Stories about French from August, 2010
Western Europe: A journey through tech for transparency projects
Sylwia Presley takes us on a tour of technology for transparency projects in Western Europe.
West Africa: Drug Traffickers and Politico-Military Dictators
The UN assistant representative in Africa against drug trafficking Cyriaque Sobtafo recently stated that west Africa is now the hub for cocaine trafficking. Many countries are affected and the sudden death of the son of Dadis Camara generated many speculations about the possible involvement of drug dealers in the event.
Togo: Journalist Didier Ledoux Brutalized Again, Newspaper Fined 90,000 euros
Reporters sans frontières deplores that two weeks after being harassed and threatened by a French Lieutenant-Colonel Romuald Letondot, journalist Didier Ledoux of Liberté Hebdo was brutalized again [fr], by Togolese officers this time because he allegedly took photos of one of them. Liberté Hebdo was also fined 90,000 Euros [fr]...
Madagascar: Radio Soatalily in Toliary Sacked
Tomavana posts on twitter [fr] a report that Radio Soatalily in the town of Toliary (South East of Madagascar) was sacked by 30 members [fr] of the opposition after their meeting was dismantled by police forces. The government also launched “Operation Strike” to curb down banditry and increasing criminality [fr] on the...
Algeria: Bloggers Denounce the Exclusion of Egypt from the Algiers Book Fair
Following the tensions from a football match in Cairo between the Egyptian and Algerian football teams, Algiers Book Fair (SILA) decided to exclude Egyptian books from the event. The decision did not sit well with many Algerian bloggers.
France: An Imaginary Dialogue between Sarkozy and Berlusconi
The Bienvenue chez les Rroms blog (“rroms” is the spelling of Roma in Romani language) imagines [Fr] a satirical conversation in which French President Nicolas Sarkozy seeks comfort and advice with his friend Italian PM Silvio Berlusconi, after being unexpectedly victimized of his own suggestion that some categories of offenders should...
Tunisia: Doctored Photographs Symptomatic of the State of The National Press
The use of national media as an instrument of propaganda has been fairly well documented in Tunisia. The latest evidence of media manipulation was identified by Tunisian bloggers on August 20 when newspapers le Temps and Assabah illustrated on the sending of food supply by fundation Zitouna to the victims of the floods in Pakistan.
Global: The International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition
August 23rd is The International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition. A series of events are organized around the world by various organisations to help inscribe the tragic memory of the slave trade promote human rights.
France: Discrimination Against Roma People, Labeled as “Thieves”
While the expulsions of Roma people are in full throttle with the silent approbation of the majority of the public opinion, some doubts start to creep in about the fairness of the measures. Some bloggers express their outrage at the measures that target the most vulnerable and the libel of an entire community as "thieves".
Benin: President Boni Yayi In Impeachment Row as MPs Switch Strategy
Le Blog Visage du Benin writes that The head of Benin's parliament has rejected a request by 48 MPs to impeach President Boni Yayi on charges of fraud [fr]. It adds that the MPs have decided to switch strategy and move the impeachment motion to an emergency procedure to be...
France: Learn More about the Itinerant Community
Around the hot topic of the “gens du voyage” in France – the itinerant community – Léa Charles from suite101.fr, gives a few definitions to sport out any confusion; Les actualités du droit outlines the details of the law as they ought to be applied on this issue, Yann Savidan interviews...
Madagascar: The Undercover Investigations That Exposed Rosewood Trafficking from the Rain Forest
One of the consequences of the enduring political crisis in Madagascar is its punishing impact on the environment. The investigation of activists specialized in conservation and protection of the environment was instrumental in documenting the crimes and holding the government accountable for protecting Malagasy natural resources. Here are there reflections on the initiatives:
France: Racism and Politics
Following a speech from French president Sarkozy that France ought to consider stripping delinquents of their citizenship and the planned expulsion of groups of Roma people back to Rumania and Bulgaria, the UN Comittee on the Elimination of Racial dDiscrimination (CERD) denounced a "recrudescence of racism and xenophobia" in France. Bloggers weigh in on the tense social scene in France.
Morocco: Fasting Versus Individual Liberties
For most Muslims, the holy month of Ramadan is a time of peace, of reflection, of family and faith. But for those who have given up on religion, Ramadan can be a difficult time, especially when you live in Morocco, where fasting is obligatory.
France: Expulsions of Roma people from Camp Sites Stir Feelings of Shame
As Roma people are expelled from campsites by security forces under the supervision of the French Ministry of Internal Affairs, Club de l'Europe blog [Fr] links to a video entitled “How many hens did we steal from you this year?“. “We shot these images in march 2003. Now the same people...
Morocco: English as the Second Language
Said Bellari, a writer for Moroccoboard.com, advocates the gradual eradication of the dependence on the French language, and the introduction of English as the official second language of Morocco. In his essay, he introduces a newfangled concept known as “disliteracy.” reports Nabila Taj.
Guinea: At Long last, a Date for the Second Round of the Presidential Elections
On August 9, Guineans breathed a sigh of relief when they learned that the President of the transition, General Sekouba Konate had signed a decree for the second round of presidential elections to be held on September 19. Charges of fraud launched by 23 of the 24 first round presidential candidates pushed the initial dates back until the charges were sorted out.
Republic of Congo: Anniversary of 50 Years of Independence Under the Shadow of Unemployment
Benjamin Bilombot Bitadys at Congopage writes that it's puzzling that Congo-Brazzaville is spending 27 billions of CFA francs on the celebration of the anniversary of the independence (August 15) when 53% of the population (mostly young people) is still unemployed [fr].
Tunisia: When the Singer Chants “Long Live Netanyahu”
The circulation of a video showing Tunisian singer Mohsen Sherif yelling “Long live Bibi Netanyahu!” and inviting Jews to come in droves to Djerba Island for El Ghariba pilgrimage, has triggered a wave of anger and disappointment among Tunisians. In geek speak, the video circulated on Facebook has now created a buzz.
Madagascar: FAO Warns of Locust Threat to Agriculture in the South West Region
On the blog of Organisation de la Presse Africaine, The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) states that $15 million USD is needed to mount a campaign on some 500,000 hectares of land threatened by locust plague [fr]. An average locust swarm consumes the equivalent amount of food as...
African Thinkers on the Origin and Relevance of Ethnic Identity
In a year loaded with elections in Africa, ethnic identity has always been lurking in most political conversations. Still, many African thinkers argue that ethnicity was never a prominent issue until colonization began. They also argue the current and future relevance of ethnic identity on the continent.
