You are watching Africa 54, your daily news and feature magazine-style program, from the Voice of America. Host Esther Githui-Ewart and a team of correspondents zero in on the big stories making news on the continent and around the world with context and analysis.
Africa 54 Top Stories:
Speaking in recorded messages played at the United Nations General Assembly, African leaders including Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta and South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa urged the international community to unite in the face of the coronavirus pandemic. Also, in a recorded message, Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari said it's time the un security council included African nations in their decision-making process.
A Ghanaian artist is documenting the journey of second-hand clothes imported into Ghana and how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting those who rely on the trade. Authorities say they are reinforcing a ban on imported secondhand underwear because of public health concerns. But, used clothing traders say any ban impacts their incomes - already under strain from the pandemic.
Of all the changes the COVID-19 pandemic is forcing on the world, the sense of isolation is one of the most challenging. And it turns out that according to psychologists who study the effects of isolation on mental health, all that social distancing has made us, well, socially distant.
The 15-nation Economic Community of West African States may announce Friday if it will lift crippling sanctions on Mali. Incoming interim Malian President Bah Ndaw is expected to be sworn in Friday in Bamako for an 18-month term. On the eve of the ceremony, Ndaw met with former Nigerian president and ECOWAS mediator Goodluck Jonathan. Jonathan says ECOWAS could announce Friday whether the official appointments satisfy the organization’s conditions to lift sanctions. Ndaw is one of the leaders of the junta that seized control of the country after ousting former President Boubacar Ibrahim Keita.
President Donald Trump Wednesday said he would not commit to a peaceful transfer of power if he loses the election, and again questioned the legitimacy of an expected increase in mail-in voting due to the coronavirus pandemic. Recent polling indicates that significantly more democrats plan to vote by mail than republicans. VOA’s Brian Padden reports Trump’s comments came as both parties prepare for the likelihood of a bitterly contested presidential election in November.
As the Jerusalema dance challenge sweeps across Africa, in Zimbabwe, the wildlife are joining in. Staff at a Zimbabwe sanctuary for rescued wildlife have seen their dance video posted online with elephants, giraffes and other animals go viral.
A54 Entertainment: Music Time in Africa host, Heather Maxwell, presents a new, collage style video by legendary guitarist, singer songwriter, Afel Bocoum, from northern Mali. Afel is one of the last living musicians who was a founding member of Ali Farka Touré’s band. The video “Penda Djiga” comes off of Bocoum's new, highly acclaimed album, Lindé.
#UGNA #Africa #Kenya #SouthAfrica #Nigeria #Ghana #COVID19 #Coronavirus #ECOWAS #Mali #UnitedStates #DonaldTrump #Jerusalema #AfelBocoum
