New podcast!
'Spotlight on Africa', a monthly programme by RFI English on African affairs
Dear readers,
I hope this post will find you well.
Just a short post this week to introduce my new adventure: an African-theme podcast, that I revive from my newsroom, RFI English, which is the anglophone version of the main international news French public broadcaster.
SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICA
An in-depth look at an important story affecting the African continent today.
Episode 2:
After Senegal's success, can Mali and Niger also hope for elections?
Issued on: 19/04/2024
The delayed March presidential vote in Senegal confirmed the West African country remains a beacon of democracy in a region facing increasing instability. RFI spoke to experts about how the peaceful victory of Bassirou Diomaye Faye and mentor Ousmane Sonko could influence the politics of their Sahel neighbours, such as Niger and Mali.
This second edition of Spotlight on Africa looks at the vast and diverse West Africa region, from Senegal to Benin, via Niger and Mali.
Unlike Senegal, for Sahel nations Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso, elections appear a distant dream as the military juntas in power delay all processes for a return to civilian rule.
Many hope the inspiring outcome of the Senegalese election can galvanise the region.
Speaking to RFI about the polls are former Senegalese diplomat Babacar Ndiaye and Nigerien researcher Seidik Abba.
Meanwhile Yvonne Ndege, of the International Organisation for Migration, speaks to us about migration on the continent. And finally we’ll hear from for the Venice Biennale, opening on Saturday, with Azu Nwagbogu, curator of the Benin pavilion
LISTEN HERE FROM RFI’S WEBSITE:
OR ON APPLE PODCAST, ETC.
You can listen to the first episode of this season here:
The long path to Senegal's troubled presidential elections
22/03/2024
RFI spoke to author and economist Ndongo Samba Sylla in the capital Dakar.
Long-time coming
It’s been a long-time dream. I started switching from radio to podcast in 2018 when I moved back to London, worked a little for the BBC World Service again, where, sadly that time, had very limited agency.
Then, I participated to others’ podcasts, like the fun and dynamic ‘Remainiacs’, and then had my own independent pod with a friend, produced from Bristol, during the pandemic’s lockdowns.
This one is now produced and presented by myself.
Next step is to give more airspace to visual arts in this or maybe another podcast…
And next stop: South Africa, in May.
Stay tuned.
Social media or social evil?
Meanwhile, with the recent revelations on the role of Meta and Zuckerberg in Israeli crimes on Gaza, I’m trying to stay away from Facebook, even if I have to post our articles for work…
I’m still using Instagram a little, and WhatsApp, as I communicate with artists and experts there, but the goal would be to use platforms that are free of crimes, don’t we agree?
I hope that, unlike some of my old, disappeared French friends, you want stop reading the news because it’s increasingly unsettling… We all have a responsibility in telling our governments what we think they do wrong.
We, in most of our states, live in democracy and we only ask our MPs and other elected representatives to REPRESENT us and our will. We must never forget it. Especially in such a year of multiple elections.
India, Togo, South Africa, the UK and the USA are next, to name a few countries.
Be inspired by our Senegalese friends and vote well!
We have collective responsibility for what is happening globally.
So, for now, I’m still mostly posting on Twitter, and on my blog.
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Thanks again for being here, reading and perhaps even sharing.
Take care.
With best wishes,
melissa
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Melissa Chemam
Journalist @ RFI English
Art Writer @ New Arab, ART UK...
Site: https://sites.google.com/view/melissachemam
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXE4ofFjz0lsRzemjdmFf7w