #Tajamuka/#Sesijikile, which have ZMnanagagwa had 565,000 followers drawn a large following. These have on Twitter last week. As of Wednesday, translated into real-world action – and he was down to 542,000 – losing more consequences. #ThisFlag leader Evan than 23,000 followers in less than a week. Mawarire was charged with treason, The reduction in social media support allegedly for trying to topple the is the result of a concerted campaign by former government of President Robert government critics to persuade people Mugabe. to unfollow the president’s account. A In March 2018, President Mnangagwa fight back from his supporters saw him told his supporters to take social media rise to 542,400 by Friday. seriously. “We are not techno-savvy. “Dictatorships thrive on public Don’t be beaten to the game. Get in there validation. Unfollowing is a great form and dominate social media,” he said to of resistance against his corrupt rule... a rally of the ruling Zanu-PF’s Youth It is public rejection which he can’t League. ■ The Continent ISSUE 13. July 11 2020 Page 11 South Africa

people do not wear face masks, choose Infections to go into crowded areas, sit in taxis 100% occupied – all of this lends itself surge as to the escalation in the rate of infection... Unfortunately, the majority of people people start simply do not take the virus seriously enough.” to relax The provincial department of health Athandiwe Saba is pushing for stricter enforcement of regulations, including reinstating auteng is South Africa’s most limitations on the sale of alcohol. Gpopulous province, home to Gauteng provincial spokesperson 15.2-million people and the major cities Thabo Masebe said that the police and of Johannesburg and Pretoria. It has army would be roped in to make sure also become the country’s Covid-19 that people are following the rules, hotspot, with more than 55,000 people including in shopping centres and currently infected – that is more active workplaces. “People are now visiting cases than the whole of Egypt, which has friends and family and that is still not a population of 90-million. allowed ... It’s almost as if things are back Infections have risen dramatically to normal.” in recent weeks. Bruce Mellado, a Wits University professor who sits on the ‘There is a clear Gauteng Premier’s advisory team, said correlation between that this has coincided with a flurry of adherence and the reports of people not complying with Covid-19 containment guidelines. number of infections’ “There is a clear correlation between adherence and the number of people For Professor Madhi, the quickest infected,” said Mellado. way to slow infections is for everyone Dr Shabir Madhi, a professor of to wear face masks. “The single most vaccinology who is leading South important intervention the government Africa’s vaccine trials, agrees: “The can make is to make it compulsory for reproductive rate of the virus is also everyone to wear a face mask. If people largely dependent on people adhering to don’t wear a face mask there should be non-pharmaceutical interventions. So if penalties,” he said. ■ The Continent ISSUE 13. July 11 2020 Page 12 Uganda

being that more than 80 percent are Bobi Wine young people, then a young person will do better, a very well known household presents his name will do better,” he said. Wine made his name as one of Uganda’s most presidential famous musicians, before he turned his hand to politics in 2017. credentials “I am confident to inform you Simon Allison that President Museveni is meeting a competitor like never before,” Wine said. ast month, Uganda’s two most “I am an artist and have been performing Lprominent opposition leaders for the last 20 years. I am a household announced that they would consider name. I am in everybody’s living room, joining forces to compete against including President Museveni’s.” President Yoweri Museveni in the 2021 Wine was speaking on the inaugural presidential election. edition of the Resistance Bureau Most analysts suggest that only by podcast, which “brings together leading working together can veteran Kizza activists, civil society representatives, Besigye’s Forum for Democratic Change lawyers, journalists and political leaders and Bobi Wine’s People Power hope to from all parts of the continent to share unseat Museveni, who has been in office perspectives and strategies on how to since 1986. effectively resist authoritarianism and One crucial detail was not addressed, repression”. ■ however: which of the two men would be the presidential candidate? On Wednesday, Bobi Wine – real name Robert Kagulanyi – said that he was in the strongest position to lead any opposition coalition. “We [opposition leaders] all agree in principle that we need to field one candidate. What we are yet to agree about is whether they are joining us,” he said. Red head Wine: The opposition leader Wine said that Uganda needed a says his youth gives him the edge youthful leader. “Uganda’s dynamic (Photo: Luke Dray / Getty Images) The Continent ISSUE 13. July 11 2020 Page 13

Photo story Blowing in the wind Refiloe Seiboko

If you happen to be in the southeastern regions of the United States and have noticed out-of-the-ordinary skies recently, it’s because some pretty extraordinary atmospheric enchantments have been quietly occurring above us. To what alchemy do we owe the stunning sunsets people have recorded lately? Dust. And lots of it. Weeks ago, an enormous dust cloud, the biggest in decades, lifted itself from the Sahara and blew all the way across the Atlantic, creating remarkable scenes and strokes of vibrant colour in the sky in the process. Scientists say it’s causality. We say it’s just Africa showing off, yet again, what it can produce with something as simple as dust. ■ (Photo by Yamil Lage/AFP via Getty Images) The Continent ISSUE 13. July 11 2020 Page 14

News Analysis Malawi’s new president defends controversial cabinet Golden Matonga in

hen Lazarus Chakwera was Winaugurated as president of Malawi – after a tumultuous period in the country’s history – he promised that his administration would be a new dawn for a government plagued by corruption, favouritism and nepotism. Then he announced his cabinet. “It’s fair to say the reaction has been mostly Baptism of fire: President negative,” said Boniface Dulani, the Chakwera’s cabinet announcement lead researcher at the Institute of Public was met with stinging criticism Opinion and Research. (Gianluigi Guercia/AFP) Many Malawians were surprised at the ministerial appointments of a rich, corruption and nepotism,” he said. powerful couple; a son of a former “The backlash represents a crisis president; and two siblings. Critics have of expectations ... people are seeing also noted various conflicts of interest: configurations similar to those seen in the new minister of mining comes the previous regime and so do not think from a family that owns mines; the new that the cabinet as composed represents minister of information owns a major the change desired,” said Henry broadcasting network (and is the sister- Chingaipe, a governance expert. in-law of the new deputy agriculture On Friday, the president gave a speech minister). to respond to the concerns, saying that On Thursday, a prominent civil all appointments were made on merit society grouping, the Human Rights alone. Defenders Coalition, visited Chakwera Speaking directly to his new cabinet to spell out their concerns. ministers, Chakwera said: “I want you Danwood Chirwa, a law professor to hear me and to hear me clearly... at Cape Town University, is among should you prove the sceptics right by the critics of the new cabinet. “The being lazy, abusive, wasteful, arrogant, composition of the cabinet reflects extravagant, divisive and corrupt, I will backroom deals founded on pay for play, not hesitate to have you replaced.” ■ The Continent ISSUE 13. July 11 2020 Page 15

Decision time: President Alassane Ouattara and the ruling party have yet to decide who will run in the upcoming election (Photo: Issouf Sanogo/AFP) Côte d’Ivoire’s president chose a successor – who just died Will Alassane Ouattara now risk running for a third term? Everything is possible, says his party. Leanne de Bassompierre

he death of Côte d’Ivoire’s Prime Gon Coulibaly, 61, died on TMinister Amadou Gon Coulibaly Wednesday after taking part in the has left the ruling party without a weekly cabinet meeting. He arrived presidential candidate – less than four back in the country from France less months before elections. Speculation than a week before, where he had been is rife that President Alassane Ouattara receiving treatment for a heart condition may end up seeking the third term he for the past two months. had earlier said he would not pursue. He had travelled there regularly since The Continent ISSUE 13. July 11 2020 Page 16 major surgery in 2012. RHDP,” he said. When he was evacuated on May Party leaders have not ruled out a 2, amid international border closures third term, despite lingering doubts due to the coronavirus pandemic, the over the constitutionality thereof. government said it was for a routine “Everything is possible today,” Adama medical check-up. Days later, it was Bictogo, the RHDP executive director, disclosed that he had had a stent inserted told reporters at the party’s headquarters and needed several more weeks of rest on Thursday, adding that party leaders in the French capital before returning would be meeting shortly to decide. home. Eight days of national mourning were The “Lion of Korhogo”, as he was declared as of 10 July. affectionately called, referring to the northern city from which he hailed Rivals eye the nomination and where he was one-time mayor, Ouattara fell out with his main coalition was Ouattara’s chosen successor. “I pay partner, Henri Konan Bédié, over the tribute to my younger brother, my son, issue of a third term in 2018, when Amadou Gon Coulibaly, who was my he suggested that a new constitution closest ally for 30 years,” the president adopted in 2016 reset the clocks – this said in a statement read out on national would allow him to run again, if he television. wished. Bédié, 86, who supported Ouattara in elections in 2010 and Coulibaly had been again in 2015, announced his bid for receiving treatment the presidency for the opposition Democratic Party of Côte d’Ivoire, for a heart condition known by its French acronym, PDCI, before he died last month. When Bédié pulled his party out of the ruling coalition, several key “The death of Gon Coulibaly forces members decided to stay, including the RHDP [The Rally of Houphouëtists secretary general in the presidency for Democracy and Peace] to review and Vice-President Daniel its entire strategy built around Gon Kablan Duncan. Their senior positions Coulibaly. The party must make tough in government could make them eligible choices and President Ouattara will presidential candidates, but their origins return to the heart of the political game in the PDCI may disadvantage them, for this electoral battle,” said Ousmane according to analysts. Zina, a political analyst based at While the October vote could pit the Alassane Ouattara University in Bouaké, longstanding rivals against each other the country’s second-biggest city. “We once again, quelling the presidential cannot say for sure he will be a candidate, ambitions of those within the party’s but he will in any case be the pillar of the ranks may be challenging – Defence The Continent ISSUE 13. July 11 2020 Page 17

Minister , who was economic growth rates in recent years, interim prime minister while Gon are building up to be the tensest since Coulibaly was on medical leave, being Ouattara took office in 2011 following among them. five months of post-electoral violence A Bakayoko candidacy would be that left more than 3,000 people either appealing for many reasons, said Tochi missing or dead. Eni-Kalu, an analyst at Eurasia Group, in an emailed note. “A charismatic Whoever ends up politician, he is popular among the party leading the RHDP ticket base and young Ivorians; Also, he has will have to contend with a proven electoral track record, having ex-rebel leader Guillaume handily won a competitive mayoral race in Abobo, Côte d’Ivoire’s most Soro who announced his populous municipality,” he said. “But candidacy last year party elites have long held reservations about his readiness for offic – recent The 2011 violence was triggered media reports alleging his involvement by then-president Laurent Gbagbo’s in drug trafficking will do little to alter refusal to concede defeat. Gbagbo was these perceptions – and Ouattara’s acquitted on charges of crimes against decision to pick Coulibaly in the first humanity in The Netherlands-based place was partly informed by the latter’s International Criminal Court in January technocratic reputation, something last year but is awaiting the outcome of which Bakayoko lacks”. the prosecutor’s appeal of the acquittal. Whoever does end up leading the In May, restrictions on his conditional RHDP ticket will also have to contend release were eased to allow him to with exiled former national assembly travel to any country that’s prepared speaker and ex-rebel leader Guillaume to receive him, but as of Wednesday, Soro, who announced his candidacy communications minister Sidi Touré last year after falling out with Ouattara. said the Ivorian government had not Soro, 48, has since been convicted and received any requests for his return. sentenced in absentia to 20 years in The RHDP is expected to announce jail for embezzlement of public funds its new candidate a week after Gon and money laundering, and still faces a Coulibaly’s funeral, according to charge of endangering state security. He Bictogo, with the electoral commission denies the allegations that he deems are deadline to submit candidates’ names set politically motivated. for September 1. “At this stage I can’t tell you A nation on edge definitively who the candidate will be Elections in the world’s top cocoa grower, but rest assured that it will be a choice that has seen some of the world’s highest who unifies, not divides,” Bictogo said.■ The Continent Page 18 ISSUE 13. July 11 2020 Feature

Read the roots: Sylvia Arthur not only believes in decolonising the content of her library but also the way in which the content is consumed (Photos: Ernest Ankomah and Efuah Bonney) Welcome to the Library for Africa and the Diaspora What do you do when you have too many books? Start a library. Theresa Mallinson

hen Sylvia Arthur was working in Brussels in 2011, she kept Wsending boxes of books to her mother’s house in Kumasi, Ghana for safekeeping. When she returned to Ghana in 2017, she decided to create a home for her book collection. She noticed an empty floor above a pharmacy her mother frequented; a day later, she signed a lease. And so the Library for Africa and the African Diaspora was born. Arthur was set on the idea of a library rather than, say, a bookshop. “Every time I would visit my mom, I would see all these books just sitting there. I felt guilty about it. I thought: ‘It’s a waste when there are people The Continent ISSUE 13. July 11 2020 Page 19

who could have access to these books’.” If access is one of the library’s founding principles, cultural relevance is another. The lion’s share of books are by authors of Africa and the diaspora — and the African writers are particularly popular with patrons. “There is a real need and desire to feel connected to Africa through books, because obviously it’s not so easy to travel within Africa, which is a shame,” Arthur says. “And so people who come to the library feel like they want to read books by their fellow Africans; they feel like they want to travel to those African countries through those books.” Arthur is trying to change the perception that Arthur is trying libraries are a resource only for people enrolled to change the in formal education. Research from 2010 found that “a typical user of a public library in Ghana is perception likely to be a young single male from a middle-class that libraries background, aged between 16 and 30, currently in are a resource s c h o o l ”. only for people Arthur’s library is working to attract a broader demographic. “We try to promote reading outside in formal of academia completely. We play music. People education are in conversation; as well as reading, they’re discussing ideas. So they make the connection: they see how books connect to ideas, and the outside world,” she says. The word “decolonise” is much bandied-about these days; for Arthur, the concept of a decolonised library is simple. “We are a library that centres and focuses on the works of Africans and African-descended writers from across the diaspora,” she says. She mentions visiting a chain bookstore in the United Kingdom: 90% of the books in its Middle East section were written by people from the Middle East; 100% of the books in its European section were written by Europeans. “The Africa section [was] the complete inverse. Ninety-nine percent of the books in the Africa section were written by non-Africans,” Arthur notes. “That is not the reality of the situation that we live in,” she says. “So when you come into the Library of Africa and the African Diaspora, African writers are showcased, not just on the shelves, but around the library. Their works are displayed; their images are displayed.” For the true bibliophile, it is possible to sleep amongst the books – Arthur has listed the library’s three attached bedrooms on Airbnb. For now though, our Covid-19-infected world means most of us will have to content ourselves with visiting Ghana through the words of its writers. ■ The Continent ISSUE 13. July 11 2020 Page 20 Four must-read books by Ghanaian writers Sylvia Arthur, the founder of the Library of African and the African Diaspora in Accra, selects four works by her favourite Ghanaian authors

SEARCH SWEET COUNTRY by B Kojo Laing Written by a poet who brings a lyrical free-spiritedness to his prose, Search Sweet Country follows a cast of oddball characters in 1970s Accra. 1

THE PROPHET OF ZONGO STREET by Mohammed Naseehu Ali A delightful and quirky collection of short stories by an underrated writer who quietly captures the quotidian lives, hopes and aspirations of the 2 characters that make up the Zongo; densely populated, urban areas in which society’s looked- TWO THOUSAND SEASONS down-upon live complex but by Ayi Kwei Armah “normal” lives. The Pan-African literature lover’s staple. It tells the epic story of 2,000 seasons of precolonial African history, chronicling Arab and European incursion, and African complicity. 3 OF WOMEN AND FROGS by Bisi Adjapon Bisi Adjapon is a fresh new voice on the Ghanaian scene. Her writing is intimate yet universal, and tackles subjects that are considered taboo in Ghana, making her work all 4 the more vital. The Continent ISSUE 13. July 11 2020 Page 21

Ordinary lives in extraordinary times The following story was drawn by Nash Kariuki, an illustrator and animator living in Nairobi, Kenya. Kariuki says she is “drawn to create around the seemingly small and quiet tragedies the pandemic – and its migitation measures – have caused in all of our lives; as well as the way human resilience has triumphed through our frustrations and fear”.

2020 started like any other year.

Maybe even a bit more special as we were starting a new decade. The Continent ISSUE 13. July 11 2020 Page 22

Resolutions were made and others were to be maintained. Things felt hopeful and exciting.

When the news on Covid-19 started filtering through, I didn’t pay much heed. Who did really?

It felt like the usual noise. In our lifetimes, plagues come, went and fizzled out.

This one would do the same. It felt far away. We were busy. The Continent ISSUE 13. July 11 2020 Page 23

But the news kept coming. And getting worse. And confusing. I got annoyed by how I couldn’t avoid it.

I tried muting it on my social media accounts.

We tried to carry on like it wasn’t happening. The Continent ISSUE 13. July 11 2020 Page 24

Until we couldn’t anymore. Things changed overnight, literally. Almost every schedule and plan I had was in shambles. We know that life isn’t ever assured, but this was overwhelming. It felt like I had failed and the fault was that I existed. The Continent ISSUE 13. July 11 2020 Page 25

Slow chaos. A quiet disaster. On top of hearing stories of people dying and others risking their lives to save them, our own lives were unravelling.

Still, it didn’t feel right to complain. After all, aren’t you alive? And doing your part? Staying at home? Washing your hands?

Even if your savings are steadily decreasing. And you haven’t had a hug in weeks. The Continent ISSUE 13. July 11 2020 Page 26

Now what? I guess, you start stitching things back together. Sort of. What else could you do? We laughed because at least you weren’t the only one who felt uncertain or disappointed. The Continent ISSUE 13. July 11 2020 Page 27

We comforted each other as well. For all the loss that was happening.

People can be really nice when it counts.

People also adapt, even when they felt they couldn’t. There is no other way forward. The Continent ISSUE 13. July 11 2020 Page 28

We’re still moving. Humble, tired and resigned. Not as excited or as hopeful, but with adjusted expections, not too bad most of the time.

It sucks but oh well.

This graphic story was supported by Baraza Media Lab. The Continent ISSUE 13. July 11 2020 Page 29

SO, YOU THINK YOU’RE A REAL PAN-AFRICAN? Take this quiz to find out how well you really know our continent

Photo: Martin Bureau/AFP

1. In which country can one find park or game reserve within its the pink lake known as Lake boundaries? Retba or Lac Rose (pictured)? 7. Outside of Egypt, where 2. What is the capital of can one find pyramids on the Madagascar? continent? 3. Sango is the official language 8. The Ge'ez script is used in of which central African country? which countries? 4. Which European country 9. Who won the Africa Cup of occupied Eritrea, Ethiopia, Libya Nations in 2010? and Somaliland? 10. Which country’s currency is 5. True or false: Nigeria is the the lilangeni? country with the highest rate of 11. Which African islands are twins in the world. known as the “perfumed islands”? 6. Which capital is the only city 12. Where is the musician Salif in the world with a national Keita from?

How did I do? 0-4 5-8 9-12 WhatsApp ‘ANSWERS’ “I think I need to “I can’t wait to "I know my to +27 73 805 6068 and start reading more explore more of this Asmara from my we will send you the newspapers.” continent.” Antananarivo." answers immediately. The Continent Page 30 ISSUE 13. July 11 2020 Report

When the president met the Imam Mali’s future hangs in the balance. Mucahid Durmaz

Protest leader: Imam Mahmoud Dicko addresses a huge crowd in Bamako on June 5 (Photo: Michele Cattani/AFP)

ast Saturday, arguably the two most A president under fire Lpowerful men in Mali greeted President Keïta – or IBK, as he is each other in a reception room commonly known – faces no shortage somewhere in Bamako. The room was of crises, or challenges to his authority. lined with leather sofas; as they spoke, There are the Islamist militants in the the national flag hung on a pole behind north, contained only by the presence them. of a massive international peacekeeping Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta is the force. Their reach extends to central president of Mali. His guest that day Mali, exacerbating intercommunal was Mahmoud Dicko: the influential tensions that have already been imam who represents the greatest threat sharpened by the impact of climate to Keïta’s presidency. change on access to land and water. After their meeting, as he left, Dicko In the south, where more than 90% of addressed the president’s cameraman. the country lives, endemic poverty and He sounded optimistic. “We talked food insecurity has fuelled widespread about everything that concerns this anger towards the government, with crisis and the country in general. I the Covid-19 pandemic worsening the think that with the will of everyone and situation. of all the parties concerned, we will, Multiple corruption scandals have inshallah, find the solution.” not helped any of these tensions, The Continent ISSUE 13. July 11 2020 Page 31

Praying for change: Protesters observe Friday prayers during a rally in Bamako (Photo: Michele Cattani/AFP) or instilled confidence in IBK’s Minister Soumeylou Maiga, in response government, which has been in power to a devastating wave of violence that since 2013. swept across central Mali last year. After Against this backdrop, Dicko has 60,000 people packed into a Bamako been able to channel public frustration stadium to demand his resignation, towards the state with an approach Maiga duly resigned in April – along that resonates widely: he advocates for with his entire cabinet. moral values and good governance; Just two months later, Dicko calls for unity and divine assistance; launched the June 5 Movement – an and encourages reconciliation between anti-government umbrella group that ethnic and religious groups. brings together religious leaders, civil Nor is he afraid to criticise the society groups and the coalition of president. “The no longer opposition parties. With his support, has the physical and mental skills to run the movement staged several protests the country. Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta in Bamako and other cities, mobilising must leave,” Dicko said last month, tens of thousands of people. The according to Le Monde Afrique. This is movement has called for the dissolution not usually the kind of sentiment that of parliament, and some – although gets you invited to meet the president, not Dicko personally – have demanded but IBK cannot afford to ignore Dicko. IBK’s resignation. Earlier this year, Dicko This round of demonstrations were masterminded protests against Prime sparked by the contested results of The Continent ISSUE 13. July 11 2020 Page 32 parliamentary elections in March and Infamously, in 2009, Dicko mobilised April, which were narrowly won by the protests to defeat planned legislation ruling party. that would have extended more rights to women. He is also vociferously opposed The kingmaker to homosexuality. Dicko has been a major player in Mali’s For Bakary Sambe, the director of politics for many years. Timbuktu Institute, the rise of Imam Both his father and grandfather were Dicko in the Malian politics “is the well-known Muslim leaders, and he symbol of the failure of the political studied Islam in Mauritania and Saudi e l i t e”. Arabia before returning to Mali in the Alex Thurston, an academic at 1980s. He rose through the ranks of the University of Cincinnati who various religious organisations – always specialises in Islam and politics in West outspoken on politics and governance, Africa, explained: “A lot of Malians feel as well as religious issues – and was that the top politicians are stale and elected as head of the High Islamic have run out of ideas and solutions for Council in 2008. Mali. Meanwhile there seems to be a lot of goodwill toward the leading clerics, No wonder the president who are seen as not quite as tainted by politics as Keïta or other longtime is worried – and the politicians”. meeting with Dicko did No wonder the president is worried not appear to help – and the meeting with Dicko did not appear to help. Shortly afterwards, the opposition Despite his education there, coalition released a statement in which Dicko has never embraced Saudi it reaffirmed its “determination to Arabia’s ultra-conservative Wahhabist obtain by legal and legitimate means interpretation of Islam, and has never the outright resignation” of the head of endorsed violent jihad, according to state. Africa Confidential. “Dicko insists that If they get their way, then speculation he does not regard an Islamic republic turns to who would succeed IBK. For model as suitable for Mali and dismisses all his influence, Dicko is considered suggestions that he is a Wahabbist. But unlikely to put his own name forward while he is fully accepting of a secular – in this instance, the kingmaker may state structure and legal regime, he indeed be more powerful than the king. remains a firmly conservative advocate As he told Jeune Afrique in 2019: “I am of religious values in family matters not a politician, but I am a leader and I and personal behaviour,” the magazine have opinions. If that is political, then I explained. am political.” ■ The Continent Page 33 ISSUE 13. July 11 2020 Analysis

and hypertension. This led to a scuffle Federalism with the national government, which announced a two-week lockdown in the undermines state in a bid to stop the spread of the disease. Ganduje responded by asking Nigeria’s Covid President Muhammadu Buhari for N15-billion ($39-million) to help him response fight coronavirus – a disease that he had recently claimed was not a problem. It Fola Aina is easy to see why fake news about the severity of the pandemic continues to lthough most African states tend flourish in this context. Ato give great power to the central Ganduje was not alone. The governor government and the presidency, some of Kogi state also claimed that it was countries – including Ethiopia, Kenya, wholly free from Covid-19. These and South Africa – feature federal or experiences stand in strong contrast decentralised political systems. Creating to states such as Ekiti and Kaduna and an elected tier of regional leaders can help most notably Lagos, where authorities to bring power closer to the people but proactively provided regular updates on may also generate problematic tensions the number of cases and took firm steps between the regional and national to protect public health. levels. In Nigeria, the country’s federal The main dividing line between system has significantly complicated the these different outcomes is not whether response to Covid-19. governors come from the same party Consider the actions of the Kano State as the president, but whether they are Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, who willing to put aside their own political initially downplayed the significance of fortunes to be guided by the data. the virus, in part because he was keen to Moving forwards, the country’s leaders avoid having to implement an unpopular must accept the new Covid-19 Data lockdown. Having won the 2019 elections dashboard established by the National under dubious circumstances, and gained Bureau of Statistics (NBS), and base their a reputation for corruption, Ganduje can policies on fact rather than fiction.■ ill afford economic downturn. Fola Aina is a doctoral fellow The governor’s position, however, was at the African Leadership soon undermined by events, especially Centre, King’s College London. This analysis was produced in when his administration put a recent rise partnership with Democracy in in deaths down to malaria, meningitis, Africa The Continent ISSUE 13. July 11 2020 Page 34

Covid-19 deepens Kenya’s educational divide Pierra Nyaruai in Nakuru

Home schooling: Kenya’s schools have been closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic (Photo: Yasuyoshi Chiba/AFP)

oyce Wanjiru is a single mother. She and pay for learning aid,” Wanjiru told Jlooks after her two sons, aged 15 and the Mail & Guardian. “I have a friend 10, and a seven-year-old daughter. She who’s a teacher, so she sends me some sells vegetables on the side of the highway exams they can revise with. I know it’s that links Nakuru with Nyahururu, and not a curriculum, but it ensures they earns just enough to feed and clothe her don’t forget the basics of their classwork. family. They also teach each other. I’m not In normal times, Kenya’s system of usually there to supervise but they show free public education means that her me the work done when I get home. They kids go to school, and she can usually also help me with farmwork now that afford whatever school supplies they they are free some of the time, so that need. keeps them away from bad company.” But now things have changed, and Wanjiru dropped out of school after Wanjiru is struggling to keep up. Standard 6, so she struggles to teach the On March 15, Kenya’s government schoolwork to her children, or to correct shut down the country’s schools. their work. At this stage, she just wants to 17-million learners were told to stay make sure they keep reading – and don’t at home in an effort to contain the forget what they have learned already. Covid-19 pandemic. The situation is very different for “Since school was suspended, I have Lilian Madogi, who is a parent at a to buy more food since they are home, private school in Nakuru. With access The Continent ISSUE 13. July 11 2020 Page 35 to computers and the internet, and able Girls are at even greater risk. Last to afford a one-off fee of 3000 Kenyan month, Machakos County – one of 47 shillings ($30) her children are able Kenyan counties – announced a huge to attend classes virtually via Zoom, increase in teen pregnancies, with more Google Meet and Google Classroom. than 4,000 recorded between February There are about 25 to 30 students in each and May. The age of consent in Kenya is virtual class. Madogi is a teacher herself, 18 years. The county’s children’s officer, and is able to administer learning and Salome Muthama, said that some of accurately grade her children’s work. these teen pregnancies involved rape by a family member. “Since school was For some of these girls, this might mean the end of the educational road. suspended, I have to Even if schools do return, they may buy more food since never be able to sit for their final exams they are home, and pay as they will be responsible for raising for learning aid.” their own children. Kenya has yet to announce when schools will reopen. It is still in the In the absence of physical schooling, midst of the pandemic (as of July 10, Kenya’s socioeconomic and geographical Kenya had recorded 9,448 cases of divides are having a disproportionate Covid-19, including 181 deaths). The impact on education – and, as a result, are country’s economy has been battered being replicated in the next generation. by the pandemic: pre-Covid growth For example, homes in urban projections of between 6% and 7% have areas are more likely to have access to been slashed to just 1.5% by the World technological aids like smartphones, Bank. This too will impact schoolgoers: laptops, and computers (whether in the as families suffer from job losses and lost home or in cyber cafes or libraries). income, so children may be forced into Families in rural and lower-income labour at a younger age. areas, meanwhile, may struggle to access Kenya’s situation is far from unique. books and stationary. Unicef, the United Nations’ Children’s The timing of the school shutdown Agency, estimates that less than a quarter has not helped the situation. With the of Africa’s schoolgoing population has onset of the rainy season, children at internet access – making virtual learning home in rural areas have been helping almost impossible. with land preparation and crop planting. “A learning crisis already existed In nomadic communities, young boys before Covid-19 hit. We are now looking are likely to herd and tend to livestock at an even more divisive and deepening rather than attend school and catch up education crisis,” said Unicef’s chief of with learning. education, Robert Jenkins. ■ The Continent ISSUE 13. July 11 2020 Page 36

The Big Picture En pointe: Olamide Olawale, a student of the Leap of Dance Academy, performs a routine in Okelola Street in Ajangbadi, Lagos. The school was started by Daniel Ajala, who opened its doors in late 2017 after studying ballet online and in books. The academy aims to bring classical dance to children who otherwise would not encounter it. (Photo: Benson Ibeabuchi for AFP)

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