Stories about French from September, 2011
Cameroon: Calm Before the Storm?
Cameroon's presidential election will take place on October 9, but the lack of stake in the outcome felt by the general population is leading to a lack of interest. The threat of post-election violence and ethnic tension is also hanging over the country.
Cameroon: Attempted Mutiny in the Economic Capital?
Cameroon-Info [fr] reports that gunfire broke out in the morning of September 29, 2011, on the Wouri Bridge in Douala, the economic capital of Cameroon. Website Koaci.com [fr] reports that it was an attempted military mutiny and adds that the Special Units of the army were deployed. Reuters talks about “uniformed gun men”. A...
New Caledonia: From Paris to Nouméa in a Microlight Plane
Two French microlight planes enthusiasts, aboard the microlight Spirit of Noumea, are planning to re-live French aviators Paul Klein and Henri Martinet's groundbreaking 1939 plane journey from Nouméa, New Caledonia, to Paris. Their journey can be followed on this map and is also documented via their diary [fr] on the project's site.
Mali: Senegal and Mali Final Expected in Afrobasket Women 2011
Starafrica comments [fr] on the Afrobasket Women Championship 2011 currently being hosted in Bamako, Mali: ” Mali, the host country and vice-champion, and Senegal, winner of the last Championship, are very convincing during this 22nd edition […]. The two national teams remain invincible. Coming up on the horizon is a...
Protecting African Forests: Wangari Maathai's Legacy
Wangari Maathai, a prominent Kenyan environmental and political activist and 2004 Nobel prize winner passed away on September 25. She was the first African woman to be awarded the prize and is recognized worldwide in the fight to protect the environment on the African continent.
Algeria: Football Matches New Venue to Air Dissent
Algerians have discovered a novel way to make their voices heard. Spectators in football matches are using the opportunity to voice political views, in a country which has so far shielded itself from the revolutions of the so-called Arab Spring.
Comoros: Blog monitors Fuel Shortage in Anjouan
In his blog, Dafinemkomori documents fuel and power shortage [fr] in the Comoros. He explains that fuel shortage has greatly impacted greatly many other aspects of the economy on the island of Anjouan (rise of the price of tuna and power shortage).
Tunisia: Whistleblower Samir Feriani Set Free
A military court in Tunis temporarily released whistle blower Samir Feriani, who spent 117 days in detention after publishing articles criticising the Tunisian Interior Ministry, on September 22. On September 29, his trial will resume and a verdict will be issued on his case. Netizens react to the news.
Mali : ATT Tending to his Legacy
Diawara at Sur les traces de l'empire du Mali [fr] describes the upcoming tight schedule of Malian president Ahmadou Toumani Touré (aka A.T.T) : “A.T.T is seemingly keen on leaving a good lasting impression as he prepares to depart his (presidential) office. Indeed, his upcoming agenda is heavy on inauguration ceremonies of newly built...
Mozambique: Sant'Egidio Community Fights Back Against HIV/AIDS
Lack of access to care for HIV positive people has been well documented on the African continent. Many initiatives strive to show that things could improve with collective effort, and among them is the Drug Resource Enhancement against AIDS and Malnutrition (DREAM) program.
Cameroon: What if We Did Not Vote on October 9?
In Cameroon, the October 9 presidential election does not seem to be generating much interest amongst the general public. For many Cameroonians, this election has no real stake and voters don't see casting their ballot as worth the trouble, since the outcome is already in favor of incumbent President Paul Biya.
France, Africa: Suitcases Filled with Cash Expose the Françafrique Connection
In the wake of the Dominique Strauss Kahn scandal, a new furore is now rocking France and the upcoming 2012 French presidential campaign. Robert Bourgi, a shady lawyer and advisor for "African affairs" has confessed to acting as a go-between for French politicians and Francophone Africa heads of state.
Tunisia: Bloggers Join Election Race
Tunisians will head to the polls to elect a national constituent assembly which will be in charge of writing their country's new constitution on October 23. Afef Abrougui reports on the seven bloggers joining the race.
CIVICUS: Reflections on the Power of Civil Society
For three days several civil society representatives met in Montreal for the CIVICUS World Assembly. The subjects were diverse: from civil movements, social equality, and the effects of new technologies, to climate justice. Here are some blog posts that covered the assembly.
Madagascar: Reactions to the Road Map Agreement to End the Crisis
The road map to end the Madagascar crisis has been signed by nearly all parties on September 16. Malagasy bloggers followed the event in real time and reacted to the implications [fr] of the agreement for the elections and the potential candidates.
Mauritius: The First Rally of the “Outraged” Youth
Khal Torabully on Africultures analyses [fr] the emerging movement of “outraged” (indignés) youth in Mauritius, where their first demonstration[fr] took place on September 10. “What if this “digital 2.0″ movement heralded a genuine revolution, making room for a new political culture, and encouraging the country to reflect in a more modern...
Tunisia: Blogger Beaten up by Police for Telling a Joke
Eight months after the fall of the regime of Ben Ali, police in Tunisia have still not given up their brutality and violations of human rights. On Wednesday September 14, Tunisian blogger Azyz Amamy was arrested and beaten up by police for telling a joke on bananas. Bloggers are outraged.
Comoros: Reactions of the Comoran Community to Minister's Accusation
After the French Interior Ministry stated that Comorian Community is to blame for some of the violence in Marseille[fr], the governing body of the Comoros Union is denouncing such stigmatization of their community[fr], it encourages Comoran to stay calm and fight back violence only via legal means.
Cameroon: Women Must Vote During Presidential Election
Le journal du Cameroun notes that “civil society organizations are rallying to encourage women to vote [fr] during the upcoming Cameroon presidential election, on October 9″.
Central African Republic: ‘Letter to the Person Sending Me Death Threats’
Central African Republic blogger, Blogmandebangos, has posted a letter to the person sending him death threats [fr] for his blogging: “The truth is that I just want to be the painter of my society, a good testimony, I only write about things that happen here…I talk about the daily life we all...
Tunisia: Bloggers for Parliament
A number of Tunisian bloggers will be running in their country's parliamentary elections, announced Tunisian blogging portal Nawaat [Fr].
