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Articles by Hassuna Baishu
Libya is Caught in Europe’s Migration Web
In the heart of Tripoli, Main Square has become the center of mounting anger: chants rise and banners wave slogans reading, “No to resettlement, Libya is not Rwanda.” Among the protesters, anxiety is spreading that the war-weary, divided nation could become a new destination for resettling migrants from sub-Saharan Africa. This public outrage coincides with international warnings.
Data Initiative Aiding Libya's Flood Relief Efforts
Editor’s note: VOA's Hassuna Baishu spoke to Tripoli-based Mohammed Zaid, the co-founder of "Derna Storm Daniel Live Reports Page," an online platform offering live updates to support flood relief operations, on September 15, 2023. These highlights are from their conversation and have been edited for brevity and clarity. VOA: Could you provide us with some insights into the Derna Storm Daniel Live Reports Page initiative? How did the idea originate? And what was the driving force behind it?
From Floods to Epidemics: Libya in Race Against Time
Share From Floods to Epidemics: Libya in Race Against Time Rescue operators in Libya's flooding-impacted cities are in a race against time as officials and experts warned on Thursday that the bodies still unrecovered, whether under rubble or in the sea, would eventually pose serious health threats. This hinders the relief efforts in the wake of the aftermath of Storm Daniel.
Health Agencies Issue Warning as Libyan Residents Fear Health Risks
Share Health Agencies Issue Warning as Libyan Residents Fear Health Risks As rescue efforts continue in Libya’s flood-impacted cities, international health agencies issued a statement Friday on the rush to bury bodies due to fears of a health crisis in the aftermath of the catastrophic flooding Sunday.
Derna Resident on Libya’s Flooding: Whole Neighborhoods Vanished
Libyan eyewitnesses report that the Mediterranean storm Daniel unleashed catastrophic floods in Libya, washing away whole communities in the eastern part of the North African country. Among the worst-hit regions is the port city of Derna, which has been officially declared a disaster zone after two dams collapsed and large parts of the city were submerged, cutting off communications and electricity.
Libyan Humanitarian Worker: Death Toll of Floods May Exceed 5000
Devastating floods engulfed several cities in eastern Libya following the impact of Mediterranean storm Daniel. The North African nation has witnessed a tragic loss of over 2000 lives, with thousands still unaccounted for, according to the prime minister of the Benghazi-based government. Meanwhile, with rescue operations are underway, workers are facing challenges due to severed communication lines and power outages.
Tripoli Under Fire, Again
The clashes between the 444 Brigade and the Special Deterrence Force, known as RADAA, erupted soon after it was announced that the latter had arrested Mahmoud Hamza, the leader of the 444 Brigade, without explaining whether this was on judicial orders or for other reasons. Footage circulating on social media showed a military confrontation between the two militias with live ammunition, tanks and heavy arterially since Monday.
VOA’s English to Africa Service in Photos
The URL has been copied to your clipboard The code has been copied to your clipboard. As we celebrate the 60th year of VOA's English to Africa service, here is a photo compilation honoring the committed journalists whose remarkable contributions have left an indelible mark on the service's rich legacy.
Haftar 'Warmongering' Over Libya's Oil Revenues
Gen. Haftar, Libya’s strongman in the east, accused the country's Central Bank of mismanaging oil revenues, citing corruption incidents documented by the Libyan Audit Bureau and the Administrative Control Authority. In a televised speech on Monday, Haftar said that "there is a level of looting of public money that has not happened in the contemporary history of Libya," claiming that over 200 billion dinars ($41 billion) have been wasted with no benefit for the Libyan people.
Libya Presidential Spokesperson: Press Freedom Mirrors Political Stability
The annual Press Freedom Index released earlier this week by Reporters Without Borders noted a marginal improvement in press freedom in Libya, while also highlighting serious violations that journalists face in the North African nation, including harassment, violence and intimidation. For more, VOA's Hassuna Baishu spoke to Najwa Wheba, spokesperson for Libya's Presidential Council, who formerly served as a journalist for local and international media.
Timeline: Sudan Conflict Post 2021 Coup
Clashes between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) entered the sixth day on Thursday in the country's capital Khartoum and elsewhere, despite increasing pressure and condemnation from the international community. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 300 people have died and 3,100 have been injured in the military clashes. But how have events unfolded since the army and the RSF together toppled a civilian government in the October 2021 coup?
IMF Draws Mixed Picture for Sub-Saharan Africa
The 53-page IMF regional report titled "The Big Funding Squeeze" says "crisis is hitting the region hard," a prognosis that reflects a decline in global economic development. However, according to the report's findings, sub-Saharan Africa would expand faster than wealthy nations.
Supporters, Opponents React to Trump’s Arraignment
Protestors gathered outside the lower Manhattan courtroom, Tuesday, turned out in support or opposition to the 34 criminal charges labeled against former U.S. President Donald Trump, who pled not guilty to all. New York police separated the protestors based on their support or opposition to Trump, for safety reasons. Here's how the protesters reacted to Trump's arraignment Tuesday.
Explainer: Key Terms Related to Trump’s Case
WASHINGTON - Former U.S. President Donald Trump is facing arraignment at a Manhattan courthouse on Tuesday. He faces criminal charges resulting from an indictment by a New York grand jury, following an investigation into payments of hush money made to a porno star. But what is an indictment? A grand Jury? An arraignment?
Democracy Still Lags in Sub-Saharan Africa: Report
Much of sub-Saharan Africa continued to struggle to democratize in 2022, according to a recent report, although marginal improvement was recorded. The Democracy Index report by the London-based Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) of the Economist Group rated the state of democracy across 167 countries — with a maximum score of 10 — based on five measures: electoral process and pluralism, the functioning of government, political participation, democratic political culture and civil liberties.
Tanzania’s Tundu Lissu to Return After Exile
Tundu Lissu, a former presidential candidate of Tanzania’s main opposition Chadema party, said he’s planning to return to Tanzania on Jan. 25. Lissu fled the country two years ago to Europe following the contentious 2020 presidential election because he said his life was threatened. His decision to return comes after President Samia Suluhu Hassan earlier this month lifted the ban on opposition rallies imposed six years ago by her predecessor, the late President John Magufuli.
This Week's Eyecatchers (Jan 9-13)
This Week's Eyecatchers (Jan 9-13) Watch VOA’s Africa’s top news highlights of the week, featuring an exclusive interview with the exiled former president of Botswana who was recently given an arrest warrant for illegal possession of firearms; the election of Republican congressman Kevin McCarthy as U.S. house speaker; women's entrepreneurship advancement on the continent; an Angolan dance gaining viral; post-partum depression among new mothers; and much more.
CES 2023 Highlights: Tech Future Unveiled in Vegas
The just concluded Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas gave customers a glimpse of the tech future. This year's convention focused on emerging technologies such as 5G connectivity, artificial intelligence, and virtual reality. According to the Consumer Technology Association, which owns and produces the CES, the annual event drew over 100,000 attendees this year; more than 3200 exhibitors participated; 174 nations were represented; and 41 technology categories were covered.
This Week's Eyecatchers (Jan 2-6)
The URL has been copied to your clipboard The code has been copied to your clipboard. Watch VOA Africa’s top news highlights of the week including the burial of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, marathon voting for U.S. House speaker, Tanzania's president lifting the ban on rallies on opposition rallies, an interview with the president of Sierra Leone and much more.
Moroccan-French Company Unveils Personal Electric Transporter at CES
PickWheel, a multi-purposed cart designed by a Moroccan-French company, is on display at the CES in Las Vegas. This unique transporter is operated using only the feet, freeing up the user's hands for other tasks. The versatile cart can be utilized in industries such as cleaning services, video production and more. For more, VOA's Hassuna Baishu spoke to Younes Mujdi, an assistant with Pickwheel.
Payment App Brings Financial Accessibility to African Citizens
YMO is a digital payment app that enables African citizens to make instant payments within the continent and internationally from their mobile phones. Since its creation in 2019, YMO has gained over 500,000 customers in France and Guinea alone and is expanding to 10 new countries, including Senegal, Ivory Coast, Congo, Belgium, Italy, Spain and the United States.
Will Libya Extradite Ex-spy Chief to US Over Lockerbie?
Questions about the potential extradition of former Libyan spy chief Abdullah al-Senussi have been circulating after U.S. authorities earlier this month announced Abu Agila Mohammad Mas'ud Kheir Al-Marimi, accused of making a bomb that killed 259 people aboard a Pan Am flight and 11 on the ground in Scotland, was in their custody.
Egypt Chooses Gold Over Pound
Over recent months, sets of sturdy, brightly-branded battery swapping stations have cropped up around Kenya's capital Nairobi, allowing electric motorcyclists to exchange their low battery for a fully-charged one. The battery swap stations are a sign of an electric motorcycle revolution starting to unfold in Kenya where combustion-engine motorbikes are a cheaper and quicker way to get around than cars but environmental experts say are 10 times more polluting.
This Week’s Eyecatchers (Dec 19-23)
Watch VOA’s Africa’s top news highlights of the week including an exclusive interview with Namibia's Deputy Prime Minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwaho who calls on the African business community to take advantage of the investment opportunities in the U.S. and beyond, a live World Cup wrap-up from Qatar, in-depth analysis of the recent U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit, holiday nutrition and much more.
Economic Crisis Hits Ghana Hard
Ghana has been a bastion of stability in West Africa, a region plagued by civil unrest and coups. The world’s second-biggest grower of cocoa and Africa’s second-largest gold producer, Ghana began exporting oil in late 2010. Currently, however, its economy is in a meltdown. For more on what caused Ghana’s economic downturn, VOA’s Yeheyes Wuhib speaks with Alex Vines, managing director for risk, ethics and resilience at Chatham House in London.
US Candidate of Liberian Descent Wins Colorado Seat
Several candidates of African descent ran for state and local offices in the U.S. midterms. One of them is Naquetta Ricks of Liberian descent who won re-election for her second two-year term as Colorado State Representative for District 40. For more, VOA’s James Butty spoke to Naquetta who says people should take advantage of democracy and vote because every vote counts.
Tunisia's Election Body Accepts Candidacy Applications for Legislative Elections
The URL has been copied to your clipboard The code has been copied to your clipboard. Tunisia's Independent High Authority for Elections (ISIE) announced the acceptance of 1,058 candidacy applications for the legislative elections scheduled to be held on December 17. VOA’s senior analyst Mohamed Elshinnawi discussed prospects of having fair and transparent elections in Tunisia with Sarah Yerkes, a senior fellow at Carnegie’s Middle East Program.
Sudanese Protest on Coup Anniversary
The URL has been copied to your clipboard The code has been copied to your clipboard. On the first anniversary of a coup that derailed Sudan's transition to civilian rule, pro-democracy activists are urging yet more protests against military rule, as hunger and inflation throttle the country. For more insights, VOA's senior analyst Mohamed Elshinnawi spoke to analyst Joseph Siegle.
Libyan Civil Society Groups Call for State of Emergency to Urge Elections
The URL has been copied to your clipboard The code has been copied to your clipboard. A group of Libyan civil society organizations and unions have called on the Presidential Council to declare a state of emergency to push for elections. Wolfgang Pusztai, a former Austrian military attaché, spoke to VOA senior analyst Mohamed Elshinnawi about this development.
Qatar Hosts Fourth Edition of Street Child World Cup
The URL has been copied to your clipboard The code has been copied to your clipboard. The fourth edition of the Street Child World Cup kicked off this week in Qatar, which features 28 teams representing 25 countries, including 13 girls’ teams. Organizers say the one-week tournament will help encourage girls and women to participate in sports. VOA's Gwen Outen has more.
Global Economic Outlook Tops IMF, Wold Bank Annual Meetings in Washington
The URL has been copied to your clipboard The code has been copied to your clipboard. The annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank Group boards of governors are underway in Washington Thursday. Officials are discussing global concerns, including the global economic outlook. VOA’s Abby Sun reports from the IMF in Washington.
Africa is 'On Its Own' During Pandemics: Africa CDC
The acting head of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says Africa must plan to respond to disease outbreaks without outside help. For more, VOA’s Carol Van Dam spoke to Dr. Amash Adalja of Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security.
Chad Ex-opposition Politician Named PM
The URL has been copied to your clipboard The code has been copied to your clipboard. Chad’s government on Wednesday named opposition politician Saleh Kebzabo the new prime minister, a day after the previous prime minister resigned. For more, VOA's Mohamed Elshinnawi spoke to Cameron Hudson, a senior associate at the Africa Program Center for Strategic and International Studies.
IRC Launches Response to Mitigate Ebola in Uganda
The URL has been copied to your clipboard The code has been copied to your clipboard. The International Rescue Committee (IRC) has launched a response to mitigate the Ebola outbreak in Uganda. As of Sunday, the East African nation had confirmed 48 cases, 17 deaths and 14 recoveries. For more, VOA’s Carol Van Dam spoke with Elijah Okeyo, IRC country director in Uganda.
Burkina Faso Coup Prompts Concerns Over Russia Presence in Sahel
Burkina Faso's new military ruler Ibrahim Traoré has said he has no desire to run the country, but there are concerns that the West African nation is leaning toward Russia. For more, VOA's Carol Van Dam spoke with Kamissa Camara, a senior advisor on the Sahel with the U.S. Institute of Peace.
Ruto Asks Court to Dismiss Odinga's Petition
Ruto said that keeping the country in a constant electioneering posture was "against the public interest," claiming that the uncertainty would further harm Kenya's struggling economy, which is already dealing with high inflation. The election commissioner announced Deputy President William Ruto had won the election by a slight margin, but four of the seven election commissioners disagreed, claiming that the results had not been tabulated in a transparent manner.
Libyan Lawmakers Set to Choose New Prime Minister
Libya's parliament is set to vote on a new prime minister on Thursday, but incumbent Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah has rejected the balloting, saying Libyans should not have another period with an interim government. "I will not allow new transitional periods. We will not retreat from our role in government that we pledged to the people until elections are achieved," al-Dbeibah said in a speech Tuesday.
Zimbabwe's Exodus Crisis Takes Toll on its Neighbors [03:50]
The URL has been copied to your clipboard The code has been copied to your clipboard. Zimbabwe’s immigration crisis is creating a domino effect with its neighbors specifically South Africa bearing the brunt as women cross the border to give birth. For Africa News Tonight, Addy Gondo reports that analysts say the situation exposes Zimbabwe’s deteriorating health-care system.
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