Stories about Sub-Saharan Africa from August, 2013
VIDEO: Angolan Prison Authorities Crack Down on Prisoners
A video showing what appears to be prison guards and firefighters beating a group of prisoners in Luanda (warning: graphic) has been widely shared on Angolan social media. Amnesty International reacted saying that the footage “is shocking and must be investigated,” The footage, recorded on a mobile phone and distributed...
Ghana's Supreme Court Tosses Case Challenging President's Legitimacy
The landmark decision dismissed a lawsuit from the opposition who argued that there were gross and widespread irregularities at more than 10,000 polling stations during presidential elections in December 2012.
Ghana Awaits Judgement in Legal Battle for Presidency
Streets are deserted, shops are closed, markets are empty and some bar owners will not sell alcohol today as the nations anxiously wait for the presidential election petition judgement.
Not a Single Liberian Student Passed This Year's University Admission Test
"No one in that country is even smart enough to cheat?" one shocked Twitter user asked.
Ugandans Blast President's Gifts to Country's Marathon Champion
President Yoweri Museveni gave Stephen Kiprotich, the marathon gold winner at the World Athletics Championships, a brand new Mitsubishi Pajero and a promise build him a three-bedroom house.
‘No’ to Homosexuality, ‘Yes’ to Child Marriage in Nigeria
A man was beaten for allegedly been gay in Nigeria where lawmakers recently passed a bill to criminalise homosexuality and voted for a clause to legalise child marriage.
At 89 Years Old, Zimbabwe President Mugabe Sworn in for Five More Years
Mugabe responded to allegations that the election was rigged in his favor by telling critics to "go hang".
Demolition for Progress? Tanzania's Historical Buildings and Monuments Could Face Ax
A newspaper has revealed the special status that protected the Tanzania's historical structures was revoked in 2007 to make way for development.
Zambia Arrests Dozens After Secessionist Movement Appoints Local Leader
The secessionists believe that Zambia's Western Province, which they call by its its pre-colonial name, Barotseland, is an independent state.
Kilombo Conference on Africa, Africans and Social Justice
The Kilombo Centre for Citizens’ Rights and Conflict Resolution, Peki, Ghana is organizing the 2nd Kilombo Conference on Africa, Africans and social Justice. The conference is aimed at bringing together a large and representative gathering of Africans and people of African descent to discuss issues bothering on Africa, Africans and...
Who Will Win The ‘Biggest’ Legal Battle in Ghana's History?
The battle will decide whether Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama was legitimately elected following presidential polls held on 7 and 8 December, 2012.
UK Press Coverage of Zanzibar Acid Attack Risks Inflaming Religious Tensions
The UK press coverage of acid attack on two British girls in Zanzibar is misleading to the families of the two girls and risks inflaming religious tensions in Tanzania.
‘Red Wednesday’ Protests to Benin President: ‘Don't Touch My Constitution!’
The Red Wednesday movement is growing in Benin. Sinatou Saka explains why.
Does a Malawian Herb Cure HIV? ‘Africa Check’ Knows the Answer
(The answer is no). The website sorts fact from fiction when it comes to claims about the African continent.
Mauritanian Blogger Babbah Weld Abidine Arrested
On August 7, Mauritanian authorities arrested [ar] Babbah Weld Abidine, a blogger (editor of Lebjawi News blog) [ar -fr] and a correspondent in the Region of Tagant for the website “Reporters – Mourasiloun”. Two days before his arrest, Weld Abidine went to the Public Prosecution office to inquire about a rape case...
Ethiopian Muslims Arrested, Beaten During Eid al-Fitr Protests
In the latest aggressive move against the country's Muslims, police cracked down on Ethiopian Muslims peacefully protesting during the holiday that marks the end of Ramadan.
Skype and Other Voice Over IP Banned in Comoros
Skype and other voice over IP that allows online phone conversation are now suspended in Comoros. The website Linfo.re reports [fr] : The state-owned company Comores Telecom just officially banned any type of voice over IP softwares, effectively blocking any kind of free online phone coversation for internet users in Comoros. The...
Congolese Teacher Pushed Out of Moving Police Van in Morocco, Dies
The death of Toussaint-Alex Mianzoukouta, a french teacher in Tanger is symptomatic of increasing brutality towards sub Saharan immigrants from the Moroccan police, Afrik Online reports [fr]. Mianzoukouta was not given the opportunity to present his immigration documents before he was taken into the van, the report says. He died from...
Madagascar Agency Suspended from Network Tracking Money Laundering
Lambo T. reports [fr] on the website of La Gazette de La Grande Ile that Samifin [mg], the agency in charge of cleaning up the financial sector and combat transnational illegal operations in Madagascar has been suspended from the Egmont Group of financial intelligence units. Egmont is an international network that helps tracks...
Robert Mugabe Wins Re-election in Zimbabwe Amid Claims of Fraud
Zimbabwe's voter roll reportedly included two million dead people. Neighboring Botswana is calling for an independent audit.
Tchip: The “Shaking My Head” Meme from Africa
Nadéra Bouazza explains what being “tchippée” [fr] means for french speaking black communities. Tchip is the sound one makes when he/she disapproves of the behavior/action of someone else (roughly similar to the “shaking my head” internet slang). The “Tchip” sound is used across most black communities and has become an internet meme: