· March, 2008

Stories about Sub-Saharan Africa from March, 2008

Angola: A new blog to debate a better country

  31 March 2008

Plataforma Angola Mais Solidária [pt] is a new blog intended to create a space for reflexion and debate of ideas. They welcome the readers: “If you arrived here it is because you care about our Land! If you arrived here it is because you believe we deserve a better Angola!...

Mozambique: Protests againt cost of living in Africa

  31 March 2008

Carlos Serra [pt] reports some more protests against the increase in the cost of living, this time in Senegal and Côte d'Ivoire, where food prices have gone up. The sociologist-blogger forecasts these may not be the last ones: “I remember similar manifestations taking place recently in Cameroon, Burkina Faso and...

Zimbabwe: The story of Zimbabwe in photos

  31 March 2008

Zimbabwe elections in pictures: “The Netherlands Institute of Southern Africa (NiZA) kindly gave us a grant to capture the Zimbabwe election in pictures. Using that grant a team of 3 journalists (two in Zimbabwe and one in South Africa) have been bringing you all the drama and action of the...

Zimbabwe: First six seats announced

  31 March 2008

First six seats to be announced officially in Zimbabwe elections: “Chegutu West MDC MT 6772 / ZPF 3713 / MDC AM 750 /, Chipinge Central ZPF 6377 / MDC MT 5862 /, Goromonzi West ZPF 6193 / MDC MT 5931 /”

Zimbabwe: What is MDC waiting for?

  31 March 2008

Bev Clark writes about elections in Zimbabwe:”But what now? What is the MDC waiting for . . . the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission’s “official” results which everyone is suspicious of? It seems odd to temper a wonderfully audacious move (claiming victory) with the predictable path of comparing results.”

Angola: Rescuing videos on the YouTube

  30 March 2008

YouTube users Wylalas, benguibros and tucab74 have posted videos showing the aftermath of the collapse of the National Criminal Investigation Department (DNIC) building this weekend and the rescuing efforts in the Angolan capital Luanda. It is believed that at least 30 detainees, among them 10 women, remained trapped in the...

Zimbabwe: Harare is tense after Tsvangirai claims victory

  30 March 2008

Following the presidential and parliamentary elections in Zimbabwe yesterday, bloggers are reporting that the situation in Harare is tense, in Bulawayo MDC supporters are celebrating (MDC candidate, Morgan Tsvangirai, has claimed victory) and all over the country there are rumours that Robert Mugabe has left the country for Mozambique.

Blogger's opinion about “Nsima” angers Malawians

  28 March 2008

A recent post on Malawi's staple food nsima has raised debate on how much freedom one can have in expressing themselves in blogs. The reactions by mostly Malawian readers have demonstrated that some restraint, responsibility and sensitivity is needed especially if one is writing about something that others may consider very dear to them.

Angola: The fight is worthwhile

  27 March 2008

“Today I chatted for two hours with Anthony Alberto Neto, president of the Angolan Democratic Party (PDA). At a time when more and more Angolans in the diaspora (including me) will wonder whether it is worth continuing to fight, if it is worth believing in Angola, I found a man...

Seychelles: Wind of change in the police force

  27 March 2008

CUHNELBALD writes about the wind of change and the Seychelles police: “Enhancing the efficiency, professionalism and performance of the Police will not be achieved on the sole declaration of good intentions from good –sounding speeches.”

Zimbabwe: Using Google Maps to show election rigging

  27 March 2008

Sokwanele uses Google Map to show election rigging in Zimbabwe: “The interactive map aims to give a visual impression of the scale and many ways in which the Zimbabwean government has breached the SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections.”

Nigeria: Website for Obama

  27 March 2008

David Ajao's comments about the launching of a website for Obama in Nigeria: I regularly glance through the leading Nigerian Internet-based discussion forum Nairaland, to keep an eye on the current trends in Nigeria. Knowing the typical lack of a sense of priority of some Nigerian leaders, I wasn’t very...

Seychelles: Embassy Blog

  27 March 2008

Official blog of the Seychelles embassy: “This is the official blog of the Seychelles Embassy accredited to the European Communities and institutions, and the Benelux countries with residence in Brussels.”

Kenya: SLUM-TV

  27 March 2008

African Loft has an article about SLUM-TV in Kenya: “Operating from Mathare, the biggest slum in Kenya, the SLUM-TV was created to document the lives of the people in the slum and to ‘reevaluate’ these lives through the camera.”

Cape Verde: Woman's day

  27 March 2008

Eurídice Monteiro [pt] takes the opportunity of the Cape Verde Woman's Day today to reflect on gender equality in the country. “The point is that we try to understand the current situation and demand that, regardless of gender, people are treated with respect and have the necessary means to live...

Burkina Faso: Home of black bags, baobabs and cute kids?

  27 March 2008

This roundup will begin with some old business. From Stephen Davis of Voice in the Desert: His book Sophie and the Albino Camel is up for the Norfolk Shorts shortlist of books under 150 pages. While he won’t know the outcome until April 16, he did expound on why he loves writing short fiction.

Kenya Back to Normal

  27 March 2008

Residents of Nairobi, who were adversaries and concerned about their ethnic background, are now united in attacking the local government minister for changing the public transport routes and forcing people to walk long distances. The ethnic hatred seems to have been pushed aside and now people are pushing a common agenda and pursuing economic survival. Online discussions also reflect the diversity, bloggers are concerned about the Initial Public Offer (IPO) of East Africa's largest and most successful Mobile phone company- Safaricom.

About our Sub-Saharan Africa coverage

Zita Zage
Zita Zage is the Anglophone Africa Editor. Email her story ideas or volunteer to write.

Jean Sovon
Jean Sovon is the Francophone Africa. Editor. Email him story ideas or volunteer to write.

Dércio Tsandzana
Dércio Tsandzana is the Lusophone (Portuguese) editor. Email him story ideas or volunteer to write.