Popular
Damola Durosomo
Nov. 28, 2017 12:11PM EST

Davido, Nnedi Okorafor, Chadwick Boseman and More Speak Out Against Slave Trade In Libya

Artists, activists, governments and more have condemned the slave trade taking place in Libya.

A stream of public figures continue to speak out against the slave trade in Libya. Several more have taken to social media to decry the events and share suggestions on how to help.

Nigeria's President Buhari and Ghana's President Akufo-Addo have both expressed anger over the situation in Libya, with Buhari vowing to bring stranded Nigerians home.

From Nnedi Okorafor to Davido to Jesse Williams and more, here's what celebrities are saying about the crisis on social media:


Continue for yesterday's story:

Last week, a harrowing video surfaced via CNN of a slave auction taking place in Libya. The footage showed migrantsβ€”and foremost, human beingsβ€”from Sub-Sharan Africa being sold as farmworkers, reportedly for as little as $400.

The unfathomable story has gained global attention in the days since, with activists, sport stars, entertainers, the United Nations, and national governments condemning the inhumane act, and attempting to offer help in their own ways. Still, folks are calling for more media coverage of the situation, and rightfully so.

The shocking story led to protests in Paris, and a social media movement around the hashtag #LibyansAgainstSlavery.

The Libyan government has reportedly launched an investigation into the video, but have called on more support from the international community in order to thoroughly tackle the issue, reports the Independent.

Last week, the Rwandan government released a statement, extending an open door to African refugees enslaved in Libya.

The statement reads:

"Rwanda, like the rest of the world, was horrified by the images of the tragedy currently unfolding in Libya, where African men, women and children who were on the road to exile, have been held and turned into slaves. Given Rwanda's political philosophy and our own history, we cannot remain silent when human beings are being mistreated and auctioned off like cattle.

The Government and people of Rwanda stand in solidarity with our African brothers and sisters still held in captivity. Rwanda may not be able to welcome everyone but our door is wide open. We are ready to work closely with the African Union, the private sector, as well as other friends and partners to ensure that we can provide minimum comfort to those in need."

A wave of celebrities have also decried the events taking place in Libya. Artists like Pantoranking, Michael Dapaah, Pharrell, T.I. and more shared their thoughts on Twitter.

From Your Site Articles
News Brief
Image from Flickr Creative Commons

End of an Era as Last South African Music Shops Set to Close

South Africa's Clicks Group has announced the imminent closure of its Musica storesβ€”the last music stores in South Africa after 29 years.

South Africans are bidding farewell to Musica, yet another cultural giant which will be closing shop soon. Musica stores, which are owned by the South African Clicks Group, have been the leading music retailer in the sales of physical CDs and DVDs for close to three decades. Musica admittedly provided a home for many South Africans to leisurely browse through their favourite music in very much the same way book lovers do in book stores. However, as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and having been outcompeted by the digital music world, all Musica stores across the country will be closing permanently.

Keep reading... Show less
Popular
Image via Flickr Creative Commons

South African Military Ends Controversial Ban on Hijabs

The South African National Defence Force has ended its longstanding ban on hijabs. This follows the recent court victory of Major Fatima Isaacs who was fired for wearing a hijab.

The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has reportedly ended their longstanding ban on hijabs, this according to IOL. The move comes just after Major Fatima Isaacs, a Muslim woman, won her two-year court case following her dismissal from the military for wearing a hijab. Th SANDF has reportedly amended its military religious dress policyβ€”a win for Muslim women serving in the South African military.
Keep reading... Show less
News Brief
Podcast cover art.

Bobi Wine's Release Detailed in Latest Episode of 'The Messenger'

Trauma is the topic on the podcast's latest episode: "The Ballot or The Bullet."

The latest episode of The Messenger is something to behold.

Created by Sudanese-American rapper Bas, The Messenger throws the spotlight on the thunderous circumstances many African countries face, with a close focus on Ugandan politician Bobi Wine.

In his most recent traumatic experience, Wine and his wife Barbara Itungo Kyagulanyi were released from a nearly two-week military house arrest following the ruling of a Ugandan court. Keeping up with current events and circumstances that Wine finds himself in, the latest episode of the podcast recounts the traumatic events that led to Wine's very public abuse and eventual house arrest.

Upon his release, Wine spoke with The Messenger and had this to say, "I want to remind the world that we went in this election knowing how corrupt the staff of the electoral commission is. We saw this through the campaign and the world saw how much was oppressed, how biased and one sided the electoral commission was, and how much it was in the full grip of General Museveni. And therefore we are going to test every legal test, we shall take every legal test. We shall take every legal step. And indeed we shall take every moral and morally proactive, nonviolent, but legal and peaceful step to see that we liberate ourselves. The struggle has not ended. It is just beginning."

Listen to Episode 7 of The Messenger here.

Keep reading... Show less

get okayafrica in your inbox

popular.

The 9 Best Nigerian Songs of the Month (January)

Featuring Ayra Starr, Reekado Banks x Tiwa Savage, Femi Kuti, Wizkid, Burna Boy, Joeboy, Yung L, Buju and more