Stories about French from May, 2009
Morocco: Campaigning for the Disenchanted
The electoral campaign for the local council (or communal) elections in Morocco, due in June 12 has started amidst widespread apathy and disenchantment. The debate has been raging over the Moroccan blogosphere about the relevance of the process, participation over boycott, and the balkanized political scene.
Morocco: The Blogoma's Journey Continues
Blogging has come a long way in Morocco. From a handful a blogs a few years ago, the blogosphere is now growing rapidly, in three languages. In this post, Anas Alaoui reviews the Blogma - the bloggers' very own name for Morocco's thriving blogging scene.
Guadeloupe: In May 2009, keep May 1802 and May 1967 in mind
2009 will definitely be a "new" year in Guadeloupe - at least judging from a pun that people used as their New Year's wish, since in Creole "new" is pronounced "nef" and "nine" is also pronounced "nef". The first social movements in December 2008 foreshadowed the massive mobilization which took place from January until March 2009, which resulted in 45 days of an all-out strike on the island. Although an agreement was signed, the situation still has not been properly settled - and May, traditionally a month of protest in the French and Guadeloupean social history, is particularly hot this year.
Morocco: Eleven Killed in Deadly Stampede at Music Festival
At least 11 people were killed and 30 wounded on Saturday night, 23 May, during a music concert in Rabat, the Moroccan capital, at the Mawazine world music festival. Bloggers react to the tragedy.
Morocco: Therapy Abroad, Apathy at Home
The global economic downturn seems to be affecting tourism worldwide, a sector upon which the Moroccan economy is heavily dependent. The north African kingdom has launched a wide campaign to polish its image abroad and attract more travelers. But what is the reality on the ground, as local elections approach, as reported by Moroccan bloggers?
Madagascar: Protester Freed, Journalists Demonstrate Against Censorship
The Malagasy online community was relieved to hear the news that Razily, a protester who was arrested in late March, was seen in public and he seems well and about. While much is still unknown about the circumstances of Razily's release, many bloggers hope that this event signifies the beginning of a return to normalcy with respect to the conduct of the country's security forces.
Disabled Congolese Find Ways to Thrive
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, life for the disabled or physically impaired is wrought with difficulties. With no state support and few employment prospects, individuals with disabilities face numerous challenges. This article explores the innovative ways some disabled Congolese earn their living.
Tunisia: Ammar 404 is Back and Censoring Blogs Again
After a short hiatus, the dreaded Ammar 404 has once again attacked the Tunisian blogosphere. Ammar is the nickname given by Tunisian bloggers to the censorship machine plaguing their access to the Internet and his victim this time is Zig Zag blog by 3amrouch. Tunisian bloggers show solidarity with their colleague by reprinting the material which blocked his blog in the first place.
Paris court investigates three African leaders
A Parisian judge has ordered an inquiry into alleged corruption and embezzlement on the part of three African heads of state: Denis Sassou-Nguesso of Congo-Brazzaville, Omar Bongo of Gabon, and Teodoro Obiang of Equatorial Guinea.
Madagascar: Behind the Scenes of Foko Ushahidi SMS Alert System
A growing community of bloggers in Madagascar have been helping a global audience understand the political struggle between a former mayor and a president that recently drove their country into national disarray. A new initiative led by Malagasy bloggers captures witness accounts of social unrest via SMS text messages and Google maps using the Kenyan web interface, Ushahidi.
New bill to increase oversight of American mining companies in DRC
Congolese blogger Alex Engwete writes about a new bill in the U.S. Senate to increase government oversight of American companies with mining interests in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
DRC: Former child soldiers wait for government to pay
Congoblog [Fr] tells the story of two former child soldiers who are still waiting for the reintegration money promised by the government. They survive by collecting garbage and grating cow...
Burkinabe community in Cote d'Ivoire
Quophy Blogeur [Fr] writes about a man raising money from the Buriknabe community in Cote d'Ivoire for the next election, but questions his motives.
Guadeloupe: May Day demonstrations
In a photo-post, Guadeloupean Chien créole [Fr] blogs about the first massive demonstrations since the end of the recent social turmoil in the French West Indies: May Day celebration in...
French Overseas Departments: Questioning the “Estates General”
Guadeloupean Mycho blogs [Fr] about her doubts concerning the “Estates General of the French Overseas Departments” to re-think the status of its distant departments, while bloggers Anba pyé mango-la and...
Growing Military Repression in Madagascar
Bloggers respond to the new Malagasy government's intimidation and arrest of protesters and political opponents.
Tunisia: Call to Embrace Work Ethics on Labour Day
May 1st marked International Labour Day around the world and Tunisian bloggers grasped the occasion to comment on the situation of workers and encourage some of them to give up laziness and embrace better work ethics. Lina Ben Mhenni has the story.
World Videos: “Swine Flu” Perspectives, Humor and a Grain of Salt.
Videos tend to reflect people's states of mind at a set moment in time. People react different ways in the face of crisis, and for all those who have been reading, viewing and absorbing information on the "Swine Flu" (properly known as Influenza A virus subtype H1N1), it might get complicated not only to sort out factual information from rumors, but also to deal with the new restrictions and recommendations. Some find a way to share their state of mind through videos, and this is what I bring to you today: thought provoking, skeptical, musically inclined, creative and humorous videos.
