MSc Fellows Fellowship Journey

MSc Fellows Fellowship Journey (Covid Edition) Desmond Davies 12/02/2020

Discussion Programme

Opening Introduction
Desmond Davies welcomes listeners to Discussion Programme on ALC Pan-African Radio, framing the episode as a deep dive into the challenges and lessons of the COVID-19 pandemic through the lens of three MSC Fellows at the African Leadership Centre (ALC), King’s College London: Ivy Nyawira (Kenya), Essa Njie (The Gambia), and Ibrahim Machina (Nigeria). The conversation explores how the pandemic disrupted their academic journeys, reshaped leadership dynamics globally and in Africa, and exposed societal fractures—from youth behaviour to electoral integrity.

Segment 1: Personal Struggles & Adaptations
The fellows reflect on the abrupt shift to remote learning. Ivy Nyawira describes initial challenges—library closures, isolation, and Zoom fatigue—but highlights newfound resilience: “It became an opportunity to learn how to focus differently.” Essa Njie echoes this, calling the pandemic a “paradigm shift” that forced creativity despite limited social interaction. Ibrahim Machina emphasizes balancing academic pressures with mental health, framing the crisis as a leadership test: “We had to adapt, navigate uncertainty, and finish our program.”

Segment 2: Leadership in Crisis—Global vs. African Responses
The discussion pivots to leadership styles. Ivy critiques divergent global responses, contrasting New Zealand’s science-driven approach with Tanzania’s denialism and Trump’s skepticism. Essa notes African leaders’ mixed records, citing The Gambia’s president flouting his own lockdown rules, eroding public trust. Ibrahim stresses the need for dialogue over force, arguing that discipline alone cannot curb youth defiance without addressing systemic inequities like unemployment.

Segment 3: Societal Tensions & Democratic Fragility
The fellows analyse youth protests, from Lagos’ #EndSARS movement to U.S. election parallels. Ibrahim defends protests as a “last resort” when governance fails, while Ivy links discipline debates to generational divides. Desmond probes the irony of African leaders’ silence on U.S. electoral chaos, which Ivy attributes to “inferiority complexes” and geopolitical pragmatism. Essa critiques the U.S. Electoral College as a “farce,” drawing parallels to African electoral fraud.

Segment 4: Security & Foreign Interference
On security, Essa condemns reliance on foreign powers to combat terrorism, urging “African solutions for African problems.” Ibrahim highlights Nigeria’s Boko Haram crisis, advocating community-led security partnerships. Desmond ties this to broader state failures, noting how poverty and brutality fuel extremism.

Closing Reflections
The fellows express gratitude for ALC’s mentorship during the pandemic, underscoring resilience and innovation. Desmond closes by urging listeners to reflect on leadership, equity, and the “new normal” as a catalyst for change.

Outro
Listeners are directed to ALC’s website and social media for more insights. The episode fades out with a call to engage in Africa’s evolving narrative.

Leadership in Crisis – The ALC Fellows’ Perspective

Episode Outline:

Host: Desmond Davies
Guests: Ivy NYAWIRA (Kenya), Essa NJIE (The Gambia) and Ibrahim MACHINA (Nigeria), 2020 ALC Fellows

Episode Duration: 42:52 minutes
Show: Discussion Programme

Citation:
Nyawira, Ivy, Essa Njie and Ibrahim Machina (Guests). “ALC MSc Fellows Fellowship Journey during COVID-19.” Hosted by Desmond Davies. The ALC Pan-African Radio. December 2, 2020. Podcast, Mp3. 42:52. https://alcafricanradio.com/index.php/audio/discussion-programme-msc-fellows-journey

1. Introduction & Guest Introductions (00:00 – 01:08)

Host Desmond Davies welcomes listeners.
Introduction of the discussion programme and its focus on security issues in Africa.
Introduction of guests: Ivy Nyawira (Kenya), Essa Njie (The Gambia), and Ibrahim Machina (Nigeria), all MSC Fellows at the African Leadership Centre, King’s College London.
Overview of how COVID-19 disrupted their studies.

2. Coping with COVID-19 & Online Learning (01:08 – 05:48)

Ivy shares the initial struggles of remote learning, lack of access to resources, and adapting to online education.
Essa describes the disappointment of disrupted plans but acknowledges new learning opportunities.
Ibrahim discusses balancing mental health, academics, and leadership lessons learned from navigating uncertainty.

3. Global Leadership Responses to COVID-19 (05:48 – 10:44)

Ivy compares different leadership responses:
New Zealand’s science-based approach.
Trump’s denialism in the U.S.
African nations like Rwanda and Uganda handling the crisis better than expected.
Essa critiques the inconsistency in African leadership, especially in The Gambia, where officials flouted their own COVID-19 regulations.
Ibrahim highlights the importance of trust between leaders and citizens in crisis management.

4. Youth, Discipline & COVID-19 Restrictions (10:44 – 14:46)

Discussion on young people’s rebellion against lockdowns.
Ivy and Ibrahim debate whether it’s an issue of discipline or economic hardship.
The disparity in how lockdown measures affected the wealthy vs lower-income youth in Kenya.

5. Nigeria’s End SARS Protests & Youth Activism (14:46 – 17:58)

Ibrahim explains why young Nigerians protested against police brutality.
Discussion on the right to protest and the need for governments to engage with youth instead of using force.
The role of social media in amplifying youth activism.

6. The Impact of COVID-19 on Fieldwork & Research (17:58 – 20:56)

Guests discuss how their research and internships were affected by the pandemic.
Essa shares the pressure of increased workload due to remote research.
Ivy reflects on adapting to new research methods and embracing the virtual learning experience.

7. U.S. Elections & Democracy Lessons for Africa (20:56 – 29:17)

Essa compares the chaos of the 2020 U.S. elections to African elections.
Ivy critiques African leaders’ silence on the U.S. election issues despite American interference in African polls.
Debate on why African governments do not challenge the West’s democratic shortcomings.
The role of media in shaping global perceptions of democracy.

8. Internet Shutdowns & Election Manipulation in Africa (29:17 – 32:14)

Ivy questions why African governments get away with shutting down the internet during elections.
Comparison to the U.S., where such restrictions would be impossible.
How digital suppression affects democracy and civic engagement in Africa.

9. Security Challenges in Africa & Foreign Fighters (32:14 – 38:41)

Essa critiques African leaders for prioritising regime security over public safety.
Ibrahim stresses the need for stronger community-police relations to combat insurgency.
Discussion on Boko Haram, extremist violence, and Africa’s reliance on foreign security assistance.