Stories about French from July, 2012
Democratic Republic of Congo: Rwanda Accused in North Kivu Violence
Since April 2012, North Kivu province in the eastern Congo has been destabilised by the March 23 movement (M23), comprised of fighters from the Tutsi-led National Congress for the Defence of the People (CNDP). M23 continues to cause enormous loss of life and massive population displacement within the province.
Togo: Preacher Transports 4.2 kg of Cocaine Hidden in Lollipops to Build Church
Togolese Preacher Woegna Yao Koufoualesse was caught at the Accra International Airport with 4.2 kg of Cocaine in a flight from Sao Paulo, Afrique Infos reports [fr]. The drugs were hidden inside caramel lollipops; Koufoualesse argued that he did not know about the cocaine and that the lollipops were to be sold to help...
Guinea: The Plight of Guineans Students in Syria
Kante Taliby writes on Guinée News about the plight of Guinean students in Syria [fr] : “I am a Guinean student on scholarship in Syria and I am married with one child. My wife, my child and I have not had a proper meal for almost a week now, and...
Mali: Athletes Go to London Olympics With Heads Held High
"We will definitely be in London and our goal is to prove to the whole world that in spite of our struggles, our country is still standing." - Malian National Olympic Committee President
Madagascar: Three Soldiers Killed During Uprising in Military Barracks
Three soldiers were killed and four injured during a confrontation at Ivato barracks, Madagascar on Sunday July 22, 2012. This revolt took place shortly before a meeting between the interim leader Andry Rajoelina and ex-president Marc Ravalomananana, scheduled for July 24 in the Seychelles. This latest incident follows a pattern all too familiar to Malgasians as they ask themselves who benefits from the unrest that occurs before each attempt at mediation.
Morocco: Mc Donald's Won't Serve Muslim Adults During Ramadan
An image of a sign in a Mc Donald's restaurant in Casablanca has been circulating among Moroccan netizens today. The sign reads, “Notice to our customers. During Ramadan, only children and non-Muslims can be served in the restaurant. All other orders will be served strictly for carry-out.”
Is Tunisia a Banana Republic?
Tunisian netizens react to a Tunisian MP's use of the term "President of the Banana Republic" to refer to interim President Moncef Marzouki, during a heated parliamentary debate.
Mali: What is The ECOWAS Waiting for ?
Francis Laloupo wonders whether the ECOWAS has a clear purpose in the resolution [fr] of the crisis in Northern Mali. Laloupo argues that while the ECOWAS has maintained for the past 4 months that they strive to re-establish the unity of the Malian territory, they have yet to draw a coherent strategy to...
Togo: Keeping an Eye on a Budding Political Crisis
Paul Martial warns that despite very little international coverage, the recent events in Togo suggest that profound changes are underway [fr]. Martial argues that the Eyadema administration is fragilized by both the emerging social crisis and internal tensions within the governing body. A new prime minister, Mr Ahoomey-Zunu, has been named today [fr].
Africa: Nelson Mandela, an Icon Transcending Differences
On his 94th birthday, the entire world is celebrating Nelson Mandela, and the internet users of Francophone Africa are no exception. Nelson Mandela remains an absolute icon of the African renaissance, throughout the continent. Francophone bloggers have praised the life of the man whom they affectionately call "Madiba", and the lessons learned from his struggle.
DR of Congo: Does Rebel Group M23 Seek Kivu Secession with Rwanda's Approval?
Giles Muhane reports that the March 23 Movement M23 rebel military group is believed to be seeking secession of the the province of Kivu from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Muhane adds that Kinshasa authorities have publicly accused Kigali of supporting a mutiny in Congo. Rwandan President Paul Kagame denied any involvement in the Congo...
Northern Mali: Resistance in the Streets and Online
Northern Mali has been de facto cut off from its central government since the Tuareg rebels then the Islamists drove the army out of their territory. On the ground, tension is rising. Women were the first to go out on the streets and in all the northern cities, the young have taken up protest.
Madagascar: Will Air France Jet Purchases Really Help Air Madagascar?
The year 2011 saw Air Madagascar being banned from flying to European destinations due to the airline failing to comply with security regulations. The transition government had been celebrating the purchase of two Air France Airbus A340s with great fanfare, yet multiple questions have been since been raised over the purchase.
Mali: Media Workers to Strike in Protest of Journalist Kidnapping
Saouti Haïdara, the 62 year old director of Malian newspaper L’Indépendant, was recently kidnapped by men wearing balaclavas, beaten, then abandoned on a road. This is the latest incident in weeks of arrests and intimidation of media professionals in Mali following the military coup in March 2012.
DR of Congo: Controversial Sentence for Thomas Lubanga
On 10 July, the International Criminal Court convicted Congolese Thomas Lubanga Dyilo to 14 years in prison. He was found guilty of war crimes for having recruited and enrolled children under 15-years-old. Congolese bloggers lament over the restrained sentence.
France : World Forum for Democracy Will Take Place in Strasbourg in October 2012
The World Forum for Democracy is organized by the Coucil of Europe in Strasbourg from October 5th to 11th, 2012. The blog Démocratie réelle à Nîmes maintenant [fr] republishes the post of blog d'a. spohr [fr]on Mediapart news website, detailing this large-scale project, entitled “Democracy: between old models and new realities. Bridging the gap”....
Togo: Prime Minister Gilbert Houngbo Resigns Ahead of the Elections
The Republic of Togo blog reports [fr] that Prime Minister Gilbert Houngbo resigned on July 11 to officially allow all political parties to be represented in the new government ahead of the upcoming parliamentary elections.
European Union: A Survey Among Immigrants about Integration
Le café pédagogique links [pdf, fr] to the results of a survey launched in 15 cities from 7 U.E. countries, among immigrants in possession of their legal documents and with or without citizenship of their host countries. The questions were aimed at integration, which appears to be highly wished for.
Tunisia: Online Platform to Monitor Police Abuse
Yezzi is an online Tunisian collaborative platform, which documents and reports police abuse and wrongdoings. For years, police corruption and abuse went unnoticed and unpunished in Tunisia. People would talk about it among themselves, but only few would dare speak up in public or resort to justice. Yezzi aims to change that.
Madagascar: Enjoying the 2012 Africa Cup of Rugby
Madagascar is hosting the Confédération Africaine de Rugby (CAR) Championship Division 1B competition from July 4 to 11. The other nations in the group are Morocco, Namibia and Sénégal. While the country has been marred in severe economic and political crisis since the 2009 coup, the Malagasy population is trying to escape their daily struggles by rooting for the Malagasy National Rugby Team also known as the "Makis de Madagascar."
A Weak African Union for 53 Member States
2011 was a tumultuous year for the African continent with revolutions, attempted coups and violent political crises. Unfortunately the union of 53 African states that has as its mission to help strengthen regional peace and development has proved its own shortcomings in dealing with these situations.
