Prominent Cameroonian activist faces terrorism charges
This week, we start in Cameroon, where queer rights activist Alice Nkom faces terrorism charges. Then, we travel to Kenya, where US tech companies are criticized for limiting livestock grazing to cut carbon emissions without local consent. Finally, we stop in Uganda, where the rise of teletherapy is raising concerns about its accessibility.
But first in Nigeria, there is yet another tragic case of femicide. On Sunday, January 11, 2025, gospel singer Timileyin Ajayi was caught near a church carrying a sack that contained the severed head of 24-year-old Salome Adaidu.
A mob detained him before police arrived and arrested him. During an interview following his arrest, Ajayi claimed Adaidu was his girlfriend who had traveled to visit him. In a shockingly unremorseful confession, he admitted to killing her, accusing her of cheating. The police later found more dismembered body parts at his home.
However, Adaidu’s friend, Abby Simon, denied Ajayi’s claims, saying Adaidu was not in a relationship with him. While investigations are ongoing to uncover the full details surrounding this disturbing incident, this case is yet another reminder of the government’s failure to protect women and girls from such violent crimes.
In 2024 alone, over 100 cases of femicide were reported. This growing problem needs urgent action to fix the systemic failures allowing these crimes to continue.
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From a WhatsApp platform to physical sessions, this Nigerian initiative is helping women affected by conflict navigate their trauma
In 2015, amid the Boko Haram insurgency, Hassana Danyerwa, the founder and creative director of FeelNHeal, was battling a traumatic experience that stayed with her for years. During that time, she had nightmares and would spend the night crying, wallowing in pain, but the next day, she’d wear a big smile and refuse to let her family and friends see she was hurting.
“I was always trying to be in the midst of friends or get myself busy with work or studies to distract myself from my reality,” Hassana tells Minority Africa. “I couldn’t ask for help because I didn’t even think anyone could help me, and I didn’t want people to start feeling sorry for me or make my struggles a topic of discussion.”
In 2019, it dawned on her that she needed to find a way to heal, so she started telling people about what she’d been through on her WhatsApp status. After years of keeping it to herself, it was difficult to do, but she felt healing would be far from her as long as she failed to open up.
I tried teletherapy in Uganda, but is it an “accessible alternative” for everyone?
It’s a Thursday morning, and I decided to be vulnerable over the phone. For the first time, I tried teletherapy. Unlike the traditional way of doing therapy in my past, where I met with a therapist in person, I chose to go the anonymous way.
Mental Health Uganda (MHU) was the recommended option. Panic engulfed me as I dialled the toll-free number—0800212121. As the phone rang, I listened to a caller tune that relaxed me from the panic I was feeling. The phone rang for about 30 seconds before a gentleman answered it. The question in my mind was, how does this even work?
Upon picking up the call, the gentleman identified himself as David and asked that I introduce myself. He assured me that the call was confidential and that none of my information would be shared outside of our phone call. He went on to tell me that the session usually lasts 45 minutes to an hour at most.
For the first time in a long time, I told someone the things I’ve kept to myself. We explored my grief, relationships, and dealing with everyday demands. I did most of the talking while David quietly listened.
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Cameroon Suspends NGOs, Harming Gender-Based Violence Survivors
The Cameroonian government in December suspended the activities of four nongovernmental organizations for three months, without any warning or legal basis, in a move that is harming victims of gender-based violence.
A Quick Read Before You Go
The Guardian
Tsitsi Dangarembga’s Nervous Conditions, a novel about growing up in colonial Zimbabwe, is one of the most important works of 20th-century African literature and features on university curricula across the UK. British students can order a used copy for less than £3.
But there is one place readers struggle to find it: Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe and Dangeremba’s home town, even though it is published in paperback across the border in South Africa. “It’s very, very difficult to find my books anywhere in Zimbabwe,” says Dangarembga.