🔅 Ivory Coast's AFCON Miracle & "Aya": A Graphic Novel Phenomenon
Plus, U.N. Peacekeepers Attacked in Congo & Tributes to Fallen Heroes
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Brief & Bright: Africa's Top Five
Ivory Coast's Magical AFCON Victory: A Tale of Triumph And Tears
Once upon a time in the land of Ivory Coast, a football fairy tale unfolded as the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations final became the scene of an epic comeback, led by none other than Sebastien Haller, the striker who's been battling more than just defenders on the pitch.
Nigeria, with their eyes on the prize, thought they had it in the bag when William Troost-Ekong leapt like a salmon to head in a corner. But the Ivorians had other ideas. Enter Franck Kessie, unmarked and unnoticed at the back post, nodding in the equaliser and setting the stage for Haller. Just 13 months after facing down testicular cancer, Haller toe-poked his way into Ivorian lore, sending the ball, and the entire country, into ecstasy.
The Elephants' journey to glory wasn't a walk in the park. After losing their coach, Jean-Louis Gasset, early in the tournament, they looked more like underdogs than hosts. Yet, under the guidance of interim coach Emerse Fae, they danced through the knockout stages, leaving defending champions Senegal and Mali in their wake.
This win is a victory for the entire nation, which splashed out more than $1 billion on the tournament, a gamble that paid off with infrastructure that'll last generations and a trophy that'll inspire millions. And with a $7 million prize purse, the Elephants roared louder than ever, reminding us all that heroes come in all forms—some happen to wear football boots.
"Aya": The Breakthrough Graphic Novel Exploring Young Adulthood in Ivory Coast
In the streets of Yopougon, Ivory Coast, a modern hero emerges—not with a cape or superpowers, but with the unstoppable force of everyday life. Enter "Aya," a graphic novel series that turns the mundane into the magnificent. Marguerite Abouet, the mastermind behind Aya, crafts a world so vivid and relatable that even teenagers in France are saying, "Oui, oui, this is the stuff!" Aya's not about dodging bullets or leaping buildings; she's tackling real issues like unemployment, police violence, and the quest for student rights—all while dealing with the drama of first dates and familial follies.
What makes Aya the toast of the town, from Abidjan to Paris and beyond? Perhaps it's the way Abouet and illustrator Clément Oubrerie capture the essence of life in West Africa with humour, heart, and a hint of feminism. Or maybe it's because Aya and her friends are the champions of "palabrer"—the art of endless chatter, which, let's face it, is a sport many excel at.
Winning the best debut at the Angouleme International Comics Festival was just the start. Translated into 15 languages and devoured by over a million readers worldwide, "Aya" is a global sensation that resonates with anyone who's ever faced life's hurdles with a friend by their side and a joke on their lips.
"Aya" is also a window into the soul of Yopougon, a celebration of its culture, and a nod to the complexities of growing up in a world where your biggest adversary might just be your own expectations. Amid the backdrop of a neighbourhood that's seen better days, Aya and her crew navigate the challenges of love, ambition, and identity in a way that's universally human.
U.N. Peacekeepers Under Fire in Congo Amid Escalating Crisis
The streets of Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, turned chaotic as the U.N. peacekeeping mission, known as MONUSCO, found itself in the eye of the storm. The capital's riverside Gombe district, usually buzzing with diplomats and dignitaries, morphed into a battlefield as crowds on motorbikes, fueled by anger and frustration, unleashed their fury on U.N. vehicles and personnel.
Bintou Keita, the head honcho of MONUSCO, took to the digital world to voice her condemnation of the attacks, which saw several mission vehicles turned into bonfires. The silence from Kinshasa's police and government officials was deafening, leaving unanswered questions swirling like the smoke from the burning tyres. This uproar isn't just a random outburst but a symptom of a deeper crisis brewing in the east, where the rebel group M23 is making moves that could put the strategic city of Goma in jeopardy.
MONUSCO's decade-long tenure in eastern Congo, initially stepping in to fill the boots of a predecessor U.N. operation in 2010, has been anything but smooth. Tasked with supporting the Congolese government's stabilizing efforts, the mission has been dogged by criticism and protests over its perceived inability to quell the violence that has scarred the region for years.
Kenya's Marathon Marvel, Kiptum, Meets Tragic End
Kenya's marathon world, and indeed the world at large, has lost a jewel in Kelvin Kiptum. The marathon maestro, the only man to have run the marathon in under two hours and one minute, met a tragic end in a car accident in the Rift Valley. Kiptum wasn't just any runner; he was the one who made the marathon world gasp, clocking three of the seven fastest times ever recorded. His next target? Rotterdam, with eyes set on breaking the two-hour barrier. The Olympics in Paris were also on his radar, making this loss even more poignant. He was only 24.
A Nigerian Banking Titan's Tragic Death
Nigeria has lost a colossal figure in finance, Herbert Wigwe, in a helicopter crash this weekend. Wigwe, the CEO who turned Access Bank into the financial equivalent of a superhero, was on a helicopter flight in Southern California's Mojave Desert with his family when it crashed near Interstate 15. He was onboard with his wife Chizoba, their son Chizi, and Bamofin Abimbola Ogunbanjo, a titan in his own right as the former chair of NGX (the Nigerian Stock Exchange) Group.
Wigwe was a visionary, a banking maestro whose name was synonymous with success. His journey from the executive corridors of Guaranty Trust Bank to the helm of Access Bank is the stuff of legend. Under his watch, Access Bank exploded onto the international scene, amassing assets and acclaim far beyond Nigeria’s borders. The bank's tribute on X speaks volumes, painting Wigwe as a relentless pursuer of excellence.
Food for Thought
“Even as the archer loves the arrow that flies, so too he loves the bow that remains constant in his hands."
— Nigerian Proverb