Stories about French from February, 2014
Examining the Post-Colonial Evolution of Francophone and Anglophone Africa
The topic of the post-colonial evolution of francophone versus anglophone African states has always a fodder for intense debate. Cheidozié Dike, from Nigeria, brings a new perspective to the subject : While the French Loi Cadre system was mostly about integration, the British colonial system sought only exploitation. Creating an...
What Guinea Needs Now is Peace and Stability
Serge Lamah reports on his blog[fr] that Oyé Guilavogui, the communication minister has pointed out the pressing needs for Guinea today : Vous vous rappelez, en 2011, les avions en direction de Conakry ne désemplissaient pas. Les hôtels étaient pleins à tout moment, aujourd’hui, allez-y, il y a de la place...
Opponents of France's School Gender Equality Initiative Wage Misinformation War
"This is a nightmare for those who remain faithful to an ethic of rationality, be it religious or political."
Remembering Dr Alison Jolly, Lemurs of Madagascar Expert
After leading a distinguished career as a primatologist at the Berenty Reserve of Madagascar, Dr. Alison Jolly has died at home in Lewes, East Sussex, aged 76. Dr. Jolly, a PhD researcher from Yale, made her name as the first scientist to do an in-depth account of the behaviour of the ring-tailed lemur, L. catta, beginning...
When Algeria's Police Fail to Act, Citizen Journalists Step in
After 21-year-old Babaousmail Azzedine was murdered in public and Algerian police failed to investigate, citizen journalists took matters into their own hands. Abdou Semmar reports.
INFOGRAPHIC: Pursuit of Happiness in Africa
The Afrographique blog mapped the happiness index for the African continent. Topping the ranking are Angola and Mauritius who hold the same happiness index as Albania and Russia, respectively. In related news, the Pharell’ single “Happy” has been used by dancers around the world to celebrate the new year 2014....
In the Information Age, the End of Status Quo for Morrocan Media
Hicham Lasri is a film maker from Casablanca, Morocco. In his second movie called “C'est eux les chiens” (They are the dogs”), Lasri talks about the evolution of media in Morocco [fr] with the expansion of information technology: Moi j'ai grandi dans un pays où les informations à la télévision...
Five of the Most Celebrated French-Language African Films
Five of the most celebrated French-language African films (award-winning or not) that have left their mark on an entire generation of movie-watchers.
Discovering Malagasy Diverse Street Food
Malagasy cuisine is a mix of its many diverse influences from Asian, African and European migrants that have settled in the Island. It makes for a rich culinary experience, as seen from its multitude of snacks and street foods. Hanta Ramanatsoa highlights some of those on her facebook page, la...
Change From the Ground Up in War-Torn Central African Republic
Second part of the interview with Michel Besse and the ATD Fourth World Team in Bangui about how to support Central Africa.
The French Expatriate Perspective on France's Anti-Immigrant Rhetoric
The immigration debate is taking center stage in the public conversation of France. French citizens living abroad have a different perspective on the issue.
When Genocide is, apparently, a Laughing Matter
French humorist Nicolas Canteloup has come under fire for a sketch making light of the 1994 genocide in Rwanda [fr]. Following the outrage, Mr Canteloup has yet to apologize for the sketch. Audrey Kucinskas, a blogger for the Plus asks the logical question: “can anything be a laughing matter?” [fr]: Rire du...
A Call for More Religious Tolerance in Mauritania
Mohamed Cheikh Ould Mohamed, a 28 year old blacksmith in Nouadhibou (a town 465 km north of Nouakchott, Mauritania), was charged with apostasy by the penal court for questionning on online forum some of the decisions of the Prophet Muhammad regarding Djihad. Following the charges, Professor Mustapha Ely, author of a dozen books and an international...
Meet 3 Talented African Lady Geeks Involved in New Media
"If being a geek means being passionate about a specific topic - in my case blogging - then maybe I am one."
Four Months in Jail and Counting for Algerian Blogger Who Criticized President
24 years old, Abdelghani Aloui, Algerian Cyberactivist is incarcerated since the 25th of September 2013. His charge ? Posting on Facebook , photos and caricatures deemed offensive of Algeriant President Abdelaziz Bouteflika.
Human Rights Video: 2013 Year in Review
A video by WITNESS on the Human Rights Channel of YouTube wrapped up some of the most significant protests and human rights abuses of 2013. Dozens of clips shot by citizens worldwide are edited together to show efforts to withstand injustice and oppression, from Sudan to Saudi Arabia, Cambodia to...
Lessons of Peace from the Central African Republic's Most Disadvantaged
Interview with Michel Besse and the ATD-4th world in Bangui on the CAR Crisis
Clashes between Police Forces and High School Students in La Réunion Island
Clashes between students and police forces broke out on January 31 and February 1 in Saint-Denis, La réunion Island. Some shops in the district of La Chaudron were looted and some vehicles were torched, according to a police source. Anne Mariotti, a reporter at Journal de l’île de la Réunion, writes that...
