African journalism. February 20 2021 ISSUE NO. 38 The Continent with

EXCLUSIVE Secret weapons shipments to Congo- Brazzaville Ahead of elections, Congo’s president turns to Azerbaijan to amass an enormous arsenal The Continent ISSUE 38. February 20 2021 Page 2 Inside: Comment: How do you say ‘blackface’ in Mandarin? (p8) Resurrecting Musa Mansa, the richest man in history (p11) Movies: When Nollywood met Bollywood (p20) In conversation with Kizito Mihigo, the gospel singer who died in a Rwandan jail (p23)

COVER STORY: Rifles, of both the assault and sniper varieties. Anti-personnel rockets. Anti-tank rockets. Rocket launchers. Heavy machine guns. Grenades, by the tens of thousand. Grenade launchers. Millions of bullets. These are just some Life on Mars: At 10.55pm of the weapons that have Central African Time on been delivered, in secret, Thursday, a robot made by to the Republic of Congo’s humans touched down on the Presidential Guard. This is surface of another planet. revealed for the first time in a This is what it saw. The pixels The Continent exclusive (p13) that make up this photograph with the Organised Crime and – the very first taken by Corruption Reporting Project. NASA’s Perseverance rover – The only question that remains: were first recorded on Mars, What is President Sassou and have travelled several Nguesso – one of Africa’s hundred million kilometres to longest-serving leaders, appear in this newspaper. It’s running for re-election next not a bad view. month – planning to do with all this firepower? The Continent ISSUE 38. February 20 2021 Page 3 The Week in Numbers 6 The number of journalists injured by Ugandan military police this week. Army chief David Muhoozi has apologised for the beatings and promised to cover all medical bills. The incident occurred as opposition leader Bobi (Photo: Stringer/AFP) Wine lodged a petition against human rights abuses with the United 1,000 tonnes in Kampala. The estimated amount of oil spilled when the MV Wakashio, an oil tanker, ran aground off the coast of Mauritius last July. This week, the $50-million ship captain admitted that the accident – which The sum of money has been described as the island’s worst-ever allegedly laundered environmental disaster – occurred when he by a “Ghana-based steered the ship closer to the shore in search criminal enterprise”, of a WiFi connection. “There was no internet whose supposed on the ship and I agreed to dock in Mauritius ringleaders were so that the crew members could communicate arrested in the United with their relatives as it helps keep the morale States this week. of the crew high,” he said. “The scams we allege in this investigation include romance scams targeting the 3.6 metres elderly, business e-mail The height of a mysterious silver monolith that compromise scams, appeared suddenly in the middle of a traffic circle in and even fraudulent Kinshasa. Residents promptly set fire to it. Similar Covid-19 relief loans,” structures have recently appeared in Utah in the said the FBI. United States, Romania and Turkey.

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Share real news. The Continent Page 5 ISSUE 38. February 20 2021 News

Zimbabwe

First jab: VP Covid vaccine Chiwenga receives the roll-out begins Sinopharm amid concerns vaccine over efficacy

Kudzai Mashininga Zimbabwe’s Lawyers for Human Rights said they had written to the imbabwe’s vice president and health health ministry seeking assurances that Zminister Constantino Chiwenga clinical trials of the Sinopharm and became the first person in the country future vaccines would be conducted in to be vaccinated against Covid-19 when the country to establish their safety and he received a jab of China’s Sinopharm efficacy before distribution. They were vaccine on Thursday. surprised the government planned to Chiwenga’s shot kickstarts Zimbabwe’s gather data on efficacy only during the distribution of the 200,000 doses of the roll-out. The lawyers said they would Sinopharm vaccine donated by China. approach the courts if they did not receive The government says it has acquired an a response by Friday. additional 600,000 doses of the vaccine, Enoch Dongo, president of the which will arrive in early March. Zimbabwe Nurses Association, told The But the immunisation campaign is Continent the state had not provided not without its critics. Former deputy enough information. “Vaccinating people prime minister Arthur Mutambara is a better option but the matter has not questioned why the vaccine had not been handled well. Is it the right vaccine? been tested against the 501.V2 variant of People are in the dark, even us as nurses.” the virus that emerged in neighbouring Zimbabwe’s vaccination efforts began South Africa and is now dominant in a day after South Africa rolled out the Zimbabwe, saying there had been no Johnson & Johnson vaccine in Cape “meaningful partnership” between China Town, with President Cyril Ramaphosa and Zimbabwe on the vaccine. among the first to be vaccinated.■ The Continent ISSUE 38. February 20 2021 Page 6 Nigeria

Okeke. He’s better known as Invictus Obi, and you might recognise him – after all, he graced the cover of Forbes Africa in June 2016. In addition to appearing on the magazine’s highly revered “30 under 30” list of African entrepreneurs, Okeke was a motivational speaker and internationally recognised businessman who was invited to a summit at the London School of Economics alongside the Ghanaian president. He gave interviews to the BBC in London, SAfm in South Africa and was covered extensively in the Nigerian press for his business acumen and high-flying lifestyle. He was Instagram famous. It all came crashing down in August 2019 when he was arrested at Dulles International Airport in Virginia in the Invictus Obi’s United States for defrauding Unatrac, a UK firm which handles exports for fall from Caterpillar, the construction machinery and equipment company. grace He will now begin a 10-year prison term in a US federal prison after being ometime in 2018, the chief financial sentenced this week. Unatrac was not Sofficer of Unatrac got phished. He his only victim: he was found to have entered his password onto a dummy committed a series of wire frauds between website. Once the scammers had access 2015 to 2019, along with unnamed to his email, they sent invoices to finance accomplices. staff who processed about 15 payments “The FBI will not allow cyber criminals over a seven-day period. The company free rein in the digital world to prey on US was defrauded of almost $11-million. companies,” said Brian Dugan, an agent The ringleader of the scam was a for the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Nigerian man by the name of Obinwanne in response to the verdict. ■ The Continent ISSUE 38. February 20 2021 Page 7 Zanzibar Maalim Seif Sharif Hamad (1943 – 2021) Covid claims veteran Zanzibari politician

OBITUARY

fficially, Tanzania’s government Oclaims that there are no cases of the virus in the country, although doctors are reporting a surge in cases seen in hospitals and clinics. Maalim Seif Sharif Hamad, who cannot and should not be ignored. also chaired the opposition Alliance for Zanzibar matters. We cannot and should Change and Transparency-Wazalendo not be ignored. Let’s avert a tragedy and party, went public with his Covid-19 ensure the eyes of the world are focused diagnosis, openly challenging the state’s on our islands.” narrative. He did not know then that the tragedy He was a veteran opposition leader would be his own. who ran for president of Zanzibar on “Words are not enough to describe six occasions, each time unsuccessfully. Maalim’s legacy,” said his friend and The most recent election in October, colleague Zitto Kabwe. “Maalim’s legacy like others before it, was marred by of a true, modern-day freedom fighter, accusations of electoral fraud and fighting for the freedom that he believed irregularities. was fundamental for Zanzibar and for Shortly before the vote last year, Tanzania. Fighting with the means – Hamad wrote a column for The Continent, whether words or action – that he had in which he explained his fears that the at his disposal throughout the decades. election would not be free and fair. Maalim continued the struggle until he “Zanzibar matters,” he wrote. “We could not anymore.” ■ The Continent Page 8 ISSUE 38. February 20 2021 Comment

‘Africa is grateful’: A Chinese actress in blackface at the 2018 Spring Gala.

How do you say ‘blackface’ in Mandarin?

EDITOR’S NOTE: The decision to publish the controversial image from China’s state TV was taken after extensive conversations within the team here at The Continent, with input from the writers of this article. Undoubtedly, the image is offensive but we decided it was important to show our readers how China, one of Africa’s most strategic partners in terms of trade and loans, still views Africans in 2021. It’s not a decision we took lightly. Do you agree or disagree with our decision to publish the image? Let us know: [email protected]

Runako Celina and comic sketches, skits, performances and Saron Tamerat dances arranged and produced by CCTV, China’s state broadcaster, as part of its he world’s most watched TV show annual Lunar New Year celebrations. Tsees upwards of 800-million people, Time and time again, it features mostly Chinese, tune in for five hours of offensive portrayals of “Africanness”, The Continent ISSUE 38. February 20 2021 Page 9 and members of China’s African the viewer is left with the surprisingly have long complained about it. This year, common belief that Africa is simply one as in others, our complaints have fallen culturally homogenous lump. on deaf ears and, given the events of the From film to social media and past year, many are frustrated. everything in between, depictions of Africa and Africanness in Chinese Time and time again, contexts continue to be somewhat the show features limited. At best, “Africa” gets a reference as the place to go to for charity work or to offensive portrayals help save the planet through conservation of ‘Africanness’, and efforts, as in the recent filmVanguard . It members of China’s can at times be a place full of colour and African diaspora have dance, or of poverty and war — as in the long complained about infamous Wolf Warrior 2. Rarely are any of the continent’s it. Our complaints have many countries the places of knowledge, fallen on deaf ears. production and innovation we know them to be, or even of civilisation and Back in 2018, the gala featured an humanity – unless of course these are extravagant display by Chinese actress brought to Africa by external actors. Lou Naiming, who paraded around stage As you can imagine, these prevalent in blackface, complete with prosthetic ideas affect the way Africans are butt and chest in a skit that sought to perceived and treated in China — just show how grateful Africans are to China. as they do elsewhere: certain Western The credits reveal that StarTimes, a countries are serial offenders in this leading TV-provider in Africa, with regard. over 10-million subscribers across 30 countries, contributed to the selection Missed opportunity of the skit. Despite the nature of their What a respectful, culturally-appropriate business, even they were unaware of — segment on the ’s most watched or unconcerned by — the problematic TV show could have done to broaden nature of the skit’s content. the image of Africanness in the eyes of This year, the display was dialed down the Chinese shouldn’t be a notch, featuring a Chinese dance troupe underestimated. with dark, tribal bodysuits, though it still That this opportunity has been wasted included a Chinese actress in blackface yet again, despite lobbying and offers to singing as part of a segment simply educate from within the community feels named “Africa Song and Dance”. at best like a sign of pervasive ignorance We never find out where on the and at worst, as it is seen by many, as an continent they sourced their garb, and act “intent on provocation”. The Continent ISSUE 38. February 20 2021 Page 10

The very valid concerns of Africans of thinking like this and what it does to and people of African descent around diminish African agency. the way we are portrayed are normally The second approach is to ignore treated in one of two ways by our hosts. all critiques and pretend that nothing The most popular response, as seen has happened, which is likely to lead during mass evictions of Africans in to repeats of these incidents, as has Guangzhou last April, is to insinuate happened now. that Western media and other actors are The approach that should be using misunderstandings to push their implemented is one of open dialogue own agenda. with our community, who have already “China-African friendship will never tried countless times to explain the be shaken by wedge-driving attempt”, histories and realities that make blackface we heard then. The response this year: and other portrayals of Blackness and “If anyone wants to seize on the CCTV Africanness offensive and inappropriate. Spring Festival Gala programme to make The fact that this never seems to a fuss, or even sow discord in relations happen leads to an uncomfortable between China and African countries, understanding of the power imbalance in they obviously have ulterior motives.” this relationship, and how it sometimes manifests both for Africans in China and Neither of these those at home. statements make In 2013, President Xi Jinping famously reference to the legitimate tasked Chinese media with going forth into the world to “tell China’s story well”. offence taken by many But equal zeal and thought should have Africans in China towards been put into the story being shared these incidents. Instead, about the rest of the world on Chinese they suggest that any soil, to Chinese citizens. The failure to do such has created the concerns from African dynamic that many of us are forced to live voices are the result of with today and stands in stark contrast western influence to the claims of solidarity and mutual understanding which we are constantly Neither of these statements make told drives China’s relations with our reference to the legitimate offence taken nations today. ■ by many Africans in China towards these incidents. Instead, they suggest that any concerns Runako Celina and Saron Tamerat are managers of Black Livity China, an from African voices are simply the result organisation that documents African and of Western influence, nothing more. We Afro-diasporic experiences both in China don’t need to explain the implications and in relation to China The Continent Page 11 ISSUE 38. February 20 2021 Movies

Modern History: Reimagining the emperor in modern-day Mali. (Photo: Abdou Ouloguem and Joe Penney) Rewriting the myth of Mansa Musa Little is remembered about the Malian emperor who was the richest person in history

Joe Penney there were no signs of one of the most famous Malians of all, the 14th century n Mali, the past is a protagonist in the emperor Mansa Musa. Ipresent. History speaks through the There is no gravesite, no living ancestor, kora and the griots who sing of Sundiata no museum or library dedicated to the Keita; it reveals itself in the Sahelian man reputed to have been the richest architecture of the mosques in Timbuktu, person in world history. When I looked Djenné and Ségou, and it influences for more concrete information about all aspects of life through the tens of Musa, there were no clear answers and thousands of manuscripts from the 12th no primary sources beyond a handful of to 20th century found all over the country. accounts from Arab courtiers. But while working as a photojournalist That historical absence ignited a for Reuters in Mali from 2012 to 2015, I seven-year journey that has resulted in the was struck by a major historical absence: short documentary Sun of the Soil: The The Continent ISSUE 38. February 20 2021 Page 12

Story of Mansa Musa. The project first began as a series of photographs in a collaboration with Malian artist Abdou Ouologuem that imagined Mansa Musa’s return to modern- day Bamako. Not satisfied with the scope of still photographs, our collaboration blossomed into a short film with writer and filmmaker Ladan Osman: the story of Ouologuem’s immersion in the historical myth of the medieval African king. In 14th century Mali, young Mansa Musa ascended to the throne of the richest kingdom in history and embarked on an epic pilgrimage to Mecca with 60,000 Malians, many of whom were slaves. Musa and his Malian empire played an outsized role in the making of the modern world. Mali provided two-thirds of Europe and the Islamic world’s gold at the time. his family, help raise his children, and Word of Mansa Musa’s pilgrimage and create value for himself and his work the dazzling gold wealth he displayed in in Mali. As he dives more deeply into Cairo got back to Europeans, who began Musa’s psychology, and compares a king’s seeking it for themselves. Over time, those yearning for Mali’s glory with his own early Portuguese and Spanish expeditions dreams, Ouologuem realises history is morphed into the horrors of the more complex than he imagined. Transatlantic slave trade and colonialism: The work of structural racism is often horrors that continue to shape so many rooted in the stories we tell ourselves aspects of the modern world. about the past, but also in the stories that In our documentary, Musa’s story colonisers have erased and de-emphasised. is loosely mirrored by the present-day This film is an attempt to remedy a journey of Ouologuem, who became the pain caused by an inadequate and unjust head of his family at a young age after recounting of history. It is an interrogation the death of his brother. He left his wife and a questioning. and two children in Mali to join a theatre Though we spent years researching his company in France, and toured the world. life, it is by no means a definitive account But he returned in 2012, when Al-Qaeda of Mansa Musa, nor is it intended to be. militants occupied northern Mali, where It is a call to restructure our telling of the he was born and raised. making of the modern world – and it is just Ouologuem went back to be with the beginning. ■ The Continent Page 13 ISSUE 38. February 20 2021 Investigation

Congo-Brazzaville’s repressive government buys secret weapons haul from Azerbaijan

For several years, the Republic of Congo has been quietly buying an arsenal from Azerbaijan. Opponents of President Sassou-Nguesso say one recent cache is designed to tighten his grip on the nation.

Khadija Sharife, Mark Anderson and the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project

n January 2020, at the port of Derince Ion the eastern shores of the Sea of Marmara, a huge cache of weapons was loaded onto the MV Storm. Registered in the tax haven of Vanuatu, the ship set sail from Turkey with an arsenal of mortar shells, multiple launch rockets, and explosives, en route from Azerbaijan to the Republic of the Congo, better known as Congo-Brazzaville. in a series of at least 17 arms shipments In total, more than 100 tons of sent by Azerbaijan’s ministry of defence weaponry wound its way to a building to the regime of President Denis Sassou- that appears to be the headquarters of Nguesso since 2015, according to flight Congo-Brazzaville’s elite Republican plans, cargo manifests, and weapons Guard, according to a confidential inventories obtained by OCCRP. Some cargo manifest obtained by OCCRP. of these documents were obtained The cargo, estimated to be worth tens independently by The Continent. of millions of dollars, was just the latest Saudi Arabia was listed as the The Continent ISSUE 38. February 20 2021 Page 14

Iron grip: President Denis Sassou- Nguesso has been in power for 36 years

“sponsoring party” on several of the condemnation. The move means the cargo manifests reviewed by reporters. It’s 77-year-old could, in theory, run in every unclear what that sponsorship entailed, election for the rest of his life. but it could mean that Riyadh paid for the OCCRP has obtained confidential weapons or the cargo deliveries. documents showing that in the eight There are no public records of months preceding the March 2016 Azerbaijan exporting these weapons, and election, and for over a year after it, no similar records of Congo-Brazzaville Sassou-Nguesso’s security services importing them. The latest transfer bought more than 500 tons of arms from has sparked opposition concerns that Azerbaijan in 16 separate shipments. Sassou-Nguesso is prepared to use force Just weeks after the vote, the government if necessary to maintain power as the began a brutal campaign against a militia country’s March 21 election nears. from an opposition stronghold that lasted His well-armed security services are for more than a year. a key reason he has ruled the central Opposition leaders claim the African country for 36 years, split Republican Guard used the Azerbaijani between two separate terms, making him weapons in that post-election conflict, one of the world’s longest-serving leaders. spurring a humanitarian emergency His party looms large over parliament, which the United Nations said affected which recently changed the constitution around 140,000 people in the region of to allow Sassou-Nguesso to run for office Pool, in the country’s south. Satellite again, sparking local and international imagery obtained by international media The Continent ISSUE 38. February 20 2021 Page 15 outlet The New Humanitarian appears to show widespread destruction caused by weapons like rocket launchers and explosives. There is no way to be certain that these weapons were from that Azerbaijan haul, since Congo-Brazzaville does not declare its arms imports. But exporting countries are strongly encouraged by the United Nations to report shipments, and there are no public records of similar Armed and dangerous: Congolese armaments from other countries being soldiers have been key to maintaining sent to Congo-Brazzaville before 2016. the president’s rule. (Photo: Marco Longari/AFP) Buying weapons in a cash crunch Sassou-Nguesso’s regime is facing one elections,” he said. “The government is of Africa’s most severe debt crises, likely preparing to quash any dissent raising questions about how these around the polls.” arms shipments have been financed. A spokesperson for Congo- Documents show that at least two Brazzaville’s government did not respond consignments delivered between 2015 to multiple requests for comment. and 2018 were sponsored by Saudi Azerbaijan’s ministry of defence did not Arabia, at a time when Riyadh was respond to a reporter’s email seeking vetting Congo-Brazzaville’s application comment, and neither did a ministry to join the Organization of the Petroleum representative listed on multiple Exporting Countries (OPEC). documents. Saudi Arabia’s ministry of Given Congo-Brazzaville’s significant defence did not respond to questions oil reserves, the kingdom had an incentive about the nature of their sponsorship of to have a compliant Sassou-Nguesso the arms deals. government in the Saudi-dominated club, according to leading arms expert Andrew Boulevard Denis Sassou-Nguesso Feinstein, author of The Shadow World: The most recent weapons load, addressed Inside the Global Arms Trade. to the Republican Guard at 1 Boulevard Feinstein added that the latest Denis Sassou-Nguesso in Brazzaville Azerbaijan shipment could have been in January 2020, included 775 mortar intended to give Sassou-Nguesso the shells and more than 400 cases of rockets arms to enforce his political will. designed to be launched from Soviet-era “The timing of this shipment is trucks, the confidential cargo manifest extremely suspicious, given Sassou- shows. The consignment from Azerbaijan Nguesso’s previous crackdowns around was loaded onto the MV Storm at The Continent ISSUE 38. February 20 2021 Page 16

Crackdown: The conflict in Pool was blamed on the Ninjas, a rebel militia. (Photo: Marco Longari/AFP)

Derince, about 1,000 km southeast of at the Stockholm International Peace Istanbul. Research Institute, said arms received at a The exact price paid by the Congolese discount are often either surplus weapons regime for the arms shipment could or those produced in Bulgaria or Serbia, not be verified, though an expert who which are both known for their cheap examined the cargo manifests said it ordnance. would be worth tens of millions of dollars. “It would be less likely that Congo- A former senior diplomat with access to Brazzaville would be able to buy some of information about arms inventories, who this equipment from … other European asked to remain anonymous for fear of countries, which have more restrictive reprisal from authorities, confirmed the arms export policies,” he said. authenticity of the cargo manifest and other documents and noted the sale price The Pool Offensive for the arms was likely well below market The 100-ton shipment from Derince value. was significant, but separate documents The documents included end-user reveal another arsenal sent from certificates, which are issued by the Azerbaijan between 2015 and 2017 that country importing the arms to certify dwarfed it — and may have had terrifying the recipient does not plan to sell them consequences. onward. In total, over 500 tons of weapons, Pieter Wezeman, a senior researcher including hand grenades, mortar systems The Continent ISSUE 38. February 20 2021 Page 17 and millions of bullets, were sent to Congo-Brazzaville in 16 shipments during those years, according to documents including inventories, end- user certificates, and cargo manifests obtained by reporters. One certificate shows 5,000 grenades imported for the purposes of “training, anti-terrorism, security and stability operations”. It was signed by a special adviser to President Sassou-Nguesso on March 3, 2016, just days before the election. Secret ally: Azerbaijani armed forces After the vote, the opposition claimed during a military parade in Baku the government had rigged the election (Mustafa Kamaci/Anadolu Agency via in favour of Sassou-Nguesso, and unrest Getty Images) broke out in the capital, Brazzaville. The government blamed the unrest on a Secrecy militia known as the Ninjas, made up of Azerbaijan has emerged as a key foreign people mainly from the Lari ally of Congo-Brazzaville, providing its and based in the Pool region, which regime with discount arms and, perhaps partially surrounds Brazzaville. most importantly, secrecy. The weapons from Azerbaijan were Buying from Ilham Aliyev, the then used, an opposition leader claims, strongman president of the notoriously to help fuel a prolonged armed conflict opaque South Caucasus nation, Congo- in Pool targeting the Ninjas. Brazzaville could stock its arsenal Amnesty International condemned knowing the sales wouldn’t be reported. the offensive as “an unlawful use of lethal Congo-Brazzaville has not reported force by the country’s security forces”. any arms imports for more than three As the government pursued the Ninjas, decades, and since there is no arms witnesses to the carnage told Amnesty embargo in place against the country, it is that dozens of bombs were dropped from not required to do so. Nonetheless, a trail helicopters, hitting a residential area and exists, with disclosures by other countries even a school. showing Sassou-Nguesso has been active “During the violence in Pool, the in the arms market. In 2017, Serbia regime deployed a scorched earth and Bulgaria reported exporting 600 strategy,” said Andréa Ngombet Malewa, assault rifles and 250 grenade launchers, leader of the Incarner l’Espoir political respectively, to Congo-Brazzaville. party. “The weapons that they bought In fact, documentation seen by from Azerbaijan went straight to that OCCRP shows Azerbaijan has been operation.” exporting lethal weapons to Sassou- The Continent ISSUE 38. February 20 2021 Page 18

Nguesso since at least as far back as second in the 2016 presidential election. September 2015. The weapons were In 2016 he claimed 60% of the vote, initially sourced by Azerbaijan from with Kolélas securing just 15%. The US Transmobile, a Bulgarian company. Other slammed the government for “widespread weapons manufacturers have included irregularities and the arrests of opposition Yugoimport, a Serbian manufacturer. supporters”. Neither company responded to requests Experts don’t believe the opposition for comment. will fare any better this time around. These weapons deals weren’t the Abdoulaye Diarra, a Central Africa only transactions between the two Researcher for Amnesty International, governments that were conducted from said the government is carrying out a the shadows. pre-election campaign of intimidation, Around the same time that it began harassment and arbitrary detention sending arms to Congo-Brazzaville, against its political opponents. Azerbaijan’s air force was also running a Fears that press freedom could passenger route to the country. It stopped be under threat ahead of the polls in early 2017 and was replaced later that have risen after Raymond Malonga, a year by Silk Way Airlines, a controversial cartoonist known for satirical criticism operator with past ties to the country’s of the authorities, was dragged from his ruling Aliyev family. The airline did not hospital bed by plainclothes police at the respond to a request for comment. beginning of February. In addition to previously winning The weapons haul from Azerbaijan lucrative contracts with the US has the opposition concerned about the government to move ammunition and prospect of violence around the polls. other non-lethal materials, Silk Way was “We are worried that the weapons found, in leaked correspondence reported that Sassou-Nguesso’s regime bought by Bulgarian newspaper Trud, to have from Azerbaijan could be used to crack used flights with diplomatic clearance down on the opposition during the to secretly move hundreds of tons of upcoming election,” said opposition weapons around the world, including to leader Ngombet. global conflict zones, between 2014 and “They don’t want the world to see how 2017. much the Congolese people are eager for political change.” ■ Expected landslide As his regime heads to the polls on March 21, strongarm tactics mean Sassou-Nguesso is expected to win. He will face Mathias Dzon, his former Simon Allison, Sasha Wales-Smith, finance minister from 1997 to 2002, and and Juliet Atellah contributed Guy-Brice Parfait Kolélas, who finished reporting. The Continent Page 19 ISSUE 38. February 20 2021

How did I do? WhatsApp ‘ANSWERS’ to +27 73 805 6068 and we will send you the SO, YOU THINK YOU’RE answers immediately. A REAL PAN-AFRICAN? Take this quiz to find out how much 0-4 attention you paid to the news in 2020 “I think I need to start reading more newspapers.” 1. What is Ghana’s marked the 10th capital? anniversary of the 2. Who was Femi Kuti’s overthrowing of which father? ruler? 3. In which country 8. Which footballer would one visit Fort holds the record for 5-8 “I can’t wait to Jesus (pictured)? most (four) African 4. What is the Player of the Year explore more of this for people wins? continent.” from Togo? 9. How many African 5. Name the Great Lakes are there: Zimbabwean dancehall 10, 15 or 16? star who passed away 10. Which island’s this week. vice president died of 6. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala Covid-19 this week? 9-12 previously served 11. What are Uganda’s "I aim to take the BS how many terms as two official languages? out of suBSaharan Nigeria’s finance 12. Brazzaville is the Africa" minister? largest city of which 7. Libya this week country? The Continent Page 20 ISSUE 38. February 20 2021 Review

When Nollywood meets Bollywood

Wilfred Okiche well-established flair for big drama, broad comedy and loads and loads of color. Did ruth be told, there is almost nothing we mention musical numbers as well? Tuniquely original about Namaste Somewhere within the chaos that Wahala, the erratic new Netflix Nigeria Daryani Ahuja creates with Namaste original film by first-time writer, director Wahala – and indeed fans of this and actress Hamisha Daryani Ahuja. particular genre of filmmaking wouldn’t Two incredibly attractive people meet- have it any other way – there is an cute while jogging. Love at first sight. interesting study of the tensions that must They meet again under circumstances occur when two people from far-flung so contrived, romance novelists must be cultures come together to find common sending nods of approval. Cue the swoons ground. Namaste Wahala is not interested and the cheesy grins. in making any compelling cross-cultural Namaste Wahala’s unique selling point arguments, though, and Daryani Ahuja lies in the nature of the complication that is quite happy to reach for tried-and-true it introduces for the couple. And everyone formulae in place of deeper introspection. knows every serious romance must have For folks who aren’t fans of either one. She is Nigerian. He is Indian. They Nollywood or Bollywood, the key decide to get married anyway. Is happily to embracing the unique charms of ever after within the realm of possibility? Namaste Wahala is to go in with zero Raised in an Indian household in expectations: You might be charmed by Lagos, Nigeria, a place she considers the ridiculousness of it all. home to this day, Daryani Ahuja envisions Or not. ■ Namaste Wahala (a conjoining of Hindu and Pidgin English words that literally translates as “hello trouble”) as a meeting point of not just two film influences, but of the two worlds with which she strongly identifies. Her film bites heavily from Nollywood and Bollywood, two of the biggest film traditions in the world, leaning into the Namaste Wahala is now streaming on Netflix The Continent Page 21 ISSUE 38. February 20 2021 Comment

Beyond bars: As the state targets protesters, terror flourishes elsewhere. Photo:( Olukayode Jaiyeola/NurPhoto)

The Nigerian government is going after peaceful protesters – again

Aanu Adeoye rights groups – is overwhelming. When the Nigerian government isn’t he Nigerian government and its inflicting physical violence on its own Tagencies have shown time and again citizens, it is imposing financial sanctions that they support the violence — physical on them. Bank accounts belonging to and otherwise — being visited upon more than 20 #ENDSARS protesters peaceful protesters. were frozen by the Central Bank of On October 20, at least 10 people Nigeria in November, with the apex bank were killed at the Lekki Toll Gate, shot by accusing them of money laundering and members of the Nigerian Army. Despite sponsoring terrorism. the government’s shameful insistence that Never mind that these were bogus no-one was killed and the army’s shifting charges, the CBN appeared to not follow retelling of the events of that night, regulatory procedures in obtaining the the evidence – presented by local and court order freezing the accounts, and a international media outlets and human federal high court in Abuja ordered the The Continent ISSUE 38. February 20 2021 Page 22 accounts to be unfrozen last week. your wealth. We will make this country Last Saturday, peaceful protesters at work again.” But children have not been the Lekki Toll Gate were arrested. They protected. Nor any other citizen. Nigeria had gathered to protest the reopening is buffeted from all sides by unending of the site of the killings of October 20, security crises. arguing that the panel investigating police Boko Haram, “technically defeated” brutality and the events of that night had according to Buhari, is still waging a war not finished its work. in the northeast, with many parts of the Lekki is a cash cow for the Lagos state region virtually unhabitable. Even the government, which defended the toll convoy of the governor of Borno state, the gate with policemen in riot gear arresting epicentre of the insurgency, is not safe: dozens of protesters and even passersby. the governor was targeted as recently as Both the federal and state governments November, in an attack that left nine dead. had given ominous warnings to the Local villagers in the northwest are protesters ahead of the planned event. being killed by “bandits”, armed groups Two days before the protests, the Lagos involved in terrorising communities and police commissioner said “no protest in kidnappings. Nomadic herdsmen from any guise will be allowed”, fundamentally the north are engaged in running battles misunderstanding that the right to with farmers in the south over grazing peaceful protest is enshrined in the land, and Buhari has been accused of Nigerian Constitution. staying silent in the face of violent attacks The past five years under President by his northern clansmen on southerners. Muhammadu Buhari have seen a waning A newspaper columnist recently argued respect for human rights and a drastic that the “ethnic war” bubbling just under turn towards authoritarianism. Let’s not the surface will be Buhari’s legacy. fool ourselves: Nigeria was never a beacon And while the organs of the state are of freedom or champion of human dignity clamping down on peaceful protesters, before Buhari came to power, but on his repentant Boko Haram members are watch even what little we had is eroding. being released back into society, much to Buhari, a former military dictator the chagrin of soldiers involved in the war who presided over Nigeria for two years and many people across the country. following a coup in 1983, campaigned in As we have seen in its response to 2015 as a “reformed democrat” willing to #ENDSARS, the state has the personnel govern in a multi-ethnic that and the wherewithal to act decisively. But respects human rights. The spirit of that Buhari’s administration would do well to campaign is not reflected in his rule. refrain from expending its considerable In a tweet from January 6, 2015, which resources fighting citizens who demand has since gone viral, Buhari said: “Let me accountability, and focus instead on make you this promise today: We will delivering Nigeria from the very real protect your children. We will protect threats terrorising its people.■ The Continent Page 23 ISSUE 38. February 20 2021 Interview

‘The only thing they want is for us to sing the praises of President Kagame’ Kizito Mihigo, one of Rwanda’s most popular singers, died in a police cell almost exactly a year ago. Today The Continent publishes extracts from one of the last interviews before his death

Benedict Moran

solated from friends and family, Istruggling to pay bills, and blacklisted from the nation’s airwaves: newly-released recordings reveal why the popular gospel singer and peace activist Kizito Mihigo attempted to flee Rwanda in February last year. His escape was unsuccessful, and he died in a Rwandan police cell a few days later, on 17 February 2020. On repeat: Kizito Mihigo was released Speaking prior to his attempted escape, from prison in 2018, but arrested Mihigo said he planned on crossing into again in 2020. He died soon after. a neighboring country to seek asylum (Photo: Cyril Ndegeya/AFP/Getty) due to threats and constant censorship imposed on him as a musician. He said president [Kagame]... The only thing he felt increasingly constrained by the they want is for us to sing the praises of straitjacket imposed on artists from President Kagame,” he said. Rwanda’s authoritarian system. The recordings were made with “You can’t work or draw inspiration his permission in January 2020, one from your Christian faith, to give a month before his death, and go against universal message. You must only be Rwandan government allegations that inspired by those in power, from the Mihigo sought to leave Rwanda to join The Continent ISSUE 38. February 20 2021 Page 24 an opposition movement. 2018 after receiving a presidential pardon, He died in police custody shortly after but he was blacklisted by authorities and he was apprehended while attempting to subject to constant surveillance and unofficially cross into Burundi. intimidation. The 38-year-old Mihigo was once Mihigo said he had then written two hailed as a national icon, and saw it as his new compositions for the 2019 genocide mission to compose healing music that commemorations. Both were rejected by promoted reconciliation. Rwanda’s censors. A survivor who lost his father in Other musicians and officials the genocide, his songs were broadcast avoided him for fear of being seen with nationally across Rwanda, receiving the a perceived “traitor” of Rwanda, he said. praise of both the Rwandan masses and of He was unable to recoup royalties for past President Paul Kagame himself. compositions, including a song he wrote But it was that popularity, as well as that was often played at RPF rallies. his deep Christian faith, that opened him To pay his bills, Mihigo gave music up to the suffering of the victims of the lessons to children, and admitted to Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF), which being lonely, fearful of the consequences has ruled the country since 1994. of sharing his thoughts with anyone. “I As he toured the country with his live an isolated life,” he said. “I don’t have music, Mihigo befriended Hutus who friends. Even my family, I can’t talk to had lost family members or witnessed them.” RPF massacres. Mihigo was required to check in with In 2014, he released The Meaning of police every month and was banned from Death, a song that mourned both Tutsi international travel. In the recording, and Hutu killings. It crossed a red line by he said he felt increasingly confined by challenging the official narrative that only his inability to use music to express his Tutsis were killed. message of healing. He was abducted, and, after allegedly “I prefer to live badly, to live with being forced to falsely confess to state difficulty, but being free inside, than to do crimes under threat of death, was what they want and being really chained sentenced to 10 years in prison. In a up, without being myself,” he said. separate conversation recorded in May Near the end of the conversation, 2018 while he was still incarcerated, he Mihigo said he feared for his life. explained what happened and what “Sometimes I ask myself if I’m really compelled him to write the song. safe,” he said. “It’s not clear that these “I became aware that there are so many people don’t have plans to do me harm.” Rwandans who experienced violence, International human rights officials but it’s not recognized as genocide. All cast doubt on his official cause of death suffering must be recognised,” he said. as “suicide by hanging” and called for an Mihigo was released from prison in independent, transparent investigation. ■ The Continent Page 25 ISSUE 38. February 20 2021 Comment

Thoughts on Ethiopia’s stillborn Constitution

EDITOR’S NOTE: Eskinder Nega is an Ethiopian journalist and politician who has been repeatedly jailed by his government. He is now in jail again, after being accused of plotting to assassinate the mayor of Addis Ababa last year. He rejects the allegations. In this letter, handwritten in his cell on Christmas Day and published exclusively in The Continent, Nega argues that Ethiopia’s Constitution is no longer fit for purpose.

Eskinder Nega children’s milk, as Paul would put, rather than solid food? erhaps no greater untruth is uttered In no age on record, in no country of Pin Ethiopia’s – sometimes note has it ever been mandated, as it is in disingenuously, much more often Article 8 of Ethiopia’s Constitution, that prosaically, and not often sincerely “all sovereign power [in Ethiopia] resides – than the posit that it’s the failure of in the nations, , and peoples”; implementation, not want of its merits, brazenly elevating the constituent parts where Ethiopia’s Constitution has faltered. over the whole. A nation, a country of Darn it!! Are we accounted for fools? sovereign parts, if at all possible, is a house Are we, though laden with much history, divided unto itself. It cannot stand. now deemed incapable of the slightest Through these words, the framers of collective discernment of wisdom? Have Ethiopia’s Constitution, the Tigray People’s we been pronounced, unbeknownst to us, Liberation Front [TPLF, with whom the novices on the world stage fit for merely Ethiopian government is currently at The Continent ISSUE 38. February 20 2021 Page 26

of our birth, we who pose in earnest as custodians of a holy nation both to Christians and Muslims, we confront a Constitution which is an affront not only to our historical and political sensibilities, but also the very fabric of our Abrahamic faiths; both in spirit and words. This quarrel of ours over the Constitution is much more than politics in its normative sense. More so, it is the Ethiopian variant of America’s culture wars, an epic clash for the very soul of a nation and its people. On one side stand the counterculture with their disdain for religion, for moral absolutism, for history and its heroes, for tradition, for the social hierarchy a meritocracy entails, for all Writ large: The handwritten letter things established, for much of what was. smuggled out from Kalita Prison On the other side stand we who uphold religion, we who cherish much of what war], reveal not a vision but betray an was, we who study history and look up to unsavoury intent. It is in this malice, its heroes, we who embrace tradition, we whereby they meant to unravel Ethiopia who see no offence in hierarchy, we who at an opportune time, when their hold on are adamant about continuity. power at the center begins to ebb, where Constitutions derive their most the fundamental spirit and purpose of the essential legitimacy from the process Constitution lives. of their enactment. This process is not Note the proverbial question in absolute, varying in standard from age constitutional interpretation: What had to age. The American Constitution, for the framers intended? Well, in the case of example, was indisputably the premier Ethiopia, nothing less than the undoing standard for the 18th century world to of the state, the last written words in the contemplate with awe, but falls far short of inevitable closing chapter of the story of the bars of the 20th century. It was elevated “an anachronistic nation”, if such a term to the standards of the later times through could be coined on their behalf. amendments. But to us who long stood counter- But a recourse to amendments would posited to their trajectory, we who live, not have been possible if there was no in this age of unbelief, contentedly and original legitimacy to build on. Only total consciously enamoured by the Biblical nullification and replacement with a new and Koranic tales about the country one would have sufficed. Such was the The Continent ISSUE 38. February 20 2021 Page 27

Eskinder Nega (Photo: Sarah Mwangi/Amnesty) fate of the apartheid-era South African not pass the threshold of two-thirds Constitution, which created an island of support its enactment would require in a democracy for whites, and could have Constitutional convention of freely elected conceivably worked for blacks as well delegates. Much like the TPLF, they too are through amendments but was abrogated lying in wait to untangle, by hook or crook, for its original sin. Ditto for Ethiopia, what is, to them, the world’s last empire. albeit sometime in the future. Lest it be less than clear, we, the people Here are rudimentary ABCs: A of this country of ours, have the moral, Constitution in our age demands – legal and political responsibility to disable requires would be too light of a word – the crook. first and foremost a free and fair election To this end, we shall exercise our to elect delegates to a Constitutional right as people of antiquity, united and convention. Those delegates alone sustained through the ages by the will of command the legal and political legitimacy God, to come up with a new Constitution to formulate and ratify, invariably by two- which is worthy of who we are, worthy of thirds majority, a Constitution. Those who our past as a nation dear to God, worthy are for amending rather than scrapping of our place in the present, and our destiny Ethiopia’s Constitution are mostly a as the enduring people of faith. militant minority, aided and abetted by All in due time. the ruling party, that holds dear to Article Eskinder Nega 39, which enshrines the right to secession Prisoner of Conscience, of “nations, nationalities, and peoples”; Kaliti, Addis Ababa and rightly believe that the article would December 25, 2020 ■ The Continent Page 28 ISSUE 38. February 20 2021 Continental Drift

The Rocky road to the presidential palace Samira Sawlani

Sport is making a comeback at last, and so were targeted, abducted and tortured. are some epic rivalries. It seems the security forces were When Serena Williams squares off eager to help demonstrate Wine’s point, against Naomi Osaka, or Man United take violently assaulting not just his supporters the field against Liverpool, or Ted Cruz but also journalists who were covering plays against the entire state of Texas, we the event. really get to see the grit, the determination Afterwards, army chief David and the last-minute plane tickets that got Muhoozi conceded that his lads got a bit them where they are today. out of hand and offered to pay the medical These are traits we on the continent bills of the journalists who were assaulted have witnessed at the highest level. – but if that was meant to be a display of Just look at President Yuweri good sportsmanship, we really don’t want Museveni, who has dazzled us with to know what bad sportsmanship looks his exercise routines. As a man of like. considerable flexibility (of principles if nothing else), he knows the importance of Ref and ready stretching better than anyone, especially Many a sporting great earned themselves when it comes to term limits. an impressive nickname. Indian cricketer He’s certainly been an effective Rahul Dravid was known as “The Wall” mentor for Uganda’s security forces, and Kobe Bryant became “The Black who themselves have proven to be quite M a m b a”. creative on the field. Just this week they In the Game of Presidents, President invented a new sport, one that sees the Magufuli of Tanzania earned himself audience as the team to beat – literally. the nom de guerre “The Bulldozer” They were inspired by former for his no-nonsense manner, while presidential candidate Bobi Wine, Congo-Brazzaville’s President Denis who headed to the UN Human Rights Sassou-Nguesso has been crowned “The Commission Offices in Kampala to Emperor” by Guinea’s President Alpha deliver a petition calling for action over Condé and Côte d’Ivoire’s President electoral violence, in which his supporters Alassane Ouattara. The Continent ISSUE 38. February 20 2021 Page 29

Go all the way: Michael B Jordan helped reframe Sly Stallone’s Rocky films. Now it’s Niger’s turn.

On the field, however, even emperors has been born: In the ruling party corner, are meant to defer to the authority of contesting a presidential run-off for the the referee. Integral to any game, refs first time on 21 February: Mohameeeeeed are meant to ensure a level playing field Bazoum! And, in the opposing corner, and recognise no favourites. But we’ve returning to the ring after years on all seen enough home fixtures to know the bench, deposed former president impartiality isn’t guaranteed. Mahamaneeeeeee Ousmane! That said, we wouldn’t dream of While Bazoum led with 39% of the suggesting the Constitutional Court in vote in the first round, other opposition Congo-Brazzaville was in any way biased candidates have now thrown their support when it validated the candidature of “The behind Ousmane. Emperor”, so that he might hang on to his It’s like a Rocky movie. But which one? imperial title after 36 years in power. The first, where the rookie prevails despite To be fair, the court also gave seven the odds stacked against him? The fifth, others the go-ahead, and none of them where the hard-bitten veteran comes out has even been a president before, let of retirement for one last bout? Or Creed, alone an emperor, so it’s perhaps quite where Michael B Jordan reframes the generous to allow people with no previous entire franchise? experience to take part. Whoever is named winner has a huge task ahead of them in terms of the myriad ‘It ain’t about how hard you hit’ security and development challenges in Meanwhile, over in Niger there’s a Niger. But, all being well, this will be its very strange fight under way. President first democratic transition of power, and Mahamadou Issoufou is inexplicably for many that is a victory in itself. stepping down after completingjust two We’ve got ringside seats. terms, which means that a new rivalry See you there. ■ The Continent Page 30 ISSUE 38. February 20 2021 Analysis

because it seems unlikely that Afwerki Isaias Afwerki would publicly say anything to alienate his new ally, Ethiopian Prime Minister breaks silence, Abiy Ahmed – and so his comments may provide a valuable hint at the future hints at Abiy’s direction that Abiy himself plans to take. Notably, Afwerki reiterated his long- master plan held conviction that the Tigray People’s Liberation Front’s commitment to ethnic Yohannes Woldemariam self-determination and secession was a major weakness – a time bomb waiting here is growing controversy around to happen. If Abiy is of a similar mind, Tthe role Eritrean forces played in the then Ethiopia will likely see a further conflict in the Tigray region of Ethiopia. centralisation of power and restrictions Against stern denials by the Ethiopian on the rights of ethnic communities. government, numerous media outlets and The Eritrean president also accused foreign governments have concluded that unspecified powers of being behind the Eritrean troops played a significant role growing tensions between Ethiopia and in the offensive by Ethiopian government Sudan and offered advice on how to forces. So far, Eritrean President Isaias promote regional harmony. Afewerki has been silent on these Given some of the challenges that accusations, but on 17 February he gave Afwerki faces in maintaining support for a long interview in which he set out his his unpopular regime in Eritrea, avoiding perspective on the crisis. involvement in regional conflicts would So what did we learn? be the most prudent. But, if his interview The “interview” was given to Eritrean is anything to go by, Afwerki sees himself state television, but was really more of a as a regional statesman and will struggle monologue. Afwerki said the peace and to avoid the temptation to meddle – security of Ethiopia concerned him greatly making further controversy likely. and he had been working to promote it – Also, keeping Eritreans on a constant but stopped short of admitting that his war footing serves him well, by preventing military was actively involved in Tigray. any resistance to his iron-fisted rule.■ He then went on to pronounce on Yohannes Woldemariam what Ethiopia needed, in order to find follows developments in the a way back to stability. These thoughts Horn of Africa closely. This analysis was produced in are interesting not only because they collaboration with Democracy help us triangulate his position, but also in Africa The Continent ISSUE 38. February 20 2021 Page 31

The Big Picture Modernising tradition: Celuxolo Stewart, known as Gogo Simenjalo, has adapted her Johannesburg-based practice as a traditional healer to cater for virtual consultations during the pandemic. Covid-19 rules mean rituals and face-to-face interactions are often not possible, but healers have learned to improvise. Gogo Simenjalo also runs a media company focusing on traditional healing called AfroSavvy. (Photo: Delwyn Verasamy/Mail & Guardian)

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