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African journalism. June 6 2020 ISSUE NO. 8 The Continent with An empire in turmoil African writers on the American Nightmare The Continent Page 2 ISSUE 8. June 6 2020 Editorial Are we numb? Africans need to tell our own stories. their shoulders and accept systemic This philosophy is the reason The discrimination as a fact of life. Continent exists. As we witness America’s turmoil, But we also need to tell other we should take a long, hard look at people’s stories. That’s why, for this ourselves. At least 18 Kenyan citizens special edition, we have commissioned have been shot dead by police officers so African writers and journalists based far this year. In Nigeria, a human rights in the United States to describe the turmoil the land of the free is currently As we witness America’s experiencing – and to explain why it’s happening. turmoil, we should take a For once, we are the foreign hard look at ourselves correspondents, reporting on unrest and upheaval in a strange, faraway land. body recorded the extrajudicial killing And what a strange land it is. To see of 18 people in just two weeks in April. a nation state founded on the principle Ethiopian security forces were accused of democracy (for some, at least) use last month of burning homes to the violence against peaceful protesters ground, summarily executing civilians is a jarring reminder that America’s and raping women. And in South government does not itself subscribe Africa, with its long history of violent to the democratic values it so loudly reprisals to protect capital, soldiers were advocates abroad. To see military exonerated after a beating left Collins vehicles and plumes of tear gas outside Khosa dead. the White House is brutal confirmation As we watch America rise up, we that not everyone is entitled to the need to ask ourselves: are we numb? ■ American dream. Yet there is something inspiring, too, in witnessing millions of Americans Cover art: US President rise up to demand change; to demand Donald Trump wearing a Nigerian army dress uniform, better. They are not yet numb to the painted by Lagos-based police brutality, as routine as it has artist Sunday Joseph a.k.a. become; they are not prepared to shrug Sunshine. The Continent ISSUE 8. June 6 2020 Page 3 Inside: SPECIAL EDITION: Review: The original Nollywood AFRICAN WRITERS ON blockbuster is back (p13) AMERICA’S TURMOIL Ready, steady, drink: Boozers Ifrah Udgoon on what it’s like to raise rejoice as SA lifts alcohol ban (p20) a black son in the States (p11) Analysis: Covid-19 and the rise of Chika Oduah marches alongside the surveillance state (p27) protesters in Atlanta (p14) Investigation: Malawi’s top judges, Jakki Kerubo observes the pandemic, an awkward lunch and bags of cash then the protests in New York (p22) (p28) The Continent Page 4 ISSUE 8. June 6 2020 Continental Drift In the headlines this week Samira Sawlani Kenya Momodou Lemin Sisay, the son of a This week African Union Chairperson former Gambian diplomat. Now the Moussa Faki Mahamat stood tall, Gambia has called on US authorities to condemning “the murder of George carry out a “credible investigation” into Floyd that occurred in the United his death. States of America at the hands of law Police claim the 39-year-old Sisay enforcement officers”. But Faki has been pointed a gun at them when they less enthusiastic in condemning the pulled him over in the southern state of police brutality taking place closer to Georgia, but his family are demanding an home. independent autopsy and investigation. This week in Kenya, the Independent- Meanwhile, US National Security Medico Legal Unit in Nairobi said it Adviser Robert O’Brien stirred the had recorded 56 cases of human rights transatlantic pot when he included violations by law enforcement officers in Zimbabwe among foreign adversaries Kenya since the curfew was imposed on who were “exploiting unrest in America”. March 27. Of these, 18 involved civilians This led Zimbabwe to summon the US who died from gunshot wounds. Police ambassador for an explanation. After spokesperson Charles Owino said that this meeting, Ambassador Brian Nichols policemen involved in these incidents said the US had vowed to deliver justice were “probably young and drunk from for George Floyd, but urged Zimbabwe the little power they have” – his actual to “end state sponsored violence”. words - and that civilians should avoid It certainly takes stones to address provoking them. your host like that. Too bad about the At least there is not complete glass house. impunity. Authorities said this week that a police officer has been charged with Senegal, Tunisia, Equatorial the murder of 13-year-old Yassin Moyo, Guinea and Mauritius who was shot dead while standing on This week brought protests in Senegal the balcony of his home in Huruma, as people took to the streets of Nairobi in March. Dakar, Touba and Kaolack over strict coronavirus restrictions that they say are The Gambia and Zimbabwe affecting their livelihoods. The country Last week, police in America killed was also set to reopen schools this week, The Continent ISSUE 8. June 6 2020 Page 5 Distinctive style: South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir in his trademark Stetson. The hat was a gift from former US President George W Bush (Photo: Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah for Reuters) but called off plans after teachers tested not a country. positive for the coronavirus. Tunisia’s economy has also been hit Burundi hard, particularly by the virus’s impact The obvious and the inevitable are not on tourism. It has now lifted its travel meant to count as breaking news, yet ban and says borders will reopen on here we are. Burundi’s Constitutional June 27. Court has upheld the “flawless” victory Mauritius, meanwhile, is lifting of ruling party candidate Evariste curfew and reopening shops and Ndayishimiye in the country’s general restaurants – though protective elections – despite vociferous complaints measures must still be followed. The from the opposition. island nation has not recorded any new Will the new president follow his cases in over a month. predecessor’s precedent and ghost the Taking a leaf from Burundi’s book, AU and the East African Community? Equatorial Guinea has now also expelled Will he adopt his own distinctive look, a representative of the World Health like South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir Organisation, Dr Triphonie Nkurunziza, and his ubiquitous cowboy hat? accusing her of “falsifying the country’s Or will he let the hundreds of Covid-19 numbers” (see page 9). thousands of Burundians who have Anyone looking for a pattern in all been exiled due to political violence this will be disappointed. Even as it come home in safety? Now that would responds to the pandemic, Africa is still be breaking news. ■ The Continent ISSUE 8. June 6 2020 Page 6 The Week in Numbers $2.2-million 14 months The amount of money The length of time that that Madagascar’s rebel general Khalifa education minister Hafta laid siege to Rijasoa Andriamanana Tripoli, Libya’s capital. planned to spend His forces were finally on sweets. The driven out this week sweets – three per by troops aligned with child – were meant to the United Nations mask the bitter taste -backed government of Covid-Organics, of national accord – a herbal remedy with a little help from that Madagascar’s their ally Turkey, who president claims can offered strong military cure Covid-19 (there support. is no evidence for this claim). The minister was sacked after her (Photo: Brent Stirton for plan was made public. Getty Images) 3 The number of South Sudanese vice- 475,000 presidents who have 182% The number of tested positive for The increase in levels hectares of rainforest Covid-19. Second of air pollution in lost in the Democratic Vice-President James Nairobi from 1974 Republic of Congo in Wani Igga confirmed to 2018. That’s 2019 – the second this week that he had according to a new highest annual loss on the virus, joining First study – ‘Visibility record. According to Vice-President Riek as a proxy for air the World Resources Machar and Fifth Vice- quality in East Africa’ Institute, at current President Hussein – published in April. rates of deforestation Abdelbagi in the sick Air pollution levels in there will be no more bay. Fortunately the Kampala increased by primary forests in the third and fourth vice- 162% over the same country by the end of presidents are still period, and in Addis the century. available for official Ababa by 62%. duties. datadesk Datadesk, the M&G centre for data Brought to you by the Mail & Guardian’s Data Desk. journalism, produced this story RE-INVENTING THE NEWSPAPER The Continent is a weekly newspaper designed to be read and shared on WhatsApp. It showcases the best of African journalism. And it’s free. Get your copy delivered to your phone or inbox every Saturday. And if you like what you read, forward it to your friends, family and colleagues - not indiscriminately, but only with people who might appreciate it. HOW TO SUBSCRIBE Email: [email protected] with ‘SUBSCRIBE’ in the subject box WhatsApp: Save +27 73 805 6068 on your phone, and send us a message saying ‘NEWS’ The Continent Share real news. with The Continent Page 8 ISSUE 8. June 6 2020 News Nigeria some of it coming in the middle of the Classrooms night. The country’s academic calendar silenced by is already in disarray and Akinsanya’s oldest son does not know if he will be Covid-19 able to go to university at all this year.
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