Leaders of Africa's This Week

On This Week, Guinea witnessed a coup against Alpha Condé. We discuss the proliferation of coups and coup attempts, as well as the implications for democracy. At the center of the debate is how well are the African Union and the Regional Economic Communities doing with deterring not just condemning coups? The debate brings great disagreements among the co-hosts. Also, on This Week, Tanzania accepts a loan from the International Monetary Fund for COVID-19 mitigation efforts and to support the economy, and insects are being used as a sustainable option for animal food.

News Quiz Music: Accralate by Kevin MacLeod, Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3336-accralate, License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

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Tanzanian president Samia Suluhu Hassan recently shared her thoughts about women on the Tanzanian football team and their prospects for marriage, with mixed reactions from the players and gender rights activists. Then, in South Africa, Roemello Shembe works to merge his passion for fighting gang culture with entrepreneurship in Eldorado Park. Finally, a trial opens to examine "hidden debts" accrued in Mozambique. We discuss these top stories from the week's news on this episode of This Week.

News Quiz Music: Accralate by Kevin MacLeod, Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3336-accralate, License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

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This week activists announced a boycott of the United Nations Food Systems Summit. Despite the UN's efforts to suggest that the summit will be inclusive and give voice to small-scale farmers, many farmers and farm workers associations believe that the summit will represent dominant stakeholders in food systems. Large agricultural businesses control global food systems from feed to seed. But, has this yielded resilient food systems and an end to hunger? Summits are the story of the week. This week saw a controversy involving the President of Malawi, Lazarus Chakwera. The pastor turned president came to office on an anti-corruption platform, but now Chakwera is facing claims of nepotism as he travels to the virtual Global Education Summit. Finally, Tunisia's president Kais Saied suspends the Tunisian parliament in a burgeoning political crisis that threatens the normal constitutional order in the country.

News Quiz Music: Accralate by Kevin MacLeod, Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3336-accralate, License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

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This week South Africa witnessed large protests with significant looting and violence, with the jailing of former president Jacob Zuma. What are the causes of the protests? Are Zuma's supporters justified in their defense of the former president? We also discuss growing cyber security threats and vulnerabilities for African countries and globally. Inspired by a piece by Nathaniel Allen and Noëlle van der Waag-Cowling for the Brookings Institution, we talk about infrastructural and data sovereignty as part of the solution. Finally, we all danced to Jerusalema, particularly while under pandemic lockdown. Why is the song causing a rift between the artists Master KG and Nomcebo Zikode? We don't take sides in the dispute, but we do discuss it.

News Quiz Music: Accralate by Kevin MacLeod, Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3336-accralate, License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

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On This Week, we discuss ongoing protests and a government crackdown in Eswatini. With the monarchy seemingly unpopular (83% reject rule by an absolute monarchy according to the most recent Afrobarometer survey), we discuss the options for King Mswati III and what is underlying the protests. We also consider gender in the digital divide and the efforts of Gloria Tumushabe to encourage computer coding in Uganda. Finally, we turn back to protests, this time looking at the #FixTheCountry movement in Ghana.

News Quiz Music: Accralate by Kevin MacLeod, Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3336-accralate, License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

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On This Week, we discuss the continuing Twitter ban in Nigeria and its impact on business in the country. Many business owners have claimed that their business is losing revenue on a daily basis during the Twitter ban. But, does the Twitter ban reveal the Nigerian government's objective to regulate behavior and commerce on social media platforms? We also reflect on the legacy of Kenneth Kaunda, the former president of Zambia, who passed away this week. It seems possible to have life after power and transfer power peacefully. Finally, in Botswana, there are celebrations over a very special find. One of the largest large diamonds was just found and it highlights the important role of natural resource governance.

Great piece on Kenneth Kauda by Sishuwa Sishuwa and Nic Cheeseman: https://mg.co.za/africa/2021-06-17-zambias-kenneth-kaunda-was-the-last-of-africas-philosopher-kings/

News Quiz Music: Accralate by Kevin MacLeod, Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3336-accralate, License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

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The Namibian and German governments announced a deal for "reparations." But, many Namibians feel the process did not consult local communities, mainly the Hereros and Namas, affected by the genocide in the early 1900s. What is the meaning of reparations? Who has the right to determine the punishment for the brutal legacy of colonialism? Our second story comes from the arrest of Amos Sewanu Omotade-Sparks by Nigeria's Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. He allegedly ran a ponzi scheme with a new cryptocurrency of his making called Pinkoin. Now, there are new cryptocurrencies gaining popularity, including Zugacoin. We discuss the growing nexus between the scam economy and the unregulated world of cryptocurrencies. We end this episode with a reflection on maintaining local languages despite pressures not to do so. Join the conversation on the Leaders of Africa Discord Server and tell us what is on your mind and follow the podcast on leadersofafrica.org.

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It all begins with the question… what is on your mind? Leaders of Africa’s This Week is a podcast that brings you conversations about Africa in the news from pop culture to politics, from the comical to the serious and all corners of Africa. We bring you controversial news and themes with a fresh, educational, informative, and diverse perspective and challenge long-standing beliefs and ways of thinking and doing things. Expect a new episode every two weeks. Join the conversation on the Leaders of Africa Discord Server and tell us what is on your mind and follow the podcast on leadersofafrica.org.

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