Stories about Development from September, 2012
Guinea: Are Guineans less Capable than their Neighbours?
“You can't say that our neighbours are more intelligent than us, but they have had forthright leaders who have maintained the basis of a modern administration system and laid the foundations of an educational system which gives their citizens the means to take on international competition.”
China: Hulunbuir Grassland Destroyed by Coal Mining Activities
Hulunbuir Grassland, one of the most beautiful landscapes in inner Mongolia, is eroding as a result of coal mining near the surface of the ground. A Chinese blogger has pointed out that the mining activities are not only a destruction of the natural environment, but also a cultural invasion.
Peace Corps Volunteers are Leaving Turkmenistan
It has been announced that the Peace Corps - a U.S. government-run volunteer program - will close its programs in Turkmenistan and leave the country by the end of 2012. Many Turkmen internet users believe that the departure of the volunteers will further deepen the country's isolation and limit education opportunities for its young people.
Mali: Civil Society Rises to Solve the Ongoing Conflict
Malians are still watching, incredulous, as the partition of their country continues. Adding to this disarray is the frantic rhythm of the new nominations for government. Nevertheless, Malian civil society is trying to regroup and launch an appeal for national unity.
China in Africa: The Real Story
Hibiscus is a Global Voices project designed to encourage conversations between bloggers who write about the China-Africa relationship. As part of this project, we will regularly feature key blogs or other social media; today we are introducing to you to the blog China in Africa: The Real Story.
India: Standing Neck Deep in Water to Protest
Fifty one residents of the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh have launched a ‘Jal Satyagraha' protest by standing neck deep inside the backwaters of Omkareshwar dam on Narmada river. The protest is against the government decision to raise the water level of the dam pending rehabilitation.
Angola: From the Highlands to the Coast
See more photos on Buala.org.
Kenya: Murder of Muslim Cleric in Mombasa Sparks Riots
The killing of Sheikh Aboud Rogo, a Kenyan controversial cleric, on August 27, 2012, caused riots and unrest in Mombasa, a coastal city and a main tourist destination in Kenya. The riots, which resulted in more than ten casualties, prompted netizens to discuss issues such as extra judicial killings, human rights, religious tensions and long-standing local grievances over land ownership and employment opportunities for Kenyan youths in Mombasa.
Civil Service Under Pressure in Francophone Africa
Civil servants in Francophone Africa are coming under increasing pressure to do more with less. The Windhoek Declaration revealed the overdue recognition of the crucial impact of the public administration on growth and redistribution of wealth in Africa. The structural adjustment programmes of the 1980's led to a reduction in the number of civil servants, leading to the current strained situation
Madagascar: Electricity Supplier Office Vandalized by Residents over Frequent Outage
L'express de Madagascar reports on twitter [mg] that citizens of Farafangana (SE of Madagascar) got frustrated with the frequency of power outage ( 6h/day) in the city [fr]. Some residents vandalized the local electrical supplier office to express their anger.
China: What's Stopping Chinese Economic Reform
Chinese lawyer @Yuan Yulai posted a cartoon on Sina Weibo that explains the link between economic reform (the train) and political reform (the track). Tea Leaf Nation has more explanation.
Malaysia Says It Set World Twitter Record on Independence Day
Malaysians sent 3.6 million twitter messages using the hashtag #merdeka55 during the August 31 Independence Day celebration. Malaysia believes it set a new world twitter record for the most number of twitter messages sent in one hour.
