African Union Media Fellowship (AUMF) 2023 – 2024

1. MERIYEM KOKAINA – MOROCCO, FEMALE

Meriyem Kokaina is a content creator with a profound passion for African history and literature. Ms. Kokaina is the Founder of Au Pays du Baobab, a platform with a wide following on social media. The initiative focuses on disseminating knowledge and insights about African literature and history through engaging podcasts and widely followed blogs that have earned her recognition and a partnership with the African Book Fair in Paris. Ms. Kokaina is also a proficient journalist and columnist at Africa Radio, where her literary critiques and discussions are avidly followed. Fluent in English, French, Arabic, and Spanish, she employs her multilingual capabilities to bridge cultural and linguistic divides and foster a deeper understanding and appreciation for African culture and literature. Alongside her influential presence in the content creation sphere, her strategic acumen is evident in her role as a Co-Chair at Youth 7, where she led negotiations addressing gender inequality and articulated impactful recommendations for the G7 heads of State and Governments.

2. ADESEWA OLOFINKO – NIGERIA, FEMALE

Adesewa Olofinko, based in Nigeria, is a seasoned content creator with over eight years of experience in media. Specialising in journalism and storytelling with a tech-savvy approach, she runs the podcast "Candid Talks with Adesewa" and has experience as a radio-TV presenter and producer, covering diverse topics like Politics, Technology, Family, and Business. Ms. Olofinko founded Blackladywriter.com in 2019, where she employs digital media to spotlight social inequality and clarify notions of feminism within the African diaspora. Her roles have included being a Producer and Line Producer at EbonyLife Creative Academy, Lagos, and she has contributed to audience growth at Wellsradio. Her efforts have earned her awards, including the Audience Choice Award for "A Psalm for Abigail" and Young Blogger of the Year 2021. Ms. Olofinko is certified by RNTC Media Training Centre, Netherlands, specialising in media campaigns for social change and digital strategies to counter disinformation and hate speech. As a fellow at RNTC and Partners West Africa Nigeria, she remains an influential voice, promoting change and understanding through her diverse media approaches.

3. MAURICE THANTAN – BENIN, MALE

Maurice Thantan, a digital journalist, and web professional from Benin, has over a decade of experience in media, specialising in digital innovation, governance, and culture. He plays crucial roles at the Benin Broadcasting and Television Office (ORTB), the nation's public service audiovisual media outlet overseeing its digital content and spearheading numerous digital discourse projects, focusing on principles of open government, and fostering digital literacy within Francophone West Africa. Maurice founded the Association of Bloggers of Benin (AB-Benin), underscoring his commitment to civic tech, open data, and citizen participation. His significant positions include being an Editorial Producer and Columnist at ORTB and Director of Publications at CADRECO, Cotonou. He also serves as a local correspondent for Jeune Afrique and has garnered awards like the Prix Club RFI Meilleur auditeur du Bénin 2008 for his noteworthy contributions. As a lecturer at institutions such as Institut Universitaire LES COURS SONOU and Institut supérieur des métiers de l'audiovisuel - ISMA, he imparts his extensive knowledge and skills to future generations of digital journalists and multimedia managers, promoting advancement in democratic governance reporting and media innovations in Africa.

4. JACQUELINE SEGAHUNGU – BURUNDI, FEMALE

With over 20 years in the field, Jacqueline Segahungu is a highly experienced journalist. Her multifaceted expertise covers marketing, broadcasting partnerships, and radio project coordination. As CEO and Production Manager at Green Media and Communication Agency based in Burundi, Ms. Segahungu has overseen pivotal projects and directed numerous field documentary film productions, highlighting pressing issues such as Lake Tanganyika floods and reproductive health. Her commitment is further highlighted in her endeavours to orchestrate fundraising media campaigns for child cancer and design key messages for food security and nutrition improvement campaigns among vulnerable populations. Beyond her executive responsibilities, she has enriched the journalistic community by conducting workshops, training university classes, and mentoring professionals on documentary projects, scriptwriting, and sound material editing. Her notable contributions are recognised through the David Burke Distinguished Journalism Award, a testament to her outstanding impact on international broadcasting.

5. RONALD MUSOKE - UGANDA, MALE

Ronald Musoke is a journalist and communications expert from Uganda with a specialisation in environmental reporting, news, and feature writing. He holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Environmental Journalism and Communication from Makerere University, Uganda, further enriching his extensive knowledge base. His wealth of experience spans crisis, investigative, wildlife, rural development, and public policy reporting. He has garnered multiple awards,

including the Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH) and the Nile Media Awards. His dedication to his craft is exemplified by his dynamic career at The Independent Uganda and his contributions to Wald Publications and various other freelance endeavours. His impactful writings have been instrumental in enlightening diverse audiences on critical environmental and societal issues, reflecting his dedication to effective information dissemination and public awareness.


 

7. WILLIAM KUMWEMBE – MALAWI, MALE

William Chisomo Kumwembe is a seasoned business journalist from Malawi with over 14 years of experience. He is currently the Business News Editor at Times Media Group in Blantyre, where he leads a team responsible for creating in-depth content across various media channels, including radio, TV, and online platforms. William has a rich career history, having worked at The Guardian Newspaper and Zodiak Broadcasting Station. Recognized for his exceptional skills and dedication, he has been honored with three awards from MISA-Malawi in the Financial and ICT

reporting categories. In addition to his journalistic achievements, William holds the esteemed position of Chairperson of the Media Committee on Construction in Malawi.

8. MOETASM MOHAMED – EGYPT , MALE

Mouttasem Albarodi is a passionate science writer based in Egypt and deeply committed to issues related to health and climate. He writes about the crucial and timely subject of Climate Health Resilience, delving into the complex interplay between climate change and its many effects on public health. Mr. Albarodi holds a bachelor's degree in biochemistry and a diploma in bioinformatics and molecular biology. Throughout his career, he has contributed to many acclaimed publications, covering technology, industry news, science, and health policy, focusing on the Middle East and Africa. His contributions often extend beyond writing, as he is involved in editorial work, translations, and maintaining scientific terminology standards. Mr. Albarodi has written for well-known publications such as Fast Company Middle East and SciDev.Net, where he explores the intersections of technology, development, and public health. He has also held significant roles as a managing editor at Scientific Arab. Mr. Albarodi’s writing style is unique, as he is skilled at communicating intricate scientific concepts through creative formats like memes and comics, making the information more accessible and engaging to the public. He is a member of the World Federation of Science Journalists and has been recognised with the 2021 EurekAlert! Fellowships for International Science Reporters.

to this, he enriched the ECOWAS team as a Programme Assistant, further highlighting his commitment to international collaboration and cultural development.

10. JIBI MARING– SOUTH SUDAN, MALE

Jibi Korsuk Moses is the Associate Editor at 211 Check, a vital platform in South Sudan dedicated to fact-checking and verification, working to combat misinformation and hate speech. He advocates for truth and operates at the forefront of information integrity, working with Defyhatenow as a fellow, specialising in fact-checking and digital rights. Mr. Moses holds a bachelor’s degree in public administration and an advanced certificate in public health. His career showcases varied experience, including Programs Manager at Junub Youth Action Network. His social media monitoring work contributes to spotting and counteracting misinformation, hate speech, and cyber threats. Mr. Moses has developed a network system of fact-checkers and stakeholders, and his contributions have been pivotal in conducting impactful research on digital rights issues and drafting influential reports.

11. LOUIS DAVID CASIMIR - MAURITIUS, MALE

David Casimir is a versatile journalist working as a News Editor at Mauritius Broadcasting Corporation. He is the founding member of MOSFA, the Media Observatory for Sustainable Fishing in Africa, and has a deep interest in environmental, ecological, and sustainable development subjects. In 2016, he received training for sustainable fishing coverage organised by the World Bank in Ghana. He also participated in a mentorship and fellowship program for the COP26 organised by the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) and was part of a collaborative newsroom with journalists from Small Islands Developing States (SIDS). In addition, he was a fellow of the Economic Justice Network (EJN) Fellowship for Virtual Coverage of COP15 in Abidjan in early 2022. One of his recent works concerning the contribution of the tourism sector to the protection of the environment during the COVID-19 pandemic has also received recognition. During the Media Trust Award 2021, the annual national event for recognition of best journalism work in Mauritius, he received the “Special Jury Award” for “Best Multimedia Production”.

12. TUYEIMO HAIDULA – NAMIBIA, FEMALE

Tuyeimo Haidula is a health and community journalist. She is dedicated to telling stories that showcase how individuals and communities are actively working towards solving various

challenges. With her extensive experience as a journalist working with The Namibian Sun and The Namibian Newspaper, Ms Haidula’s possesses valuable multimedia production skills, including photography and video production. She has also showcased her versatile talents in roles such as a BBC Freelancer for BBC Africa Eye, where she brings unreported stories to life and holds power to account by working on impactful documentaries, focusing on pertinent issues like the repercussions of backstreet abortions on Namibian women. Beyond her journalistic skills, Ms Haidula plays a significant role as a Mentor on the Maano Mentor Program and as a Board member for the Society for Family Health Adolescents and Youth Advisory Board.

13  RIM BEN KHALIFA- TUNISIA, FEMALE

14. KELETSO THOBEGA - BOTSWANA, FEMALE

Keletso Thobega is an award-winning development journalist specialising in climate change, energy, health, gender, and environmental reporting. Her exceptional work has garnered recognition and featured in prominent continental and international publications like Botswana Guardian, The Midweek Sun, Mmegi, and Independent UK. Ms. Thobega is committed to raising awareness and promoting a deeper understanding of the region's development initiatives on a global scale. She is currently working as a Freelance journalist at the Sunday Standard newspaper. Her accolades include winning the Merck Foundation, Stay at home award for health reporting (2020); Fellowships with the International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD), Thomson Reuters fellowship (2020) and KAS Media Acceleration hub (2019); and selection as a Journalist of the month by International Journalist Network (IJNET) (2020). She was selected for the Google News scholarship (2022), as a participant in the Space for Giants environment reporting programme (2022), the African Women in Media (AWiM) environment reporting programme (2021), and the

Women in News (WiN) accelerator hub by Wanifra (2022). In addition to her journalistic endeavours, Ms. Thobega is a creative writer, with her work featured in the Botswana Women Write anthology, and she has a collection of essays to her name.

15. JAN BORNMAN - SOUTH AFRICA, MALE

Jan Bornman is an accomplished journalist based in Johannesburg, South Africa. He strives to share people's stories with utmost empathy and compassion through his articles highlighting migration and the tribulations faced by migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers across the continent. His pursuit of truth has seen him working with publications like New Frame as a Specialist Migration Reporter, Financial Mail, News24, Sunday Times & The Times, covering a spectrum of topics from human interest stories to the intricate patterns of crime. In 2020, he led as the sole writer and coordinator for a comprehensive long-form journalism project on migrants with disabilities called The Endless Journey. He also regularly contributes to several local and international publications, including AFP, Semafor Africa and the Daily Maverick. Additionally, he has worked as a stringer for Voice of America, where he produced and scripted radio and TV inserts for various platforms. During this period, he also worked as a research consultant for Xenowatch, an open-source system for collecting and verifying information about incidents of xenophobic discrimination and violence. His exceptional work earned him recognition as the Vodacom Journalist of the Year regional winner and a 2017 International Journalists Programme (IJP) fellow.

Somalis from local, national, and international perspectives. With an MSc in Politics of Conflict, Rights, and Justice, Mr. Mohamud has integrated his profound knowledge and insights into his diverse professional roles. He was a content writer and editor at the World Food Programme in Abuja, Nigeria. He also contributed as a content manager for the African Union's iDOVE initiative focusing on addressing violent extremism through interfaith dialogue and was associated with the Anti-Tribalism Movement in London as a storyteller and writer, where he developed policy recommendations and communicated findings related to healthcare, education, and social welfare.

17 DÁMASO NSUE EYANG - EQUATORIAL GUINEA, MALE

Dámaso Nsue Eyang based in Equatorial Guinea, is an experienced journalist with a socio political interest. He serves as the Communications Manager at the Ministry of Finance in Guinea Equatorial and editor for Politics and Economics at Revista Ekos Online and the Economy and Society sections at the national newspaper Ébano. Mr. Eyang has also worked as a focal communication point in the Ministry of Finance, Economy and Planning for Equatorial Guinea. A graduate of the Universidad Nacional de Guinea Equatorial, Mr. Eyang holds degrees in Information Science and Journalism. His academic foundation as well as his experience in public policy communication enhances his ability to merge development communication with insightful knowledge on diverse topics.

18. YASMINE BOULDJEDRI - ALGERIA, FEMALE

Yasmine Bouldjedri is a dedicated science journalist and podcaster with over a decade of experience, and her journalistic journey has evolved significantly over the last three years as she has developed a strong passion for climate journalism. This newfound interest has led her to explore and report on critical environmental issues, aiming to raise awareness and drive positive change. Ms. Bouldjedri currently holds the position of a Podcaster and producer at the Annasr Newspaper Podcast. This is the first Podcast in Algerian media that discusses various issues with specialists. She was previously part of the editorial team with Chihab Science Magazine. Her multifaceted roles require her to delve into health and climate change issues while focusing on STEM and astrophysics and detailed investigative reporting. She received recognition for her outstanding work when she was awarded the first prize in the print media category for her report entitled "How the administration and the unions of the El Hadjar complex managed to put an end to the crisis within the company."

19. MELISSA LEMOS – MOZAMBIQUE, FEMALE

Melissa Babil, a content creator from Mozambique, believes film and TV can transform lives, especially those of young Africans. She is passionate about photography, videography,

entrepreneurship, video editing, graphic design, social media management and content creation. She has completed courses in Communication and Multimedia, but ultimately wants to pursue a career as a film director and writer or director of photography. Her expertise in visual storytelling has been meticulously cultivated through an intensive training course by the New York Film Academy. She has enhanced her skills through an entrepreneurship program sponsored by UNESCO, a creative enterprise program sponsored by the British Council, a creative program sponsored by the Embassy of Germany and man other programs to sharpen her skills and arise in the media and content creation industry. She was chosen to represent Mozambique at the Academy for Young Creatives in Lusaka in a one-year Film and Television Production training program.

20.WAKINI NJOGU– KENYA, FEMALE

Wakini Njogu is a dedicated thematic content creator and journalist with over eight years of experience. Passionate about researching and producing data-driven content and exploring critical topics such as gender inequalities, human rights abuses & digital rights. Ms. Njogu’s meticulous approach reveals untold stories, particularly those highlighting gender disparities, human rights abuses, and the intricacies of digital rights. Ms. Njogu’s bylines have graced prominent publications such as The Elephant, The Star, and People Daily. Beyond merely reporting, Ms. Njogu’s multifaceted roles have seen her championing initiatives in the digital rights space. Notably, she took the helm of editorial duties at Open Heroines, a global community advocating for open data and civic tech. Further enriching her portfolio, Ms. Njogu has been a fellow with both Internews and the Africa Women Journalism Project (AWJP), emphasising their commitment to accurate, insightful, and impactful storytelling.