🔅 Protests Rock the Continent
Plus: What Lupita Nyong’o’s Episode of ‘Finding Your Roots’ Revealed, S. African Pastor Buried After Failing to Resurrect, Ethiopia's War Crimes, Sudan's Progress Toward Democracy, And much more... ☕
Photo of the day: New Year Celebrations, Kigali, Rwanda.
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Amazon's 9,000 Job Cuts: Who's Next? |The online retail giant announced this week that it plans to lay off 9,000 employees, following an 18,000-job cut in January. CEO Andy Jassy said it was a "difficult decision" and apologised to those who would be affected. Other tech giants, including Google and Facebook owner, Meta, have been making similar cost-cutting moves. Meta announced 10,000 job cuts last week.
*Data accurate as of the close of markets across the continent
POLITICS
Africa's Citizens Roar: Protests Rock the Continent
It’s been a tumultuous week across 4 African countries: Kenya in the East, South Africa in the South, Nigeria in the West, and Tunisia in the North.
With a combined population of 343 million citizens, the protests against the high cost of living saw many call for constitutional reforms, and for their respective presidents to step down.
What are the protests about?
In South Africa, protesters led by the leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party called for President Cyril Ramaphosa's resignation, following an endless cycle of economic crises facing the country. The country of 59 million is battling a critical energy crisis and could lose $13 billion due to load shedding alone this year.
In Kenya, protesters led by opposition leader Raila Odinga are calling out President William Ruto for emptying the pockets of the poor. The country of 53 million has seen its currency in a “free-fall” since the start of the year, with an acute dollar shortage jacking up fuel prices and the cost of production.
In Nigeria, the opposition has accused President Bola Tinubu of irregularities in the elections that led to his ascension. This has caused the nation of 219 million to suffer the effects of a depreciating currency, inflation, insecurity, and a rise in the cost of living.
And in Tunisia, thousands of citizens rallied in the capital Tunis to protest President Kais Saied’s perceived autocratic rule. They accused him of cracking down on dissenting politicians and labour union figures, and are calling for him to resign.
What was the response?
Even before the protests began, 87 people were arrested across South Africa, while police and soldiers were deployed to prevent criminal activity and maintain public order.
In Kenya, the protests have gone on as planned, with running battles in the capital and in Kisumu, the western lakeside city and Odinga’s political backyard.
And in Tunisia, the Islamist Ennahdha party and a movement calling itself “Citizens Against the Coup” have been organising protests against Saied’s rule.
All in all, the protests are indicative of the deep-seated anger and frustration felt by citizens in the four countries, and with 343 million people across the continent protesting, it’s a roar that won’t go unheard.
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OTHER HEADLINES
Across the Continent
🧬 A Revealing Episode of PBS's 'Finding Your Roots' | The latest episode of PBS's 'Finding Your Roots' featured a special guest who is directly related to the mother of all humankind: East African actress Lupita Nyong’o. Through DNA testing, the show revealed that Nyong’o is descended from Mitochondrial Eve—the oldest maternal haplogroup and the African woman to who all of humanity traces back. The finding further supports the notion that the origin of humankind is Africa, and that the race-based systems of oppression that have been perpetuated throughout history are social constructs and not based on science. The show encourages us to remember that we are all related, and that racism, colourism, and other forms of oppression have no basis in reality.
🇪🇹 Ethiopia's Accused War Crimes | The US has determined that all sides in the conflict in northern Ethiopia committed war crimes and crimes against humanity, according to Secretary of State Antony Blinken. He added that members of the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF), Eritrean Defense Force, forces loyal to the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) and regional forces from Amhara had all committed atrocities. The US is now pressing for accountability and justice, but it's unclear what that process looks like yet. And, unsurprisingly, those accused of human rights violations have denied the allegations. Ethiopia has accused the US of meddling in its internal affairs and threatened to reassess their relationship. The war in Ethiopia saw conflict between the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF), Eritrean Defense Force, forces loyal to the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) and regional forces from Amhara. Tens of thousands of people have been killed, and millions have been displaced.
🇸🇩 Sudan's Progress Toward Democracy | In Sudan, progress is being made toward a civilian-led transition government—but it's not exactly fast-paced. A spokesperson representing Sudan's military leaders and pro-democracy forces said that a finalised political settlement would be inked on April 1st and a new transitional constitution will be signed days later. The progress has been slow, with several thorny issues still unresolved, and international aid has been drying up. Still, a restoration of Sudan's democratic transition would likely see a new wave of cash flood the African country.
🇿🇦 Gauteng Pastor Buried After Failing to Resurrect | After 579 days of being kept in a mortuary, Gauteng pastor Siva Moodley was finally laid to rest. It all started back in August 2021 when the 53-year-old founder of The Miracle Centre fell ill and passed away. For over a year and a half, his family and church members prayed for his resurrection. Services at the church were still going on as normal, with his wife, son, and daughter taking over, and all the while his social media accounts were still posting messages as if he was still alive. Finally, the pastor has been buried after he failed to resurrect, and all that’s left now is to see if the church’s “no-talking-to-the-media” policy will still be in place.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Saying of the Day
“Wisdom is like a baobab tree; no one individual can embrace it.”
— Akan Proverb.