Stories about Sub-Saharan Africa from October, 2008
Frightful Facts or Fantastical Fictions?
This third part of the "Lore, ghosts, demons and frights" series has arrived, and we are looking this time a bit beyond the Latin American borders. With this last installment, we seek out the Chupacabras, stick our heads into Voudou rites, observe examples of exorcism and inquire after a cannibal murderer who has become a Venezuelan legend.
Zambia: Allegations of Vote Rigging
Was there rigging in yesterday's Presidential election in Zambia?: “Meanwhile, allegations of vote rigging and administrative chaos have dominated Zambia's presidential by-election. Concerns of vote rigging reached fever pitch with opposition candidate Michael Sata pointing a finger at the police and the army.”
Zambia: Photo of Main Opposition Candidate Voting
Flickr photo of the main opposition candidate in the Presidential election in Zambia, Michael Satta, voting on October 30, 2008.
South Africa: The Impact of Mobile Active '08
A video podcast shot at Mobile Active Conference in South Africa: “In the first interview, David Barnard, Executive Director of the Southern African Non-Governmental Organisation Network (SANGONeT) and organizer of MobileActive08, talks about the event and how it will impact activities at SANGONet.”
Zambia: Zambia Election Website
Cho posts a link to a website with election results in Zambia: “All the latest “unoffical” results can be found on the Zambia Election Results website.”
D.R. of Congo: Blogging From the War Zone
The following are eye-witness accounts from bloggers based in the Eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo about the situation in the area following fresh clashes between rebels, government and UN forces.
D.R. Congo: Confusion Reigns in Goma
Two months ago fighting resumed in the DR Congo's Eastern province of North Kivu between the rebel group led by Laurent Nkunda and government forces, in violation of a peace accord signed in January. The fighting has intensified during the last 6 days and, although a cease-fire was announced, the situation remains uncertain in Goma. Here are a few impressions from bloggers on the ground.
D.R. of Congo: Ranger rescue operation a success
A moving account of a rescue operation in the Democratic Republic of Congo: “The rescue operation yesterday was a success in that we were able to rescue the 12 Rangers with whom we had made contact. Eddy and I rode the motorbike about 15km north of Goma and then walked...
D.R. of Congo: It is total chaos in Goma
Samantha writes about the latest fighting in the Democratic Republic of Congo: “It’s total chaos in Goma. I am being told, through various phone calls and text messages, that the army have now laid down their weapons at Kibumba, 12 miles north of Goma, and are fleeing the rebels. In...
Rising Voices Nominated World's Best Blog
Global Voices’ citizen media outreach project, Rising Voices has been nominated for a “Best of the Blogs Award” (B.O.B.) in the category “Best Weblog”. More than 8,500 weblogs were suggested for nomination and a jury selected the final 11 in each of 16 categories. Anyone can cast their votes online...
Angola: On the mermaid Kianda and other mythical beings
Angola has several stories, legends and mythical characters which, like a breath of fresh air, feed the imagination of young ones and adults alike, giving wealth to Angolan history and culture. Read about the mermaid Kianda, and animal tales: deer, tortoise, alligators - they all make people's imagination fly.
Angola: A post dedicated to prize winner musician Paulo Flores
Luanda born musician Paulo Flores has won the Angolan National Prize for Arts and Culture. Koluki [pt] takes the opportunity to “dedicate a post to some of his music, focusing on some duets I consider particularly well done.” Hear the selected songs on her blog.
Zambian Bloggers Discuss Presidential Election
Zambian blogger Kaela Mulenga writes, "Thursday, October 30, 2008, is the day set aside in Zambia as a presidential ‘by-election’ date to replace the just deceased President Levy Mwanawasa (Levy). Mwanawasa had a stroke and passed away in a Paris hospital on August 19, 2008.
Tax incentives to invest Africa: chance for development or more Françafrique?
Le Pangolin [Fr] posts an excerpt from Le Journal du Dimanche on a new provision that would reduce taxes for French companies that invest in developing countries, “especially in Africa.” According to the excerpt, one logic behind the provision would be to encourage more private investment in the hopes that it...
New law gives tax incentives to French companies investing in Africa
Le Pangolin discusses a new provision offering tax incentives to French companies who invest in developing countries [Fr] in particular Africa.
Sudan: Humanitarian Access in Darfur
Jacky discusses humanitarian access in Darfur, Sudan: “Media reports this week cite growing concern over ‘denial of humanitarian access’ in Darfur. Although such denial certainly exists, many of the actors being denied – in the form of travel bans, visa refusals, car-jacking, etc – are not strict ‘humanitarians,’ but a...
Zambia: What Type of President Do We Need in Zambia?
Zambian blogger, Percy Mwale, asks, “What type of President do we need in Zambia and what type of parliament will ensure prosperity?” She continues: “Firstly, all MPs must be mature enough to support any progressive move or bill in parliament, to the benefit of all Zambians not just a party,...
Brazil: Grandma Aggie, Thirteen Indigenous Grandmothers and the Pope
Lou Gold, a North-American blogger and nature-person turned “brasileiro’, blogs about [En] Grandma Aggie and the International Council of Thirteen Indigenous Grandmothers, re-telling some of the adventures of these courageous indigenous ladies and their recent efforts to get the Pope to rescind the Papal Bulls that created the “right” to...
BOBs: Global Videobloggers Compete for Award Part 1
The BOBs, Deutsche Welle's yearly contest for online products: blogs, podcasts and videoblogs has already chosen 176 nominees for the 16 different categories. In the video blogging category, participants from different parts of the world compete for the honor to be considered the best in their group, and voters will have until November 26th to choose their favorite.
Environment: Ethiopia looks to Wind Power
On the Red Green and Blue Blog, Amanda reports “Ethiopia could soon have the largest wind farm in Africa after a new deal between the country and the French company Vergnet. The deal is worth $300 million and is expected to produce 120 megawatts in two and a half years…”
Egypt: Blogosphere's Godparents Going South
Manalaa (i.e. Manal and Alaa) the godparents of the Egyptian blogosphere - are going to live in South Africa for a while, and Alaa has written a post [Ar] describing his feelings towards traveling and many other things.
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