Stories about French from September, 2013
Heavy on the Politicking, Light on the Substance in Cameroon's Elections
Many of the candidates running in Cameroon for National Assembly and municipal council seats are lacking well-defined platforms that tell voters where they stand on the issues.
VIDEO: Filmpoem “Prayer of Fear” Stuns Egypt
The Egyptian citizen collective Mosireen has been tirelessly documenting the #Jan25 revolution and the events that followed in images and documentaries. One of their very last creations is “Prayer of Fear”, a filmpoem by Mahmoud Ezzat narrated by Mosireen member Salma Said. Between roving and painful memories, the filmpoem stuns...
Europe Warns French Minister over Statement Regarding Roma Community
Les derniers propos du Ministre français de l'Intérieur, Manuel Valls ont relancé la polémique au niveau des rapports houleux entre la France et les Roms, en France et en Europe.
In The Central African Republic, “We Still Hope to Live Together In Peace”
As the conflict between the rebels of Sékéla and the national army of the Central african Republic rages on, tension mounts in the city of Bossangoa. Locals fear that the conflict may not spill into open fighting between the christian and muslim communities. Some still hold hope for appeasement though,...
90% of Madagascar Lives On Less Than Two Dollars a Day. Why?
This chapter of our analysis of the crisis in Madagascar discusses the under-covered causes of the economic decline of the island and the proposed solutions.
Will Madagascar's Upcoming Elections Solve the Island's Crisis?
Madagascar has suffered five political crises in four decades, with the island still reeling from its latest coup d'etat in 2009. Can elections finally pull the country out?
How Malian Citizens Help Monitor the 2013 Presidential Elections
With the support of the French-speaking Global Voices group, a project was created to support and facilitate monitoring the 2013 elections in Mali. The aim of this project was to form volunteers from Mali who would use social networks to share information throughout the electoral process.
France Sees Great Potential in the Chinese Tourism Industry
The number of trips abroad for the Chinese has gone from 10 million in 2000 to 83 million in 2012. A look at this booming market from France.
Burkina Faso: An African Crisis in the Making?
While Mali is awaiting the results of its presidential elections, the neighboring Burkina Faso is also preparing for senate elections amid much tension. These elections will be a prelude to the presidential elections of 2015.
“I Know A Rapist”: The Blog that Won't Stay Silent
A Tumblr blog collects testimonies [fr] of people who know a sexual predator. The “About” page of the site states that the goal is to show that rapists are not just psychopaths who are statistical outliers but people we know (80% of rape victims knew their aggressors). One contributor recalls one...
A Mayor's Struggle Against The Pillaging of Bangui, Central African Republic
Catherine Samba-Panza does not waiver in the face of the ongoing massive struggle before her. Olivier Tallès reports [fr] that the Mayor of Bangui was powerless witnessing the looting and vandalizing of the capital city of the Central African Republic by the Séléka Rebels when they took control of the country...
Assassination Attempt Against Burkina Faso President
Romuald Tuina (also spelled Tuyna) an ex-deserted soldier was killed after he opened fire [fr] on the office of the president of Burkina Faso Blaise Campaoré, Mathieu Somda reports. Tuina was in uniform when he tried to enter the presidential palace. He then shot the light down in the palace by firing...
The Influence of Francophone Africa on the French Language
The news site Afrik.com features an article on the way in which African slang has influenced the French language [fr], and informs us that Verlan is no longer a preferred language of rappers : For a long time, there have been certain words, such as [Arabic greetings] “Salam alaykum” or “hamdu’llah”,...
Meet Aminata Touré, the New Iron Lady of Senegal
Aminata Touré was introduced as the new prime minister of Senegal after Abdoul Mbaye was dismissed by president Macky Sall [fr]. Assirou News states that [fr] Touré is a human rights activist and a former coordinator for the UNFPA. Boubacar Kante reports that she is also known as Senegal's “Iron...
When Reality TV Meets Humanitarian Action in Italy
Many Italians are already criticising RAI 1's humanitarian aid reality TV show in development, several months before it is scheduled to air.
