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Hassuna M. Baishu

Produced by Hassuna M. Baishu

February 08, 2023
Sub-Saharan African Nations Lagging Behind on Democracy Index

Much of sub-Saharan Africa continued to struggle to democratize in 2022, according to a recent report, although a marginal improvement was recorded. According to the study released by the London-based Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) of the Economist Group, nations in sub-Saharan Africa continue to be poorly ranked in the Democracy Index, with only Mauritius being classified as a full democracy and six as flawed democracies. The study shows that the number of hybrid regimes remains unchanged at 14, while authoritarian forms of government still remain prevalent in 23 countries. For more, VOA’s Hassuna Baishu spoke to professor Kwaku Nuamah of international politics at American University in Washington D.C.
February 07, 2023
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.
January 19, 2023
US Treasury Secretary to Visit 3 African Nations

U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen will start her trip to Africa on Friday, stopping in Senegal, Zambia and South Africa. Yellen’s trip comes after China's Foreign Minister Qin Gang five-country tour of Africa last week. President Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai and Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo will also travel to Africa this year, as will Yellen's deputy, Wally Adeyemo. Ebenezer Obadare, a Douglas Dillon senior fellow for Africa studies at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), tells International Edition host Yeheyes Wuhib that the frequent visits of high-profile figures this year signals that the U.S. is ready to focus on its Africa relations.
January 19, 2023
The Gambia Mourns VP

The people of The Gambia are mourning the death of Vice President Badara Alieu Joof, who died Wednesday in India at the age of 65. President Adama Barrow has described the late Joof as a competent, patriotic and honest Gambian. Government spokesperson Ebrima Sankareh tells VOA’s James Butty President Barrow has declared a seven days of national mourning which began Wednesday.
January 17, 2023
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. For more insights, VOA’s James Butty spoke to Lissu who said he’s returning home to get back to work in transforming Tanzania democratically.
January 17, 2023
US Men’s, Women's National Soccer Teams Prepare for 2023 Season

The U.S. men's and women's national soccer teams are kicking off their 2023 seasons with friendly international matches at home and abroad. The American women are in New Zealand for two games against the 2023 World Cup co-hosts. And the American men will play friendly matches next week against Serbia and Colombia in southern California. For a preview, VOA's Sonny Young spoke with Steven Goff, the soccer writer for the Washington Post newspaper
January 17, 2023
Nigeria’s Falcons Gear up for Upcoming BAL

The Nigerian basketball club Kwara Falcons will be making their debut during the third season of the Basketball Africa League which will kick off on on Saturday, March 11, in Dakar, Senegal. For more, reporter Mike Mbonye spoke with Falcons head coach Baba Jibril about the team's preparations.
January 13, 2023
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.
January 11, 2023
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. VOA’s Hassuna Baishu wrapped up the show with these highlights.
January 10, 2023
This Week's Eyecatchers (Jan 2-6)

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.
January 08, 2023
Senegalese IT State Agency Seeks Partnerships at CES

Senegal Numerique, an IT State Agency, is attending the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas in order to find potential partnerships and explore the best digital solutions for the digitalization of administration and development of a digital economy in the Western African country. For more, VOA's Hassuna Baishu spoke to Cheikh Bakhoum, general manager of Senegal Numerique.
January 08, 2023
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.
January 07, 2023
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. For more, VOA's Hassuna Baishu spoke to the YMO team which is attending the Consumer Electronic Show (CES) in Las Vegas in search of potential partnerships and collaborations.
December 27, 2022
Will Libya Extradite Ex-spy Chief to US Over Lockerbie?

The recent handover of a former Libyan intelligence officer by the Tripoli-based government to the U.S. for his alleged involvement in the 1988 Lockerbie bombing has sparked speculation that an ex-Libyan spy chief could be next.
December 26, 2022
CES 2023: Tech's Future Seen in Las Vegas

Consumer Electronics Show (CES), the world's largest consumer technology conference, is set to take place in Las Vegas from January 5-8. This annual event attracts thousands of attendees from around the globe, including tech industry leaders, startups, media, and consumers.
December 26, 2022
Gambia Coup Blamed on Failure to Address Poverty, Soaring Food Costs: Analyst

The Gambian government said Wednesday authorities foiled a military coup attempt and arrested four soldiers plotting to overthrow President Adama Barrow's administration. Sait Matty Jaw, executive director of the Center for Research and Policy Development, tells VOA’s Carol Van Dam there’s growing frustration with Barrow's government for its failure to address poverty and soaring food costs.
December 23, 2022
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.
December 22, 2022
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.
November 10, 2022
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.
November 09, 2022
Tunisia's Election Body Accepts Candidacy Applications for Legislative Elections

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.

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