African journalism. November 7 2020 ISSUE NO. 28 The Continent with

Ethiopia at war Peace Prize- winner sends in the troops

(Photo: Eduardo Soteras/AFP) The Continent ISSUE 28. November 7 2020 Page 2

Share real news Inside: We believe that everyone COVER STORY: Ethiopia is on the brink deserves access to top- of civil war. We explain what exactly quality journalism, which is going on (p5) and how the country’s is why The Continent Nobel Peace Prize-winning prime is free to read. But if minister let it come to this (p26) you like our journalism, there is one thing you A day in the life of an African can do for us. Please opposition leader (p8) forward the publication Joe Biden is the likely president-elect. to your friends, family What does that mean for us? (p12) and colleagues – not What it was like to photograph Bob indiscriminately, but only Marley (p17) to those who you think A plague of locusts: That’s right, will value it. The best way they’re coming back for more (p22) to fight fake news is to Analysis: This is not the Tanzania that share real news. Nyerere promised us (p29) The Continent ISSUE 28. November 7 2020 Page 3 The Week in Numbers 10 94.3% 1,540,801 The number of species The share of the vote The number of people at risk of being won by President in Africa who have eliminated in or along Alassane Ouattara in recovered from the Mara River, which Côte d’Ivoire’s election Covid-19, according runs between Kenya last Saturday. The to the World Health and Tanzania, according vote was boycotted by Organisation. Some to a biodiversity report. opposition parties, who 44,244 people have died Hippos, shoebills, say it is unconstitutional and a total of 1,843,581 grey-crowned cranes, for a president to serve cases have been Victoria tilapia, three terms in office. recorded. Madagascar pond- herons and various killifish and crab species are under threat from pollution, poor land use and overfishing.

59 The number of Egyptians sentenced to 15 years in prison by a court in Cairo. They were found guilty of organising Photo: Nobel Prize Archives and participating in a protest against the military government in 48 years 2013. The protest was The time that has passed since Wole Soyinka violently dispersed by (pictured here in 1986) last published a novel. security forces, who The celebrated playwright and author has killed hundreds of announced that his new novel, Chronicles of protesters. The men the Happiest People on Earth, will be published who pulled the trigger in Nigeria before the end of the year. have not been charged.

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“military confrontation”. Abiy Ahmed “I call on Ethiopians to remain calm, be on high alert and back the military won a Nobel effort,” Abiy wrote. Several commentators described this as tantamount to a peace prize. declaration of war against one of Ethiopia’s own regional states. Now Ethiopia About an hour later – still in the early hours of the morning – Abiy appeared is on the brink on state television. He said the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) – the of civil war party that governs the Tigray region – was guilty of “treason”. According to Ethiopia’s central Abiy, Tigray regional security forces had government has launched assaulted Ethiopian military bases in the a major military operation towns of Mekelle and Dansha, killing and injuring soldiers based there. – including airstrikes – The Ethiopian army’s Northern against one of its own Command, one of four regional regional states commands, is based in Mekelle, the Tigrayan regional capital which is more Zecharias Zelalem than 700km north of the country’s capital, Addis Ababa. t about 2am on Wednesday morning, Tigray’s regional government has AEthiopian Prime Minister Abiy announced the closure of its airspace, Ahmed took to his Facebook page to and claimed that the Northern Command make a grave announcement. will “stand with the Tigray people and the “The Ethiopian Defense Forces, run by regional government”. a command post, have been tasked with Tigray is home to about six million saving the country,” he said. of Ethiopia’s population of 110-million The regional government of Tigray, a people, and is located in the north-east of northern province, was guilty of “crossing the country, along the border with Eritrea. a red line”, he said, and Ethiopian troops On Friday, Abiy told reporters that had been ordered to commence a airstrikes had been launched against The Continent ISSUE 28. November 7 2020 Page 6 targets in and around Mekelle in what he described as “the first round of operations”. He said the airstrikes destroyed rockets and other heavy weapons. There was no mention of casualties.

A dramatic escalation Tensions between the federal government The ‘peacemaker’: Prime Minister in Addis Ababa and Tigray’s regional Abiy Ahmed has ordered military government have been running high strikes against the Tigray region. for some time, and relations had soured (Photo: Eduardo Soteras/AFP) considerably in recent months. Although this escalation remains shocking, analysts troops heading northwards were have warned for months that conflict was reported in the days before. Meanwhile, looming. last Sunday, Tigray regional president Efforts by the Mail & Guardian Debretsion Gebremichael announced to contact residents in Tigray were that his forces were prepared for conflict, fruitless, because internet and phone stating that “if war is imminent, we are lines were not functioning. Internet prepared not just to resist but to win”. tracking organisation Netblocks revealed A year ago, few could have predicted that there was a considerable drop in these developments when the prime Ethiopia’s internet usage that began minister of Ethiopia posed for cameras about an hour before the prime minister’s in Oslo at the award ceremony after announcement. As such, Abiy’s claims receiving the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize. remain difficult to authenticate, and the Hailed for bringing two decades of region is virtually cut off from the outside military hostility with neighbouring world. Eritrea to an end, the peace deal in BBC journalist Desta Gebremedhin, 2018 sparked wild celebrations in both from the BBC’s Tigrigna language desk, countries and was a rare feel-good story was able to make contact with a relative from the often conflict-ridden region. in Mekelle on Wednesday. “My cousin in Yet already the seeds of conflict with Mekelle could hear the raging gun battles,” Tigray were being sown, as Abiy moved he said. This indicates that the fighting to consolidate his authority – in the is within the vicinity of a major urban process alienating the TPLF, which had centre. dominated political life in Ethiopia for Despite the prime minister’s claims that decades. ■ his soldiers were ambushed and pushed into the war, preparations for the eventual Abiy Ahmed’s declaration of war against escalation were made days in advance. Tigray is a gamble on the future of Ethiopia Large-scale movements of Ethiopian itself. Find out why on page 26. The Continent ISSUE 28. November 7 2020 Page 7 Côte d’Ivoire

face a minimum of 10 years and as long Prosecutor as life imprisonment if found guilty. According to the prosecutor, Bédié does accuses not face arrest or house arrest. The National Transitional Council was opposition of formed by several opposition groups and is led by Bédié, a former president, with ‘terrorism’ the objective of forming a transitional government and organizing fresh Leanne de Bassompierre in Abidjan elections. Shortly after the announcement, the government warned that it was illegal ôte d’Ivoire’s public prosecutor on and that the public prosecutor would be CFriday accused opposition leaders investigating. of acts of terrorism and murder. The accusations came after the opposition At least 10 people launched a civil disobedience campaign have died in election- and announced the formation of their related violence own National Transitional Council, following last Saturday’s presidential Former rebel leader Guillaume Soro, election which they had boycotted. who is living in exile in France, urged These actions were intended to the Ivorian military to back the so-called “undermine the authority of the state in National Transitional Council proposed order to achieve the overthrow of the by the opposition. “You must act to restore Republic”, prosecutor Richard Adou told our constitution to its former glory,” he reporters. said in a statement on his Facebook page At least 10 people have died in election- on Wednesday. “Put an end to the spectre related violence since Saturday, according of civil war that threatens our country.” to government estimates. The court action is likely to enflame On Tuesday, 21 people were arrested at tensions in the West African nation the home of President Alassane Ouattara’s after last week’s vote, which was won by main rival, Henri Konan Bédié. Nine have Ouattara with nearly 95% of the vote. subsequently been released. Two other Both Bédié and N’Guessan asked their leaders of smaller parties, Pascal Affi supporters to not to vote in protest against N’Guessan and Abdallah Albert Toikeusse Ouattara seeking a third term they deem Mabri, are being sought, said Adou. They illegal. ■ The Continent ISSUE 28. November 7 2020 Page 8 A day in the life of an opposition leader The election in the United States was the only story on anyone’s news agenda on Tuesday. But that does not mean that nothing else was happening. At least four governments on the African continent took advantage of the distraction to take action against opponents and critics. But if they hoped their actions would go unnoticed, they were wrong.

Bobi Wine en route to his official nomination on Tuesday, shortly before he was arrested. (Photo: Sumy Sadurni/AFP)

NEWS ANALYSIS this historic moment. As soon as the Andrew Arinaitwe in Kampala, paperwork was confirmed, he turned to Kudzai Mashininga in Harare face the audience and punched his fist and Simon Allison in the air. “We are not planning to cry today, we n Tuesday morning in Kampala, have cried for long, but we have opened OKyagulanyi Ssentamu Robert – a new chapter,” he said, brimming with aka Bobi Wine – made his way to the confidence. “We have not witnessed a electoral commission tent in Kyambogo, peaceful transfer of power from one Kampala. He was there to formally file leader to another since our country his nomination to run for president of became independent in 1962.” Uganda in the next election, scheduled But his good spirits did not last long. for early next year. A huge crowd of As the crowds grew larger, in anticipation supporters had gathered to watch of a speech that Bobi Wine was due to The Continent ISSUE 28. November 7 2020 Page 9 deliver at his National Unity Platform Magufuli’s ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi. headquarters, the police presence But the vote was marred by claims of grew larger too: campaign rallies and vote-rigging and irregularities, and demonstrations have been outlawed due several opposition leaders have since to Covid-19 restrictions. At some point, a been arrested, including Tundu Lissu, threshold was crossed, or a decision came presidential candidate for the main down from above, and the crowds were opposition party, Chadema. sprayed first with water, and then with Kabwe had received word that the tear gas. police were looking for him, too. He Similar scenes were repeated in Kiseka decided to make it easy for them. “I’ve Market, and in the town of Masaka, been arrested 16 times since 2016. It was where former presidential candidate not something new. I just went to the Abed Bwanika suffered head injuries after police myself and asked for my colleagues being accosted by policemen. who have been arrested, and they told me, The police came for Bobi Wine too. by the way you are under arrest yourself,” His vehicle, a white Land Cruiser, was he told The Continent. surrounded by policemen outside the Kabwe was charged with organising nomination venue. One of them smashed illegal demonstrations, and released on the window with a tyre iron and dragged bail. He disputes the charge. He also him from the vehicle. He was accused of points out that Tanzania’s Constitution, organising an illegal protest. which prevents elections from being Wine has been arrested several challenged in court – no matter how times before, and tortured in custody. irregular – leaves opposition parties no Following this arrest, Lieutenant General choice but to organise protests. Muhoozi Kainerugaba – President Yoweri “The only court that can challenge Museveni’s son – tweeted: “I told you the results of the election is the court my young brother that you can NEVER of the public opinion. So challenging intimidate us. We are much stronger than presidential results means going to the you can ever imagine to be. If you want to people, telling them to challenge, because fight we will simply defeat you. We want there is no court that will receive any peace! But if you attempt to fight us then petition,” he said. bring it on!” A little later that same evening, journalist At around the same time, Zitto Kabwe Hopewell Chin’ono was at his home in was making his way to his local police Harare when suddenly the police were station in Dar es Salaam. He is the head at his door. He was arrested earlier this of ACT-Wazalendo, an opposition party year after being accused of inciting in Tanzania. Kabwe lost his parliamentary Zimbabweans to protest, in contravention seat in last week’s election, which was of Covid-19 restrictions. won in a landslide by President John The arrests came after Chin’ono The Continent ISSUE 28. November 7 2020 Page 10 published a series of investigations into corruption that implicated senior government officials. After spending six weeks in atrocious conditions in Chikurubi Maximum, he was released on bail in September. But now he is back in jail, accused of violating his bail conditions. Government prosecutors have said that he used his influential Twitter account (@daddyhope) to post messages that “impaired the dignity, reputation and Short-lived freedom: Journalist authority of the court whilst clearly Hopewell Chin’ono, left, poses for a intending to do so”. selfie with lawyer Doug Coltart after Coincidentally – or not – his re-arrest his release on bail in September. comes shortly after he revealed details of (Photo: Jekesai Njikizana/AFP) a high-profile gold-smuggling syndicate that implicated government officials. Even though all these arrests occurred As Tuesday drew to a close, on the other in different countries, in different parts side of the continent, heavily-armed of the continent, Tanzanian opposition police vehicles in Abidjan pulled up leader Kabwe sees a common thread. outside the home of Henri Konan Bédié, He said: “There is an increasing the former president who ran against authoritarianism across the continent. incumbent president Alassane Ouattara The civic space has been narrowed and in last week’s election in Côte d’Ivoire. democracy is under attack. It could be Tear gas was used to disperse a small a global phenomenon, we are seeing it crowd of supporters who had gathered in the US, but many African leaders are outside. Although Bédié himself was resorting to autocratic rule. not arrested, 21 of his party officials and “That’s what we see in Uganda, in supporters were. Zimbabwe. Now Ethiopia, which was a Just days before the vote, Bédié told rising star, is sliding back into civil war. his supporters not to participate, because Ivory Coast just recently saw a 95% result. he believed that Ouattara’s bid for a third A third term [for President Alpha Condé] term in office was unconstitutional. in Guinea. Zambia, with the struggles of Consequently, Ouattara won in a [opposition leader] Hakainde Hichilema landslide, with nearly 95% of the vote. But and colleagues. Bédié and other opposition leaders have “Authoritarianism is the new fashion refused to accept the result and formed for governing. And the attacks are on a National Transitional Council, which journalists, on civic space and, mostly, Bédié heads. on the opposition.” ■ The Continent ISSUE 28. November 7 2020 Page 11 Uganda

monthly salary of about $8,000. $136,000: In every region, candidates who won spent more on average than those who the cost of did not, meaning many Ugandans – particularly women and young people running for – are increasingly excluded from running for office because they cannot afford it. office in In 2021 the cost of politics could rise further. When asked, more than three- Uganda quarters of survey respondents said they would spend more when running again Emmanuel Kitamirike for office. and Peter Kisaakye Several factors contribute to this: weak local government places service ith elections scheduled for early delivery burdens on MPs; high and rising W2021, the growing cost of running privileges for MPs; no effective oversight for election in Uganda is important to of campaign expenditure; low levels of consider. voter education; and the way elections New research, which draws on data offer a chance to rise in the ruling party. from over 250 aspirants who ran with Promoting local accountability, varying degrees of success for office in tackling patriarchal politics and 2016, shows the average spending of a strengthening the Electoral Commission’s parliamentary candidate during the ability to enforce regulations are steps 2016 primary and general elections was that could remedy the country’s situation. $136,000. But they will require sustained The overall costs were higher political will to enable Uganda to build in western and central regions and a policy-driven electoral system, instead consistently below the average in of a monetary one. ■ eastern and northern parts – a pattern that broadly reflects the distribution of poverty. Emmanuel Kitamirike and Peter Kisaakye The outlay continues in office, with work for the Public Policy Institute in MPs spending about $9,000 on average Kampala, Uganda. The research was funded by Westminster Foundation for Democracy each month to meet constituent demands and the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty and obligations – more than their official Democracy The Continent Page 12 ISSUE 28. November 7 2020 Comment

a roaring trade advising African America’s governments on how to hold free and fair elections. democracy is Yet many of the markers of free and fair elections – a universal voters’ broken. What roll, centralised election management, uniform rules and regulations – are absent does that in the American system. Much of what we Africans have been trained to recognise as mean for us? good electoral conduct has never existed in the US. It turns out that the world’s Many African countries model democracy is not that democratic modelled their political after all. system on the United New York Times columnist Jamelle States. But given the flaws Bouie wrote last month that Donald Trump is not an aberration, he is a in the model, it may be continuation of the racism, indifference time to reconsider and corruption that has defined many US presidencies. Bouie called on citizens to Sithembile Mbete “take the opportunity to look with clear eyes and assess this country as it is and f there is one thing that we’ve learned as it has been or again seek the comfort Ifrom the United States’ elections of myth”. this week, it’s that democracy is hard Africans should do the same. Can work. As the first country to become a we take this opportunity to assess our democracy, the US has long been held up American-modelled democracies with as a model for other countries to follow clear eyes and examine whether they to achieve accountable and representative benefit us? government. Free and fair elections, rule While the world was preoccupied of law and liberty were the American way with the US election this week, Africa – and we would all achieve the American witnessed a number of significant Dream if we adopted them. democratic reversals in Cameroon, This was especially the case for Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe, newly democratising African countries among others. There is a pervasive sense in the 1990s, which modelled their throughout the continent that democracy constitutional systems on the US. yields sub­optimal socioeconomic American democracy institutes made outcomes and leaves people feeling more The Continent ISSUE 28. November 7 2020 Page 13

House of cards: If this election is anything to go by, American democracy is about as sturdy as this cardboard cutout of Joe Biden. (Photo: Drew Angerer/ Getty/AFP) alienated from those who govern them. do not improve the quality of people’s Elections seem to fuel conflict rather than lives. resolve it. If we want accountable, responsive and In a prescient article published in 1993, representative governments, what kind Nigerian political scientist Claude Ake of systems do we need? Can we identify argued that democracy in Africa would existing models in our own societies to have to be designed to fit the cultural build on? context and would emerge from “practical With Joe Biden looking set to become experience and improvisation in the the 46th president of the United States, course of a hard struggle”. He cautioned we must guard against the temptation to against an approach of adopting Western breathe a sigh of relief and pretend that liberalism because this would “achieve things will return to the pre-2016 normal. only the democracy of alienation”. The hard work of defining democracy A cursory examination of the and good governance decoupled from continent’s democracies indicates that the model of the US is just beginning. Ake has been proven right. Africans must now take responsibility So where to now? As my colleague for developing our own systems of Shuvai Busuman tweeted on election accountable and responsive government day: “Why then as Africans are we holding that will work for us. ■ on to this system that is clearly not working for us?” Academics, democracy Dr Sithembile Mbete is a senior lecturer in practitioners, civil society activists and the department of political sciences at the University of Pretoria where she lectures ordinary citizens must ask hard questions international relations and South African about why democratic politics in Africa politics. The Continent Page 14 ISSUE 28. November 7 2020 News

The Cameroonian schoolchildren caught in the crossfire Sending your child to class can be a life or death decision

Daniel Ekonde campus. They broke into a second- floor classroom and opened fire on the n 2017, Pastor Boniface Tamangoua students. Children screamed and ran for Ichose not to send his eight-year-old their lives. By the time the gunmen were son Victory Camibon to school. It was finished, seven children were dead and 13 too dangerous, he thought. The family were injured. Victory Camibon did not lived in Kumba, in southwest Cameroon, come home that day. and that year fighting broke out in the “It was our neighbour’s son who region between the goverment and rebels attends the same school with my son demanding independence for English- who came rolling on the floor and crying speaking Cameroon. that Victory is dead,” Tamangoua told the The next year, Tamangoua took the Mail & Guardian. “I was helping my wife difficult decision of sending Victory to wash clothes because she is recovering a school in Littoral, the French-speaking from surgery. When she heard about her province where the economic hub Douala son’s death, she collapsed. This was his is located. His son would be far away, but first year in secondary school; he had just at least he would be getting an education been three weeks in school and was very — and he would be safe. excited.” In 2019, there was a lull in the fighting. No group has claimed responsibility It looked like tensions were easing. Pastor for the attacks; the separatists and the Tamangoua brought his son home, where government are blaming each other. he completed primary school. “This massacre is a grim reminder This year, Victory — now 11 — started of the horrific toll that the crisis in at a new school: the Mother Francisca Cameroon’s English-speaking regions International Bilingual Academy in has had on children and their education,” Kumba. On October 24, at least nine said Ida Sawyer, deputy Africa director at armed men arrived at the school’s Human Rights Watch. The Continent ISSUE 28. November 7 2020 Page 15

President Paul Biya reacted to the incident two days later, in a tweet. “I have also instructed that appropriate measures be taken diligently to ensure that the perpetrators of these despicable acts are apprehended by our defence and security forces and brought to justice,” he said. Children have been targeted repeatedly during the conflict. In February this year, 14 children were among the 22 people killed in a massacre in the village of Ngarbuh, allegedly carried out by state security forces. Separatists have called for English- A life cut short: Victory Camibon was speaking parents not to send their just 11 years old when he was slain children to school, as a protest against the institutional inequalities they believe school again. are baked into the national curriculum. As the news of the Limbe attack Cameroon’s national government is spread across other schools in the area, dominated by French-speakers. students began to flee school premises Over the past three years, dozens of and teachers shut down campuses. schools have been damaged in attacks. In Kumba, parents are once again Last year, the United Nations Children’s having to assess whether it is safe to send Agency Unicef said that 80% of schools their children to school at all. in the affected areas were shut, and more Cameroon’s interior minister, Paul than half a million children had no access Atanga Nji, has visited the city in the to education. wake of the attack, promising to provide And although some separatist a military guard for the school. But few leaders have now called for students to parents are convinced. resume their education, the attacks have Grace, who asked to be identified by continued. her first name only, is a mother of two This week alone, 11 teachers were schoolgoing children. She has made the taken hostage by an armed group in decision to withdraw them from the Kumbo, a town in the Anglophone school in Kumba. northwest region, and have yet to be “I thought school was returning to this released; and students in a school in place [Kumba] for good since more than Limbe in the southwest were stripped three years now. But I’m not convinced. naked by gunmen who threatened to I will only send my children to Douala burn them alive if they ever came to again,” she said. ■ The Continent Page 16 ISSUE 28. November 7 2020 Music

Wizkid’s Ella Mai as well as fellow countrymen Tems and the self-proclaimed “African testimony Giant” himself –­ Burna Boy. The two come together on Ginger, half a decade of hustle, after their last collaboration. The club- ready track swings between Afrobeats betrayal and and dancehall, and features a captivating pitch-change in the 30-second outro. blessings Both Piece of Me and Gyrate – which pays homage to “brothers wey dey hustle REVIEW and bussle” – can be ticked for both Timileyin Omilana dancefloors and bedrooms. Smile, No Stress and True Love, on the howered in blessings, now my cup’s other hand, are made for sunnier, slower ‘Srunnin’ over,” Wizkid sings on the outdoor grooves. opening track of his new album Made Although the long-awaited Made In In Lagos. Leading with smooth bass and Lagos bears clear influences from the commanding saxophone, Reckless sets the United Kingdom and the Caribbean, it tone for the rest of the album. is also unmistakably African: sonically The track spotlights Wizkid’s troubles, smooth, melodically enjoyable and noting that despite those who “pray for his cohesively put together. downfall”, he is “still a winner”. The theme Wizkid’s run of form continues. ■ of triumph is carried right to the end of the album, where he emphatically sings about running his own race on Grace. Made in Lagos resonates beautifully with sounds more consistent with traditional Afrobeats, indicating a return to his home – Lagos – after his previous album Sounds From The Other Side, which showcased WizKid in the context of the international stage with varying genres. This album clearly exhibits a maturity and growth in the sought-after superstar. The 14-track effort has pleasant Root loops: Made in Lagos brings additions from international heavyweights in global voices, but feels distinctly such as Damian Marley, Skepta, H.E.R., African. (Photo: Kwaku Alston) The Continent ISSUE 28. November 7 2020 Page 17

‘What’s it like to be a black man in England?’ In this excerpt from a longer essay published in the Mail & Guardian, the writer Percy Zvomuya speaks to Dennis Morris – the iconic British photographer – about Them Belly Full: Bob Marley at a what it was like to house on the King’s Road, Chelsea, photograph Bob Marley 1978. (Photo: Dennis Morris)

ometime in 1973, Dennis Morris, Elton John, The Rolling Stones, Jimi Sthen a teenager in his last year of Hendrix and The Beatles, was a suitable high school, read in a magazine that The venue. Wailers were coming to tour Britain. “When he eventually turned up I Instead of going to school, Morris took asked could I take his picture, and he his camera and waited at the entrance of said, ‘Yeah man, come in.’ So I went in Speakeasy, a club in London, where The and he was asking me how it was like to Wailers were to hold a gig. be a black man in England. I was asking “I was very much into music, and him what Jamaica was like and he really very much into his music, so I decided I took to me — and he told me about the wanted to take a picture of him and didn’t tour and asked me if I would like to come go to school that day,” Morris told me on along. I said yes. So the next morning I Zoom from his base in Los Angeles. didn’t go to school and I packed my bag The ground-breaking albumCatch A and went to the hotel and jumped into Fire had just come out, and Bob Marley’s the van and there is a famous picture producer, Chris Blackwell, was trying to of him looking back. He said, ‘Are you promote it to an audience beyond reggae’s ready, Dennis?’ and I said, ‘Yes.’ And so traditional listeners. Speakeasy, on 48 the adventure began.” Margaret Road, once host to Pink Floyd, The opportunities that Morris, part The Continent ISSUE 28. November 7 2020 Page 18

Nine miles ahead: Bob Marley in The Wailers’ tour van in 1973 (above), and at the Hammersmith Odeon, 1979. (Photos: Dennis Morris) of the Windrush generation [the half a million people who emigrated from the Caribbean to Britain between 1948 and 1970] later found wouldn’t have come easily had it not been for the encounter with Marley outside the Speakeasy club. In the filmWhen Bob Marley Came to Britain – released in August this year – Morris recalls the reggae musician telling him, “Dennis, you have to remember that you are an exotic tropical plant that has been uprooted and replanted in a concrete soil. So you have to be strong to push through.” ■ The Continent ISSUE 28. November 7 2020 Page 19

SO, YOU THINK YOU’RE How did I do? WhatsApp ‘ANSWERS’ A REAL PAN-AFRICAN? to +27 73 805 6068 and Take this quiz to find out how well we will send you the you really know our continent answers immediately.

1. Who was the victor country? in Tanzania’s recent 7. Who wrote the election? book-length essay 'We 0-4 2. Who was the victor Should All Be Feminists', “I think I need to in Côte d’Ivoire’s recent published in 2014? start reading more election? 8. Is Didier Drogba or newspapers.” 3. This week marked Didier Zokora the most the 90th anniversary of capped Ivorian football the coronation of which player? monarch of Ethiopia? 9. True or false: Seretse 5-8 4. Vaya, a South African Khama is the son of Ian “I can’t wait to film, was directed by Khama. explore more of this which Nigerian director 10. Which legendary continent.” and son of writer Kole reggae musician Omotoso? performed in Harare for 5. Which Kenyan social Zimbabwe’s independence media star recently celebrations? reached one million 11. Samora Machel died 9-12 followers on Instagram in office in 1986. True or “Here, let me after having several false? decolonise that videos go viral during 12. Which Somali- for you.” Covid-19 lockdowns? American retained her 6. Monrovia (pictured) seat in the United States is the capital of which Congress this week? The Continent Page 20 ISSUE 28. November 7 2020 Continental Drift

On your marks, get set, oppress!

Samira Sawlani

All right, everyone, settle down. Elections beaten by his younger cousin. The aren’t a competition. Or rather, they wedding guest determined to outshine are, but they’re not a race between the the bride. That friend of your mother presidents of different countries. who, after learning someone else made Yet there they are, constantly trying school prefect, goes on about how their to outdo each other. The only incumbent precious Binky and Dudu are so busy with focused on his own race is Donald Trump ballet, archery and rocket science they over in the United States –­ but let’s not couldn’t possibly take on extra duties. worry about the amateur leagues: the (Until they drop a bar into the school kitty African premiership is where it’s at. and suddenly the delightful duo are head Competition at this level is boy and girl.) understandable, of course: it takes But even Binky and Dudu would a certain kind of person to run for struggle against Tanzania’s President John president in the first place, after all. Magufuli, who won his recent election You need a strong sense of civic duty, a by a staggering 84% of the vote, which compulsion to serve your fellow human gives him a high score to boast about, you beings, an unwavering commitment to would think. But not in this game! equality, justice and… oh wait, no, sorry, Enter Alassane Ouattara, who wrong notes, that’s for if you want to be a floated over his own finish line into a tuckshop assistant. third term as Côte d’Ivoire’s president Let’s see, psych profile for presidential with a whopping 94% of votes cast. His candidate… had it written down strategy of running unopposed – after here somewhere... ah yes, here we go! the opposition boycotted the vote – really What you need is: an ego the size of a seems to have paid off. Although it’s planet; a not inconsiderable amount of strange he didn’t quite make it to 100%. I moral flexibility; and an unwavering guess that’s democracy for you. commitment to coming out on top, no The Great Game isn’t just a duel matter what. between Ouattara and Magufuli, there are You know the type. The guy who others who need the spotlight if they’re to knocks over the board game after being stay in play. Which brings us to Uganda: The Continent ISSUE 28. November 7 2020 Page 21

Race to the bottom: John Magufuli was inaugurated as president of Tanzania for a second time on Thursday. in January, President Yoweri Museveni Abiy Ahmed. You’ll remember his big win will be lining up a sixth term in his race last year when he bagged no less a trophy against musician-turned-MP, Bobi Wine. than the Nobel Peace Prize. Earlier this week Wine formally That was last season, but peace is still registered as a presidential candidate, important to him, and he’s flexing his whereupon authorities celebrated by armies to prove it. Accusing the Tigray arresting him in violent fashion, firing People’s Liberation Front of attacking an tear gas at his supporters, and then army base, Ahmed mobilised the military helpfully dropping him off at home. It was and announced a state of emergency. He almost like a wild bachelor party, except is testing the theory that the only way to where the best man has a crush on the defuse conflict is to escalate it until peace bride and also he gets VERY cross if you breaks out. compare him to Idi Amin. Perfectly reasonable, by 2020 Meanwhile, President Emmerson standards. But is it enough to give him the Mnangagwa must be feeling left out. edge in our continental game of thrones? Zimbabwe won’t go to the polls again until Or will he remember that this isn’t a 2023, but that doesn’t mean he can’t play. game at all. No matter whether you’re So what is his play? Nothing fancy, just setting high scores, or settling old scores. arresting journalist Hopewell Chin’ono Because once they’ve all finished and suppressing freedom of speech again winning at “peace”, it’s the rest of us who – go with what you know, right? are left to pick up the pieces. But the top of the table this week must If we’re still here. Lucky us. surely belong to Ethiopia’s Prime Minister So. Meet you at the tuckshop? ■ The Continent Page 22 ISSUE 28. November 7 2020 Environment

The swarm: Locusts engulf farmers’ fields near Jijiga in Ethiopia (Photo: Minasse Wondimu Hailu/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

those clouds really are. The locusts “You see it’s not a rain cloud but a cloud of insects and realise this is a desert are coming locust swarm. They will eat absolutely everything. By midday, you’ve lost your back for more entire crop for the year and maybe for the next year. It’s devastating.” Sheree Bega This year, destructive, desert locusts have swarmed in gigantic numbers in t first, to a farmer, it looks like a countries including Kenya, Somalia, Apromise on the horizon: a dark rain Ethiopia, Uganda and Eritrea, gobbling cloud, sometimes so big it can block out valuable cropland and decimating part of the sun. livelihoods. A separate infestation has Then the penny drops. struck farms in southern Namibia and Keith Cressman, senior locust north-western South Africa. forecasting officer at the Food and In January, the swarms that invaded Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the northern Kenya were as big as the country United Nations says it’s a moment of pure of Luxembourg. horror when the farmers realise what But while aerial and ground The Continent ISSUE 28. November 7 2020 Page 23 operations have exterminated an very well prepared. Now, they’re well- estimated 500-billion locusts in the past equipped to manage and respond to this 10 months, there are worrying signs of type of breeding and any kind of invasion resurgence. that might occur by the end of the year.” Somalia, he adds, has not used one Destructive desert drop of chemical pesticides, wiping out its locusts with bio­pesticides made from locusts have swarmed a natural fungus that only attacks locusts in gigantic numbers in and grasshoppers. countries including Kenya, More than 860 000 hectares of land Somalia, Ethiopia, Uganda in 10 countries have been surveyed and Eritrea, decimating and treated for locust infestation since January to counter the desert locust livelihoods outbreak. Control operations have prevented the loss of 1.7-million tons Early, ongoing rains have led to a of cereal – enough to feed more than new cycle of breeding with fresh swarms 10-million people a year – in countries forming in Ethiopia, Somalia and Yemen, already hard hit by acute food insecurity warns the FAO. and poverty. In good conditions, desert locusts Kenya has contained the locust to just reproduce like wildfire – their numbers two northern counties. West Africa is no surging by a factor of 20 with each three- longer at risk of invasion. ■ month reproductive cycle. The new wave wasn’t unexpected, says Cressman, who describes desert locusts as “professional survivalists. When there’s really good rain, the locusts respond.” Winds over the northern portion of the Horn of Africa now starting to blow southwards again could trigger a re- invasion in Kenya later this year. But with almost a year of locust-fighting experience under their belts, affected countries are in a far stronger position to manage and contain the infestations, says Cressman. “Last year this time, countries such as Somalia, Ethiopia and Kenya weren’t The Continent Page 24 ISSUE 28. November 7 2020 Report

Nigeria’s queer community finds its voice

Dika Ofoma

n October 10, a video surfaced Oonline of Matthew Blaise, a Nigerian LGBTQ+ rights activist, chanting at the top of his voice that queer lives matter. He was at one of the #EndSARS protests in Lagos. Just a few days after the country’s 60th independence anniversary on 1 October, young Nigerians had taken to the streets to demand an end to police brutality. A unit of the Nigerian police force, the Stand up for your rights: Activist Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), had Matthew Blaise at a protest in Lagos. become notorious for brutalising and (Photo: yagazieemezi/Instagram) harassing young Nigerians whom they profiled as criminals or fraudsters because Victor Emmanuel, an openly gay man in of their hairstyles, their grooming, or the Nigeria and a YouTube vlogger, protested electronic gadgets they carry. in Enugu, a city in southeastern Nigeria, The protest, which started in Lagos, and credits Blaise for inspiring him. spread to other cities and towns, uniting “His actions and the video inspired Nigerians against a common enemy. me as well as many others to write The country is torn not just by ethnic #QueerLivesMatter on our placards and religious differences but also along alongside #EndSars,” Emmanuel says. ideological lines; coming together in unity While Blaise had only been gaped and of purpose is no easy feat. stared at in Lagos, Emmanuel experienced Just like Blaise, other queer people open hostility in Enugu. He and other across the country joined in the protest. queer people at the protests were verbally The Continent ISSUE 28. November 7 2020 Page 25 attacked and told to put down their took place, despite Instagram Live video placards. On another occasion, a man evidence showing otherwise. There have tauntingly mimicked his effeminate been also been multiple reports of looting friend: it was an attempt to goad them and the burning of properties, including into a physical confrontation. Emmanuel malls and supermarkets. and his friend bore the humiliation But the spirit of the Nigerian youth has and resisted reacting for fear that other not been dampened. The call for an end homophobic protesters would gang up to police brutality has grown to include against them. calls for better governance; protests have Emmanuel’s experience wasn’t an continued in some cities; and online the isolated incident. There were reports hashtag #EndSARS is still trending, and a across social media of similar attacks on consensus is building around those using LGBTQ+ people at protests organised in the hashtag that it is time for youth to other towns and cities. Demonstrators re-strategise if they are to reclaim their apparently felt the queer community was country from menacing leadership. trying to hijack the protest. This conversation includes queer But LGBTQ+ Nigerians have long Nigerians, who are finding their voice as been a particular target of SARS brutality. they stand up to the country’s homophobic Although Emmanuel has not been laws. In 2014, Nigeria’s former president, harassed before, he said his friends with Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, signed into a preference for androgynous dressing or law the Same-Sex Marriage Prohibition who are ostensibly effeminate have been bill, which did not only ban same-sex harassed and dehumanised by the rogue marriage, but it also criminalised sex police unit. between humans of the same gender, as After more than a week of continuous well as organisations that advocate for the peaceful protests across the country, the rights of the LGBTQ+ community. These demonstrations turned violent. Protest “crimes” are punishable by up to 14 years leaders say that the violence was caused in prison. by state-sponsored thugs who infiltrated Emmanuel and Blaise, along with the protests, attacking participants two others, are creators of the hashtag and destroying cars. In response, state #EndHomophobiaInNigeria. Emmanuel governments imposed curfews. plans to take this activism to the streets In Lekki, Lagos, on the night the of Nigeria to demand that the Same-Sex curfew was imposed, armed military Marriage Prohibition Act be repealed. men shot at protesters who were He is confident that the resilience waving flags and singing the national shown by other queer protesters during anthem. At least 15 people were killed. the protests – despite the homophobia There are reports of a similar occurrence they experienced – proves that Nigeria’s in Alausa, Lagos. queer community is ready to demand The government denies these attacks their rights. ■ The Continent Page 26 ISSUE 28. November 7 2020 Analysis

political vehicle that the TPLF refused to Ethiopia support. Ever since, Abiy has sought to crosses the contain the influence of the TPLF to the Tigray region, while TPLF leaders have red line questioned his authority to rule over them, leading to a series of spats and Yohannes Woldemariam mutual accusations and recriminations. These tensions had been simmering for n 3 November, Ethiopian Prime some time, but reached boiling point OMinister Abiy Ahmed declared war following Abiy’s decision to postpone on the Tigrayan People’s Liberation Front scheduled general elections on the basis (TPLF), launching a military offensive in of the coronavirus pandemic. Determined response to a series of attacks and incidents to embarrass the prime minister and that he claims reveal his former allies to simultaneously assert their own authority, be “traitors”. This dramatic escalation TPLF leaders went ahead with their own of tensions between the Tigray region election in Tigray, directly flouting Abiy’s and the federal government represents a objections. major gamble on Abiy’s part that could result in the collapse of Ethiopia itself. Tensions had been If the country’s slide towards civil war is simmering for some time, not halted immediately, the consequences for Ethiopian people and the wider region but reached boiling point will be disastrous. following Abiy’s decision But how did we get here? to postpone scheduled Historically, both the TPLF and general elections on the Abiy were part of the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) basis of the coronavirus government. However, since Abiy came epidemic to power in 2018, the relationship with the TPLF has deteriorated, with Tigrayan The growing conflict between leaders increasingly relegated to play a the prime minister and the TPLF is backseat role in a “coalition” that they had particularly explosive for three main previously dominated. The relationship reasons. First, Ethiopia is plagued by finally broke down when Abiy announced intractable ethnic politics, and Abiy plans to dissolve the EPRDF and replace already faces an uphill battle to retain it with his own Prosperity Party, a new political stability amid growing political The Continent ISSUE 28. November 7 2020 Page 27

Uncertain future: An Ethiopian Orthodox priest casts his ballot at a polling station during Tigray’s controversial regional elections, in the city of Mekelle in September. (Photo: Eduardo Soteras/ AFP) violence. Second, the government lacks regions and movements – quickly the capacity to win a decisive victory, becoming a situation over which Abiy as the TPLF has considerable military has little control. Already, reports suggest capacity and is used to protracted armed that an attempt to capture TPLF leaders in struggles – having come of age fighting Mekelle via a commando operation have against the Derg government as a guerilla proved unsuccessful. group in the late 1980s. Third, Ethiopia’s This is certainly the prediction of constitution recognises the right of ethnic Seyoum Mesfin, a veteran TPLF member communities to campaign for political and Ethiopia’s foreign minister from 1991 autonomy, and secession is a constant to 2010, who says that if civil war comes topic of conversation in areas such as Ethiopia will be like Syria, Yemen or Libya Tigray, the Southern and Somali regions – a failed state in which foreign players and Oromia. sponsor proxy armies to further their own Against this backdrop there is a real interests. The potential foreign influence chance that conflict between the federal currently being debated by Ethiopians on government and the TPLF will be long social media is that of Isaias Afwerki of and drawn out, and will suck in other Eritrea and possibly Egypt over the Grand The Continent ISSUE 28. November 7 2020 Page 28

Ethiopian Renaissance Dam dispute. Much therefore depends on whether Abiy But what Seyoum is alluding to is a far retains full control over the Ethiopian more extensive intervention involving Defense Forces, which includes Tigreans actors from the Gulf States as well as non- within its ranks. The growing political state actors. polarisation suggests that maintaining a cohesive national army will be particularly Against this backdrop challenging. Abiy has appointed a new general to there is a real chance take control of the Northern Command that conflict between the – historically one of the four military federal government and divisions in Ethiopia with responsibility the TPLF will be long and for Tigray and the Eritrean border – but the TPLF has blocked his path. Whether drawn out the military remains united under these circumstances will heavily shape the In particular, the close relationship course of the conflict. between Abiy and Eritrean dictator Isaias The fragmentation of the army, or Afwerki has triggered numerous rumors, defection of troops to Tigray, would the truth of which is hard to pin down. dramatically weaken Abiy. In turn, this It does seem, however, that both Isaias would encourage other groups such as the and Abiy feel that they have scores to settle Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) to step up with the TPLF. While Abiy sees the group their efforts, accelerating the country’s as his main barrier to asserting control disintegration. over Ethiopia, Isaias blames the TPLF Such a development would push for past conflicts, standing in the way of Ethiopia into a full civil war that could his regional ambitions and refusing to destabilise the entire region, creating demarcate the Eritrean border. millions of refugees and undermining The TPLF itself is certainly concerned economic trade and growth. Preventing about the close relationship between the this is imperative – but if this is to be done two men, accusing Abiy of treason for concerted international and domestic his “conspiracy” with Isaias, and such action needs to be taken now, before there suspicions are fanning the flames of are further clashes and before the state conflict. comes apart at the seams. ■ So how will we know if things are starting to fall apart? Yohannes Conflict between the TPLF and Woldemariam teaches international relations the federal government is likely to be and follows the Horn prolonged under any circumstances, of Africa closely. This analysis is published but is most likely to descend into a fully- in partnership with fledged civil war if the military fragments. Democracy in Africa The Continent ISSUE 28. November 7 2020 Page 29

This has changed. Post-2015, the This is not ruling party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi, moved from a competitive hegemonic the Tanzania party to an autocratic intolerant party. Between 2016 and 2020, it was close envisioned by to impossible for opposition parties to operate. Julius Nyerere Nevertheless, the parties, in particular Chadema (the main opposition party) Aikande C. Kwayu and ACT-Wazalendo, took innovative approaches to continue organising and ollowing independence in 1961, mobilising. These efforts paid off during Fthe core mission of Tanzania’s first the 2020 election campaign, when they president Julius Nyerere was to build marshalled huge support in rallies across unity among Tanzanians of different the country. tribes, races, beliefs, education and Election day was a different story, income. He called it a “National however. Violent incidents, threats and Conscience”. irregularities at polling stations were But the socialist principles that reported. The opposition accused the underpinned this nation-building ruling party of rigging the vote on a grand project were abandoned in the late scale. By the time the votes were counted, 1980s, and replaced by liberal economic the opposition had been reduced to less and political policies in the early 1990s. than 10 seats in parliament – a result that The multi-party system was introduced strained the bounds of credibility. in 1992. Nyerere, wanting to protect the Given the suspicion surrounding these national unity he held so dear, supported election results, the ruling party is now this development, and even spoke operating at a considerable legitimacy positively about those at the forefront of deficit. The only way it can maintain establishing new political parties. power is through further polarisation of Between 1995 and 2015, Tanzania citizens based on their party affiliation. conducted five general elections under This is the opposite of what Julius Nyerere a multi-party system. The overall envisaged. His National Conscience has performance of opposition parties kept been well and truly dismantled. ■ improving. In 1995 the opposition won 46 elected parliamentary seats, which increased to 68 in the 2015 elections. Those five elections were not entirely free and fair, but there was gradual Aikande C. Kwayu is a political scientist in expansion of space for opposition parties Tanzania and an honorary research fellow to organise and mobilise. at the University of Wisconsin-Madison The Continent Page 30 ISSUE 28. November 7 2020 Economics

Covid pandemic drives Kenyan e-commerce boom

Patrick Mayoyo of social distancing, lockdowns and other measures in response to the coronavirus s you approach the entrance of have led consumers to ramp up online AArtcaffé, along Kenyatta Avenue shopping, social media use, internet in downtown Nairobi, a glossy banner telephony and teleconferencing, and catches your attention. streaming of videos and films. As tall as a person, it invites customers Nebert Najori, a web developer based to “shop and select, pay online and order in Nairobi, says demand for e-commerce before 2pm for same-day delivery”. websites is on the rise since the outbreak Although Artcaffé is already a of the coronavirus. renowned restaurant, it is now leveraging “Many businesses are shifting their new innovations to sell various products services online and in the recent past to its clients online. I have received inquiries from clients On its website you can order interested in setting up websites and beverages, bread, fruits, vegetables, social media marketing platforms,” he flowers, meat, seafood, milk, ready meals says. and much more, and have them delivered Another company that is changing to your doorstep. how people are doing business in Kenya The Covid-19 pandemic has altered is online payments service provider global economics, traditional ways of DPO. The firm enables customers and doing business and people’s lifestyles. merchants to transact securely online Around the world, businesses have been and offline, facilitating the growth of local forced to set up online shops and start businesses through the establishment of experimenting with digital marketing e-shops. innovations in attempts to turn the tide Despite these innovations, the against the economic impacts of the economic picture remains bleak: annual disease caused by the coronavirus. global GDP growth is predicted to decline Kenya is no exception. to 2.4% in 2020, and may even be negative In a report titled “E-commerce, Trade in the first quarter of 2021, according and the Covid-19 Pandemic”, the World to the Organisation for Economic Co- Trade Organisation says the enforcement operation and Development. ■ The Continent ISSUE 28. November 7 2020 Page 31

The Big Picture Morning routine: Cheih, a hunter with the Nemadi in eastern Mauritania, adjusts his turban before heading out for the day along the caravan route from Tichitt to Aratane. The Nemadi’s way of life is slowly disappearing, threatened by climate change and economic development. (Photo: John Wessels/AFP)

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