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Photo by MICHELE CATTANI/AFP via Getty Images

Colonel Assimi Goita (center), president of CNSP (National Committee for the Salvation of People) greets invited people at the ceremony of the 60th anniversary of Mali's independence in Bamako, on September 22, 2020, one day after he announced that the transitional presidency would be assigned to a retired colonel, Bah Ndaw, 70 years, ephemeral Minister of Defence in 2014.

Mali Removed From West African Regional Body Until Next Democratic Elections in 2022

Following its latest coup, Mali has been removed from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), without any trade sanctions, after the recently-instated President Colonel Assimi Goïta failed to attend the summit this past weekend.

Mali has reportedly been removed from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). This comes after the last coup attempt, on May 24, where the transitional government's President Bah Ndaw, along with his Prime Minister Moctar Ouane and Defence Minister Souleymane Doucoure, were held in custody by the military. Colonel Assimi Goïta subsequently replaced Ndaw three days later through a questionable court decision. On Sunday May 30, fifteen ECOWAS members reportedly held a summit in Accra, Ghana where a decision to rescind Mali's membership until after the country's democratic election on February 27, 2022 was made. Goïta was invited to the meeting however he, reportedly, did not attend.


This is the second time in nine months that ECOWAS has taken such action against Mali. The first incident was following the violent ousting of then president Ibrahim Boubacar Keita in August 2020. ECOWAS' latest move is puzzling considering the regional body took the same decision, again. With sanctions in place, however, the country was brought to financial standstill. According to Business Day, without the sanctions neighbouring countries are concerned that the ostracisation of Mali by ECOWAS will influence instability and delay the reinstatement of democratic rule as the country is no longer accountable to the body. Furthermore, the actions could add fuel to the ongoing Jihadist insurgence, in West Africa, that has so far disturbed numerous presidential elections.

According to Africa Report, ECOWAS also called for Mali to appoint a new prime minister in order to carry out the 18-month long transitional government leading up to the 2022 elections. The regional body also reiterated that democratic elections cannot take place after February 27, 2022 as agreed upon. Those who currently hold government positions will not be eligible to run for the next presidential elections.

Read: UN & AU Call for Immediate Release of Malian President Bah Ndaw

ECOWAS seems to have accepted that the military is leading the country, a matter that France is not taking lightly. President Emmanuel Macron warned that France would withdraw all military reinforcements used to fight the Jihadist group as he "could not stand by a country where there is no longer any democratic legitimacy or transition".

Mali's removal from ECOWAS is yet another example of Africa's concerning inability to govern itself, even with regional bodies created to structurally support the continent. This past Tuesday, country leaders erupted into a physical fight at the Pan African Parliament (PAP) over the election of new leadership. The fight reportedly was incited by the conflict between the leaders from Western Africa and Southern Africa; a rotation of leadership was proposed. PAP is a body within the African Union which called for the release of Keita from military custody but ultimately failed to intervene in Mali's coup last week.

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Photo Credit: irontrybex

Kenyan Senator Sparks Debate About "Period Shaming"

Kenyan Senator Gloria Orwoba received opposition from colleagues after pulling off a stunt to raise awareness around "period stigma."

A Kenyan senator was relieved from her duties at the Kenyan parliament after attending a Senate hearing session wearing a white suit stained with red, in what was a menstrual activism campaign.

The senator is Gloria Orwoba and she is a part of the ruling coalition. On Tuesday afternoon, she was due to table a motion on a bill that would give out free sanitary pads to some of Kenya's underprivileged. During the session, Kenyan senators disrupted Tuesday’s afternoon senate session to draw the Speaker’s attention to Orwoba’s “inappropriate dress code."

In response to the allegations, Orwoba protested that it was unbecoming for members of the parliament to call her out because she was on her menstrual cycle.

“I am shocked that someone can stand here and say that the House has been disgraced because a woman has had her periods,” Orwoba said.

In response to her comment, Amason Kingi, Speaker of the Senate of Kenya, asked Orwoba to change her outfit before returning to the chambers.

“Having periods is never a crime… Senator Gloria, I sympathize with you that you are going through the natural act of menstruation, you have stained your wonderful suit, I’m asking you to leave so that you go change and come back with clothes that are not stained,” Kingi said, according to BBC.

According to The Star, the stain was artificial coloring, and not blood.

While talking to BBC, Orwoba said that she was proud of the stance she took in an effort to dismantle period shame.

"Since I am always advocating against period shame, I thought I should go ahead and walk the talk," Orwoba said.

Following the incident, several senators criticized her stance, stating that it was not appropriate.

Tabitha Mutinda, an active member of the senate stated that she found Orwoba's conduct uncomfortable and inappropriate.

"You don't understand if she's on the normal woman cycle or she's faking it, and it is so indecent," Mutinda said before adding that there were better ways to address the issue.

Orwoba is advocating for a motion that increase government funding for free female hygiene products and menstrual pads in all public schools, and end "period stigma." The incident at the senate building was apart of her advocacy.

In an interview with Hot 96 FM in Kenya, Orwoba said she has received hateful comments on social media since her act. So much so that she talked about stepping away from social media.

“This thing of having thick skin is not for the faint-hearted. In fact, I am really contemplating leaving Twitter…that whole cyber-bullying has gotten to me. It’s intense and it gets to you,” Orwoba said.

Music
Photo by C Brandon/Redferns

Listen to Fatoumata Diawara's New Single 'Nsera' Featuring Damon Albarn

The celebrated Malian artist will release a fuller body of work in the Spring of 2023.


Renowned Grammy-nominated Malian singer, songwriter, guitarist, and actress Fatoumata Diawara just debuted a single called "Nsera" featuring Damon Albarn (Gorillaz/Blur). The single was released along with a vibrant Gregory Ohrel-directed video.Diawara and Albarn have collaborated in the past on Albarn's Rocket Juice & The Moon.

"Nsera" is a record from Diawara's upcoming album, which will be released in the Spring of 2023. While discussing the record, Diawara stated that "Nsera" means "destination" in Bambara, the indigenous language of her home country, Mali. Diawara mentions that the mantra behind the song is "human relationships, hospitality, and generosity."

"Nsera" was jointly co-written and co-produced by Diawara with Albarn. Albarn sings and plays keyboards on the track in a way that adds serenity and melancholy to the song's ambiance.

Diawara officially released her debut album Fatou in 2011, which featured guest performances from legendary musicians John Paul Jones, Tony Allen, and Toumani Diabaté. Before her music debut, she had created a career for herself in theater and film but later delved into music.

Diawara has crafted a vibrant career for herself so far, with songs that carry significant messages and rhythm. For example, one of her albums, Fenfo, was intricately curated from sessions in Barcelona, Burkina Faso, Bamako, Paris, and Minneapolis while she was touring. Over the years, the Malian singer has become renowned for her refreshing energy on stage and her ability to breathe new life into songs during her performances.

Ten years ago, on September 2012, Diawara was part of a campaign called "30 Songs / 30 Days," an initiative that was started to support Half the Sky, a multi-platform media project inspired by Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn's book.

During the 61st Annual Grammy Awards, she received two nominations for Best World Music Album. One nomination was for her renowned 2018 album Fenfo, and the other was for Best Dance Recording for "Ultimatum," which featured electronic music duo Disclosure.

Watch the riveting music video for Diawara's "Nsera" below.

Photo Credit: Amazon

Watch the Trailer for 'Gangs of Lagos,' Amazon's First African Movie

Amazon's Gangs of Lagos will premiere on April 7th.

Nollywood is coming to Prime Video.

On Monday, the conglomerate announced that it would be releasing Gangs of Lagos, its first original African movie, on April 7th. The project, which is directed by renowned filmmaker Jáde Osiberu, features Nigerian stars like Tobi Bakare, Adesua Etomi-Wellington, Chike Osebuka, Chioma Chukwuka, and Iyabo Ojo.

The movie will follow the lives of a group of friends as they navigate the bustling streets of Lagos.

In a press release, Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu, head of Nigerian Originals at Prime Video, described the movie as a story that highlights the importance of friendship and family.

"Gangs of Lagos is a unique story about family and friendship, against the action-packed backdrop and striking set pieces of the streets of Lagos,” Mba-Uzoukwu said. “As the first Nigerian Original to launch on Prime Video, Gangs of Lagos sets the tone and standard, with the authentically Nigerian storyline in a genre that is so popular around the globe, making it a movie for our audiences at home and abroad.”

Gangs of Lagos - Official Teaser | Prime Video Naijawww.youtube.com

Located on the country's southwest coast, Lagos is the largest city in Nigeria. Over the years, the vibrant city has become known for its bustling economy, eclectic culture, and rich history. The crime drama promises to showcase the nitty gritty rumble and tumble of Lagos, as well as the authentic elements that make it one of the most renowned cities in the world.

Ned Mitchell, head of African and Middle East Originals, Prime Video said that with the roll out, Prime Video was hoping to connect with original voices.

“At Prime Video, we are looking to work with original voices to create spectacular stories and events that audiences can connect with wherever they may be,”

Mitchell said. "Gangs of Lagos launching will truly be a global cultural moment that marks the beginning of a new era in storytelling, where audiences everywhere can see the full power of Nigerian and African voices and the depths of our continued commitment to the local TV and film industry.”
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Photo by Miss Hibiscus for Getty Images

Mr. Beast and Charity In The Age Of Content

Trying to help the less fortunate in Africa can often be co-opted into commercial videos, images, and product-driven messages.

The story goes: the perfect recipe for a viral charity video in Africa is barren ground, unidentified shoeless Black children, conflicted mothers gazing off into the distance, a fly gliding over still puddles of gravel water, a white voice as an overlay, and a link to donate at the very end.

Charity and philanthropic pursuits have been part of human existence for centuries, from both a genuine human perspective and as a social and political tool to retain power and influence. As the ages pass, it might be high time to recentre the conversation about what our philanthropy looks like. When we’ve gone past the actual act of giving, what happens in and around that? For popular YouTubers, what was the process of producing the video?

For a rising politician, is there a conversation about using images of poverty-stricken communities to, yes, help, but also further an agenda?

Over the years, we have seen countless initiatives from large corporate organizations, small businesses, successful entrepreneurs, celebrities, and more recently influencers and content creators. The goal? To help people around the world. The vehicle? A photo album as evidence, a YouTube video, an Instagram reel, or some sort of visual documentation that goes beyond just the act of charity.

The common argument is that these assets could never be self-aggrandizing but are there to inspire others to either join in or make their own change. Whilst this is generally true, there is something to be said about the quality of messaging that self-proclaimed philanthropists create and maintain. What of the women, men, and children who are part and parcel of why these messages tug on the heartstrings of first-world viewers?

The following three videos are good examples of how a noble pursuit can easily devolve into something unrecognizable. Trying to help the less fortunate can often be co-opted into commercial videos, images, and product-driven messages, rather than about the dignity of the people being assisted in the first place.

Mr. Beast purchases 20,000 shoes for vulnerable South African school children

Giving 20,000 Shoes To Kids In Africayoutu.be

If you have the slightest interest in outrageous and dopamine-inducing YouTube videos, you’ve probably come across a Mr. Beast (Jimmy Donaldson) video. His titles are provocative and inviting enough for anyone to deep dive into the world of video content creation. “1000 Blind People See For The First Time,” “We Saved An Orphanage,” “We Built Wells In Africa” and “Giving 20, 000 Shoes To Kids In Africa.” If you’re interested in the well-being of humanity, these titles might drag you right to these videos. Whilst noble in pursuit, it might be time to continue asking questions.

In the “Giving 20, 000 Shoes To Kids In Africa” video, Beast Philanthropy heads to the Western Cape Province in South Africa to deliver school shoes to disadvantaged children. In partnership with the Barefoot No More organization based in South Africa, Beast Philanthropy was able to organize elaborate shoe handovers for nine different schools in the Western Cape. It can’t be argued that the children who received the school shoes were better for it, but the video itself as a mode of communication is marred with drips of hyperbole and mistruths that fracture the overall picture.

The voice-over remarks that children in South Africa often find themselves entirely shoeless and the day the Mr. Beast foundation arrived was the day many of the children received their “first pair of shoes ever.” The shots of barren land and dilapidated infrastructures harken back to the ‘right’ concoction of footage to garner sympathy from Western audiences.

The multiple close-up shots of shoeless school children leave the viewer to wonder what the process of consent from their parents and guardians was for their participation. If charity, specifically that which is directed towards African children, is the goal, then how they are represented in these videos should always be just as much of a concern.

The video has faced criticism online, with many expressing sentiments about the sensationalism of the video. To which Mr. Beast remarked on Twitter that “our charity owns this channel, I thought it’d be fun to use my fame to create a loop of helping. Film good deed, inspire millions of kids to do good, use revenue from good deed to do next good deed.” It must also be noted that Mr. Beast isn’t the first and won’t be the last to engage in this version of philanthropy.

How To Build A School In Africa With Jerry Rig Everything

How to Build a School in Africa?! - Thank YOU!!www.youtube.com

The video details the process from fundraising all the way to the construction of a school in Kenya. Zack and his wife Cambry are welcomed into the community with a warmth that isn’t uncommon in many close-knit African cities, villages, and urban areas. There’s a level of reverence, however, that the community seems to attach to the couple on their immediate arrival that elevates them to somewhat of a stately position.

The couple is gentle, thoughtful, and intentional in their interaction with the community and the documentation of school building provides an interesting perspective that not many see. Whilst the actions are commendable, what sticks out again in this video is the presence of Kenyan children in their numbers, teachers, and workers.

With the focus squarely on the couple, one almost forgets that the children and adults in the background are people and not props that go along with the sandy roads and lush terrain.

The content that comes along with this type of charity work often, whether intentionally or not, plays into the narratives of powerlessness and lack of agency in these communities that are often referred to by country or continent.

About Serving Orphans Worldwide

About Serving Orphans Worldwidewww.youtube.com

About one minute into this video the line — “the church is the solution to the orphan crisis” appears in the middle of the screen. The viewer sees elegant montages of children from different countries interacting with each other. A representative of Serving Orphans Worldwide remarks that in addition to assistance from their organization, they offer an opportunity for children to grow in their relationship with Christ.

Again we see a promotional video that’s extremely intentional with the messaging in the voice-over narration, choice of camera shots, and overall tone. The agenda is clear — to assist vulnerable children without families from across the globe, but also to promote a Christian message. Whilst it might be noble in intent, what does it mean to offer refuge that comes with subtle conditions?

Countless people around the world benefit from the charity of organizations, people, and leaders. At the same time, in a continent with hundreds of indigenous faiths, why are African children being pointed to faith as their way out of poverty? In a country like South Africa, why are townships being referred to as rural areas? How does an umbrella remark like, “these are their first pair of shoes ever,” make it into the final cut of the video?

Do we forego asking questions about the presence of a well-meaning white man in the building of a school just because he was part of financing it? To say there are only problems and that there’s nothing to be done might be the easy way out. It is possible for content creators and organizations who use video as their method of promotion for charity and philanthropy, to do it better.

When creating content for charity, the Devil is in the details

When you travel to countries in Africa, say their names in your video. If your beneficiaries struggle to speak English, get a translator, subtitle your video, and tell viewers what language they’re speaking. If you feel like you need dozens of children in your video, get consent from each and every one of their guardians — and if that doesn’t strike you as important, ask yourself why.

If you’re going to use a voice-over for narration, make sure that it’s accurate. When you’re filming shots and b-roll to support your video, think about whether you might be sensationalizing the content to pander to your audience at the cost of the people you’re trying to help. I’d like to think that poverty and displacement can never be a reason for anyone’s personal autonomy, dignity, and choice to be ignored.

In a world where content creation and philanthropy continue to intersect, the devil will always be in the details.

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