Jean Sovon – Global Voices https://globalvoices.org Citizen media stories from around the world Sat, 07 Dec 2024 04:35:13 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.6.2 Citizen media stories from around the world Jean Sovon – Global Voices false Jean Sovon – Global Voices webmaster@globalvoices.org Creative Commons Attribution, see our Attribution Policy for details. Creative Commons Attribution, see our Attribution Policy for details. podcast Citizen media stories from around the world Jean Sovon – Global Voices https://globalvoices.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/gv-podcast-logo-2022-icon-square-2400-GREEN.png https://globalvoices.org In Burkina Faso, the artist Fasky uses photography to promote resilience and social engagement https://globalvoices.org/2024/12/08/in-burkina-faso-the-artist-fasky-uses-photography-to-promote-resilience-and-social-engagement/ https://globalvoices.org/2024/12/08/in-burkina-faso-the-artist-fasky-uses-photography-to-promote-resilience-and-social-engagement/#respond Sun, 08 Dec 2024 04:24:56 +0000 https://globalvoices.org/?p=824760 In Africa, the COVID-19 pandemic did not result in lockdown

Originally published on Global Voices

One of Fasky's photographs at sn exhibition showcasing his work during the Récréâtrales festival. In this photo, a young woman is weaving a traditional Burkinabe loincloth. Photo by Joel Hevi, used with permission.

Across Africa, art events serve as powerful platforms for activists seeking to raise awareness about social issues and human rights.

Zerbo Siaka, also known as Fasky, is a photographic artist from Burkina Faso operating at the intersection of artistic expression and activist movements. The artist is also the director of the association Photo’age. Through this association, he is dedicated to passing on his photographic expertise to the next generation. His exhibition at the 13th edition of the cultural festival ‘Les Récréâtrales’ — a pan-African space for writing, creation, research, and theatrical dissemination — exemplifies the positive impact art can have on society.

A long-time participant in this significant gathering, Fasky shared his perspectives with Global Voices during Les Récréâtrales, explaining how he uses his photography as a tool to foster resilience and encourage social engagement.

Fasky. Photo by Joel Hevi, used with permission.

Joel Hevi (JH): Could you tell us about what inspired your journey into photography and your role within the Photo’Age association?

Fasky (F): Je suis Zerbo Siaka alias Fasky, photographe originaire de Bobo-Dioulasso, au Burkina Faso. Mon parcours en photographie a débuté par hasard. Au départ, je rêvais d’être rappeur, mais j’ai découvert la photographie en accompagnant des amis français impliqués dans une association au Burkina Faso. Ils m’ont offert un appareil photo, et c’est à ce moment-là que la photographie est devenue pour moi une passion. Aujourd’hui, au sein de l'association Photot'age, je transmets cet art aux jeunes, y compris les enfants déplacés internes, pour qu’ils puissent s’exprimer par l’image et montrer leur réalité.

Fasky (F): I am Zerbo Siaka, also known as Fasky, a photographer from Bobo-Dioulasso in Burkina Faso. My journey into photography happened by chance. Initially, I aspired to be a rapper, but my path changed when I discovered photography while accompanying some French friends who were part of an association in Burkina Faso. They gifted me a camera, and that’s when photography became my passion. Today, through Photo’Age, I share this art with the younger generation, including internally displaced children, helping them to express themselves and showcase their realities.

JH: You presented a series of portraits of women at Les Récréâtrales. What message are you hoping to share through these woman-centric pieces?

F : Cela fait quatre ans que je participe aux Récréâtrales. Au fil du temps, j’ai eu la chance de tisser des liens forts avec les femmes que je photographie, dont la majorité sont des déplacées internes [à cause des multiples violences engendrées par les attaques terroristes]. Le thème de mon exposition, “Nous Vaincrons”, reflète leur résilience dans un contexte de crise. Ce sont des femmes qui, malgré tout, gardent espoir et luttent pour leur dignité. À travers leurs portraits, j’invite les visiteurs à voir leur force et leur vulnérabilité. Mon souhait est qu’on perçoive, au-delà de leurs visages, une humanité qui touche et inspire.

F: For four years now, I have taken part in Les Récréâtrales. During this time, I have been fortunate to build strong connections with the women I photograph, most of whom are internally displaced [due to the widespread violence caused by terrorist attacks]. The theme of my exhibition, ‘We Shall Overcome,’ reflects their resilience in the face of crisis. These are women who, despite everything, hold on to hope and fight for their dignity. Through their portraits, I invite visitors to witness their strength and vulnerability. My hope is that beyond their faces, one can see a moving and inspiring humanity.

A Fasky exhibit during Les Récréâtrales. Photo by Joel Hevi, used with permission.

JH: Do you hope to initiate a dialogue about gender equality? What potential impacts could arise beyond the aesthetic appeal of your work?

F: Absolument, la photographie est pour moi un acte politique et social. Ces portraits sont une prise de parole pour l’égalité des genres, pour rendre hommage à ces femmes fortes et à leurs combats. Mon espoir est de créer une prise de conscience, de montrer leur force et de rappeler l’urgence de l’égalité. Si mes images peuvent ouvrir un débat, susciter l’envie de défendre les droits de ces femmes, alors elles auront rempli leur mission.

F: Definitely, photography is for me a political and social act. These portraits are a statement advocating for gender equality and a tribute to these strong women and their struggles. I hope to raise awareness, to showcase their strength, and to emphasize the urgency of achieving equality. If my photographs can spark a debate and motivate others to stand up for these women's rights, they will have achieved their goal.

JH: What role does the Photo’Age association play in the West African photographic landscape, and which recent projects are especially close to your heart?

F: Photot’Age représente un espace de partage et d’expression pour moi. Avec des jeunes et des enfants déplacés, notamment à travers le projet Terre Ceinte [projet culturel et artistique au service de la lutte contre l’extrémisme violent], nous leur enseignons la photographie comme moyen de raconter leurs histoires. C’est aussi une manière de construire une autre image d’eux-mêmes, de revendiquer leurs réalités et leurs droits. On appelle cela le photographivisme [Photographie + Activisme] – un engagement à faire de l’image un levier de changement social.

F: For me, Photo’Age serves as a platform for expression and exchange. Through initiatives like the Terre Ceinte [Fortified Earth] project [a cultural and artistic project aimed at combating violent extremism], we teach photography to young people and displaced children as a way for them to tell their stories. This approach allows them to redefine how they see themselves, claim their realities, and advocate for their rights. This is what we call ‘photographivism’ [photography + activism] — a commitment to using imagery as a catalyst for social change.

JH: You will soon be participating in the Month of Photography in Grenoble. What are your expectations for this event?

F: Participer au Mois de la Photo à Grenoble représente pour moi une occasion précieuse de partager une vision authentique et souvent méconnue de l'Afrique. Mon projet Reconfinement, qui illustre la manière dont le confinement, imposé par la pandémie, n’a jamais vraiment existé en Afrique, est une réflexion sur la résilience et la vie quotidienne. Ce projet cherche à créer une véritable connexion humaine, en invitant le public à comprendre que, pour beaucoup en Afrique, la survie quotidienne rend les confinements physiques et mentaux presque impossibles à imaginer.

Je m’attends à ce que le public français, habitué à des représentations plus stéréotypées ou occidentalisées de l’Afrique, réagisse avec réflexion face à cette réalité brute. En présentant ces images de résilience et de quotidien, je souhaite que les spectateurs soient confrontés à un autre regard sur l’Afrique, loin des clichés, mais profondément ancré dans les réalités humaines et sociales.

Cette exposition collective à La Rampe, aux côtés d’artistes comme Jean-Claude Partouche, Sophie Romettino et bien d’autres, me semble être un cadre idéal pour amorcer ce dialogue. L’un des aspects les plus intéressants de cet événement est justement l'échange, mais aussi sur les histoires humaines qui se cachent derrière chaque image. Je crois que cette expérience sera enrichissante, tant pour les spectateurs que pour nous, les artistes.

F: Taking part in the Month of Photography in Grenoble, France is a unique opportunity for me to share an authentic and often overlooked perspective of Africa. My project Reconfinement [Re-Lockdown], which explores how the pandemic-imposed lockdown was never truly experienced in Africa, offers a reflection on resilience and everyday life. The goal of this project is to establish a true human connection, encouraging the public to understand that for many in Africa, the realities of daily survival make physical and mental lockdowns almost unimaginable.

I expect the French audience, often exposed to more stereotypical or Westernized representations of Africa, to respond thoughtfully to this unfiltered reality. By showcasing these images of resilience and everyday life, I hope to challenge viewers with a different perspective on Africa — one that moves away from clichés and is deeply rooted in human and social realities.

This collective exhibition at La Rampe, alongside artists such as Jean-Claude Partouche, Sophie Romettino, and many others, feels like the perfect setting to initiate this dialogue. One of the most fascinating aspects of this event is the exchange it fosters, as well as the human stories behind each image. I believe this experience will be enriching for both the audience and us, the artists.

JH: Your photographic style conveys an intimate connection with your subjects. How do you manage to establish this trust, especially in often challenging situations?

F : La confiance est essentielle dans mon travail. Les femmes que je photographie me connaissent, nous avons tissé des liens au fil du temps. Le projet Terre Ceinte m’a permis de comprendre leurs vies et de gagner leur confiance. Avant de capturer leur image, j’écoute, je respecte leur histoire. C’est ce lien qui transparaît dans leurs regards sur mes photos – une sincérité que seules la patience et l’écoute peuvent créer.

F: Trust is at the heart of my work. The women I photograph know me; we have built relationships over time. The Terre Ceinte project allowed me to understand their lives and earn their trust. Before taking their pictures, I listen and respect their stories. This bond is reflected in their expressions in my photos — a sincerity that only patience and attentive listening can bring to life.

JH: What message do you hope to convey with your exhibitions?

F: Le message est universel : notre humanité nous relie. Les défis de Ouagadougou ne sont pas si différents de ceux de Grenoble. Mes expositions cherchent à créer un pont entre les cultures, à rappeler que, malgré nos différences, nous partageons des espoirs et des luttes communes. J’espère que les visiteurs sortiront de l’exposition avec une nouvelle perspective, un respect pour ces vies qui, bien que lointaines, leur sont finalement proches dans leur humanité.

F: The message is universal: our shared humanity connects us. The challenges in Ouagadougou are not so different from those in Grenoble. Through my exhibitions I aim to build a bridge between cultures, reminding us that despite our differences, we share common hopes and struggles. I hope visitors leave the exhibition with a fresh perspective and a newfound respect for lives that, while distant, are ultimately close to them in their shared humanity.

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Togolese expert Kofi Sika Latzoo explains the video game industry's impact on the African economy https://globalvoices.org/2024/11/15/togolese-expert-kofi-sika-latzoo-explains-the-video-game-industrys-impact-on-the-african-economy/ https://globalvoices.org/2024/11/15/togolese-expert-kofi-sika-latzoo-explains-the-video-game-industrys-impact-on-the-african-economy/#respond Fri, 15 Nov 2024 02:00:15 +0000 https://globalvoices.org/?p=821017 The video game market in Africa is estimated to be worth 2.14 billion US dollars in 2024.

Originally published on Global Voices

Senegalese journalists participate in virtual reality training at the 2016 Gamecamp Summer in Dakar; photo by Kofi Sika Latzoo, used with permission.

As a highly innovative sector that generates new jobs, the creative economy encompasses several fields today, including music, art, cinema, and video games. The latter alone generates billions of US dollars within the African market.

According to the report Africa Gaming Market Size (2024–2029) by Mordor Intelligence, a consultancy and market research firm, the video game market in Africa is estimated to be worth over USD 2.14 billion in 2024. This figure could reach USD 3.72 billion by 2029.

Video games have strong appeal among African youth — of the continent’s 1.6 billion inhabitants, over 400 million are between the ages of 15 and 35. Gaming is not merely a pastime; it can also be a real profession, known as esports, which includes its own rules, tournaments, prize money, and international competitions, like the Olympics Esports Games set to be held in Saudi Arabia in 2025. To explore the significance of this industry, Global Voices spoke with Kofi Sika Latzoo, a Togolese expert based in Senegal.

Kofi Sika Latzoo; photo used with permission

Kofi is certified in creative industries entrepreneurship by the British Council, holds credentials in Social Impact Gamification, and has received an award from Microsoft for innovative educational expertise. A pioneer in Africa’s creative industries and art digitisation, he founded Gamecampcities Agency in 2012, an agency promoting video games and esports. He has been teaching esports management for seven years at Kedge Business School, on the Bordeaux and Paris campuses, and at Bem Africa in Dakar and Abidjan.

Jean Sovon (JS): Which African countries are leading in added value within the video game industry?

Kofi Sika Latzoo (KSL): En premier lieu, l'Afrique du Sud, qui est l'un des premiers pays africains à ériger des studios de développement de jeux vidéo: Free Live, l'un des plus anciens studios de développement de jeux vidéo sur le continent. C'est aussi l'un des rares pays à développer une fédération e-sport et le premier à faire partie des grandes instances de gouvernance de l'e-sport mondial. D’autres pays comme la Tunisie, l'Égypte, le Maroc, le Zimbabwe, le Ghana, et le Sénégal, qui est l'un des rares marchés francophones sont très dynamiques. Le Sénégal est aussi l'un des rares pays à avoir un cadre légal depuis 2020 pour la structuration de l'e-sport: le jeu vidéo compétitif et le développement de jeu vidéo. Le Togo aussi est en train de se structurer avec une fédération fraîchement naissante. De nombreux pays africains vont participer aux Jeux Olympiques e-sport en Arabie Saoudite: le Sénégal, le Maroc, le Togo, l'Égypte, la Tunisie, l'Afrique du Sud, la Zambie, le Zimbabwe, la Côte d'Ivoire, le Cap Vert, l’île Maurice, et le Kenya.

Kofi Sika Latzoo (KSL): Firstly, South Africa leads the way, being among the first African nations to have set up video game development studios, including Free Live, one of the oldest studios on the continent. It is also one of the few countries to establish an esports federation and the first to be part of major global esports governance bodies. Other countries, including Tunisia, Egypt, Morocco, Zimbabwe, Ghana, and Senegal — one of the rare French-speaking markets — are highly dynamic as well. Senegal is also one of the few countries to have a legal framework since 2020 for structuring esports, including competitive gaming and video game development. Togo, too, is organising itself with a newly established federation. Numerous African countries will participate in the Olympics Esports Games in Saudi Arabia, including Senegal, Morocco, Togo, Egypt, Tunisia, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Côte d'Ivoire, Cape Verde, Mauritius and Kenya.

JS: Do players actually benefit financially, or are they just consumers?

KSL : Il y a trois niveaux: amateurs, semi-professionnels et les professionnels et il faut être au second niveau pour bénéficier des retombées financières. Les amateurs se font connaître des différents tournois dans leurs pays. Ils passent ensuite à la seconde étape et deviennent des joueurs semi-professionnels. Ils commencent par avoir des jeux de prédilection. Il faut savoir qu'il y a 15 disciplines d'e-sport. A partir de ce moment-là, ils cherchent une marque qui va les sponsoriser et leur permettre de grandir. De là, ils peuvent voyager pour aller à des compétitions régionales ou à l'international.

En Afrique, plus de 90% des joueurs sont semi-pro. C'est très rare de voir un joueur pro, car cela veut dire que déjà vous n'avez pas un seul sponsor, mais plusieurs sponsors et vous êtes sous contrat. Tout autour de vous est contrôlé et vous faites des rapports réguliers à vos sponsors. Il n’existe que moins de 20 équipes professionnelles dans le monde, et 80% d'entre-elles qui arrivent à atteindre des évaluations de 10 à 30 millions de dollars [américains] , sont aux États-Unis. Il y en a une seule en Espagne, en France, en Angleterre et quelques-unes au Brésil.

Sur le continent, la majorité des équipes professionnelles et semi-professionnelles se trouve en Afrique du Sud avec des équipes comme Goliath Gaming. Il y en a aussi au Maroc, en Tunisie. On commence à avoir des équipes en Zambie avec la Team Gematrix qui arrive à avoir des tournois même jusqu'à Las Vegas. Il y a également une très bonne équipe au Sénégal, XamXamLions que j'ai créée moi-même en 2016 qui a déjà à son actif deux qualifications olympiques avec des joueurs sur contrat.

KSL: There are three levels — amateurs, semi-professionals, and professionals — and you need to be at the second level to benefit financially. Amateurs gain recognition through various tournaments in their countries. They then move on to the next stage and become semi-professional players, when often they start to specialise in their favourite games. Keep in mind that there are 15 esports disciplines, so at this stage, players seek out a sponsor to help them grow, enabling them to travel for regional or international competitions.

In Africa, over 90 percent of players are semi-professional. It’s very rare to see a professional player, as this requires not just one but multiple sponsors, as well as being under contract. Everything around you is closely managed, and you regularly report to your sponsors. There are fewer than 20 professional teams worldwide, and 80 percent of those valued between USD 10 and 30 million are based in the United States. There is only one team in Spain, in France, and in England, and a few in Brazil.

On the continent, most professional and semi-professional teams are based in South Africa, with teams like Goliath Gaming. There are also teams in Morocco and Tunisia. Zambia is starting to see growth as well, with Team Gematrix participating in tournaments as far as Las Vegas. Senegal also boasts a strong team, XamXamLions, which I founded in 2016 and which has already achieved two Olympic qualifications with contracted players.

JS: What is the contribution of the video game economy to the development of the African continent?

KSL : Le jeu vidéo est un marché de 800 milliards de dollars [américains] d'offres en Afrique. Mais pour avoir une vision globale de l'approche, le jeu vidéo, en termes d'industrie mondiale, c'est 300 milliards de dollars américains annuels de marché. Et l'e-sport, c'est un milliard de dollars de marché.

L'engouement pour la discipline est en train de se généraliser au niveau global et l'Afrique ne doit pas être en reste pour la simple raison que l'Afrique détient la plus jeune population. C'est le continent qui a la capacité de tout consommer et de tout créer. Les pays en tête sont l'Afrique du Sud et le Maroc. Au Maroc, l'opérateur Télécom Invi crée depuis 2012 des hackathons pour détecter des talents de développeurs de jeux ; embauche ces talents pour créer des jeux vidéo mobiles qui vont être lancés pendant la période du Ramadan. Invi détient déjà trois ligues e-sport au Maroc: une ligue professionnelle, une ligue universitaire et une ligue pour enfants. Il y a là une stratégie qui a été pensée et des investissements.

KSL: The video game market offers a USD 1.3 billion opportunity in Africa. For a broader perspective, the global video game industry is a USD 300-billion annual market, while esports alone represents a one-billion-dollar market.

The enthusiasm for this discipline is spreading globally, and Africa must keep pace, especially as it has the world’s youngest population. It’s a continent with the potential to consume and create on a large scale. Leading the way are South Africa and Morocco.

In Morocco, the telecom operator has been organising hackathons since 2012 to scout talented game developers and hiring them to create mobile video games that are released during Ramadan. Inwi already hosts three esports leagues in Morocco: a professional league, a university league, and a children’s league. This reflects a well-thought-out strategy and substantial investment.

JS: What is the relationship between sports and e-sports? And where does Togo, your home country, stand in this field?

KSL : Pas mal de figures sportives ont un intérêt pour la discipline et s'impliquent. Un très bon exemple est le cas de David Beckham, qui est propriétaire d'un club e-sport qui s'appelle Guild, alors qu'il détient aussi un club de football à Miami, où joue Lionel Messi.

Je pense qu'il y a une forte relation entre le sport et l’e-sport. On a même tendance à voir les deux fusionner, comme l'événement qu'on appelle les Jeux du Futur ou Games of Futures, qui est l'événement phygital qui implique des disciplines digitales comme des disciplines sportives et physiques. Le Bénin était présent à ces jeux du futur avec son équipe de basketball, et celle d’e-basketball ( le basketball en mode jeu vidéo).

Parlant du Togo, c’est une nation qui a un potentiel avéré, disposant plus de 32 salles de jeu dans la capitale Lomé, et une première participation à des championnats du monde organisés par Alibaba en 2016 sur les disciplines Hearthstone ( jeu de cartes en ligne). Le pays a aussi obtenu la médaille d'or aux derniers Jeux africains qui ont inclus de l'e-sport au Ghana. De plus, le président de l'association e-sport France est un franco-togolais.  Je suis moi-même, Togolais basé au Sénégal, professeur d'e-sport certifié avec plus de 100 événements produits dans le domaine du jeu vidéo et du jeu vidéo compétitif en Afrique. Le président de la fédération du Togo est un ancien formé par l'agence Gamecampcities. Nous avons donc tous les ingrédients possibles pour avoir une nation e-sport forte. Le Togo est aussi membre de la confédération africaine d’esports (CASE) dont le siège est basé au Sénégal. La CASE compte aujourd’hui 30 pays et a comme partenaire le géant informatique HP.

KSL: Quite a few sports figures are showing interest in the discipline and getting involved. A prime example is David Beckham, who owns an esports club called Guild, while also owning a football club in Miami, where Lionel Messi plays.

I think there is a close relationship between traditional sports and esports. We’re even beginning to see a fusion of the two, as with the event known as the Games of the Future, a phygital event blending digital disciplines with physical and athletic sports. Benin was represented at these Games of the Future with both its basketball team and its ebasketball team (basketball in video game form).

Speaking of Togo, it is a nation with proven potential. the capital, Lomé, counts over 32 gaming centres, and the country made its debut at the World Championships organised by Alibaba in 2016 in the Hearthstone (online card game) discipline. The country also won the gold medal at the last African Games, which included esports, held in Ghana. Additionally, the president of France's esports association is Franco-Togolese. I am myself Togolese, based in Senegal, a certified esports instructor, and I have produced over 100 events in video gaming and competitive gaming across Africa. The president of Togo’s federation is a former trainee of the Gamecampcities agency. We have all the necessary elements to build a strong esports nation. Togo is also a member of the African Esports Confederation (CASE), whose headquarters are in Senegal. CASE now includes 30 countries and has the tech giant HP as a partner.

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West and Central Africa flooded despite minor role in climate change https://globalvoices.org/2024/10/28/west-and-central-africa-flooded-despite-minor-role-in-climate-change/ https://globalvoices.org/2024/10/28/west-and-central-africa-flooded-despite-minor-role-in-climate-change/#respond Mon, 28 Oct 2024 15:20:00 +0000 https://globalvoices.org/?p=822923 Solutions exist but are not implemented

Originally published on Global Voices

Image of houses submerged in water in the Far North Region of Cameroon. Screenshot from the video “Report on Cameroon: The devastating impact of flooding” on the France24 YouTube channel. Fair use.

Climate change affects many African countries. Every rainy season, recurrent flooding plunges their populations into chaos, resulting in hundreds of deaths and thousands of displaced people.

Africa’s rainy seasons typically last from May to October, with peaks in July and August. However, these seasons no longer follows the typical pattern, with rainfall becoming increasingly frequent and heavier. From July through September 2024, West and Central Africa experienced several devastating torrential downpours.

In an interview with French media outlet France 24, Aida Diongue-Niang, a climatologist and vice-president of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), explained why. According to this Senegalese expert, the magnitude of the problem is a direct consequence of increased rainfall variability due to climate change:

A domino effect leading to humanitarian disaster

Major cities are often on the water’s edge, and torrential rain and flooding can cause dams and houses to collapse. The situation is usually devastating. According to UN figures quoted by the Turkish news agency Anadolu Agency, flooding has affected some 700,000 people in these two African regions.

This France 24 report describes the situation in Chad. Since July, over 1.7 million people have been affected, and 503 have died.

On September 26, 2024, the  International Organization for Migration (IOM) published a report on the devastating impact, stating:

(…) des déluges d’eau ont ravagé des régions entières, faisant plus de 1 500 victimes, affectant 4 millions de personnes et déplaçant plus de 1,2 million d'individus à travers le Burkina Faso, le Cameroun, le Tchad, la Guinée, le Mali, le Nigeria et le Niger.  

(…) Floods have devastated entire regions, affecting some 4 million people, killing more than 1,500, and displacing 1.2 million others across Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Guinea, Mali, Nigeria, and Niger.  

Sylvia Ekra, the IOM regional director for West and Central Africa, stated:

Nous n’avions jamais connu d’inondations comme celles de cette année. Elles nous confrontent brutalement aux répercussions des changements climatiques, qui sont de plus en plus importantes dans notre région. Nos équipes travaillent sans relâche sur le terrain pour soutenir les communautés affectées et les autorités locales. Même si nous aidons les pays à mieux se préparer aux situations d'urgence toute l'année, l'ampleur de la situation actuelle exige un financement supplémentaire urgent pour répondre aux besoins immédiats et à plus long terme.

These floods were unprecedented. They were a brutal reminder of climate change’s increasingly profound impact on our region. Our teams work tirelessly to support the affected communities and local authorities. Although we help countries better prepare for emergencies all year round, the current situation requires additional emergency funding to meet the immediate and long-term needs.

Although climate change has already wreaked havoc on the continent’s crops, the humanitarian crisis will likely worsen in these countries. Recurrent flooding has destroyed harvests in societies where rural populations often account for over 70 percent of the general population. For example, more than 400,000 hectares of farmland have been destroyed in Chad. Given such circumstances, food security is no longer guaranteed, thus depriving communities of their basic means of survival. Media outlet Tchad Info quotes the prime minister of Chad, Allah-Maye Halina, as saying:

(…) Ces inondations ont détruit déjà plus de 250.000 hectares de culture, provoqué la perte de 60.000 têtes de bétail et causé des dommages considérables sur des milliers de maisons, des écoles, des centres de santé et des infrastructures publiques.

(…) These floods have already destroyed over 250,000 hectares of crops, killed 60,000 heads of cattle, and damaged thousands of houses, schools, health centers, and public facilities.

The UN World Food Programme (WFP) has expressed concern over the high number of people facing hunger and needing assistance:

Cette hausse inquiétante des besoins humanitaires survient dans un contexte de crise de la faim régionale qui touche déjà 55 millions de personnes, soit quatre fois plus qu'il y a cinq ans.

This alarming rise in humanitarian needs comes amid a regional hunger crisis already affecting 55 million people, four times more than five years ago.

In its report, the International Organization for Migration warns of potential disease risks:

En Afrique de l'Ouest et en Afrique centrale, les inondations ont exacerbé les problèmes sanitaires. La stagnation de l'eau et les mauvaises conditions sanitaires ont augmenté le risque de maladies liées à l’eau telles que le choléra, tandis que les infrastructures endommagées, telles que les routes, ont limité l'accès aux zones touchées, ce qui complique l’arrivée de l’aide humanitaire.

Floods have exacerbated health problems in West and Central Africa. Stagnant water and poor sanitation have increased the risk of water-borne diseases, such as cholera. Damaged infrastructure, such as roads, has restricted access to affected areas, thus hindering the delivery of humanitarian aid.

Known solutions not implemented

In a BBC article, Moussa Malam Abdou, a Nigerian geographer and lecturer at the André-Salifou University in Zinder, Niger, explained the solutions to this growing problem. According to Moussa, we must reduce greenhouse gas emissions by regulating human behavior: 

(…) Il faut tout faire pour accroître la rétention et l’infiltration des eaux à l’échelle des bassins et des aménagements intégrés, notamment des ouvrages d’écrêtement, comme les barrages de seuil et de retenu. Cela passe aussi par la restauration des sols.

Il faut éviter l’occupation des zones inondables et respecter les normes urbanistiques. Il faut aussi actualiser et respecter également les normes hydrologiques de dimensionnement des ouvrages hydrauliques.

(…) We must try to increase water retention and infiltration through basins and flood control structures, such as weirs and check dams. This is also achieved through soil restoration.

We must avoid occupying flood-prone areas and respect urban planning regulations. We must also update and comply with the hydrological design standards of hydraulic structures.

The World Food Programme also argues there should be investments in proactive measures, such as early warning systems, disaster risk financing, and social protection systems. Margot Van der Velden, the WFP regional director for West and Central Africa, stated:

Les actions anticipatoires sont une clé essentielle pour débloquer une aide humanitaire plus efficiente, plus efficace et tournée vers l'avenir. Elles peuvent sauver des vies, préserver la dignité des personnes et offrir des opportunités d'investissement financier significatives.

Proactive measures are essential in making more effective, efficient, and future-oriented humanitarian aid available. They can save lives, preserve dignity, and provide significant financial investment opportunities.

In some countries, the lack of large dams to regulate water flow rates in rainy seasons has profound implications. Despite repeated promises to build such infrastructure, this is yet to happen.

Tired of waiting, the people often make their frustration known. In a BBC interview, Aline Taryam, a Chadian student living in the Chari River region (a Central African river located between Chad, Cameroon, and Central Africa), said:

Cela fait plus d'un an que nous attendons la construction de ce barrage, mais rien. Cette année, nous allons souffrir des eaux de pluie. Quand on voit ce barrage, il ne tient même pas debout. C'est un gaspillage d'argent.

We have been waiting more than a year for this dam to be built, but nothing much has happened. This year’s rain will severely affect us. Looking at the dam, it’s no good and a waste of money.

Tensions are also high in Nigeria, another West African country affected by flooding. According to the BBC, government authorities promised to build a dam in Adamawa State, northeastern Nigeria, to prevent water overflows. However, nothing has materialized. A resident explained:

Le gouvernement nous avait promis un barrage, mais deux ans après le lancement du projet, rien n'a été fait.

The government promised us a dam, but two years after the project’s launch, nothing has happened.

Climate change has taken a considerable toll on Africa. Although it remains the least polluting continent, accounting for less than 5 percent of global emissions, Africa is becoming increasingly vulnerable to the devastating effects of climate change.

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The quest for European visas in Africa: A financial gamble https://globalvoices.org/2024/10/16/the-quest-for-european-visas-in-africa-a-financial-gamble/ https://globalvoices.org/2024/10/16/the-quest-for-european-visas-in-africa-a-financial-gamble/#respond Wed, 16 Oct 2024 10:13:21 +0000 https://globalvoices.org/?p=821575 Senegal’s average monthly income is USD 140, but visas cost over USD 100

Originally published on Global Voices

Every year, thousands of African citizens try their luck on the legal immigration pathways to Europe. However, most are unsuccessful. Their difficulties with European embassies have created a black market where intermediaries sell visa interview appointments at inflated prices.

In 2022, a BBC investigation revealed that a large percentage of young people in Africa intend to leave the continent to pursue a better life in the West. Although many initiatives, such as media campaigns, awareness-raising, and educational activities, discourage illegal immigration practices, most citizens are denied their visas upon paying eye-watering application fees. For example, Senegal’s average monthly income is USD 140, but a European visa alone can cost more than EUR 90 (USD 100).

In 2023, Africans spent an estimated EUR 54 million  (USD 60 million) on unsuccessful visa applications for the Schengen Zone. This mini-documentary by the social media publisher AJ+ of the Al Jazeera Media Network sheds some light on the situation:

In this mini-documentary, the AJ+ journalist Rémy Nsabimana states that European Union countries have orchestrated strategies to make life difficult for many visa applicants, especially those from Africa. He wonders whether now is the time for African countries to enforce visa reciprocity since European citizens don’t currently require visas to enter countries on this continent. According to a BBC article, this is a lucrative business that European nations have established:

Schengen News indique dans ses statistiques qu’en 2023, les ressortissants africains ont reçu 704 000 réponses négatives à leurs demandes de visa. Ce nombre de visas refusés représente 41,3 % de tout le montant généré par les demandes rejetées cette année.

Schengen News area statistics report that 704,000 African citizens had their visa applications turned down in 2023. This figure accounted for 41.3 percent of the total unsuccessful visa applications that year.

Bidding war for visa interview appointments

In Senegal, another phenomenon has compounded the already challenging situation that most Africans face. According to the official embassy websites, no visa interview appointments will be available for several months. However, intermediaries who book all available appointments well in advance offer chargeable services to secure these appointments at an inflated price.

Under such circumstances, the Senegalese media outlet La Maison des Reporters (Reporters House) investigated an appointment bidding system and the sale of interview appointments to the highest bidder. In a podcast episode titled “I need a visa, but don’t have an appointment”: An investigation into organized trafficking, La Maison des Reporters discusses the factors underpinning such practices: citizen concerns about interview appointments, the applicants’ need to meet several requirements to obtain an appointment, and the role that diplomatic missions play in facilitating the development of this black market, even if they deny any responsibility. You can listen to this podcast here:

Given the number of visa applications and the economic pressures nurturing the applicants’ dream of a better life elsewhere, intermediaries selling interview appointments needn’t worry about their current line of business.

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Outrage over an attack on Senegalese politician Guy Marius Sagna in Togo https://globalvoices.org/2024/10/15/outrage-over-an-attack-on-senegalese-politician-guy-marius-sagna-in-togo/ https://globalvoices.org/2024/10/15/outrage-over-an-attack-on-senegalese-politician-guy-marius-sagna-in-togo/#respond Tue, 15 Oct 2024 06:35:25 +0000 https://globalvoices.org/?p=821965 The Gnassingbé family has been in power in Togo since 1967

Originally published on Global Voices

Guy Marius Sagna, Senegalese politician and member of the ECOWAS parliament. Screenshot from the video “The Aftermath of the Attack on Guy Marius Sagna – An African Press Review” on the RFI Youtube Channel. Fair use.

On September 29, 2024, Guy Marius Sagna, a Senegalese politician and member of the parliament of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), was attacked at an opposition party conference in Togo. This country is becoming increasingly intolerant of even the mildest form of public criticism.

Togolese conditions for holding public meetings

Although the Togolese Constitution, amended in August 2024, enshrines the exercise of fundamental rights and freedoms for all Togolese citizens in its texts, another law establishing the conditions for freedom of expression and peaceful assembly restricts this fundamental freedom. Article 6 of this law stipulates that event organizers must first inform the relevant territorial authorities for approval. However, as explained in Article 8, certain restrictions may apply:

L'autorité administrative compétente ne peut prononcer l'ajournement ou l'interdiction d'une réunion ou d'une manifestation publique organisée dans un lieu privé que lorsque celle-ci est susceptible de troubler l'ordre public. La décision d'ajournement ou d'interdiction ne peut être prise que si l'autorité administrative compétente et les organisateurs de la réunion ou de la manifestation n'ont pas trouvé ensemble, dans le cadre de discussions préalables, des moyens adéquats pour éviter ces éventuels troubles à l'ordre public.

The relevant administrative authority may only postpone or prohibit a meeting or demonstration in a private setting if it is likely to disrupt public order. They may only postpone or prohibit an event if the relevant authorities and event organizers disagree in preliminary discussions on suitable actions to prevent any disruption to public order.

According to the Reporters Without Borders (RSF) 2024 World Press Freedom Index, Togo ranked 113 out of 180 countries. Peaceful public meetings and demonstrations are often subject to law enforcement restrictions. The latest example of such restrictions was the banned “Don't Touch My Constitution” campaign (a political movement established to block constitutional reforms) on August 9, 2024.

However, these restrictions haven't deterred opposition politicians and civil society actors from expressing disapproval. This abuse of rights has also come under criticism at an African level. In a statement published on April 14, 2024, the African Commission of Human and People's Rights criticized Togo for restricting demonstrations in March 2024 when the National Assembly passed a constitutional reform bill putting Togo under a parliamentary system. Although Togo was under a presidential system where citizens could freely choose their president for a five-year term before adopting this new constitution, parliament will now select the next president of the Togolese Republic for a single six-year term.

Attack on foreign politician in Togo

The Democratic Convention of African Peoples (CDPA), the Togolese opposition party, held its conference on September 29, 2024 amid an ongoing dispute between the Togolese state and its opposition. Guy Marius Sagna, a member of Senegal's ruling party, the African Patriots of Senegal for Work, Ethics, and Fraternity (PASTEF), attended this conference while representing the ECOWAS parliament in Togo.

Read: Senegalese parliamentarian Guy Marius Sagna defends the people in ECOWAS parliament

During this conference, Guy Marius Sagna and 20 or so Togolese politicians and journalists came under attack. According to information from the Togolese civil society organization, the Collective Associations Against Impunity in Togo (CACIT):

(…)des individus qui manifestement se trouvaient dans l’assemblée ont soudainement surgi et exercé une violence sanglante sur les personnes présentes. Ils auraient notamment fait usage de coups de poings, de chaises, de briques et de pavés dans cette manœuvre déplorable qui a porté atteinte à l’intégrité physique de plusieurs personnes dont les honorables Guy Marius Sagna et Brigitte Kafui Adjamagbo-Johnson, secrétaire générale du parti CDPA

(…)Individuals who were obviously at the meeting suddenly jumped out and launched a bloody attack on those present. During this appalling incident, these individuals reportedly flung punches, chairs, bricks, and stones, thus injuring several people, including Guy Marius Sagna and the CDPA Secretary General Brigitte Kafui Adjamagbo-Johnson.

On October 1, 2024, Radio France Internationale (RFI) quoted the Togolese national police as saying Sagna was aware of the illegal nature of this conference beforehand:

La police nationale togolaise a assuré (…) travailler étroitement avec les autorités judiciaires (…) pour faire toute la lumière sur les actes qui se sont produits. (…) Guy Marius Sagna avait été avisé de l'interdiction de la réunion projetée” et qu'il avait “été dûment informé des risques que comportaient ces activités (…) en violation des lois en vigueur au Togo.

The Togolese national police assured they were working closely with the judicial authorities to investigate this incident thoroughly. Guy Marius Sagna had been duly informed of the ban on the planned conference and the risks associated with activities violating applicable laws in Togo.

On the night of the incident, government spokesperson and Minister of Communications Yawa Kouigan told RFI:

Il y a (…) beaucoup de mauvaise foi, parce que le Togo est un pays de paix, de quiétude. Les circonstances déplorables dont nous parlons ne doivent pas nous amener à apporter des accusations gratuites (…) Je pense d'autant moins qu'on devrait pointer un doigt accusateur sur le Togo et sur ses autorités que la la liberté de réunion, la liberté d'expression, ne sont pas en question.

As Togo is a country of peace, there has been sweeping condemnation. The deplorable circumstances we speak about mustn't lead us to make unfounded accusations (…). I also don’t think we should point the finger at Togo and its authorities, as freedom of assembly and expression are not in question here.

Wave of indignation

In the hours following this attack, reactions and comments flooded social media networks. On the evening of September 29, 2024, Togolese politician Nathaniel Olympio alerted the public on X (formerly Twitter):

#Togo: While the Senegalese politician @GuyMariusSagna spoke with Togolese opposition party colleagues at the CDPA party headquarters in #Lomé, a crowd of militiamen brought the meeting to an abrupt halt.
Guy Marius Sagna was reportedly injured.

In a Gnassingbé-led Togo, a meeting between African citizens at a political party headquarters led to a mob of violent militiamen breaking up the meeting. The Senegalese politician was visiting Lomé as part of a delocalized meeting of the ECOWAS parliament.

To be continued . . . pic.twitter.com/Sx0Hvxahjg

— Nathaniel Olympio (@nathanielolymp) September 29, 2024

Comments left under Nathaniel Olympio’s post condemned this violence. According to most, the Gnassingbé family regime, which has been in power since 1967, fears a shift that does not favor them. The late Etienne Eyadéma Gnassingbé was in power from 1967 to 2005, and Faure Gnassingbé has been in power since 2005. The ChicVoisin account commented on X:

Signs of fear. Fear of a shift that is not only long overdue but also inevitable.
Identify these mercenaries and record their details. When the time comes, the Togolese will deal with them effectively.

It’s just a matter of time…

— ChicVoisin🇧🇯🇨🇮 (@LeFouParolier) September 29, 2024

Read our special coverage:

Another account known as Palace added:

This intolerance is completely unacceptable. This senseless and cowardly violence has no place in Togo! The Togolese authorities @PresidenceTg @FEGnassingbe must assume responsibility for the people’s safety!

— Palace (@aremsbee) September 29, 2024

In an interview with Radio France Internationale, David Dosseh, the spokesperson for the civil society coalition Front Citoyen Togo Debout (Togo Citizens Stand Up), who was present at the incident, stated:

C'est une espèce de sentiment de honte qu'un étranger, un frère sénégalais puisse subir autant de violences. Cela démontre qu'une fois encore au Togo, la violence est instrumentalisée par le pouvoir pour empêcher les gens de se réunir et pour empêcher les gens de s'exprimer.

The fact that a foreign politician, a Senegalese brother, should suffer such violence instills a sense of shame in Togo. This attack is yet another example of the powers that be using violence to prevent people from holding meetings and being heard.

What’s more, the ECOWAS parliament also  condemned this incident that one of its members suffered in Lomé on September 29:

Le Parlement de la CEDEAO rassure l’opinion qu’il suit de près les mesures prises par les autorités togolaises pour garantir la sécurité du député et les autres dispositions nécessaires dans de telles circonstances

The ECOWAS parliament wants to assure the public that it is closely monitoring the measures the Togolese authorities implement to ensure its member’s safety and the other necessary provisions in such circumstances.

Senegal itself calls for the Togolese authorities to open an investigation into the incident and bring the perpetrators to justice.

Several news sites in the West African subregion have published articles on this deplorable incident, which goes against the fundamental principles of ECOWAS and its parliament. RFI published the article “Anger and indignation after an attack on Guy Marius Sagna,” summarizing various African media outlet publications.

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Women in Africa’s mining industry: A documentary by Aïssatou Fofana https://globalvoices.org/2024/10/01/women-in-africas-mining-industry-a-documentary-by-aissatou-fofana/ https://globalvoices.org/2024/10/01/women-in-africas-mining-industry-a-documentary-by-aissatou-fofana/#respond Tue, 01 Oct 2024 14:46:39 +0000 https://globalvoices.org/?p=820874 Some women are geologists, while others are heavy-duty machinery drivers

Originally published on Global Voices

A Togolese woman from the mining industry. Screenshot taken from the video ”African women working in the mining industry on the L’écologiste Infos YouTube channel.

Mining is generally considered a gendered and male-dominated profession. However, many African women now work in this fast-growing industry.

Africa is the world’s most mineral-rich continent. More than 50 percent of the world’s minerals are found in the African subsoils. These resources attract the attention of international mining giants looking to expand into countries where mining is a significant part of the economy.

Aïssatou Fofana, an Ivorian environmental journalist, follows the story of several African women working in this industry as part of her first film documentary. This documentary presents the situation in Côte d'Ivoire and Togo. Rather than succumbing to clichés and preconceived ideas in a field often seen as only for men, the women Aïssatou Fofana interviewed and filmed shared their unique experiences.

In a WhatsApp interview with Global Voices, the filmmaker talks about her experience and reasons for pursuing these women’s stories.

Jean Sovon (JS): Why did you make a documentary on women’s involvement in Africa’s mining industry? How did you become aware of this situation? 

Aïssatou Fofana (AF) : Ce film a été réalisé dans le cadre du projet final du programme de Bourse consacrée aux médias et aux créateurs de contenu de l'Union africaine. On devait faire un choix entre diverses thématiques proposées dans le cadre de la bourse et réaliser un projet. Cela pouvait être un film documentaire, un article de presse (dossier), des émissions radio, des podcast….

Mon choix s’est porté sur les femmes de ce secteur. J'avais remarqué qu'on entendait pas beaucoup parler d'elles dans les médias, alors qu'elles participent à leur niveau, au développement de socio-économie de leur pays. C'est en cela que mon choix s'est porté sur la Côte d'Ivoire et le Togo. Voilà un peu comment se situe le contexte du choix de ce sujet là.

Aïssatou Fofana (AF): I made this documentary for an African Union Media Fellowship Programme project. We had to complete our project on one of the various topics proposed under this fellowship. This project could be a documentary, a news article, a radio program, or a podcast….

I chose women working in this industry as we don’t hear much about them in the media, even though they contribute to their country’s socio-economic development. That’s why I focused on this topic in Côte d’Ivoire and Togo.

In the first part of this documentary, women from Côte d’Ivoire’s mining industry talk about their day-to-day work:

JS: What specific challenges do women face in this profession? How are they perceived by their male colleagues and the general public?

AF: Le premier défi qui me vient à l’esprit, c'est le fait d'évoluer dans un secteur qui est à majorité dominé par les hommes. Vous pouvez comprendre que c'est pas vraiment évident d'évoluer dans un tel domaine, surtout si la plupart d’entre eux ont une vision “traditionnelle” ou “patriarcale” de la femme dans la société :  celle dont la place est d’emblée à la cuisine ou encore à la maison à s’occuper de son époux et de ses enfants. Cela occasionne des frictions pour celles qui s’y aventurent.

Le second challenge est au niveau de la famille. Si elle est mariée et a des enfants, c'est sûr qu'il va falloir faire la part des choses et vraiment s'organiser pour pouvoir travailler convenablement pour que son travail n'empiète pas sur sa famille. C’est dans ce type de contexte qu’avoir un partenaire de vie compréhensif et ouvert tient tout son sens ! Car sinon, ce serait un problème de plus auquel il faudra faire face au quotidien.

En général, les informations sont limitées sur ce milieu, en particulier celles sur les femmes qui y travaillent; d'où mon intérêt sur cette question. L’idée était de réaliser un documentaire afin de lever un coin de voile sur ce qu'elles font, les réalités qu'elles traversent, comment elles font face à ces défis et comment elles arrivent aussi à faire carrière dans ce secteur dit d’hommes.

AF: The first challenge that springs to mind is the ability to progress in a male-dominated industry. You can appreciate that it is difficult to progress in such an industry, especially when most men have a “traditional” or “patriarchal” vision of women in society, where a woman’s place is in the kitchen or at home, looking after her husband and children. This vision creates friction for women starting a new venture.

The second challenge involves their family. If she is married and has children, she must strike a balance and make arrangements to ensure her work doesn’t interfere with her family life. Having an understanding and open-minded partner makes all the difference in these circumstances! Otherwise, it’s another problem she’ll have to deal with daily.

Limited information exists on this industry, especially on the women working in it, which sparked my interest in this topic. I wanted to make a documentary that sheds some light on what they do, their circumstances, how they deal with these challenges, and how they build careers in this so-called male industry.

JS: What exactly do women do in this industry? Are they engineers or miners?

AF: Dans le film documentaire, les femmes interviewées exercent à différents niveaux, et selon leur domaine d’expertise au sein de leurs sociétés de mines. Dans la société de mine d’Ity en Côte d’Ivoire, Laetitia Gadegbeku Ouattara est la directrice Pays d'Endeavour Mining ; Carine Kouko est géologue de production sénior ; Kadidiatou Diarra, est géologue d’exploration junior ; et Marthe Bertine Yavo est superviseur camp et voyage.

Quant aux femmes du Togo, Rosine Atafeinam Abalo est Dr en géologie et géotechnique et chargée d'investissement à Togo Invest. Dotse Akouavi Jeannette et Aladouadjo Belam, sont toutes deux sont des conductrices d’engins lourds appelés dumper.

AF: The women I interviewed in this documentary occupy various positions in their respective mining companies, depending on their areas of expertise. At Côte d’Ivoire’s La Société des Mines d’Ity (Ity Mining Company), Laetitia Gadegbeku Ouattara is Endeavour Mining’s country manager; Carine Kouko is a senior production geologist; Kadidiatou Diarra is a junior exploration geologist, and Marthe Bertine Yavo is a camp and travel manager.

Regarding the women in Togo, Rosine Atafeinam Abalo is a Doctor of Geology and Geotechnics and an investment manager for Togo Invest. Dotse Akouavi Jeannette and Aladouadjo Belam both drive heavy-duty machinery known as dumpers.

In the second part of this documentary, the Togolese women Aïssatou Fofana interviewed tell their stories and the obstacles they had to overcome to break into the mining field and find professional success:

JS: Why do they do this kind of work? Is it better paid than other professions? 

AF: Au cours de mes entretiens, jamais ces femmes n'ont parlé du fait que c'était un métier mieux payé que d'autres métiers ou un métier qu’elles voulaient pour pouvoir être riche, avoir beaucoup d'argent. C'est un secteur qui les a attirées et elles voulaient faire carrière là-bas. C'est cette motivation et cette passion qui a déterminé leur choix et elles ont tout fait pour intégrer ce secteur et y évoluer. Donc ce n'est pas pour des raisons financières.

Est-ce que ce secteur est mieux payé que d'autres, je ne saurais le dire parce que je n'ai pas focaliser mon travail sous cet angle et je n'ai même pas eu à poser cette question. Ce qui m'intéresse, c'est le parcours, les challenges qu'elles ont traversés, comment elles ont pu relever ces défis et comment elles continuent d'évoluer dans ce secteur là malgré tous ces problèmes auxquels elles ont fait face.

Elles n’ont également pas fait mention de ce que c’était un métier mal payé. Ce que je peux vous assurer, c’est qu’elles sont épanouies et heureuses de leur choix de carrière.

AF: During my interviews, these women never mentioned that this was a better-paid profession than others or one that they wanted to do to be rich and have lots of money. They were drawn to this industry and wanted to build a career in it. This motivation and passion influenced their decision, and they did everything possible to get into this industry and progress. So, it wasn’t for financial reasons.

I really couldn’t say whether this industry is better paid than others as I didn’t look at it from this angle. I didn’t even ask that question. What interests me is their career path, the challenges they encountered, how they overcame them, and how they continue progressing in this industry despite their problems.

They never mentioned that this was a poorly paid profession. That said, I can assure you that they are happy with their career choices.

JS: Are the mines where these women work national, foreign, or illegal? Do the women have their own unions? 

AF: Les sites miniers que j’ai visités sont légalement constitués. Le Société des Mines d'Ity est en activité depuis 1991. L’État ivoirien y est actionnaire à 10% et la Société des Mines, à 5%, et les 85% sont détenus par Endeavour Mining. Les femmes ont également leurs associations. En Côte d’Ivoire, au niveau national, il y a le Réseau des Femmes du Secteur Minier de Côte d’Ivoire (FEMICI), et He For She Mines Côte d’Ivoire. Au niveau de la Société des mines d'Ity, il y a l’Association des Femmes des Mines de Ity(AFEMI). Au Togo, l’Association des Femmes du Secteur Minier ou en Entreprise du Togo (AFEMET) existe au niveau national. Mme Rosine Atafeinam Abalo, l’une des femmes que j’ai interviewée, en est la présidente.

Au niveau africain, l’AWIMA (Association of Women in Mining in Africa) le réseau d’organisations et d’associations nationales de femmes africaines dans les secteurs de l’exploitation minière, du pétrole et du gaz.

Au niveau international, les prix WIN100 récompensent les 100 femmes qui sont pionnières, qui apportent des changements positifs et significatifs pour que le secteur minier puisse fonctionner de manière responsable, durable et inclusive.

AF: The mining sites I visited are legally registered. La Société des Mines d'Ity has been in operation since 1991.  The Ivorian government is a 10 percent shareholder, la Société des Mines 5 percent, and Endeavour Mining 85 percent. Women also have their own associations. In Côte d’Ivoire, national associations like the Mining Sector Women’s Network ( FEMICI) and He For She Mines Côte d’Ivoire exist. La Société des Mines d’Ity has the Association des Femmes des Mines d'Ity (Association of the Women Miners of Ity or AFEMI). In Togo, there is the national Association des Femmes du Secteur Minier ou en Entreprise du Togo (Association of the Women Miners and Entrepreneurs of Togo or AFEMET), of which Rosine Atafeinam Abalo, one of the women I interviewed, is president.

In Africa, there is the Association of Women in Mining in Africa (AWIMA), a network of national organizations and associations of African women in the mining, oil, and gas industries.

Internationally, the WIN100 Awards reward 100 pioneering women who bring about significant positive changes to ensure the mining industry operates in a responsible, sustainable, and inclusive manner.

JS: What are the companies’ environmental policies?

AF: Les sites miniers que j'ai visité en Côte d'Ivoire au Togo sont légalement constitués, avec le respect des consignes de sécurité pour entrer sur les sites. La société des Mines d'Ity par exemple, à un axe environnement et développement durable dans sa politique de gestion. Nous avons également pris part à un planting d’arbres lors du tournage du film.

AF: The mining sites I visited in Côte d'Ivoire and Togo are legally registered and have entry guidelines. For example, La Société des Mines d'Ity has an environmental and sustainable development component in its management policies. We also planted some trees while filming this documentary.

In this rapidly evolving and increasingly internationalized industry, African women are taking their rightful place on equal footing with men.

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Women’s plight in the Sahel: A central issue in Djaïli Amadou Amal’s works https://globalvoices.org/2024/09/21/womens-plight-in-the-sahel-a-central-issue-in-djaili-amadou-amals-works/ https://globalvoices.org/2024/09/21/womens-plight-in-the-sahel-a-central-issue-in-djaili-amadou-amals-works/#respond Sat, 21 Sep 2024 07:40:31 +0000 https://globalvoices.org/?p=820129 The book world’s weak infrastructure is Sub-Saharan literature’s biggest setback

Originally published on Global Voices

Photo of Djaïli Amadou Amal. Image by Amas Flash, used with  permission

In the Sahel, women face a daily onslaught of abuse that society refuses to address publicly. Only through literature can we break these taboos and open a discussion on this matter.

This is precisely what Cameroonian–Egyptian writer Djaïli Amadou Amal has achieved. Djaïli had a troubled youth herself. Forced to marry an older man at just 17, she got divorced and remarried a man who became abusive towards her. However, determined to find freedom through her writing, she has since written several novels. These novels include “Walaande, l’art de partager un mari” (“Walaande, the Art of Sharing a Husband”) in 2010; “Mistiriijo, la mangeuse d'âmes” (“Mistrijiijo, the Eater of Souls”) in 2013; “Munyal, les larmes de la patience” (“Munyal, the Tears of Patience”) in 2017; “Les Impatientes” (“The Impatient”) in 2020; “Coeur du Sahel”(“Heart of the Sahel”) in 2022 and “Le harem du roi” (“the King’s Harem”) in 2024.

In an e-mail interview with Global Voices, Djaïli Amadou Amal spoke openly about her writing and commitment to women in the Sahel.

Jean Sovon (JS): Sahel women are the protagonists in your novels. How do these women, who become strong emotive characters, inspire you?

Djaïli Amadou Amal (DAA): Dans mes romans, il s’agit avant tout de la condition des femmes dans le Sahel. Je mets en perspective leur condition et leur désir d’émancipation. D’une part en amenant les femmes (aussi bien que les hommes), les lecteurs je veux dire, à prendre conscience de cette condition. D’autre part, en disant aux femmes que c’est à chacune de prendre ses responsabilités dans la lutte collective pour leur émancipation. Ma vie est faite de résilience et d’abnégation. J’ai une grande conviction pour des principes humains inaliénables. Tout ceci a alimenté ma vision des choses et, d’une certaine façon, justifie et conditionne le sens et les priorités de mon engagement littéraire. Les personnages de mon univers romanesque inspirent ma sensibilité, ils répondent à mes aspirations et désirs de faire évoluer les choses en matière de la condition de la femme dans l’aire culturelle soudano-sahélienne dont je suis issue, et bien au-delà.

Djaïli Amadou Amal (DAA): My novels are based on the plight of women in the Sahel. I put their plight and eagerness for emancipation into perspective by making the readers aware of this plight and letting women know it is up to them to take responsibility for their collective struggle for emancipation. My life is one of resilience and self-sacrifice. I’m a great believer in fundamental humanitarian principles. All this has contributed to my outlook on things and, in a way, determines the rationale behind and priorities of my literary commitments. The characters in my novels echo my sensibilities and draw on my aspirations and desires to improve women’s plight in the Sudano–Sahelian culture, from which I originate, and beyond.

JS: In your novels, you write about relatively taboo issues, such as the abduction and rape of women. Does your status as a world-renowned writer give you freedom from traditional writing trends? What do your Cameroonian readers think?

DAA: Les thématiques que j’aborde dans mes textes reposent sur mon engagement et mon centre d’intérêt. Dans ce cadre, d’une manière générale je ne me limite pas de sujet. Je ne me pose pas de question sur le caractère tabou ou non des sujets que je traite. Tout ceci, à mon sens, relève des considérations superflues, surtout quand il est question des sujets qui causent arbitrairement des souffrances à la femme. Que vaut l’intérêt de préserver ces sujets au regard des terribles souffrances qu’ils font endurer à la femme aliénée dans son humanité au nom de je ne sais quelle doctrine ? Soyons clairs, aucune tradition ne tienne dès lors qu’elle fait souffrir et aliène quelque composante de la communauté qu’elle caractérise. L’humanité et les droits de l’humanité sont universels et reposent sur des valeurs humaines qui sont elles aussi évidemment universelles. Aucune tradition ne peut se prévaloir au-dessus de ces valeurs. Et d’ailleurs, le temps qu’on y est, je précise que les traditions ne nous viennent pas du ciel et encore ! Elles nous viennent de nos ancêtres. Elles ont certainement évolué pour nous parvenir sous la forme que nous constatons de nos jours. Celles qui étaient adaptées il y a des siècles, ne le sont forcément pas aujourd’hui. Chaque génération, chaque communauté, dans un souci de progrès et d’épanouissement collectif des siens, a pour mission de faire évoluer ses propres traditions pour les adapter à son époque. Une communauté qui ne sait pas faire évoluer positivement ses traditions est condamnée à sa propre déchéance. Et cette évolution ne sera possible que grâce à des personnes éclairées, animées des convictions humanistes profondes et éprises de la vérité que l’humanité, indépendamment de genre ou de couleurs, est unique.

Pour le reste, ma notoriété en tant qu’écrivaine ne guide pas le choix des sujets abordés dans mes textes. Mes premiers romans traitaient déjà des questions taboues dans notre société. Ce que disent les lectrices camerounaises ? Je sais simplement que je reçois beaucoup de soutiens. Nombreuses (et pas seulement les Camerounaises d’ailleurs) m’écrivent pour dire à quel point mes livres les ont aidées à changer et sont fortes désormais. Et tenez, des hommes aussi, il y en a qui m’adressent leurs encouragements. Ceux qui critiquent chez nous, ne lisent généralement pas.

DAA: The issues I address in my writing are based on my interests and commitments. In this respect, I don’t limit myself to specific issues or question whether the issues I address are taboo. For me, this is unnecessary, especially when it comes to issues that cause women’s suffering. What good is remaining silent on these issues, given the tremendous suffering they cause for women stripped of their humanity on the grounds of some doctrine? Let’s be clear: any tradition that causes suffering or alienates community members is inappropriate. Humanity and human rights are universal and are built on universal human values. No tradition should take precedence over these values. And besides, while we’re on the subject, I would like to point out that traditions don’t just come to us from the skies! They come from our ancestors. Traditions that were appropriate centuries ago may not necessarily be so today. Therefore, it is up to each generation and community to move with the times and adapt its traditions for the collective development of its members. A community’s failure to positively transform its traditions can only lead to its downfall. Such transformations are only possible through enlightened individuals driven by deep humanist beliefs and committed to the belief that humanity, regardless of gender or color, is one.

Moreover, my reputation as a writer doesn’t determine the issues I address. Even my first novels addressed taboo issues in our society. What do Cameroonian readers think? All I know is that I receive a lot of support. Many women (and not just Cameroonian women) have written to tell me how much my books have helped them change and how strong they are now. And look, men also send me their support. Our critics don’t usually read our work.

In this video by French media outlet 20 Minutes, Djaïli Amadou Amal looks back on her forced marriage experience and her decision to free herself and become a feminist:

JS: African literature remains largely unknown. Have you observed any developments on the continent or elsewhere? Have publishing companies succeeded in transforming the book landscape by making books more accessible and affordable for African readers?

DAA: Lentement peut-être mais sûrement, la réalité évolue et elle change. La littérature africaine est une voix à part entière dans le concert de la littérature mondiale. Et cette voix est de plus en plus respectée à la faveur de l’ouverture des peuples au monde. Il y a cependant à noter sur le continent, le principal handicap de la littérature africaine, subsaharienne en particulier, est la faiblesse structurelle qui entoure le monde du livre. La politique du livre est généralement défaillante, et ceci, conjugué au manque de moyens des maisons d’éditions, bride la diffusion et la compétitivité des livres produits sur le continent, quand les livres produits hors du continent arrivent au coût prohibitif pour le citoyen moyen.

En matière de coût, j’ai essayé à mon niveau d’apporter des solutions en conservant les droits de mes ouvrages en Afrique subsaharienne, de sorte que les mêmes textes produits en Europe le soient localement co-publiés au tiers du tarif à l’international.

DAA: The situation is perhaps changing slowly but surely. African literature has a voice in its own right in world literature, and this voice is increasingly respected as people open up to the world. However, we must note that the biggest challenge facing African literature, and especially Sub-Saharan literature, is the book world’s weak infrastructure. Book policies are generally flawed, and this, combined with the publishing industry’s lack of resources, hinders the distribution and competitiveness of the books printed on this continent. Books printed outside the continent are prohibitively expensive for the average citizen.

Regarding costs, I tried to find solutions by retaining the rights to my books in Sub-Saharan Africa so that the same books printed in Europe could be co-published locally at a third of the international rate.

JS: What well-known and lesser-known authors from Sub-Saharan Africa would you recommend for our readers to help them discover the dynamics of this part of the continent?

DAA: Il y en a beaucoup dans ce registre. Loin d’être exclusive, je cite Fatou Diome, écrivaine, poétesse et professeure d'université franco-sénégalaise ; Mbarek Ould Beyrouk, journaliste et écrivain mauritanien ; Danielle Éyango, juriste, poétesse et écrivaine camerounaise ; Imbolo Mbue, écrivaine américano-camerounaise.

DAA: There are many in this category. The list is far from exhaustive, but I would recommend Fatou Diome, a Franco-Senegalese writer, poet, and university professor; Mbarek Ould Beyrouk, a Mauritanian journalist and writer; Danielle Éyango, a Cameroonian legal expert, poet, and writer; and Imbolo Mbue, an American-Cameroonian writer.

In January 2021, French television network Tv5monde interviewed Djaïli Amadou Amal following the publication of her novel “The Impatient.” This novel tells the story of three women forced to patiently wait for the husbands they are expected to marry from their early childhood. In this interview, the author spoke about her commitment to combating violence against women, primarily through her association “Femmes du Sahel” (“Women of the Sahel”), which she founded in 2012 for women’s progress in Northern  Cameroon.

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Who is Iron Biby, the athlete making Burkina Faso proud? https://globalvoices.org/2024/09/20/who-is-iron-biby-the-athlete-making-burkina-faso-proud/ https://globalvoices.org/2024/09/20/who-is-iron-biby-the-athlete-making-burkina-faso-proud/#respond Fri, 20 Sep 2024 21:23:34 +0000 https://globalvoices.org/?p=819888 The weight lifter was recently named the world's strongest man

Originally published on Global Voices

Iron Biby sifting the 231 kg (36 st 4 lb)bar at the Log Lift World Championship on 7 September 2024 in Birmingham, United Kingdom; Screenshot from Giants Live STRONGMAN‘s YouTube channel.

In the world of sports, weightlifting has put Burkina Faso on the map as the only African nation with a world champion in the discipline, thanks to Iron Biby.

Iron Biby has officially been named the strongest man in the world due to his performance at the most recent Log Lift World Championship held on September 7, 2024, in Birmingham, United Kingdom. Born Cheick Ahmed al-Hassan Sanou in Bobo-Dioulasso, a city in southwestern Burkina Faso, the 32-year-old later discovered his love for sports, getting involved in sprinting, gymnastics, and basketball.

Sport as a lifeline

From a young age, Iron Biby was overweight and faced constant teasing from his schoolmates. These challenges shaped his character and turned him into a winner when he realized that sports could transform his daily life. He stated in an article in “La Croix”:

J'essayais tous les sports mais on me décourageait à chaque fois. J'avais le complexe d'être très corpulent, je voulais transformer mon corps, alors j'ai commencé à m'entraîner doucement.

I tried all kinds of sport, but I kept getting discouraged. I was really self-conscious about being so big. I wanted to transform my body, so I started training slowly.

At the age of 17, while studying at university in Canada, he discovered weightlifting. Between his studies and his part-time job as a night security guard to pay for his accommodation costs, Iron Biby still found time to train.

In 2014, at the age of 22, Iron Biby won his first world title in the junior category of powerlifting in the United States. In 2016, he told the media outlet Burkina24:

Mes épreuves principales étaient le « développé couché [qui consiste à repousser une barre de poids vers le haut en position allongée]» et le « soulevé de terre [le fait de soulever puis reposer une barre de poids]». A l’âge de 22 ans, en étant un athlète super naturel, j’ai soulevé 240 kg en « développé couché» et 340 kg en « soulevé de terre ». Une charge rare pour les jeunes de mon âge et ce même jour,  si on devait faire le classement avec les séniors j’allais être classé 2e du monde. Mais vu que je ne suis pas senior, on ne m’a pas classé en catégorie senior.

My main events were the bench press [which involves pushing a weighted bar upwards while lying down] and the deadlift [lifting a barbell from the ground and lowering it back down]. At 22, as a completely natural athlete, I managed to bench press 240 kg and deadlift 340 kg. That’s a rare achievement for someone my age, and on that same day, if I had been ranked with the seniors, I would have ranked 2nd in the world. But since I wasn’t in the senior category, I wasn’t ranked with them.

World conquest

This first achievement marked the beginning of a long journey for Iron Biby, filled with international competitions, crowned by success and world records. In 2018, he became the Log Lift World Champion by lifting 213 kg (33.5 st). That same year, he entered the Guinness Book of World Records for performing the most push-ups in one minute. Iron Biby told Burkina24:

Mon épreuve… était de soulever une personne dans les airs pour le maximum de répétitions en une minute. L’ancien record était de 45 répétitions et je l’ai brisé en faisant 69 répétitions. Ça n’a pas été facile. Enfin pour une fois dans l’histoire, le Burkina Faso sera bien reconnu dans ce Prestigieux livre des records.

My challenge… was to lift a person in the air as many times as possible in one minute. The old record stood at 45 times, and I shattered it with 69. It wasn’t easy. But at last, Burkina Faso will have its place in this prestigious record book.

At the time, CBBC posted on X:

In 2019, Biby claimed another title as champion at the Log Lift Europe’s Strongest Man by lifting 220 kg. He set a new record in the competition in 2021 with a lift of 229 kg. By breaking his own record in 2023, he continued his streak with another record, lifting 230 kg.

After setting his 230 kg record, Biby was interviewed by Radio France Internationale (RFI). discussing what goes through his mind when he has a heavy weight above his head, he revealed:

Sincèrement, je dirais qu'il faut être un peu fou, dans le bon sens, pour oser soulever cette charge. Parce que si ça te tombe dessus, ça peut causer une blessure très grave. Donc il faut avoir un mental solide, l'envie de le faire, l'envie de se surpasser et c'est cette envie qui m’a poussé à travailler dur pour relever ce défi.

Ce qui joue le plus, c'est le mental. On peut être bon à l'entraînement mais mentalement, si tu n'es pas solide, il n’y aura pas la connexion qui va te permettre de bien performer. J'ai eu beaucoup de séances avec des professionnels de la préparation mentale et c'est ça qui m'a aidé à me surpasser. Cela m'a pris deux ans pour ajouter un kilo, mais j'aime écrire quand même l'histoire. J'aime relever le défi et mes objectifs. Maintenant, l'objectif pour moi, c'est 240 kg.

Honestly, I’d say you have to be a bit crazy, in a good way, to even attempt lifting that kind of weight. Because if it falls on you, it can cause a very serious injury. So, you need a strong mindset, the drive to do it, and the desire to push beyond your limits. It’s that drive that pushed me to work hard and take on this challenge.

What matters most is your mindset. You can be great in training, but if you're not mentally strong, you won’t have the connection needed to perform well. I’ve had many sessions with mental preparation coaches, and that’s what helped me push beyond my limits. It took me two years to add just one kilogram (half a pound), but I still love making history. I love taking on challenges and reaching my goals. Now, my target is 240 kg.

Determined to keep raising the bar, in 2024, Biby pushed his Log Lift record to 231 kg.

Here is a video of Iron Biby’s performance during this competition:

Burkina Faso's national pride

Over a decade-long career, Cheick Ahmed al-Hassan Sanou, known as Iron Biby, has risen to be the absolute master in a challenging sport. In Burkina Faso, he is a source of national pride, always receiving a warm welcome when he returns home after competitions.

In 2023, the athlete was even honoured with the title of Officer of the Order of the Stallion (an honorary distinction that recognises civilians or military personnel for their services to the nation of Burkina Faso). Following this honour, he told Burkina24:

Cette reconnaissance de la Nation est une invite à continuer à travailler et à défier les limites. En tant que fils de ce pays, c’est le moment de ne pas baisser les bras. La lutte continue à mon niveau. Je vais bosser dur pour représenter dignement le Burkina Faso.

This recognition from the nation is an invitation to keep working and pushing the limits. As a son of this country, now is not the time to give up. The fight continues for me. I will work hard to represent Burkina Faso with pride.

Even if Burkina Faso doesn't win any medals at the 2024 Paris Olympics, the country still has another sporting hero: Hugues Fabrice Zongo, world triple jump champion in 2023.

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Côte d'Ivoire: LGBTQ+ community is legally but not socially accepted https://globalvoices.org/2024/09/09/cote-divoire-lgbtq-community-is-legally-but-not-socially-accepted/ https://globalvoices.org/2024/09/09/cote-divoire-lgbtq-community-is-legally-but-not-socially-accepted/#respond Mon, 09 Sep 2024 11:47:44 +0000 https://globalvoices.org/?p=819862 LGBTQ+ individuals from neighboring countries seek refuge in Côte d'Ivoire

Originally published on Global Voices

Abidjan, economic capital of Côte d'Ivoire. Screenshot from the video “Découvrez ABIDJAN : La Capitale économique de la CÔTE D'IVOIRE | 10 FAITS INTÉRESSANTS” on the Afrique Révélée YouTube Channel. Fair use.

Although homosexuality is not a criminal offense in the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, the LGBTQ+ community has no legal protections there. Amidst this legal uncertainty, LGBTQ+ individuals can organize meetings and events but remain on the margins of a society that does not accept them as fully-fledged citizens.

Unprotected haven

In Côte d’Ivoire, queer people are no longer legally persecuted. In an interview with French newspaper Le Monde, Brice Stéphane Djédjé, a sociologist specializing in LGBTQ+ matters, explained:

L’État ivoirien est neutre sur la question. Ce vide juridique permet à la communauté queer ici de bénéficier d’une relative tolérance par rapport aux pays voisins.

The Ivorian government remains neutral on this matter. This legal vacuum means the country treats the queer community with relative tolerance compared with its neighboring countries.

However, this community remains excluded from all legislation opposing all forms of discrimination. This exclusion follows the government’s refusal to include them in a change of legislation in 2021.

The circumstances in Côte d'Ivoire are unique on the African continent. Apart from South Africa, homosexuality is deemed illegal in most African countries and is often punishable by fines and imprisonment.

This is true for Côte d'Ivoire’s neighboring countries, such as Guinea, Ghana, and Senegal. Such circumstances also explain why many individuals seek refuge in Côte d’Ivoire.

On May 29, 2024, Le Monde reported the story of a young Guinean LGBTQ+ citizen who sought refuge in Abidjan (the economic capital of Côte d'Ivoire) after the ordeals he suffered in Guinea, Senegal, Mali, and Burkina Faso.

A Conakry, je me suis fait agresser physiquement plusieurs fois et sexuellement trois fois. A Dakar, les mêmes choses ont recommencé. A Bamako, je me suis fait poignarder, je n’osais même plus sortir le jour. A Ouagadougou, quand mes voisins ont découvert que j’étais gay, ils m’ont chassé du quartier. Ici, je peux sortir maquillé et faire la fête en talons.

In Conakry, I was physically attacked several times and sexually assaulted three times. In Dakar, the same thing happened. In Bamako, someone stabbed me. I didn’t even dare go out during the day. When my neighbors in Ouagadougou found out I was gay, they drove me out of the neighborhood. Here, I can go out wearing makeup and party in my heels.

However, relative tolerance doesn’t mean queer people, wherever they come from, are safe. Brice Stéphane Djédjé explains further in the same article:

Abidjan est le melting-pot queer de l’Afrique de l’Ouest. Mais les LGBT+ restent rejetés par une large partie de la population. Les violences et agressions sont fréquentes, en particulier envers les femmes transgenres.

Abidjan is West Africa’s queer melting pot. However, a broad section of society still doesn’t accept LGBTQ+ individuals. Violence and assaults occur frequently, especially against transgender women.

A report titled “The LGBTQ+ Situation in Côte d'Ivoire,” published in December 2023, details the conditions in which queer people live in this country.

Online homophobic and transphobic speech

According to Côte d'Ivoire's latest General Census of Population and Housing (RGPH 2021), Islam accounted for 42.5 percent of the country’s religion, and Christianity for 39.8 percent. However, in a society with two dominant religions, Côte d'Ivoire's legal stance on LGBTQ+ rights doesn't go far enough to ensure equality and safety for all its citizens.

Recent online protests against so-called “Woubis” reflect this observation. Ivorian news website Koaci defines this term as follows:

Le terme “woubi”, popularisé dans la culture locale, désigne des jeunes hommes qui se distancient de la masculinité traditionnelle et s'identifient ouvertement comme homosexuels. Cette situation soulève de vives réactions, reflétant une opposition profonde dans la conscience collective ivoirienne face à ces orientations sexuelles non conformes aux normes établies par les coutumes locales.

“Woubi” is a term coined in local culture to describe young men who dissociate from “traditional” masculinity and openly identify as homosexual. Such circumstances often elicit strong reactions, thus reflecting a deep-rooted opposition in the Ivorian collective conscience towards sexual orientations that don't conform to norms set by local customs.

Ivorian influencer Farafina Wamy shared a video on X (formerly Twitter) calling for the community’s right to greater visibility:

An infuriated woubi 🇨🇮. We are frustrated! Côte d’Ivoire 🇨🇮 has become a country of law and freedom for woubis. Power lies with woubism. pic.twitter.com/GZfkY6bc2x

— Farafina Wamy (@FarafinaW) August 29, 2024

Those who oppose the visibility of queer people in public places have become increasingly vocal as of late, especially on social media platforms like X and TikTok. Ivorian influencer General Camille Makosso, who has almost three million followers, called out the Ivorian president and his government in a TikTok video shared on X:

🚨MORAL CRISIS IN CÔTE D'IVOIRE: URGENT CALL FROM #MAKOSSO FOR RELIGIOUS RESPONSIBILITY AND BOLDNESS IN DEALING WITH THIS WOUBI TREND #WOUBIS#MAKOSSO

<<🔹President Alassane Outtara is Muslim. This means you Muslims will be the first ones to get through to him. As Muslims, do you think what is currently happening in Côte d’Ivoire is normal? Would this behavior be tolerated in Saudi Arabia? Never.

I now turn to the Christians, especially the pastors. You are the specialists in imagery in your churches. Do you have no messages to share other than “the internet will suspend you in 24 hours?” What about sanctification? When Sodom and Gomorrah knock on our doors, you know the consequences.

I would also like to address the Ivorian government. There comes a time in life when we must be bold.

If a fat bearded guy tells me he's interested in his friend, I don't care. It’s his life. If a woman tells me she's attracted to her friend, that's her problem.

But the moment it becomes propaganda, a spectacle, or an attempt to impose their way of life on us, it's unacceptable.

pic.twitter.com/ihcelanpOp

— TIDJANE THIAM National FANS🇨🇮 (@TidjaneThiam225) August 30, 2024

In an Abidjan.net article on the matter, the media outlet presented some comments from Ivorian citizens criticizing homosexual behavior. Zagba Le Requin (the Shark), an artist from the Ivorian music group “Team Paiya,” is quoted as saying:

Les Woubis sont sans gêne. Vos cheveux même dépassent pour nos femmes. Certains même font le rang pour mettre de faux ongles. Chacun à son choix OK. Je ne suis personne pour juger OK. Mais respectez les valeurs de ce beau pays.

The woubis are shameless. Their hair is even longer than women's. Some even line up for false nails. Each to their own. OK. I’m nobody to judge. OK. But respect the values of this great nation.

In this article, Hassan Hayek, a public social media figure in Côte d'Ivoire, maintained that actual homosexuals keep a low profile:

Les vrais Woubis ne sont pas ceux qui dansent sur les réseaux sociaux. Les vrais sont cachés.

Genuine Woubis aren’t the ones dancing on social media. The actual ones remain hidden.

In response to this wave of intolerance, the Ivorian Ministry of Justice and Human Rights has cautioned people against the unethical use of social media and has reminded them of the penalties incurred. Article 367 of the Ivorian Penal Code states:

est puni d’un emprisonnement d’un à cinq ans et d’une amende de 5 000 000 à 100 000 000  francs ( 8 412 à 168 248 dollars américains), quiconque profère ou émet toute expression outrageante, tout terme de mépris ou toute invective qui ne renferme l’implication d’aucun fait par le biais d’un système d’information.

Anyone who says or sends any offensive, contemptuous, or abusive statement devoid of any factual accusation through an information system is punishable by one to five years’ imprisonment and a fine of XOF 5,000,000 to 100,000,000 ( USD 8,412 to 168,248).

Gromo, an Ivorian NGO that defends LGBTQ+ rights, is stepping up its social integration efforts for members of this community. However, the solution to the growing intolerance of these minority groups also requires legal recognition of their right to protection.

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Precision agriculture: A passion for Togolese PhD student Aicha Biaou https://globalvoices.org/2024/09/04/precision-agriculture-a-passion-for-togolese-phd-student-aicha-biaou/ https://globalvoices.org/2024/09/04/precision-agriculture-a-passion-for-togolese-phd-student-aicha-biaou/#respond Wed, 04 Sep 2024 12:02:13 +0000 https://globalvoices.org/?p=819340 I aim for greater youth involvement in Togolese agricultural development

Originally published on Global Voices

Image of Aicha Biaou taken from AfrikElles.

This article by Egnoname Eugenie Gadedjisso Tossou was first published on www.afrikelles.tg on August 21, 2024. Global Voices republished the article as part of a media partnership agreement with AfrikElles.

Modernizing agriculture with new technologies is the best way for African countries to deal with the agricultural revolution and its many challenges. This observation inspired Aicha Biaou’s overseas research.

Aicha Biaou is a young Togolese PhD candidate in Precision Agriculture at Oklahoma State University in the United States. As a state-qualified agronomist specializing in soil and water resource management, she is committed to developing the expertise required to revolutionize agriculture in Africa, especially in her home country of Togo.

Aicha remains unfazed by her work in the fields and the stereotypes that suggest women have no place there. Aicha’s story is atypical, and her ambitions are just as great. She has previously worked on an agricultural project in Togo itself. In an interview with the media outlet AfrikElles, the student discussed her background, her vision for women, and her future.

AfrikElles: What is your background, and what experiences have shaped your identity as a woman?

Aicha Biaou (AB): J’ai obtenu une bourse du gouvernement togolais et de l’Agence marocaine de coopération internationale pour poursuivre mes études après mon baccalauréat scientifique. J’ai intégré l’Institut Agronomique et Vétérinaire Hassan II de Rabat, où j’ai obtenu en 2021, après un cycle de cinq ans, un diplôme d’ingénieure d’État en Agronomie, équivalent à un Master 1. Par la suite, j’ai été admise à l’Université Mohammed VI Polytechnique pour mon doctorat, où j’ai acquis près d’un an d’expérience en recherche avant d’intégrer l’Oklahoma State University. Quitter mon pays d’origine à un jeune âge m’a forgée pour devenir très indépendante. Avant cela, je recevais de l’assistance pour tout, mon père s’occupait de toutes mes démarches administratives. Cependant, une fois au Maroc, j’ai demandé de l’aide à une amie qui m’a catégoriquement refusé. Ce « non », bien que difficile à accepter, a grandement contribué à mon indépendance. J’ai appris à prendre soin de moi-même et à grandir. J’ai également beaucoup appris sur les relations humaines et sur la manière de vivre en communauté, ayant vécu en internat au Maroc pendant mes études en ingénierie agronomique.

Aicha Biaou (AB): I received a scholarship from the Togolese government and the Moroccan Agency for International Cooperation (AMCI) to continue my studies after my scientific Baccalaureate (High School Diploma). After a five-year course at the Agronomic and Veterinary Institute Hassan II in Rabat, Morocco, I graduated in 2021 with an agronomic engineering degree, equivalent to a Master’s degree. I was then accepted into the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University for my PhD, where I gained almost a year’s research experience before enrolling at Oklahoma State University. Leaving my home country at a young age helped build my independence. Before that, I received assistance with everything. My dad dealt with all my administrative tasks. However, once in Morocco, I asked a friend for help, and she categorically refused. Although this “no” was hard to accept, it largely contributed to my independence. I learned to take care of myself and to grow up. During my studies in agronomic engineering in Morocco, I stayed in a dorm, which taught me a lot about human relationships and how to live with others.

AfrikElles: Which female figures have inspired you?

AB: La première femme qui m’a inspirée et qui m’a toujours donné de la force, c’est ma mère. Cette dame a un parcours très atypique, et à chaque fois que j’avais envie d’abandonner, je pensais à elle et à tout ce qu’elle avait accompli. Je me rappelais alors que j’étais sa fille et que, par héritage, j’avais en moi cette même force. Ensuite, il y a Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, qui incarne parfaitement ma vision de la femme. J’éprouve beaucoup de plaisir à l’écouter, et chaque fois, je suis émerveillée par ses propos.

AB: My mother was the first woman to inspire me and has always empowered me. This lady has had an atypical journey, and every time I wanted to give up, I thought of her and all she has achieved. I would remember that I was her daughter and had this same strength within me. Then there’s the author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, who perfectly embodies my vision for women. I really enjoy listening to her and am always amazed at what she says.

AfrikElles: What inspired you to pursue your studies and go down the research route?

AB: Mon projet de fin d’études du master portait sur la télédétection appliquée à l’avocatier. J’ai pris goût à la télédétection, qui est en fait une branche de l’agriculture de précision (une forme de gestion de l'agriculture moderne qui utilise les nouvelles technologies pour booster les rendements). Tous les sujets et projets de recherche qui m’intéressaient et pour lesquels j’ai soumis ma candidature tournaient autour de cela. Je me suis dit que ce domaine méritait d’être développé par moi, et c’était soit ça, soit je mettais la recherche de côté. C’est donc l’agriculture de précision qui a nourri ma soif pour la recherche.

Grâce à ce projet, nous avons considérablement augmenté les rendements agricoles des exploitations concernées, notamment dans la culture du maïs, du blé et du riz.

AB: My final year Master’s project focused on remote sensing techniques for avocado trees. I enjoyed exploring remote sensing, an area of precision agriculture (a type of modern agricultural management that uses new technologies to boost agricultural yields). All the subjects and research projects that interested me and for which I applied focused on this. I felt that this was an area worth further pursuing. It was either that or put research on hold. Precision agriculture increased my thirst for research.

Through this project, we have considerably increased the agricultural yields of the farms involved, especially in corn, wheat, and rice cultivation.

AfrikElles: What are the main difficulties you have encountered in your field as a woman, and how have you overcome them?

AB: J’ai souvent entendu des commentaires tels que « toi, femme, que fais-tu en tant qu’agricultrice ? » ou encore « l’agriculture n’est pas pour les femmes ». Pour surmonter ces préjugés, j’ai dû développer une grande résilience et prouver, à travers mes compétences et mon travail, que l’agriculture est un domaine dans lequel les femmes peuvent exceller tout autant que les hommes.

AB: I often hear comments like, “You’re a woman; what are you doing as a farmer?” or “Agriculture isn’t for women.” To overcome these prejudices, I had to build up significant resilience and use my skills and work to prove that agriculture is a field where women can succeed just as much as men.

AfrikElles: What do you think of the stereotype that women with a degree aren’t good wives?

AB: Je pense que ces personnes sont complètement à côté de la plaque. L’un n’empêche pas l’autre. Il est tout à fait possible d’être une excellente épouse, peu importe les diplômes que l’on possède. Il s’agit de savoir dissocier sa vie professionnelle de sa vie personnelle et amoureuse. Gérer son foyer est indépendant des diplômes.

AB: I think that these people are completely off the mark. One thing doesn’t preclude the other. It’s entirely possible to be a good wife, regardless of our degrees. It’s a matter of knowing how to separate our professional lives from our personal and romantic lives. Our degrees have no bearing on running a household.

AfrikElles: What advice would you give young women hoping to pursue a career in research?

AB: Tout est possible à celui qui croit, surtout à celui qui se donne les moyens d’y arriver. Ne vous limitez pas à cause de votre genre, et ne laissez jamais penser que certaines opportunités vous seront défavorables parce que vous êtes une femme. Osez, brisez les stéréotypes et les préjugés et brillez, car nous sommes les plus belles créatures du monde. En plus, dans la recherche, la curiosité est votre meilleur allié. N’ayez pas peur de poser des questions, d’explorer de nouvelles idées, et de persévérer face aux défis. Le savoir est une aventure, et vous avez le pouvoir d’y exceller.

AB: Anything is possible for those who believe, especially those who work hard to achieve it. Don’t restrict yourself because of your gender, and never let others think that specific opportunities will be undesirable for you because you’re a woman. Dare, break down stereotypes and prejudices, and shine because we are the most beautiful creatures in the world. Also, when it comes to research, curiosity is your best friend. Don’t be scared to ask questions, explore new ideas, and persevere in the face of difficulty. Knowledge is an adventure, and you have the power to excel.

AfrikElles: What are your ambitions for African and Togolese agriculture? 

AB: Lors de mon entretien pour intégrer l’Université Mohammed VI Polytechnique, j’ai demandé s’il serait possible d’avoir des sites d’expérimentation au Togo, car charité bien ordonnée commence par soi. Par conséquent, j’ai souhaité que mes toutes premières contributions soient appliquées aussi dans mon pays d’origine. Mon ambition est de voir l’agriculture togolaise se développer, avec une jeunesse de plus en plus impliquée, tout en contribuant à une transformation durable de l’agriculture en Afrique. J’ai eu la chance de participer à un projet en parfaite adéquation avec ces objectifs. Ma première expérience en recherche, en collaboration avec l’African Plant Nutrition Institute (L'Institut Africain de la Nutrition des Plantes (APNI)) sur le projet Nutrient Catalyzer Agricultural Transformation, m’a permis de travailler sur 20 sites au Togo et dans d’autres régions d’Afrique. Grâce à ce projet, nous avons considérablement augmenté les rendements agricoles des exploitations concernées, notamment dans la culture du maïs, du blé et du riz. Le projet est toujours en cours, et je continue d’y apporter mon expertise en techniques d’agriculture de précision, avec pour ambition de créer un modèle reproductible à l’échelle africaine, assurant sécurité alimentaire et prospérité pour les communautés locales.

AB: During my interview for a place at Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, I asked if it would be possible to have some test sites in Togo, as charity begins at home. I also wanted to implement my very first research contributions in my home country. My ultimate ambition is to see greater youth involvement in the development of Togolese agriculture, thus contributing to the sustainable transformation of agriculture in Africa. I was lucky enough to participate in a project fully aligned with these objectives. My first research experience, collaborating with the African Plant Nutrition Institute (APNI) on the Nutrient Catalyzer Agricultural Transformation Project, enabled me to work on 20 sites in Togo and other African regions. Thanks to this project, the agricultural yields of the farms involved have increased considerably, especially in corn, wheat, and rice cultivation. This project is ongoing, and I continue to contribute my expertise in precision agriculture techniques to create a model we can replicate throughout Africa. This model will ensure food security and prosperity in local communities.

 

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Line of conflict shifts from the Donbas in Ukraine to Mali in the Sahel https://globalvoices.org/2024/09/03/line-of-conflict-shifts-from-the-donbas-in-ukraine-to-mali-in-the-sahel/ https://globalvoices.org/2024/09/03/line-of-conflict-shifts-from-the-donbas-in-ukraine-to-mali-in-the-sahel/#respond Tue, 03 Sep 2024 07:53:52 +0000 https://globalvoices.org/?p=819471 Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger ended diplomatic relations with Ukraine

Originally published on Global Voices

 

A Malian soldier’s military uniform. Image produced on Canva by Global Voices.

This article by Arnauld Kassouin and Moucharaf Soumanouest was first published in French on Bénin Intelligent on August 26, 2024. Global Voices republished the article as part of a media partnership agreement.

Ukraine’s involvement in an attack by the separatist rebels of the Tuareg ethnic group on Africa Corps (formerly Wagner), a Russian paramilitary group allied with the Malian Armed Forces (FAMa), which took place in Mali from July 25 to 27, 2024, was the defining moment that brought two separate wars together in the Sahel.

On August 1, the Strategic Framework for the Defense of the People of Azawad (CSP-DPA) reported that this attack on Tinzaouaten, a commune in the northwestern Kidal region bordering Algeria, had claimed the lives of 47 Malian and 84 Russian soldiers. The CSP-DPA is a coalition of Tuareg political and military movements in northern Mali, which has been waging war against the Malian government since 2013 over the independence of the Azawad territory.

Read: The Sahel faces resurgence of terrorist attacks

However, this attack is also an example of how the consequences of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 are being felt far beyond European borders. The CSP-DPA gained ground in July due to Ukraine’s intervention. On July 29, Andriy Yusov, the Ukrainian Intelligence Agency’s (GUR) spokesperson, confirmed his office was “in  contact with the separatist rebels in northern Mali.”

The CSP-DPA spokesperson Mohamed Elmaouloud Ramadane was quick to clarify the matter on Radio France Internationale (RFI):

Bien sûr, nous avons des contacts avec les Ukrainiens, avec tout le monde, et particulièrement avec ceux qui subissent la terreur de Wagner.

Of course, we are in contact with the Ukrainians, with everyone, especially those living under Wagner’s terror.

According to French newspaper Libération, Yusov confirmed on Ukrainian television that:

Les combattants du CSP-DPA ont reçu des informations nécessaires qui leur ont permis de mener une opération militaire réussie contre les criminels de guerre russes.

The CSP-DPA fighters received the information they required to carry out a successful military operation against Russian war criminals.

In an article by online news outlet  Maliweb, Russian expert Oleg Nesterenko said:

C’est une opération qui s’inscrit dans le cadre du projet secret de la Direction des renseignements de l’Ukraine.

This operation was part of a classified project by Ukraine’s Intelligence Directorate.

Yurii Pyvovarov, the Ukrainian ambassador to Senegal, commented on Yusov’s video:

Le travail se poursuivra. Il y aura certainement d’autres résultats. La punition des crimes de guerre et du terrorisme est inévitable. C’est un axiome.

The work continues, and there will undoubtedly be further developments. Punishment for war crimes and terrorism is inevitable. This is self-evident.

The Russo–Ukrainian war moves to the Sahel

Could Ukraine’s open support for the CSP-DPA rebels be considered the start of a proxy war linking the Donbas in eastern Ukraine with the Sahel?

In a telephone interview with the BBC, Bakary Sambe, the regional director of the Timbuktu Institute, an African research center for peace, stated:

D’après les derniers événements au Mali, ce n’est plus une guerre par procuration, mais plutôt une véritable guerre froide dont le nouveau terrain de jeu se déroule dans la région sahélienne.

Based on the recent events in Mali, this is no longer a proxy war but a full-blown cold war in the Sahel region.

Comments made by Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, appear to confirm Sambe’s claims. One week after the events on July 27, Zakharova accused Ukraine of opening a second front in Africa. Swiss public broadcasting organization, Radio Télévision Suisse (RTS), quoted her as saying:

Incapable de vaincre la Russie sur le champ de bataille, le régime criminel de Zelensky a décidé d’ouvrir un deuxième front en Afrique. Le gouvernement ukrainien soutient des groupes terroristes dans des États du continent favorables à Moscou.

Unable to defeat Russia on the battlefield, Zelenskyy’s criminal regime has decided to open a second front in Africa. The Ukrainian government supports terrorist groups in the African states that support Moscow.

In an article published on Wathi, a citizen think tank based in Dakar, capital of Senegal, Bah Traoré Legrand, a researcher in disinformation, explained:

Le Mali est devenu un théâtre d’affrontements indirects entre la Russie et l’Ukraine, et ce, à cause de la dynamique de la géopolitique internationale actuelle.

Due to the current dynamics of international geopolitics, Mali has become the backdrop for indirect clashes between Russia and Ukraine.

According to Irina Filatova, a Russian historian based in South Africa, there is a clear rationale behind the Ukrainians’ involvement. She explained to German media company Deutsche Welle:

Ils (Ukrainiens) doivent montrer aux pays africains que les Russes ne sont pas tout-puissants, qu’ils peuvent aussi perdre.

They (the Ukrainians) have to prove to African countries that the Russians are not all-powerful and can also lose.

In a BBC Afrique (BBC Africa) article, Paul Melly, an analyst and researcher at Chatham House, a London-based think tank, is quoted as saying:

Les allusions de Kiev à une implication directe confirment jusqu’où elle est prête à aller pour mener sa riposte contre le président russe.

Kyiv’s mention of direct involvement confirms just how far it is prepared to go in retaliation against the Russian president.

Indeed, Kyiv’s strategy in Africa is to loosen “Russia’s grip” on this continent. Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kouleba explained to Africanews:

Nous ne voulons pas être une autre Russie. Notre stratégie n'est pas de remplacer la Russie, mais de libérer l'Afrique de l'emprise russe.

We don’t want to be another Russia. Our strategy is not to replace Russia but to free Africa from Russia’s grip.

Geopolitical implications

Ukraine’s involvement with the CSP-DPA rebels is not without its consequences: Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger subsequently broke off their diplomatic relations with Ukraine. These three countries were determined to make their voices heard and took the matter to the United Nations Security Council.

In memorandum no.24-003-AES, all three countries “denounced and strongly condemned the Ukrainian government’s open support for international terrorism, especially in the Sahel.”

Paul Melly added:

Il s’agit là d’un nouveau cas où des puissances extérieures exploitent le continent comme un terrain de jeu sanglant pour leurs propres rivalités.

This is yet another example of external powers using this continent as a bloody playground for their rivalries.

Yassine Fall, Senegal’s Minister of African Integration and Foreign Affairs, didn’t hesitate to remind Yurii Pyvarovov of his duties the day after his comments. A statement that the news outlet Anadolu covered states:

Concernant l’ambassadeur d’Ukraine à Dakar qui a été convoqué, il lui a été rappelé les obligations de discrétion, de retenue et de non-ingérence qui doivent accompagner la gravité et la solennité de sa mission.

The Ukrainian ambassador in Dakar who was summoned was reminded of his obligations of discretion, restraint, and non-interference, which go hand in hand with the seriousness and solemnity of his role.

Likewise, on August 5, 2024, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) released a statement expressing “its firm disapproval and condemnation of all foreign interference in this region.”

A repeat of the Libyan situation in Mali?

In 2011, Libya experienced a similar situation. During the Libyan Revolution between March and October that year, a civil war pitting the forces loyal to Colonel Muammar Gaddafi against the opposing rebels led to an international military intervention of around 20 countries.

The current situation in Mali, especially in Kidal, is reminiscent of the Libyan crisis. Amidou Tidjani, a teacher-researcher at Paris 13 University, states:

Nous sommes désormais dans un conflit d’État à État à travers des acteurs indirects qui sont groupes armés terroristes.

We are now experiencing an inter-state conflict involving indirect parties, which are armed terrorist groups.

Fakoro Traoré, the author of the article titled Tinzaouaten or the proxy war, which Malian media outlet Bamada published, believes:

Ce qui s’est passé à Tizawaten est guerre de recolonisation. Il est la suite logique de la guerre contre Kadhafi.

What happened in Tinzaouaten is a war of recolonization, which is consistent with the war against Gaddafi.

Libyanization, typified by the collapse of state authority and the proliferation of armed groups, is, therefore, a real danger. Ukraine’s recent involvement in supporting Malian rebels could further exacerbate this instability by fuelling internal conflicts. These dynamics could prompt other regional or international actors to intervene in the Sahel region, thus increasing the risk of the fragmentation of all Sahel countries.

Wassim Nasr, a journalist and specialist in Jihadist movements, told French media outlet Le Grand Continent that:

La région du Sahel s’inscrit aussi bien que le Soudan dans la stratégie ukrainienne d’internationalisation de la lutte contre la Russie.

The Sahel region and Sudan both fall within Ukraine’s strategy to internationalize its fight against Russia.

In a publication titled “Ukraine: Training terrorist groups in the Sahel, mercenaries, and the incursion into Russia,” Oleg Nesterenko stated that “these Ukrainian strikes against Mali couldn’t take place without direct support from NATO countries.”

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Séverin Ayao Kansa: Togo’s only chance of success at the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games https://globalvoices.org/2024/08/29/severin-ayao-kansa-togos-only-chance-of-success-at-the-2024-paris-paralympic-games/ https://globalvoices.org/2024/08/29/severin-ayao-kansa-togos-only-chance-of-success-at-the-2024-paris-paralympic-games/#respond Thu, 29 Aug 2024 06:59:59 +0000 https://globalvoices.org/?p=819212 For 11 days, 4,400 athletes from 182 countries will compete in 22 sports disciplines

Originally published on Global Voices

Image of Severin Ayao Kansa. Screenshot from the Isis Media YouTube Channel

The 2024 Paris Paralympic Games will take place from August 28 to September 8, 2024, two weeks after the Paris Olympic Games ended. For 11 days, 4,400 athletes from 182 countries will compete in 22 sports disciplines, seeking to win medals and put their respective countries on the Paralympic winners list.

Read: Rare Olympic Games coverage opportunity for African journalists: An interview with Daniel Dodjagni

Séverin Ayao Kansa, a Togolese para athlete competing in the Men’s High Jump T47 (a classification for athletes with a below elbow or wrist impairment), will represent Togo at the Paralympic Games. Although Kansa has already participated in several international competitions, this is his first time participating in the Paralympic Games. The athlete qualified for this event thanks to his performance at the 8th edition of the Marrakech 2024 World Para Athletics Grand Prix in Morocco in April 2024, where he won a gold medal with a jump of 1.79m.

In a WhatsApp interview with Global Voices, Kansa discussed his determination and desire to fly the Togolese flag high by giving his all during this competition.

Jean Sovon(JS): You are the only Togolese athlete to have qualified for the 2024 Paralympic Games. How do you feel about this?

Séverin Ayao Kansa (SYK): Être qualifié pour les Jeux Paralympiques, c'est un rêve que je chéris depuis deux ans. C'était lors de ma première compétition internationale aux 5èmes Jeux de la solidarité islamique en Turquie en août 2022. Ce rêve commence par devenir réalité quand l'année passée j'ai concouru et j'ai eu ma première médaille internationale au 8e Grand Prix du Marrakech au Maroc en avril 2024. Donc il y a une joie qui m'anime actuellement, et c'est un honneur pour moi de représenter le Togo. C'est un sentiment de rêve atteint.

Maintenant nous sommes dans cette logique de mission à accomplir. Et cette mission consiste à relever le niveau du mouvement paralympique au Togo. Donc je peux dire que oui, je suis content.

Séverin Ayao Kansa (SYK): Since competing in my first international competition in Turkey in August 2022, the 5th edition of the Islamic Solidarity Games, I have dreamed of qualifying for the Paralympic Games. This dream started to become a reality when I competed in the 8th edition of the Marrakech 2024 World Para Athletics Grand Prix and won my first international gold medal. The excitement motivates me, and it’s an honor to represent Togo. It’s a dream come true for me.

We’re now on a mission to succeed, and this mission means taking Togo’s Paralympic movement to a whole new level. So, it would be fair to say I’m happy.

JS: Are you under pressure due to your teammates’ lack of success at the Paris Olympic Games?

SYK: Non, je n'ai aucune pression au regard de la prestation de mes confrères aux Jeux Olympiques de Paris. Plutôt, je salue la détermination et la volonté de ces cinq athlètes qui ont compéti pour l'honneur du Togo parce que ce n'est pas facile. Les Jeux Olympiques sont des rendez-vous sportifs les plus attendus par tous les athlètes, car ils n'arrivent qu'une seule fois tous les quatre ans. Ce n'est pas quelque chose où on va se dire qu'on a démérité. Être sélectionné, c'est déjà une victoire en soi. Je peux dire aussi que chacun d'entre eux a donné le meilleur de lui.

D'autres ont amélioré leur propre record, alors, ce n'est pas une pression pour moi. C'est plutôt une motivation qui me pousse maintenant à donner aussi le meilleur de moi pour faire une meilleure performance personnelle.

YK: No, I’m not under any pressure regarding my teammates’ performance at the Paris Olympic Games. Instead, I applaud the dedication and commitment of the five athletes who competed for Togo because this was no mean feat. The Olympic Games are the most eagerly anticipated sports event for all athletes, as they only happen once every four years. These Games aren’t something we would say we have been unsuccessful in. Being selected is already a victory in itself. I would say that each one of them gave their all.

Some even improved their personal bests. So, rather than putting pressure on me, it motivates me to give my all and achieve my personal best.

Read: African journalists perspective on the 2024 Paris Olympic Games

JS: Do you expect to come back with a medal?

SYK: Rappelons que c'est ma première participation aux Jeux Paralympiques. Au regard de ce que j'ai eu à faire comme préparation, je peux dire que je suis confiant pour bien participer. Je dois rester serein, suivre les instructions du coach, appliquer ce que j'ai appris à l'entraînement, rester concentré jusqu'à la fin de la compétition et donner le meilleur de moi. Parce que mon objectif, c'est de représenter valablement le Togo à ces Jeux, de donner la joie à tous les Togolais qui me regardent et qui seront fiers de me soutenir. L'essentiel dans tout cela, c'est d'arriver à faire une bonne compétition et relever ma performance.

SYK: Let’s not forget that these are my first Paralympic Games. Because of my training, I’m confident I can participate successfully. As my ultimate goal is to successfully represent Togo in these Games and bring joy to the Togolese citizens who will be proudly supporting me, I must stay calm, follow my coach’s advice, apply what I’ve learned in training, keep focused until the end of the competition, and give it my all. The most important thing is to have a good competition and raise my performance.

This Isis Média video report documents Kansa’s training at Kégué Stadium (located in Lomé, the capital of Togo) in the run-up to the Paralympic Games:

JS: Under what conditions did you train? Did you have any specialized support?

SYK: En ce qui concerne mes préparatifs, la Fédération Togolaise de Sport Paralympique (FETOSPA) a tout mis en œuvre pour que j'ai les meilleurs moyens pour m'entraîner. Mon programme a été établi avec le coach, et nous l'avons très bien suivi. Le ministère du sport et des loisirs n'a ménagé aucun effort pour permettre à ce que ces Jeux soient vraiment des jeux de qualité. Je remercie aussi le Comité national olympique du Togo pour le soutien qu'il m'a apporté.

Ces institutions qui ont mis à ma disposition les moyens financiers et matériels, afin de me faciliter la préparation. Les Jeux Paralympiques sont d’une autre dimension et constitue le summum de ce que tous les athlètes recherchent. A ce rendez-vous, je compte donner le meilleur de moi-même, pour faire honneur aux couleurs nationales.

SYK: Regarding my training, the Togolese Paralympic Sports Federation (FETOSPA) did its utmost to ensure I had the best resources available to train. My coach set out my program, and we followed it very closely. The Ministry of Sport and Leisure has made every effort to ensure these are high-quality Games. I would also like to thank Togo’s National Olympic Committee for all their support.

These institutions gave me the financial and material resources I required to train. The Paralympic Games take on a whole new dimension and are an athlete’s ultimate dream. I intend to give my all at this event to honor our national colors.

JS: What is your professional background

SYK: J'ai un parcours assez modeste avant cette qualification. Je peux dire que je suis un athlète multidisciplinaire. Je fais le para-tennis de table, je fais aussi le para-badminton, avant de faire du para-athlétisme. Pendant ces processus de qualification, j'ai participé à trois compétitions internationales en para-athlétisme. Il s'agit des Jeux Islamiques en Turquie en 2022, une première dans ma carrière. En 2023, il s'agit du 7e Grand Prix de Marrakech où j'ai fini 3e avec la médaille de bronze avec un saut d'une hauteur de 1m60 ; et au 8e Grand Prix de Marrakech en 2024, j'ai décroché la médaille d'or avec un saut d'une hauteur de 1m79.

SYK: I had a fairly modest career before this qualification. I would say that I’m a multidisciplinary athlete. I played para table tennis and para badminton before doing para athletics. I participated in three para athletics events during the qualification process. In Turkey, in 2022, I competed in the Islamic Solidarity Games for the first time in my career. In 2023, I competed in the 7th edition of the Marrakech World Para Athletics Grand Prix, where I won a bronze medal with a jump of  1.60m. In 2024, I competed in the 8th edition of the Marrakech Grand Prix, winning a gold medal with a jump of 1.79m.

Séverin Ayao Kansa, who has a chance of winning Togo’s first-ever Paralympic medal, has the backing of Togolese citizens. As such, this young athlete will be under immense pressure. As the competition unfolds, we will learn whether his training and the support he received have been enough to secure the ultimate Paralympic accolade.

Also read: French-Malian singer Aya’s rocky journey to the 2024 Paris Olympics opening ceremony

 

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Madagascar: Hyperinflation could trigger a social implosion https://globalvoices.org/2024/08/26/madagascar-hyperinflation-could-trigger-a-social-implosion/ https://globalvoices.org/2024/08/26/madagascar-hyperinflation-could-trigger-a-social-implosion/#respond Mon, 26 Aug 2024 10:21:15 +0000 https://globalvoices.org/?p=818347 In Madagascar, the average monthly income is still only USD 42

Originally published on Global Voices

Image of a table selling grains and basic necessities. Photo taken in a grocery store in Antananarivo, capital of Madagascar., by Independent Reporter.

This article by Maurice Ranjalahy was originally published in French on August 16, 2024 on Independent Reporter. Global Voices republished and translated this article as part of a partnership agreement.

Despite a booming African economy with a growth rate of 3.8 percent, the economic situation in Madagascar, also known as the Great Island, continues to deteriorate.

In 2023, the global economic data platform Statista found that Madagascar’s average inflation rate was 10.5 percent, and poverty affected 24.8 million people or 80.7 percent of its estimated population of over 32 million. According to a World Bank report published on April 2, 2024, this figure is greater than the combined population of Burundi and South Sudan, which have around 12.89 million and 10.91 million citizens, respectively.

According to Serge Zafimahova, an economist whom Independent Reporter interviewed, this hyperinflation is affecting the Malagasy middle class and could potentially cause a social implosion.

Read: “This 7.3 percent inflation figure is wrong. We’re approaching 15 percent. This is hyperinflation.” Serge Zafimahova

What caused this hyperinflation? 

Although the price of essential commodities continues to rise in Madagascar, the average monthly income is still only MGA 196,359 (USD 42.64).

Under such circumstances, 1 kg of rice costs between MGA 2,800 to 3,500 (USD 0.60 to 0.76), and 1 kg of meat varies from MGA 20,000 to 23,000 ( USD 4.35 to 5). According to the economist Ny Nosy Andrianirina, this financial situation ultimately stems from the COVID-19 pandemic. Andrianirina told Independent Reporter:

Ce sont des séquelles de l’arrêt des activités de productions durant la crise sanitaire de la Covid qui ont été fatales pour le monde, mais bien plus impactantes pour Madagascar. Notamment en termes de recette fiscale et surtout suite aux restrictions sur les exportations de marchandise qui ont significativement impacté notre modèle économique.

Although the shutdown of production activities during the COVID-19 pandemic had a devastating global impact, it was particularly impactful on Madagascar in terms of fiscal revenue. The restrictions on the export of goods significantly impacted our business model.

Furthermore, Jirama (Madagascar’s state-owned electric utility and water services company) announced drastic measures for customers who fail to pay their water and electricity bills. These measures include cutting off supplies and penalties for late payments. The current situation has led to the closure of several businesses and higher production costs.

Andriananirina also explained that this inflation is partly due to other international factors:

Plusieurs autres facteurs expliquent ce phénomène, comme la hausse des produits énergétiques ainsi que l’instabilité des marchés avec la guerre russo-ukrainienne, même si l’échange commercial avec ces deux pays reste faible pour Madagascar. Ce conflit pèse sur le marché international entraînant la hausse des coûts des produits importés.

Several other factors are behind this phenomenon, such as increased energy costs and market instability due to the Russo–Ukrainian war. Although Madagascar’s trade with these two countries remains relatively low, this conflict still weighs heavily on the international market by driving up the cost of imported goods.

Generally speaking, trade deficits caused by massive imports remain the primary cause of all inflation. Expensive imports create a growing demand for foreign currencies, often leading to the devaluation of national currencies.

There were some encouraging indications in 2023. Tourism increased 97 percent compared with 2022, with the arrival of some 259,850 tourists. However, according to the Ministry of Tourism and Handicrafts’ official website, this will not be enough to compensate for the loss of revenue for the Malagasy economy.

Purchasing power down for endangered middle class

Due to an inflation rate of 7.4 percent and one euro roughly equal to MGA 5,000 (USD 1), Madagascar’s current economic situation directly impacts Malagasy households. Jean Andria, a father living in a district of Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar, said:

Je suis obligé de faire des coupes budgétaires pour pouvoir subvenir aux besoins quotidiens de ma famille et préparer la rentrée scolaire de mes deux enfants.

I must make budget cuts to meet my family’s everyday needs and prepare for my two kids’ return to school.

Tsiory, a security guard in the capital, also explained to Independent Reporter:

La vie est plus que difficile, le fait que je gagne pas assez m’oblige à travailler plus avec des heures supplémentaires pour pouvoir arrondir chaque fin du mois.

Life is beyond difficult, and the fact I don’t earn enough forces me to do more overtime to make ends meet each month.

Many economists agree that the Malagasy middle class is at risk of vanishing due to the soaring cost of essential commodities and energy bills. Andriananirina summarized:

Le taux de pauvreté risque de s’aggraver en créant beaucoup plus d’inégalités sociales.

Poverty rates are likely to worsen, thus increasing social inequalities.

Government announces ambitious measures to address the situation 

Under Bill n°023/2023 on the 2024 Finance Act, the Malagasy government forecasts growth of 4.5 percent for 2024. Extractive industry activity is projected at 7.2 percent, the textile industry at 4.9 percent, construction and public works (BTP) at 4.0 percent, tourism at 10.1 percent, transport at 5.9 percent, and telecommunications at 10.7 percent.

With economic recovery in mind, the government plans to extensively reform the new investment law and mining code, and overhaul the legal and regulatory framework of telecommunications. Furthermore, the government also forecasts a customs revenue of MGA 4,687 billion (over USD 100 million) for 2024, a quarter of which will come from the taxation of petroleum product imports and 75 percent from the taxation of non-petroleum product imports. This Great Island imports rice from India and Pakistan, medication from India and China, and palm oil from Indonesia and Malaysia. The aim of this taxation is to limit the impact of imports. Zafimahova commented on these measures as follows:

Ces mesures sont louables, mais la priorité réside dans une volonté politique, la modélisation d’une économie robuste et d’une vision claire avec des techniciens patriotes.

Although these measures are laudable, political commitment, a robust economic model, and patriotic experts with a clear vision remain the priority.

Even though Malagasy officials appear determined to address this hyperinflation, it remains to be seen whether the cost will be manageable for the average consumer and whether self-sufficiency will meet the government’s expectations.

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African Union: Concerns grow on African continent over the spread of mpox https://globalvoices.org/2024/08/19/african-union-concerns-grow-on-african-continent-over-the-spread-of-mpox/ https://globalvoices.org/2024/08/19/african-union-concerns-grow-on-african-continent-over-the-spread-of-mpox/#respond Mon, 19 Aug 2024 11:15:26 +0000 https://globalvoices.org/?p=818345 No mpox vaccines are available in Africa

Originally published on Global Voices

Manifestation of Mpox. Screenshot from video “Variole du singe : alerte maximale en Afrique” on the franceinfo YouTube channel. Fair use.

According to the African Union, the resurgence of mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) on the African continent is a public health emergency. More than ten countries are currently affected, thus resulting in hundreds of deaths.

Though the disease was first identified in Denmark in  1958, the first human case of mpox was discovered in Basankusu, a western province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), in 1970. Over the years, other African countries, such as Cameroon, Gabon, Nigeria, the Central African Republic, and Sierra Leone, have all recorded cases. Cases were also recorded in the United States in 2003 and the United Kingdom, Singapore, and Israel in 2018.

In May 2022, this infectious disease, now known as mpox, spread worldwide, with multiple strains detected.

Growing concerns on African continent

According to the African Union’s health agency, the Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), between January and August 2024, there were 2,863 confirmed cases of and 517 deaths from mpox in 13 countries. Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, and DRC were the most affected countries. Other sources, such as the BBC, report that there were 13,700 cases and 450 deaths in the Democratic Republic of the Congo alone, thus making this country a stronghold for the disease on this continent.

There is an urgent need for vaccines to help combat this disease in DRC. Although vaccines exist, they are not readily available on this continent.

In an interview with Radio France Internationale (RFI), Professor Placide Mbala, head of the Department of Epidemiology and Global Health at the National Institute of Biomedical Research in DRC, warns:

Nous sommes en face d'une souche qui semble être dérivée de la souche la plus virulente du Mpox et qui a tendance à se propager très facilement d'homme à homme. Nous savons que la maladie touche beaucoup plus les enfants de moins de 15 ans. C'est vraiment la population qui est la plus touchée. La première mesure, c'est de pouvoir isoler ceux qui sont infectés et aussi vacciner ceux qui sont exposés à cette maladie. Lorsqu'il y a eu cette épidémie globale dans les pays occidentaux, le vaccin était disponible ce soit en Europe, que ce soit aux Amériques. Cependant, pour la RDC, nous n'avons pas encore de vaccin disponible pour vacciner ceux qui sont à risque. Nous avons beaucoup de promesses pour pouvoir obtenir des vaccins. Mais pour le moment nous n'avons pas encore de vaccin. Donc la maladie peut continuer à circuler dans les communautés.

We are currently dealing with a strain that appears to have derived from the most virulent strain of mpox, which spreads very easily from person to person. We know that this disease mainly affects children under 15, who are the most affected group. The initial measure is to isolate those infected and vaccinate those exposed to the disease. When this global epidemic broke out in Western countries, the vaccine became available in Europe and the American continents. However, vaccines are yet to become available for those at risk in DRC. Although we have had many promises to secure this vaccine, we still haven’t received any. So, the disease will continue to spread in the community.

Other countries, such as Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, and South Africa, are not immune to this epidemic.

The virus is also spreading in West Africa, especially in Côte d'Ivoire. The Ivorian government has subsequently implemented measures to control the situation. Minister of Water and Forests Laurent Tchagba has prohibited Ivorian citizens from keeping wild animals as pets, including monkeys, chimpanzees, rats, and squirrels, and from consuming bushmeat. Those who violate this regulation will face fines of CFA 5 to 100 million (USD 8,395 to 167,915) and sentences of five to 20 years imprisonment.

Internet users have also expressed their concerns online. Muichiro posted on X (formerly Twitter):

I put up with COVID-19, but I can’t with mpox. This is beyond my capabilities.

— Muichiro (@JFromKi) August 14, 2024

Given the magnitude of this epidemic, the World Health Organization (WHO) held an emergency meeting on August 7, 2024, with interested parties to discuss initiatives to stop the global spread of this disease. In this regard, Antoine Gessain, head of the Unit of Epidemiology and Pathophysiology of Oncogenic Viruses (EPVO) at the biomedical research center, Institut Pasteur, told French newspaper Le Monde:

L’urgence de santé publique de portée internationale permet de donner plus de moyens humains, financiers et logistiques et ainsi diminuer le risque de dissémination, en particulier dans les populations à risque.

A public health emergency of international concern provides more human, financial, and logistical resources to reduce the risk of the disease spreading, especially among at-risk populations.

Action on the disease

On August 13, 2024, the Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention officially declared mpox a public health emergency on this continent. This decision will be important in leveraging resources to respond appropriately to the growing risks. Jean Kaseya, Director of the African Union’s Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, warns of the risks associated with this virus. He stated:

La maladie pourrait échapper à tout contrôle si des mesures immédiates n'étaient pas prises pour la contenir. Cette déclaration n'est pas seulement une formalité. Il s'agit d'un appel à l'action. C'est une reconnaissance que nous ne pouvons plus nous permettre d'être réactifs. Nous devons être proactifs et agressifs dans nos efforts pour contenir et éliminer cette menace.

This disease could spiral out of control if immediate measures are not taken to contain it. This statement isn’t just a formality but a call to action. This is an acknowledgment that we can no longer afford to be reactive. We must be proactive and assertive in our efforts to contain and eliminate this threat.

The WHO confirmed the statement of the Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention. A BBC article quoted the WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who stated:

Le potentiel de propagation à l'intérieur de l'Afrique et au-delà “est très préoccupant. Une réponse internationale coordonnée est essentielle pour mettre fin à cette épidémie et sauver des vies.

The potential spread of the disease within Africa and beyond “is extremely concerning.” A coordinated international response is critical to end this epidemic and save lives.

The WHO chief explained in this video on X:

Africa has already paid a heavy price during the COVID-19 pandemic: health sovereignty, economic recovery, and the protection of individual rights and freedoms.

Read: Lockdown to Shutdown: How COVID-19 stifled digital rights in Zimbabwe

Given the circumstances, the African Union has demonstrated its commitment to proactively mobilizing funds. According to a BBC article, the institution approved over USD 10 million to help the African Union’s Centre for Disease Control and Prevention tackle this epidemic.

 

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Rare Olympic Games coverage opportunity for African journalists: An interview with Daniel Dodjagni https://globalvoices.org/2024/08/12/rare-olympic-games-coverage-opportunity-for-african-journalists-an-interview-with-daniel-dodjagni/ Mon, 12 Aug 2024 11:27:21 +0000 https://globalvoices.org/?p=818191 Togolese athletes don't train in adequate conditions

Originally published on Global Voices

Daniel Dodjagni, Togolese journalist. Photo used with permission.

Through the Paris Médias 2024 initiative by French media development agency CFI Médias, several African journalists attended the 2024 Paris Olympic Games to provide diverse coverage of an event that is as much about sports as it is about politics.

Read more: African journalist perspectives on 2024 Paris Olympic Games

Togo had five athletes in four different disciplines at the Paris Olympic Games. These athletes included Akoko Komlanvi in rowing, Jordano Daou and Adèle Gaïtou in swimming, Naomi Akakpo in track and field, and Eloi Adjavon in the triathlon. These athletes were eliminated from the competition, so their country won no medals at the Games. However, this didn’t prevent the Togolese sports journalists from closely monitoring the latest Game updates.

Following his Olympic Games debut, Daniel Dodjagni, a Togolese journalist with media outlet Gakogoe.tg, spoke to Global Voices over WhatsApp about the significant value this initiative has brought to his journalism career, his relationship with the Togolese athletes, and the future of Togolese sport as a whole.

Jean Sovon (JS): How did you become one of the African journalists at the Paris Olympic Games?

Daniel Dodjagni (DD): C'est à partir d'un projet de CFI Média, une agence française de développement des médias que l'appel à candidature a été lancé à travers les Comités nationaux olympiques (CNO) des pays francophones de l'Afrique. Le CNO au Togo avait lancé ce processus auquel j’ai participé en novembre 2023. A l'issue de l'étude des dossiers, nous étions trois à être retenus. Heureusement, j'ai été sélectionné à l'issue d'un concours. Pour la suite, nous avons suivi des formations.

Et quand vous êtes un CNO et que vous n'avez pas au moins 50 athlètes qualifiés, vous n'avez droit qu'à un seul journaliste à accréditer. Le Togo ne présente que 5 athlètes, il n'y a qu'une seule place pour les journalistes, qui m'est revenue. Le CNO du Togo a tout fait pour pouvoir m'accréditer, j'ai donc eu mon accréditation qui m'a permis de voyager, de venir ici et de découvrir les JO sur les différents sites où je peux aller.

Daniel Dodjagni (DD): The National Olympic Committee (NOC) of French-speaking African countries launched the application process through an initiative by the French Media Development Agency CFI Média. The Togolese NOC launched this process in November 2023, and I participated. After reviewing the applications, the committee shortlisted three of us. Fortunately, after a competitive process, I was selected. We then attended training.

A NOC without at least 50 qualified athletes can only accredit one journalist. Togo only had five athletes, so I received the only journalist position available. I received my accreditation after the Togolese NOC did everything possible to accredit me. This accreditation enabled me to travel and come here to report on the Olympic Games from the locations I visited.

JS: What was your experience as a sports journalist covering the Olympic Games?

DD: C'est une expérience unique à vivre en tant que journaliste. Je vous avoue que ça fait du bien. Ça vous aide à apprendre beaucoup de choses. Vous rencontrez des journalistes que vous écoutez de loin, des gens que vous n'avez jamais imaginés rencontrer dans votre vie. Il y a beaucoup de choses acquises à travers ces rencontres.

La visite sur les différents sites est bien organisée. Ça vous fait grandir en tant que journaliste. Tout ceci constitue une formation qui vous permet de progresser dans ce que vous faites comme métier. Il y a beaucoup de confrères qui sont venus d'autres pays, de Côte d'Ivoire, du Burkina, du Mali, du Bénin, de la Guinée, de la RDC, et de Madagascar. Chacun a sa manière de travailler.

L'équipe pédagogique mise en place par CFI Média avec des journalistes de renom comme Noël Kokou Tadegnon, Franck Simon que beaucoup d'Africains connaissent à travers Canal+ et Sylvie Larrière qui est une formatrice en journalisme, nous permet d'apprendre en continu. Cela nous fait un bien fou et nous tirons de cette expérience.

DD: As a journalist, this experience was truly unique, and I have to say it was also beneficial. It helps you learn a lot. You meet the journalists you’ve heard of from afar, people you never thought you’d meet. You gain a lot from these encounters.

The visits to the various locations were well organized. This process helps you grow as a journalist. It provides practical training, enabling you to improve in your profession. Many colleagues came from countries like Côte d'Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Mali, Benin, Guinea, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Madagascar. Everyone has their own way of working.

CFI Média deployed a specialized team of prominent journalists like Noël Kokou Tadegnon, Franck Simon from the television station Canal+, and journalist trainer Sylvie Larrière. This enabled us to learn continuously, which did us a world of good. We gained a lot from this experience.

JS: Did your work focus on African athletes?

DD: Essentiellement, notre travail se focalise beaucoup plus sur les athlètes africains puisque nous couvrons les JO pour les médias africains. Donc nous nous concentrons surtout sur les performances des athlètes de nos pays, mais nous incluons aussi les athlètes d'autres pays africains, qu'ils soient francophones, lusophones, ou anglophones.

Mais nous travaillons aussi sur des athlètes d'origine africaine qui représentent d'autres pays. Je peux citer Félix Auger-Aliassime, joueur de tennis canadien d'origine togolaise,  et Clarisse Agbedjinou, femme judoka française d'origine togolaise.

DD: Our work primarily focused on African athletes, as we covered the Olympic Games for the African media. Although we mainly focused on the performance of athletes from our countries, we also included athletes from other French-speaking, Portuguese-speaking, and English-speaking African countries.

However, we also worked with athletes of African origin representing other countries. I refer to Félix Auger-Aliassime, a Canadian tennis player of Togolese origin, and Clarisse Agbedjinou, a French judoka of Togolese origin.

Image of Daniel Dodjagni. Used with permission.

JS: What did you think of the Togolese athletes’ performance at the Olympic Games?

DD: J'ai une très bonne relation avec nos athlètes, en partie grâce au CNO Togo qui m'a beaucoup aidé à les rencontrer et à les interviewer. J'ai pu avoir l’essentiel de ce qu’il faut pour faire mes articles.

C'est vrai nos athlètes ont été éliminés très tôt dans leur compétition, mais les JO, c'est quand même un très haut niveau, avec le gratin de tous les grands sportifs du monde. C'est donc très difficile d'obtenir une médaille. Quand vous voyez un athlète gagner une médaille d'or, il faut le féliciter, car il faut travailler dur pour pouvoir atteindre le niveau médaille. Ce n'est pas du tout facile.

Nos athlètes ont cette volonté de gagner et d'aller de l'avant, mais il va falloir que nos autorités travaillent, pour que nous arrivions à atteindre le niveau médaille. Nous avons dans le passé gagné une médaille avec Benjamin Boukpeti dans la catégorie Canoe Kayak aux JO de Pékin en 2008, mais il faut noter qu'il vivait en France où il peut s'entraîner normalement.

Je pense que tous les athlètes togolais qui ont participé à ces JO sont là pour la première fois. Ils vont capitaliser sur cette expérience-là pour mieux faire les années à venir car ils sont tous jeunes, autour de la vingtaine. Ils ont encore du temps devant eux pour apprendre. Peut-être qu'à Los Angeles en 2028, on va faire mieux.

DD: I had an excellent relationship with our Togolese athletes, thanks partly to the Togolese NOC, who helped me meet and interview them. I had most of what I needed to write my articles.

Although our athletes were eliminated early in the competition, the Olympics are still a high-level event with the world’s leading athletes. So, it’s tough to win a medal. You must congratulate athletes when you see them win a gold medal. They had to work hard to get to this level, and it’s not easy at all.

Although our athletes are determined to win and make progress, our authorities must take action for us to reach this medal level. In the past, we won a medal with Benjamin Boukpeti in the Canoeing category at the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008. However, it is important to note that he lived in France, where he could train properly.

I think all the athletes who participated in these Olympic Games were there for the first time. They are all young, in their twenties, and will build on this experience to do better in the future. They still have time to learn. Maybe we’ll do better in Los Angeles in 2028.

Read also: French-Malian singer Aya Nakamura’s rocky journey to the 2024 Paris Olympics opening ceremony

JS: As the Olympic Games broadcasting rights are expensive, are there any discounts for African stations?

DD: Nos chaînes télés n'ont pas assez de moyens. Quand vous voulez avoir toutes les compétitions des JO, il faut dépenser énormément d'argent. Mais, à ce que je sache, le Comité International Olympique met toujours en place des offres spéciales selon la capacité de chaque média.

Maintenant, je pense que le CIO ne fait pas dans le social. Aujourd'hui, tout est question d'argent. Si un média n'a pas les capacités de s'offrir une retransmission, il n'est pas obligé de diffuser les JO. Quand vous êtes un média, vous avez également la possibilité d'avoir des annonceurs qui peuvent vous aider à acheter ces droits de diffusion.

DD: Our TV stations don’t have enough money. They must spend enormous amounts of money to broadcast all the Olympic competitions. However, as far as I know, the International Olympic Committee always makes special offers based on each media outlet’s capacity.

I don’t think the IOC engages in social issues. Today, it’s all about money. If a media outlet doesn’t have the means to broadcast the Olympic Games, it doesn’t have to. Media outlets can have advertisers who can help them buy the broadcasting rights.

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