Stories about French from August, 2012
Madagascar: Neglecting Endemic Medicinal Plants at Its Own Peril
Reflexiums laments that for a country so rich in endemic medicinal plants, Madagascar has yet to fully develop this sector [fr]. “Isn't the whole point of fair trade to take advantage of the knowledge of its endemic natural plants from the local population instead of purchasing costly medications from large pharmaceutical companies...
DR of Congo: Congolese Star Koffi Olomidé Indicted for Assault and Battery
Congolese renown rhumba singer Koffi Olomidé was indicted for assault and battery [fr] on his producer in Kinshasa. His trial begun on wednesday. Olomidé was previously charged with rape and sequestration in february in Paris.
Côte d'Ivoire: Armed Men attack Army Positions in Abidjan, Dabou and at the Liberian Border
Bernard Assandé narrates the latest attack [fr] on the Force Républicaine de la Côte d'Ivoire (FRCI, the national army of Côte d'Ivoire) in Dabou on August 15. The army regained control of the city after a night of confrontation. On August 6, 7 people were killed in Abidjan [fr] after similar attacks....
Video: What Egypt, Congo, Uganda and Colombia Have in Common
The search for justice in the wake of conflict is what Egypt, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda and Colombia have in common. The Case for Justice is a series of videos debating on the relevance of what is known as transitional justice, a set of systems that is put into place to allow for accountability in the wake of massive human rights violations.
France: Stories of Everyday Sexism
After being harassed and insulted by men in the streets of Brussels, Belgian student Sofie Peeters made a hidden-camera film to denounce the male chauvinism experienced every day by unaccompanied women in the streets. Under the hashtag #harcelementderue (street harassment), French women are testifying to the verbal abuse and sexual harassment that they are subjected to in the streets.
Africa: Moving Beyond the Resource Curse
Why is it that African nations endowed with many natural resources such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria or Madagascar to name a few are also plagued with endemic poverty? This is the paradox of the resource curse, which has blighted many countries in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Togo: Demanding a proper rule of law and a fair share of the country's wealth
Analysing the resignation from government of the PM Houngbo, Mathias Akoulansa wrote on togoforum.com: “In any case, the Togolese political experience of the last 22 years has shown that the Togolese people are consistent in their demands: a proper rule of law, responsible of management and equal sharing of wealth...
Cameroon: Olympic Escape – Blame the System, Not the Athletes
"It's rather sad, however, to see that our country has become a prison, from which everyone wants to escape at any cost." Cameroon delves into reasons behind the disappearance of seven athletes from the 2012 London Olympic Games.
Côte d'Ivoire: Debate Rages over University Fees
The universities of Côte d'Ivoire are getting ready to re-open their doors on September 3, 2012, bringing to an end long months of closure, controversially ordered by the Ivorian president. Joy at this announcement was swiftly replaced by a wave of indignant reactions following the decision of university heads to increase registration fees. Debate continues to rage in the Ivorian media as well as various social networks.
Guinea: Statistics on Poverty on the Rise
Mamadou Aliou Barry wrote on the Facebook page Voice of the Guinean Youth [fr]: “According to the results of the study on poverty and inequality in Guinea from 1999 to 2012 published [fr] on July 30, 55.2% of Guineans are poor in 2012, as compared to 53% in 2007. What might...
Cameroon: Giordano Bruno as an Example of Intellectual Courage
In an article entitled “The real map of Africa hidden for 600 years“[fr], Jean-Paul Pougala, an author from Cameroon, writes that: “25 years ago I chose Giordano Bruno, philosopher of the Italian Renaissance, as my mentor. His writings helped me grow intellectually, his courage to completely take responsability for his...
Morocco: Students Demand Education Reform
In July, a group of Moroccan students launched a Facebook page called "The Union of Moroccan Students to Change the Education System". In less than a month, it attracted unprecedented support using social media.
Chad: 5,000 New Refugees Coming From The Central African Republic
Victorien Ndakass from the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) reports that 5,000 new refugees from the Central African Republic have crossed over to Chad [fr] since June. This movement of population is due to the resurgence of the rebel movement lead by Abdoulaye Miskine [fr] in the North of the country.
Madagascar: Second Mediation Effort Stalled Yet Again
Midi Madagasikara reports that the second mediation meeting in Seychelles is likely to have stalled yet again as transitional president Rajoelina refused the candidacy of deposed president Ravalomanana [fr] for the upcoming 2013 presidential elections. The South African Development Community SADC that drives the mediation effort warned that the participants who...
D. R. of Congo: M23 Rebels Take Their Offensive Online
The M23 movement has made headlines by entering into open conflict with the Congolese army. But the rebel group is not stopping at armed conflicts on the ground - they have also gone on the offensive on the Internet and social networks.
France: The Currency Taboo Deciphered
In the latest [fr] podcast episode “Monnaie Libre,” dedicated to deciphering monetary systems, French bloggers Galuel and Jean-Baptiste B. discuss the reasons why currency is taboo among economists. They also explain how central banks work and give alternatives to the monetary system, such as basic income and neo-chartalism.