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The week China's richest man came to Africa and Zanzibar CAF membership was rescind
Weekly roundup of notable events and occurrence across Africa.
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A hit for Africa after Alibaba founder and Chief Executive, Jack Ma visited the continent for the first time and categorically said the future indeed lay in the hands of mama Africa and it was upon us to stand up and take up our rightful space in history.
A miss for Africa after an opposition leader was arrested for allegedly rebuking the president, proofing once again that despite making several milestones since post-independent Africa, freedom of speech was still a luxury and not a basic human right.
Here is the weekly roundup of notable events and occurrence across Africa for the past seven days.
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#1. China's richest man comes to Africa
China's richest man was in Africa preaching last week in Africa last week.
Alibaba founder and Chief Executive, Jack Ma on Thursday gave a public lecture at the University of Nairobi on empowering African Young Entrepreneurs and small businesses.
Jack Ma is in Africa for the first time as part of his ambassadorial role with the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).
Investors were keenly following his talk and hoped he could shed light on how to make in Africa.
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Many companies are trying to make it in Africa's small but growing e-commerce market and some hope they can replicate Alibaba’s success in Africa as well.
In Kenya, online retailers Jumia and Kilimall are currently among the biggest players.
For more details: JACK MA SAYS AFRICA DOES NOT NEED TO COPY EUROPE AND CHINA TO SUCCEED
#2. Curios baboon 'not believed to be politically inclined' causes major blackout
A baboon in Zambia left 50,000 people without electricity after it tampered with the cables at a power station in the south of the country.
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The curious animal caused the blackout on Sunday morning by climbing into the power station in the Zambian tourist city of Livingstone, where it is common for wild animals to be roaming around as it near a national park and started pulling at the lines.
Miraculously the baboon survived the "massive electric shock" that would have killed a human being. The adult male baboon was rendered unconscious for about 40 minutes and only suffered burns on its forearms, palms and back.
It was later released back to the wind after being treated.
Electricity has now been restored to the affected customers in Livingstone and the nearby Western Province.
People on social media joked about possible sabotage by the baboon, One Twitter user even posted that the baboon is "not believed to be politically inclined."
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In a similar incident last year, a monkey caused a nationwide power outage in Kenya.
#3. Confederation of African Football (Caf) refuses to recognise Zanzibar
Barely four months after it got accepted as a member, Zanzibar has had its membership of the Confederation of African Football (Caf) rescinded.
"They were admitted without properly looking into the statutes which are crystal clear," said Ahmad.
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"Caf cannot admit two different associations from one country."
Zanzibar Island is part of Tanzania but has operated independently as a footballing entity in regional competitions.
It is not yet clear if Zanzibar will appeal against the decision.
#4. Get well soon! Guineans plead to Allah
Worshippers in mosques across Guinea have been praying for the health of Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari.
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Since coming to office, the Nigerian leader has been battling ill health and has been admitted at a London hospital for over two months undergoing treatment for undisclosed ailment.
Mr Buhari, had been due to visit Guinea since March, but his trip has been postponed for heath reasons.
About 85% of Guinea’s 11 million population is Muslim.
#5. Thou shall not abuse the president
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An opposition politician in Tanzania last week understood while the constitution guaranteed his freedom of expression, the same constitution did not guarantee his freedom of movement after his speech.
Tundu Lissu was arrested on Thursday, three days after having called President John Magufuli a "dictator".
He was arrested at Dar es Salaam airport as he attempted to take a plane to Rwanda, Chadema spokesman Tumaini Makene told AFP.
More than 10 people, including university students and a lecturer, have been charged in court over the past few months with insulting the president via social networking platform like WhatsApp.
Insulting the president was made a criminal offense under a cyber crimes law passed in 2015 before Magufuli came into office. It is punishable by up to three years in jail, a fine of around $3,000 or both.
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Magufuli who has been nicknamed "the bulldozer" for pushing through his policies, has won some praise from Western donors for anti-corruption drives and cutting wasteful government spending since coming to power.
Critiques however accuse him of becoming increasingly authoritarian, undermining democracy by curbing political activity and restricting live television coverage of parliamentary sessions.
#6. AFCON makes calendar changes
The 2019 Africa Cup of Nations will be held in June and July, the Confederation of African Football has confirmed.
The tournament is usually held in January and February, causing disputes with European clubs who had to release players in the middle of the season.
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The changes were rubber-stamped by the CAF executive committee in a meeting in the Moroccan capital Rabat yesterday.
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