Stories about French from February, 2011
Tunisia: Who’s to Blame for the Murder of the Polish Priest?
News of the murder of a Polish priest near the capital Tunis on February 18 was received with shock and grief by Tunisians. In Tunisian blogs and social media, many theories prevail of who could be responsible and what the motive would be.
Equatorial Guinea: Mr Obiang, New Chairperson of the African Union and Human Rights Abuser
On January 30, 2011, the African Union elected Mr Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo as its new chairperson, succeeding Malawian President Mr Bingu wa Mutharika. However, the long-standing president of Equatorial Guinea has a record for human rights abuses.
Morocco: ‘Movement for Dignity’ Planned for 20 February, 2011
Morocco has been deemed the 'unsusceptible exception' to the current unrest in the Arab world. Despite all this, there is talk on the Internet about a planned protest called the 'February 20, 2011, Movement for Dignity'.
Gabon: Leaderless Opposition?
Gabon is entering its third week of political tension, as its two presidents - official and unofficial - both claim leadership. But as developments continue in this small West African nation, critics denounce a lack of leadership in the burgeoning opposition movement.
Tunisia: An Ongoing Battle for Democracy
Just because the dictator is gone, it doesn't mean the dictatorship is over. Indeed, Tunisians often describe the 23-year-old repressive regime of Ben Ali as an octopus which has had it's head cut off, but still has its arms.
Algeria: Protesters at #Feb12 March Arrested, Beaten
Protests have taken down two dictators in Tunisia and Egypt but the Algerian authorities have been successful so far in holding down protests that started soon after the Tunisian revolts in early January 2011. Online photos and videos show arrests and physical abuse of protesters.
Gabon: Students Protest, Army Deployed
Gabon's political crisis reached new heights on February 10, as students protested at Omar Bongo University in the capital city, Libreville. Whereas riots last week involved mainly the opposition, the confrontation appears to be developing into a wider social conflict.
Tunisia: What Follows the Revolution?
President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali fled to Saudi Arabia more than three weeks ago, but clashes with police and protests by people demanding jobs or better wages are still taking place in Tunisia. In this post we hear from Tunisian bloggers on the current situation, some voicing frustration at the lack of order, even as the overall tone is hopeful that everything will work out in the end.
Côte d'Ivoire: Did Alassane Ouatarra Really Win?
On his blog, Allain Jules [fr] reacts to fakegbagbo’s analysis [en] of the results of the presidential elections in Côte d'Ivoire.
Gabon: Protests Stifled as Official and ‘Unofficial’ Governments Face Off
Following protests last week, tensions remain high in the West African nation of Gabon, as further demonstrations are now stifled by the authorities before they can take place. The country's official government has been accused of election fraud by an 'unofficial' opposition government.
Gabon: The Invisible Revolt
Protests in Gabon have failed to make a dent in the international news cycle as all eyes are still turned towards the Egyptian crisis. However, what was considered negligible protests before by Ali Bongo and his partisans seems to have created enough political turmoil to provoke the censorship of a television channel and repression of public protests.
Egypt: Witnesses to a National Revolt
In the Bondy blog [Fr], Inès reports on the eyewitness accounts of her family and friends living in Egypt, in a neighborhood of Cairo called Shobra, and in the coastal city of Hurghada, and concludes: “So the fear overwhelming these Egyptian people is mixed with pride and inner joy because at last, they have...
Cameroon: EU Grant Sparks Homophobia Row
A few days after the slaughter of gay rights activist David Kato in Uganda, another gay-rights related issue has come under the spotlight in Cameroon. European Union funding of Alice Nkom's project about raising awareness on LGBT issues in the country has sparked a debate.
Côte d’Ivoire: About Gbagbo's Pan-Africanism
With the death anniversary of Patrice Lumumba and Gbagbo's Pan-Africanist speech, many started likening both men to the fathers of Pan-Africanism. It happens that Laurent Gbagbo himself compares himself to Robert Mugabe. Many Internet users and thinkers have reacted on this subject. Anna Gueye offers us an overview of the history behind it and the contents of the debate:
