Each week, we round up the best writings from across online platforms. These rise above regular reportage, highlighting current issues, the people and the continent – Africa.
Here are the ones that caught our attention:
Books and bills: Tackling sexual violence in Sierra Leone – Charlotte Mitchell
Sexual violence has remained a big issue in Africa, and the prevalence of gender-based violence is still high. In Sierra Leone, “a year after the president declared a state of emergency, the fight against sexual and gender-based violence remains tough.” Charlotte discusses this.
Singing the song of Daniel Arap Moi – Patrick Gathara
There is a history of Africa’s long-serving presidents and the nostalgia that comes with their regimes. Most times, it is a memory more people want to erase – his legacy is complicated. Daniel Toroitich Arap Moi, a Kenyan politician who was the second and longest-serving President of Kenya from 1978 to 2002, died February 4, 2020 (aged 95). He served as the third Vice President of Kenya from 1967 to 1978 and succeeded President Jomo Kenyatta following the latter’s death. This is a time to remember him and Gathara shows us how.
Reflections on 1960, the Year of Africa – Adom et al
If you wanted to talk about Africa skipping or simply flipping through 1960, you will be missing out on a lot. It is the Year of Independence when 17 sub-Saharan African nations, including 14 former French colonies, gained independence from their former European colonists. “The Year of Africa, as it came to be known, was a victory for the black world. It emerged from longstanding global movements for racial equality and gave rise to political and cultural revolutions that forever transformed Africa’s place in the world.”
Coronavirus: Are African countries ready? – Anne Soy
New deadly disease, coronavirus is fast spreading around the world. Countries have become more stringent with their security measures at airports and land borders. And, just like Ebola, there are questions as to how and if Africa is ready to tackle coronavirus. “Africa is one of only two continents with no confirmed cases of coronavirus however experts have warned that it may not be long before the first case is confirmed, given its increasingly close ties to China.” Read Anne’s insight on this one.
Should Africa Ever Unite – Tope Fasua
Nigerian businessman, economist, writer and 2019 Nigeria Presidential candidate for Abundant Nigeria Renewal Party (ANRP) asks questions about the unity of Africa. We are usually wary of the question and most times avoid it. We simply want it to happen, we want a united Africa but we assume that it is so – we haven’t asked and answered. Fasua raises some of the questions about a united Africa. Read to see if he answered your questions.
