Much of the world’s focus at the start of the year has been on Iran and the Middle East. The US assassination of Lt. General Qassem Suleimani, the leader of Iran’s Quds Force, once again highlighted the fragility of that region, where various groups vie for power. That is a phenomenon not unique to the Middle East; if we turn to the Sahel region of Africa, the situation is similar.
The Sahel region is made up of five countries: Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, Mauritania, and Chad. And for the past decade it’s been riven by violent extremists, with groups associated with Al Qaeda and the Islamic State (ISIS). The number of terrorist incidents over the past decade has skyrocketed. According to the United Nations, terrorist attacks in the Sahel have claimed more than 4,000 people in 2019 alone, up from 770 in 2016.
In an effort to counter this violence, France (the region’s former coloniser), put together the G5 Sahel, an institutional framework for coordination on security matters in West Africa. The country has had troops since 2014. Currently, there are about 4,500 French troops in the region. Has it worked? Errr.... 😰 On January 13, French President Emmanuel Macron convened a summit in France to discuss a strategy in the region.
In an effort to combat violence on the continent, the African Union introduced the “Silencing the Guns” campaign. It is an effort to end all wars, civil conflicts, gender-based violence, violent conflicts and preventing genocide in the continent in 2020. Can they actually do it?
This month, we deep dive into violence in Africa and the potential to end it.
More on the matter
A conflict-free Africa in 2020? That’s up to the Continent’s leaders, says Betty Dindi. (The East African)
Military action is not enough to solve the Sahel crisis, says Louise Dewast. She analyses the underlying challenges of the humanitarian crisis in the region, which includes climate change and underdevelopment. (BBC)
The UN envoy for West Africa, Mohamed Ibn Chambas is worried about the Sahel and West Africa, which have seen “a devastating surge in terrorist attacks.” Edith Lederer reports. (AP News)
Drone attack kills 30 people at Tripoli military academy, Libya. Michelle Nichols, has more. (Reuters)
Can Africa silence the guns? Back in 2016, the African Union set a goal to end illicit arms moving through the continent. Silja Fröhlich dives in. (Deutsche Welle)
The Month in Review
Al Shabab hits Kenya — again
On Jan 5, Al Shabab, a terrorist group with links to al-Qaeda, hit a US military base in Kenya, Manda Bay, killing Kenyan soldiers, and three Americans.
Al Shabab, which translates as “youth,” is largely based in Somalia. It has targeted both the Western backed government in Somalia and neighboring Kenya for the past decade. Its goal is to gain control and impose Sharia law. The US has provided assistance to the authorities through drone and aerial strikes to take out terrorist targets. But can Al Shabab be defeated?
More on the Kenya attacks
The Manda Bay attack could have been an inside job, says Diana Stancy Correll. (Military Times)
Americans and Kenyans killed in a deadly attack. Cara Anna reports. (Military Times)
No rest for Kenya as Al Shabab hits again. Bukola Adebayo has more. (CNN)
Law & Order: Lesotho Edition
Lesotho, one of the smallest countries in Africa, is about to lose its prime minister, Tom Thabane. Two days before his inauguration in June 2017, Thabane’s estranged wife, Lipolelo Thabane, was gunned down outside her home in Maseru, near the capital Lesotho. Two months later, Thabane was re-married — and under suspicion for having a hand in Lipolelo’s death. When police summoned the new wife for questioning, she disappeared. *Poof* When the police started to make inquiries, Thabane tried to fire the chief of police. Parliament blocked him. He is now under pressure to resign. Stay tuned…
Non-governmental organizations in Lesotho gang up against Prime Minister Tom Thabane’s decision to fire a police commissioner. The police head is suspected to have had a hand in the killing of his wife. Nthakoana Ngatane gives details. (Eye Witness News)
It’s the end of the road for Lesotho's Prime Minister, says Mathabiso Ralengau. (Bloomberg)
Will the killing of the First Lady Lipolelo destabilize Lesotho? Colleta Dewa analyses the murder probe of the Prime Minister’s first wife. (The Southern Times)
Elsewhere on the continent Angola: Isabel dos Santos is the daughter of Angola’s former president, José Eduardo dos Santos. That explains how she was appointed the head of Sonangol, Angola's state oil firm. Documents show that in that position, she made a fortune at the expense of Angola’s people. Sonia Rolley, as part of a large investigative team, looks into Isabel's dealings, the dos Santos family ties, shell companies, and inside deals. Whoo-wee is this one worth the read. (ICIJ)
More on dos Santos: It takes more than two to tangle. Angola’s Isabel dos Santos’ corruption allegations are linked to human rights abuses at the hands of Dutch companies working in Angola. Janene Pieters sheds light. (NL Times)
Guinea Bissau: At the start of the year, Umaru Cissoko Embalo was declared winner of Guinea Bissau’s presidential election. The country’s citizens hope this will end years of political crisis, writes Ricci Shryock. (VoA)
Kenya: Kenyan farmers are afraid of losing their livelihoods as a result of a devastating locust invasion. Liselotte Mas is on it. (France 24)
Uganda: Access to energy is a challenge for many Ugandans. Poor infrastructure, poor coordination, and poor options leave many in the literal dark. Solar is one option. But how can it become widespread? Dorothy Nakaweesi talks with Joyce Nkuyahaga, the CEO of Uganda Solar Energy Association on what’s needed to leverage solar energy for all. (Daily Monitor)
Tanzania: Hard times cause Tanzania Higher Education Students' Loan Board to lose 1.46 trillion for payment of loans to new university applicants, Renatha Msungu reports. (Nipashe) – In Swahili
Refugees: Fighting in South Sudan has forced hundreds of thousands from their homes. Many, particularly children, have fled to Uganda, which hosts the largest number of unaccompanied child refugees in the world. Portia Crowe explores the lives and plight of these child refugees, who have taken up residence in Bidi Bidi. (Al Jazeera)
South Africa: Despite being Africa’s second largest economy, South Africa grappled with massive power outages last year. The country ended 2019 in darkness. Palesa Morudu explains why. (Washington Post)
Zambia: Zambia has struggled with authoritarianism and progress. Can anyone save it? Linda Kasonde reflects on the men and women who can. (The Mast)
Rwanda: School’s in. As Rwandans start another school year, the big question is: Are schools ready? Ange Iliza reports on the lack of finances and changes to the system that are delaying Rwandan students and making learning a challenge. (The New Times - Rwanda)
Let’s look at economics
Show me the money — in Africa. Who are the continent’s richest? Aurelie M’Bida takes a look. (The Africa Report)
Unemployment is a global challenge that everyone is eager to overcome and avoid. Lynda Ouma looks at Kenya's unemployment crisis and how to tackle youth joblessness, in particular. (Business Daily Africa)
Africa has made huge economic progress, largely as a result of technology. Yet, to really master the Fourth Industrial Revolution, it needs to up its game on digital skills and infrastructure. Sintia Radu reports. (US News & World Report)
Extra security checks, walking long distances to reach terminals, and flying in old planes — this seems to be the norm for African travelers. Shayera Dark, explores international travel on the Continent. (Al Jazeera)
Racism? Vanessa Nakate, a 23-year-old climate activist from Uganda who this week attended the World Economic Forum in Davos, felt heartbroken for being cropped out of a news agency photo. Ikran Dahir has more. (Buzz Feed News)
Everything Culture
Celebrating Africa's photography, Ijeoma Ndukwe explores 'Encounters,' Africa's most prestigious photography festival on its 25 Anniversary. (BBC)
Art fairs are increasingly featuring African artists. Allyssia Alleyne discusses. (Al Jazeera)
Musician Wycliffe Jean sets out to give budding musicians from parts of Africa and other developing nations a chance to expand their footprint. Starr Rhett Rocque gives us more. (Fast Company)
The creative economy has boosted productivity in emerging markets. In South Africa, for example, the creative economy contributed 1.7 percent to the economy in 2016. Jen Snowball explains why cultural trade offers countries like South Africa an opportunity to grow and add jobs. (The Conversation)
Good Stuff on Gender
What does 2020 hold for Kenya’s women? Njoki Ndungu takes a look. (The Star)
From child brides and female genital mutilation survivors to leaders on a global stage, women narrate their stories. (Relief Web)
Gender equality in Sudan is a struggle. The UN Development Programme ranks the country 138 out of 166 countries on gender equality. There are women who are trying to change things. One way is football. Mariam Fam on how some Sudanese women are challenging conservatives through sport. (AP News)
Meet Philly Ojala, a nurse by day and a DJ at night. 👩🏾🎤💁🏾 (Nairobi News)
YASSSSSSSS - "We need to make it known — assertively so — to every woman under 35 in this country who is interested in media that their voice matters," says Njoki Chege. With more women reaching leadership positions in media, now is the time for women to "lean in." #Amen (Daily Nation - Kenya)
Women are still complaining about the lack of maternity leave for a woman who loses a child before, during and just after birth. More details with Shalon Kantengwa. (The New Times - Rwanda)
Zimbabwean author, Tsitsi Dangarembga narrates how books by renowned female writers changed her life. (The Guardian)
Quote of the Month
"It was my dream to capture true African luxury, change the world's perception of Africa and produce a luxury brand that is truly African in origin, nature and tradition."
- Swaady Martin-Leke is the founder of YSWARA, a rapidly growing African luxury brand creating elegant, high-end products produced by African artisans with a focus on exquisite teas sourced from across Africa
Who are we?
Interruptrr Africa grew out of the NYC-based initiative, Interruptrr. Interruptrr was founded as a movement to increase female expertise in news articles, op-ed pages, and the punditry circuit. That's what we're doing here. There are endlessly talented women across multitude of fields in Africa - government, business, science, engineering, entrepreneurship, academia, and technology. Our goal is to identify and recognise them. Today's global challenges, from pandemics to global warming, from extremism to disinformation, requires the input of all perspectives. Interruptrr Africa is about wide perspectives - in order to get to concrete and sustainable solutions.
