Stories about Sub-Saharan Africa from May, 2007
Kenya: Mobile Toolkit Workgroup
White African writes about Mobile Toolkit Workgroup meeting in Nairobi, Kenya: The first 3 days were taken up with examples and stories of how mobile technology is being used as an effective tool within NGO’s that have a focus on human rights and social advocacy. A typical question at these...
South Africa: Media Tech Africa 2007
Media Tech Africa 2007 is taking place in South Africa: “Organised by Thebe Exhibitions, mediatech africa 2007 showcases cutting edge technologies and services from industry leaders in television and broadcast, sound and audio, lighting and staging, animation, communication, and every related field. The combination of technology, demonstrations, networking opportunities and...
Kenya: they came, they saw, they were conquared
Only in Kenya writes about Harambee Stars vs. the Green Eagles: “They came, they saw, they were conquered. That is the story of the Super Eagles after their encounter with Harambee Stars Sunday 27th May 2007 at Kasarani. Yes, they hit us 1-0, but as anyone who was in the...
Africa: blogging the G8 Summit
A team of African journalists, who are working with Panos London will blog from the G8 Summit in Germany: “For nine days starting on 1 June, journalists from Ethiopia, Uganda, Mozambique and South Africa will bring you stories and perspectives from Africa on HIV/AIDS and healthcare, international aid, debt relief...
Swahili Blogosphere: Higher Education Blame Game, Miss Universe, and Personal Privacy vs. Public Life
Hardship is the name of the game, it seems, for Tanzania's higher education students both at home and abroad. While the University of Dar Es Salaam has readmitted all the suspended students after the recent students’ strike over ‘unaffordable fees’, another crisis over students funds ensues for Tanzanians in Ukraine....
Africa: mobile phones and activism in Africa
Black Looks writes from Kenya, where she is attending a conference on the use of mobile phones for activism and advocacy in Africa: “I am here in Nairobi at one of the most interesting gatherings I have attended in a long time. Fahamu have brought together some 40 African social...
Nigeria: remembering the Biafran War
Chxta and Ababoy remember the Biafran War, which took place 40 years ago this month.
Burkina Faso: FA Cup Final in Ouagadougou
English football is big in Burkina Faso as Voice in the Desert reports:”African men care very deeply about their football teams, including the teams they ‘adopt’ from abroad. In Ouagadougou there are passionate Manchester United supporters and equally passionate Chelsea supporters, and today they got together for the Cup Final....
Mauritius: a new book on art in Mauritius
An announcement about a new book on art in Mauritius: “Art in Mauritius – Post Independence issues and perspectives is being launched on Wednesday 30th May 2007 at the 26th Salon de Mai, at the Mahatma Gandhi Institute’s School of Fine Arts in Moka.”
Guinea: top businessman becomes honorary president
News From Guinea and Friends of Guinea reports, “Mamadou Sylla, Guinea's richest business patron, was named as the new honorary president of the ruling PUP party. Sylla is a close ally of the head of state Gen. Lansana Conté and is often referred to as ‘the ruling party's banker.’ Last...
Zambia: does Zambia-China relationship worry IMF?
Is IMF concerned about Zambia-China relationship?: “This warning appears to reflect IMF concern about the blossoming Zambia-China relationship, and the investment conditions established for Chinese companies entering the recently announced ‘economic zone’ around Chambishi. The site is already a source of major conflict between workers and communities and the existing...
Zimbabwe: inflation exceeds 10,000%
“The Zimbabwe opposition Movement for Democratic Change’s economics spokesperson, Eddie Cross, says that judging from his own bakery business in Bulawayo the country’s inflation rate now exceeds 10 000%. In his regular newsletter on Wednesday, he said that he was told by a supplier that flour for his bakery would...
Sierra Leone: State Led Prostitution, Diamond Tales, And More
After three years of peace following eleven years of civil war, Sierra Leone is engaged in concerted efforts to attract investors. The efforts, which are led by the the government of Sierra Leone and the the Department of International Development in the UK, involve a campaign, Sierra Leone: Back in Business. Sierra Leone, like many other African countries, is guilty of "state led prostitution" in its attempts to bring investors back into the country, argues Sweet Sierra Leone.
Corruption in Senegal
Le Blog Politique du Senegal posts data on the incidence of corruption in Senegal and reminds us that the definition of corruption differs around the world; in Senegal, the practice of exchanging gifts is deeply rooted in traditional culture.
Palestine: South African Views on Israel
Palestinian blogger Haitham Sabbah links to an article about “Ronnie Kasrils – South Africa Minister of Intelligence – testimony and experience upon his visit to Israel and Occupied Palestine; published by an internationally recognized Jewish South African in a major South African paper (Mail&Guardian).”
Malawi: Malawi's first lady passes away
Sad news from Victor Kaonga: “It has been reported by Malawi's State House officials that the First Lady Madamme Ethel Mutharika passed away Monday 28th May after long illness. A month-long period of national mourning has been declared.”
Ethiopia: shady dealings of international media
“When news that three New York Times reporters were caught in Deghabur while they were trying to cover rebel activity in the region sipped through last week, American diplomats in Addis Ababa immediately contacted Ethiopian government officials, including the Prime Minister to demand their release. That triggered a chain of...
D.R. of Congo: Park rangers attacked by rebels
“At 4h00 this morning Mai Mai rebels attacked the Burusi Patrol Post here in Virunga, leaving one park ranger dead, four critically wounded, as well as kidnapping Officer Monya. There were 10 Park Rangers stationed at Burusi, including the Conservateur and the Conservateur Communicateur,” writes Atamato from Virunga National Park...
Malawians on the world stage: academic honors, music, science and technology
There is one discernible theme running through the Malawian blogosphere in the month of May. This round-up focuses mostly on what these bloggers have written in this month, now approaching its end. One Malawian has received international honors for his contributions to world scholarship, while two female Malawian musicians have launched their latest music albums outside Malawi. One Malawian scientist calls for the Malawi government to put in place mechanisms to prepare for the looming disaster that might possibly be triggered by global warming, and two Malawians have made their mark in the world of technology. It has been a month of Malawians showcasing their mettle on the world stage, and here with it all.
Niger: environmental war
“Earlier this year, I mentioned the emergence of a new rebel movement among the Touareg minority in northern Niger. Since then, the Mouvement des Nigeriens pour la Justice (MNJ) has stepped up its activity, claiming responsibility for a pitched battle with government troops in March and a recent attack on...
Uganda: Free solar mobile phone chargers for rural women
Pius Sawa writes about solar mobile phone chargers in Uganda: “Motorola company has introduced a new innovative technology of phone charging called Motorpower Kiosk.The project was launched on May 10th 2007 in Kampala. Each Motorpower kiosk is charged by a 55 Watts Direct Current (DC) inverted solar panel, capable of...