Featured stories about Sub-Saharan Africa
Stories about Sub-Saharan Africa
16 January 2020
New privacy law in Mozambique threatens freedom of expression, activists say
New legislation criminalizes all types of invasion of privacy via mobile phones, and the publication of images or videos of third parties without their consent.
11 January 2020
Why is Donald Trump so popular in Nigeria?
Ratings for US President Donald Trump’s handling of world affairs are largely negative around the world. But not in Nigeria.
10 January 2020
Will 2020 be the year of the Nigerian girl and woman?
The year 2019 saw major movements to advance the rights of girls and women in Nigeria. Will 2020 continue this momentum?
8 January 2020
Deadline looms for biometric SIM card registration in Tanzania
The biometric SIM card registration process means Tanzania joins a growing list of African nations gripped by the biometric data and digital identification revolution in Africa.
26 December 2019
From Kenya to Ethiopia, these men received divine dream ‘maps’ to carve caves
Throughout history, many have questioned the veracity of divine intervention through dreams, but prophets from Islam, Judaism and Christianity have all testified to messages from God through dreams for millennia.
25 December 2019
Rash of abductions and arrests signals ‘dramatic slide’ in human rights in Tanzania
In recent years, an uptick in abductions, arrests, detentions and trumped-up charges of economic crimes for activists and journalists have amounted to a disturbing trend toward silencing dissent in Tanzania.
24 December 2019
Nigerian government orders release of Omoyele Sowore, journalist and human rights activist
Omoyele Sowore was arrested in August on charges of treason, money laundry and harassing President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria. He has been in jail despite court pronouncements ordering his release.
8 West African countries rename currency in historic break from France — but colonial-era debts persist
Changing the CFA franc to "Eco" does not change the fact that many West African countries are still locked in a legacy of debt to France in its colonial-era deposit system.
23 December 2019
Has Russia influenced the general elections in Mozambique?
The suspicions about Russia began before the elections with the publication of an electoral poll that gave clear victory for Frelimo.
22 December 2019
Sudan’s ride-sharing revolution needs better regulation
Sudan’s ride-sharing industry faces serious challenges: Labor rights, algorithm bias and data privacy need to be addressed for ride-sharing to be sustainable.
21 December 2019
Abduction of human rights activist echos chilling trend in Tanzania
Human rights activist Tito Magoti's abduction echoes a chilling trend toward the disappearances of journalists, human rights defenders and opposition leaders in Tanzania since 2015 when Magufuli first took office.
18 December 2019
2019: A year of flipping scripts and changing narratives in Africa
2019, a year of changing narratives in Africa: Revolutions. Internet shutdowns. Tree-planting. Migration. Feminist songs. Media crackdowns. Cyclones and climate change. Opposition rising. Cultural icons dying. Illness, cures, and healing.
13 December 2019
Gambian minister brought Myanmar to The Hague ‘in the name of humanity’
"...No one put pressure on President Jammeh to stop his atrocities. ... We don't want others to feel our pain or our fate," said The Gambia's Justice Minister Abubacarr Tambadou.
12 December 2019
Ethiopia: Stop hate speech, not free speech
Ethiopia's new hate speech bill aims to "tackle the erosion of the nation’s social cohesion, political stability and national unity." But digital rights advocates say it threatens democracy.
Taxing dissent: Uganda’s social media dilemma
Uganda’s social media tax essentially amounted to an internet shutdown, driving thousands offline and silencing dissent for others.
10 December 2019
Civil society criticizes the arrest of 18 political delegates in Mozambique
Political delegates of the New Democracy party were arrested, accused of carrying fake credentials.
Ahead of 2020 elections in Ghana, citizens fight against extreme surge in data costs
The increased Communication Service Tax to 9% will create a huge barrier to affordability, increase existing digital inequalities and will be disproportionately felt in rural areas and among women.
9 December 2019
Morna, a music style from Cabo Verde, recognized as World Heritage
Cesária Évora was one of the genre's best-known interpreters.
5 December 2019
Astrophysicists in Ethiopia hop on ‘astrobus’ tour of cosmic possibilities
A team of 24 astrophysicists, scientists, artists, and innovators will hop on "Astrobus Ethiopia" and tour eight cities in northern Ethiopia to teach hands-on workshops in science and the arts.
4 December 2019
Tears with truth: The Gambia’s Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission
President Barrow’s triumph at the polls set the stage for "righting the wrongs" of the past. For Gambians, this interim leadership provided a reset button for transitional justice, following years of brutality.
About our Sub-Saharan Africa coverage
Amanda Lichtenstein is the Sub-Saharan Africa editor. Email her story ideas or volunteer to write.
Lova Rakotomalala is the Francophone (French) editor. Email him story ideas or volunteer to write.
Dércio Tsandzana is the Lusophone (Portuguese) editor. Email him story ideas or volunteer to write.
