Stories about Sub-Saharan Africa from January, 2009
Madagascar: The mayor proclaims himself president
A dispute between the president of Madagascar, Marc Ravalomanan, and the mayor of the capital, Andry Rajoelina, thrust Malagasy citizens into violent rioting and looting last week, and has now escalated into a power struggle for the presidency itself.
Egypt: Hijacked ship will be blown up
A few weeks after confirming the hijacking of an Egyptian ship by pirates of Somalia, Zeinobia reminds us again with the current status. On one hand, according to the crew's families, negotiations have stopped regarding the ransom because the pirates refuse to lower it and because the owners of the...
Ethiopia: What a Difference Water Makes
At the end of last year, five families decided that visiting Ethiopia with their daughters would be the best way for them to see what their donations to provide fresh, clean and safe water sources were doing to change the lives of families and complete villages. Through their blog and videos, they have been able to share the importance of charity:water in making this possible, and hopefully raise more donations and engage more people to help.
Madagascar: “Unmitigated Disaster”
After two days of upheaval that resulted in an estimated death toll at 80 nationally, and the looting of dozens of stores, a day of relative calm greeted a stunned nation.
Martinique, South Africa: Cultural Exchange
Africlassical reports that South Africa's Premier ballet company has been invited to dance in Martinique as part of a cultural collaboration.
Jamaica, Zimbabwe: Hunger Strike
“Do people in Jamaica and the Caribbean care enough about events in Zimbabwe to lend their help to this call for moral action?”: Annie Paul has a friend who is on a hunger strike to draw attention to the humanitarian crisis in Zimbabwe and tells us how we can help.
Zambia: Gateway Liberalisation
Zambian Economist is happy about the Zambian government decision to liberalise international gateway, “Its been a long road arguing for decoupling Zamtel and full IG liberalisation. To see government signal both is quite something.”
Kenya: Writing Queer Kenya
Writing Queer Kenya is accepting submissions from Kenyan queers, “We lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex individuals, in a word, queers, have had the distinct un-pleasure of being told we don’t exist—in official government statements, historical documents, and contemporary statements. Well, we do. We want Kenyan stories by Kenya-based and...
Ethiopia: The Boy Without Arms
Are you ready to help Aschelew, “the boy without arms“?: Several years ago Aschelew was depressed over his parents’ AIDS, and his family chained him up to keep him from killing himself. The chains cut off the blood to his arms and he ended up losing both of them. Now...
Kenya: Free Gay Classifieds in Mainstream Media?
Kenyan Gay Man is suprised to see free gay classfieds published in the Kenyan mainstream media.
Africa: Of Investments and Trade in Africa
Yangu discusses the future of trade and investment on the African continent. He argues that, “That Investment opportunities in Africa have expanded over the past few years is no longer a matter of conjecture but rather an issue that a lot of analysts, venture capitalists and investors at large are...
Kenya: Can You Help?
Kenya Community Initiative Support is looking for your help to improve the lives of children at Twiga. They need, among other things, gardening tools, spades, forks, hoes, rakes.
Madagascar: “History repeats itself…as a farce” in recent unrest
On blogs and forums, reflections on the sources of the current unrest and the history of Madagascar's turbulent democracy.
Africa: The Mobiles vs PCs Debate
White African discussess the Mobiles vs PCs debate in Africa. He notes that, “PC access plus education tend to equal more mobile applications.”
Africa: Obama's War of Deception
“Obama's War of Deception in Africa” is an analysis by Sekou Nkrumah, the Chairman of the Pan-African Improvement, of Obama's military strategy in Africa.
Madagascar: Negotiations canceled as unrest spreads
There was a slight hope of a rapid resolution in the currently undergoing social unrest in Madagascar. Leaders of both government and opposition announced a meeting would be held yesterday. That meeting was canceled after both parties failed to agree on preliminary conditions. In the meantime, lootings are still ongoing...
DRC:Virunga Gorilla Population Has Grown
On Tuesday, 27 January 2009, D.R of Congo's Virunga National Park authorities issued a press release declaring that the population of habituated – or human tolerant – mountain gorillas in the Park had increased by 12.5% in the last 18 months (from August 2007 to January 2009) despite the fierce...
Nigeria: Developing Women 2.0
A new NGO named W.TEC has adopted Web 2.0 tools and technologies in order to facilitate knowledge gathering and sharing amongst Nigerian women.
Madagascar's resourceful kids
This week, two videos from Madagascar show us how children make do with their situation and rise above it using ingenuity, creativity and a bit of daring. First is Toky, who makes tin cars out of waste materials, and the other is the Green Boy, a kid who makes a living in the streets not by begging, but by showing off his acrobatic skills.
Madagascar: Looting scenes on video as uncertainty prevails
A youtube video of a looting scene at a major shopping center in Antanarivo was posted by c17dabossbaby. Many bloggers are wondering why the police forces are seemingly absent during this time of unrest (video) and speculate that the president may be temporarily located in Mahajanga (not overseas as initially...
Madagascar: More reports President Ravalomanana has fled
Several bloggers and a Malgasy media website report that President Ravalomanana has fled the country. Still others say the rumors of Ravalomanana's departure are false.
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