Stories about French from July, 2010
Madagascar: Pillaging of Rain Forests Was Supervised by National Special Forces
The Malagasy field researcher who contributed to the report on rosewood illegal logging in Madagascar entitled “Between Democracy and Conservation” explains the method they used in conducting their18-months-long secret investigation [fr]. He states that the investigation was conducted away from the government task force and that he is glad that...
Morocco: Agharass's New Photography Blog
Moroccan blogger Agharass is known for having an eclectic blog with posts (in French) on a variety of subjects from Palestine to pop culture, often peppered with the blogger's own photographs. Agharass now has a photo blog, entitled Portfolio de Agharass!
Francophonie: Like Fine Wine, Twitter Experience Gets Better With Age
An unexpected but deliciously nostalgic hash tag #jesuisvieux (I am old) has been trending in French social media. The timeline for the hashtag is filled with often humorous updates, and provides a snapshot of the evolution of information technology use.
Côte d'Ivoire: Journalists accused of document theft are freed
The three journalists of Le Nouveau Courrier d'Abidjan arrested for refusing to reveal their sources have been finally released [Fr] this evening after a two-week ordeal. The journalists were found not guilty of theft but the newspaper is fined and suspended for 15 days for publishing information under legal consideration.
Mali, Mauritania: Hostage Michel Germaneau Killed in Failed Raid as Tension Rises
A French-Mauritanian raid to free French aid worker Michel Germaneau inside Malian territory has raised tension [Fr] between the two nations, Diaspora Sahauri blog reports. The 78-year-old engineer Germaneau was killed after the failed attempt to free him.
France: Rioting in the Itinerant Community after Shooting Sparks Row
On July 18th, after 22 year old Luigi Duquenet was shot and killed, riots shook the quiet town of Saint Aignan in the Loire valley and immediately revived law-and -order reactions while also highlighting the discriminatory practices towards Roma people.
Rwanda: Tension Before The Presidential Election, Except for Kagame
The incumbent President of Rwanda Paul Kagame has officially launched his campaign for another term in office. The electoral campaign which ends on august 9th, has been marred with challenges for the political opposition, ranging from arrests to mysterious deaths.
Benin: Interior Ministry Repudiates Wolosso Dance Before His Dismissal
Wilfried Léandre Houngbedji reports that the Interior Ministry Armand Zinzindohoué ordered that night clubs in Cotonou curbed down the excessive practice of a dance called Wolosso [fr]. Unrelated to the previous matter, Zinzindohoué was dismissed and arrested later in the week for fraud.
Guinea: Awaiting the Second Round of the Elections Amidst Fraud Allegations
A historical presidential election is underway in Guinea as the official results of the first round [fr] are about to be made official. Despite the allegations of fraud, the overall sentiment is that of relief for the absence of turmoil and a remarkable turnout. The Guinean blogosphere was also actively involved:
Senegal: Protests Against Frequent Power Outages
Public demonstrations were organized last week in Senegal to protest against load shedding by Senelec (the national electricity company). Rignese who works for Seneweb.com has posted the following videos: the first from Mbour where the mobilization started [fr] and later in Dakar [fr].
France: Blogging about Politics
In Billet politique ! (“A Political post !” in French), blogger JeandelaXR presents a list of his favorite political bloggers [Fr].
Côte d'Ivoire: Blogger and Journalist Théophile Kouamouo Arrested with his Team since July 13th
Three journalists of Le Nouveau Courrier d'Abidjan were taken into police custody when they refused to disclose sources for an investigative report on the coffee and cocoa export trade. Here are reactions from citizens and media in Côte d'Ivoire as the three colleagues are still fighting for their release.
Venezuela: Actress Carolina Riveros Wins Award in France
Blogacine, a Venezuelan blog about film, reports [es] that Carolina Riveros, a young Venezuelan actress, has just won one of the awards for best actress at the Second Festival Internacional de Cinema Latin du Pays de Caux [fr], in Saint-Valery-en-Caux, France. She was recognized for her work in the Venezuelan...
Côte d'Ivoire:3 Journalists Including Théophile Kouamouo Arrested for Posting Classified Documents on Coffee and Cocoa
Reporters Sans Frontières (RSF) reports that three journalists were arrested on July 13th in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire for publishing classified documents regarding coffee and cocoa production [Fr]. Among them is Théophile Kouamouo, the founder of Abidjan Blog Camps, a Rising Voices project grantee. Here is a petition to show support...
Europe, U.S.A.: Poll on Burqa Ban Shows Opposite Viewpoints
The blog EU-logos about European affairs reflects (fr) on a recent poll by the Pew Research Center that shows a widespread support in European countries for a burqa ban whereas such proposal would be rejected by 65% of voters in the U.S [Fr]. The blog suggests that such transatlantic polls...
Cameroon: The Death of Pius Njawé, a Freedom of Speech Pioneer
Blogger Allain Jules gives a vibrant homage to Pius Njawé, a legendary Cameroonian journalist who passed away on July 12th [Fr].
Global: A Contest to Promote Youth-Driven Media in The Francophone Regions
Radio France International (RFI) has launched a contest, Mondoblog, that will short list 100 young francophone bloggers to become the “Ambassadors of their City on the web” [fr]. Registration will close on July 30th; aspiring bloggers who do not have easy access to ICT training are specifically encouraged to participate.
Morocco: “Still Living in My Parent's House,” says a 40-year-old Girl
One in every three Moroccan women is single. Studies show that this has more to do with economic hardship, lack of education, the absence of democracy. Samira is a 40 year-old single woman still living in her parents' house. She shares her day-to-day experiences on her blog.
Niger: The Silent Famine
The underreported food crisis in Sahel is taking worrisome proportions as about 2.5 millions of people in Niger are currently affected by food shortage. Bloggers in Niger reflect on yet another food crisis after the one in 2005.
Morocco: Controversy Over the Wage of New National Football Manager
Football is a very popular sport in Morocco. But the appointment of Belgian Eric Gerets to coach the national team for a rumored exorbitant amount of money has got the blogosphere talking.
African Soldiers on the Champs Elysees on Bastille Day
France's invitation to the armed forces of former colonies to join the parade on the Champs Elysees on July 14 is a subject of great controversy among African bloggers. Many wonder what is the point of having former colonies there and why are many north African nations not invited.
