Stories about French from January, 2011
Morocco: The King's Very Private Visit to France
According to a Moroccan opposition journalist interviewed by French news website Rue89 [fr] King Mohamed VI of Morocco arrived Thursday in France for a private visit, and is staying in...
Madagascar: Can you sketch journalism?
Bunmi writes about Bastien Dubois from Madagascar who has been nominated for an 2011 Academy Award in the category of animated short
Gabon: Opposition Leader Takes Oath as New President
The double presidential power struggle in Côte d'Ivoire seems to have inspired Gabon's political opposition as well. This afternoon on January 26, 2011, former Gabonese presidential election candidate André Mba Obame - regarded by many as the probable winner of the 2009 election - has taken oath as President and formed his own 'unofficial' government.
Tunisia: Keeping a Tab on Dissidents
Mauritanian blogger Nasser Weddady translates a document which shows how the former Ben Ali regime of Tunisia kept a tab on its dissidents abroad.
Brazil/Tunisia: Cartoons on the Tunisian Revolution
Provos Brasil [pt] shares a series of cartoons by the Brazilian cartoonist Carlos Latuff on the Tunisian Revolution, in two blog posts: The Fall of the Dictatorship in Tunisia and...
Mali: Cars « Made in Mali » to Be Sold on the West African Market
Ouestafnews writes (fr) that : ” A factory capable of producing 2000 cars a year will soon be inaugurated near Bamako. The first Hyundai cars «made in Mali» are expected...
DR of Congo : Discreet Commemorations of the 50th Anniversary of Patrice Lumumba's Assassination
January 17, 2011 marked the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Patrice Lumumba, the first prime minister of the DR of Congo, formerly known as Zaïre. The Congolese people and its diaspora organised a few events but many thought that the celebrations were not up to par with the historical aura of one of the true hero of the independence of the DR of Congo.
Algeria: Algerians salute the courage of the Tunisian people
All Algerians saluted the resistance movement of the Tunisian people people who brought down the despot Zine El Abidine Ben Ali [EN] after 23 years of unchallenged rule. In every discussion forum, blogs and Facebook, Algerians can no longer find the words to salute the courage of Tunisians and they ask: "Who's next?"
Tunisia: Blogger and Former Political Prisoner Appointed Minister
Slim Ammamou, a blogger, activist and Global Voices contributor, was appointed Secretary of State for Sports and Youth Affairs in the new interim unity government in Tunisia. Reactions have been pouring in Social Media.
Jamaica, Guadeloupe, T&T, U.S.A.: MLK Day
“Dr. King's importance lies in his challenge to expand our moral imagination”: Geoffrey Philp and other regional bloggers pay tribute to the late American civil rights leader Martin Luther King...
France: Our Embarrassing Ex Friend, Monsieur Ben Ali
It has finally dawned. After decade of state amitié (friendship) with the Ben Ali regime, and total indifference from French politicians and mainstream media, French bloggers and twitterers are now aware that France has been living in a prolonged state of denial - thanks to history in the making in one of France ex-colonies, Tunisia, and a week of historical diplomatic blunders and shameful silence in France.
Tunisia: Fears of Insecurity Overshadow the Joys of Freedom
On January 14, 2011, President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali abruptly fled the country he ruthlessly ruled for more than two decades. The people of Tunisia took to the streets to celebrate the dawn of a new independence. The euphoria rapidly gave way to fear about the security situation. News spread about vandals rampaging across major cities, looting shops and homes and setting fire to properties and buildings. Tunisians share their thoughts and experiences on their blogs.
Arab World: Where is Ben Ali Headed to?
Now that ousted Tunisian president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali has fled the country, the question on everyone's mind is: Where is he headed to?
Tunisia: Celebrations Welcome the End of Ben Ali's Rule
The Tunisian president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali quit his country on Friday following four weeks of popular protests, putting an end to 23 years in power. Here are some of the reactions that flooded Twitter and the blogosphere following the announcement of Ben Ali's dramatic departure.
Tunisia: Tweeting Ben Ali's Speech–Change 2.0 or Just a Show?
Popular protests in the streets of Tunisian cities have been going on unabated for the past 4 weeks. They have posed the biggest challenge to Tunisian president Ben Ali in his 23 years in power. Tonight the president delivered his third address to the nation in less than a month, promising a series of reforms. Bloggers and Tweeters have been commenting the president's words.
France, Tunisia: Has the Minister of Foreign Affairs Lost Her Mind?
The French and North African blogosphere and twittosphere reacted violently to the statement by the French Minister of Foreign Affairs Michelle Alliot-Marie who proposed at the French national assembly that...
Algeria: Is Revolt Contagious?
After Tunisia, now Algeria has seen a week of riots and violent encounters between youths and the forces of order. The unrest is motivated by sharp increases in prices since January 1 on basic goods.
Côte d'Ivoire: The Quest for Normalcy and the Colonial Conundrum
Often portayed as living in a country on the brink of civil war, Ivorian citizens are trying hard to disprove this fatalistic narrative in the traditional media by calling for peace. Bloggers are also debating the role of the international community and the possibility raised by Gbagbo of a new, independent currency following Chavez's model in Venezuela.
Morocco: What Legal Protection for Religions Other Than Maliki Islam?
Blogger and lawyer Ibn Kafka gives an insight into the legal dispositions provided by the Moroccan law [Fr] to protect cults and religions, other than Sunni Islam, the Maliki rite...
Tunisia, Algeria: The Revolution Will Not Be Televised
Protests in Algeria and Tunisia have captured the interest of bloggers in both countries. Social media seem to be playing a central role in the coverage of the unfolding events in a context of heavy censorship and strict restrictions imposed on traditional media (mostly state-run) and on the Internet. Here is an overview of what has been said in the local blogosphere in the last couple of days.
Algeria: 3 killed and Hundred Injured in Protests
Three people were killed and no less than 420 people ( 320 policemen and 100 civilians were injured in riots in Algeria. According to the blog, Algérie Politique, those numbers...
