Bono, Sir Bob Guest-Edit Today's 'Globe and Mail'

Canada’s Globe and Mail gets an infusion of rock ‘n’ roll and politics today thanks to Sir Bob Geldof of Live Aid and Boomtown Rats fame and U2 frontman Bono, who guest-edited an edition that brings attention to the plight of Africa.

Bono and Sir Bob spent the weekend in the Globe’s newsroom to produce “The African Century,” which offers a special in-depth look at the future of Africa and how it will impact not only the billion people living on the continent but the rest of the world as well.

Today’s content also features commentary and contributions from such international political leaders and advocates as U.S. President Barack Obama, Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon and Kofi Annan.

The online edition of “The African Century” also includes extras including timelines, photo galleries, audio interviews and interactive graphics. The Globe asked readers to send in their video questions for Bono and Geldof, and the two guest editors took time to answer some of them. Go here to see how they responded.

Additional behind-the-scenes footage from their visit to the newsroom will be posted throughout the month of May.

“I met some really great people at the Globe,” Bono said in a statement. “The molecules seem to vibrate a lot faster in the newsroom than in most places.”

The collaboration marks the first time the Globe and Mail has invited guest editors into the newsroom, and is also the first time Bono and Geldof have guest-edited a North American newspaper. The Globe is collaborating with the duo’s ONE organization to explore Africa’s many challenges and how they impact Canadians.

The Globe has also partnered with celebrated Kenyan blogger Ory Okolloh to serve as the guest digital editor of globeandmail.com beginning today and over the next few weeks as the Globe continues with additional coverage from and about Africa leading up to the G8/G20 meetings.

“Bob and Bono are known as musicians, but they do know Africa.  They did their homework, came prepared and made The Globe better,” said Globe and Mail Editor-in-Chief John Stackhouse. “I hope our readers are inspired and challenged by their work.”

Check out the Globe and Mail’s site here.