Stories about Sub-Saharan Africa from November, 2007
Africa: Protests over rising food prices
In Africa, rising food prices [Fr] have led to protests in Morocco, Mauritania, Cote d'Ivoire, DRC and Senegal, writes the ADP blog.
Benin: MPs stripped of immunity for corruption
Afriksenatorium writes about two MPs in Benin stripped of their immunity [Fr] for embezzling funds from state-owned enterprises.
African prostitution and human trafficking in Europe
la plume plus posts an article featuring first-hand accounts of human trafficking and the prostitution of African women [Fr] in Europe.
Chinese Engineers in Central African Republic
Six Chinese engineers have arrived in Central African Republic to install two new turbines at the Boali electric plant, a US$117 million project [Fr] financed by the Chinese government. ENERCA, the state-owned power company, has not made any major machinery replacements since its creation in 1965.
D. R. of Congo: Interview with ‘Best Francophone Blogger’ Cédric Kalonji
It's always heartening to see a good blog make the leap from a niche audience to wider recognition. Global Voices interviews the Kinshasa-based author of this year's 'Best Blog in French' (as chosen by the Best of Blogs jury).
Mozambique: Tribute to Ian Smith
“Ian Smith died today at the age of 88 in Cape Town. The man who fought the English over the independence of Rhodesia (Zimbabwe). For he is a true African Hero (there are also blond Africans!), we celebrate the man who still young went to Europe to fight Hitler and...
Cape Verde: We are Africans
Obikuelu Pedra [pt] is not happy to hear on the Radio that Cape Verde is not part of Africa: “What a crazy idea to think that Cape Verde's culture is different from the one of Guinea Bissau and therefore we are not part of Africa. Come on!”
Mozambique: Registration period is postponed
The voter registration period which began on September 24 will not finish tomorrow, November 22, as planned. According to Moçambique para Todos [pt], “The registration has been postponed until December 15 this year, after which there will be a break for Christmas, Family Day and New Year's Celebrations, and work...
Russia: Siemens Bribery Scandal
Robert Amsterdam writes about “only 2 million euros” in bribes paid by Siemens to 38 Russian officials.
Mozambique: Speaking the language of Tonga
Moçambique para todos [pt] announces the launch of the a Portuguese-Tongan/Tongan-Portuguese dictionary in Maputo this Thursday. Gitonga is the language spoken by Tonga people.
Ethiopia: Teddy Afro Concert Review
A review of Teddy Afro concert in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: “Last night I attended a concert by Teddy Afro. I think I'd heard the name maybe once before K mentioned going. The concert was being held at the Ghion, so I imagined a nice little crowd in one of the...
Sudan: What has been happening in Darfur?
Meskel Square blogs about what has been happening lately in Darfur, Sudan: “As you no doubt already know, the Sudanese government, the African Union, the United Nations and a smattering of obscure rebel factions are still going through the motions of peace talks in the Libyan town of Sirte.”
Cameroon: Bate Besong's Beasts of No Nation
A study of Beasts of No Nation, a work by Cameroonian playwright: “Bate Besong is one of the most renown Cameroonian playwright of English expression, besides Bole Butake, Victor Epie Ngome and John Nkemngong, who is of the younger generation of Cameroonian playwrights in English.”
Mozambique: Remembering Carlos Cardoso
ForEver PEMBA [pt] reminds a loss for the democratic press in Mozambique: “The next November 22 marks the anniversary of Mozambican journalist CARLOS CARDOSO‘s violent death”. Cardoso was murdered in 2000, after having denounced many corruption cases and crimes.
Nigeria: Helon Habila Tour
Naija Blog on Helon Habila tour in Nigeria: “Helon Habila in conversation with Toni Kan – NuMetro Media Store, Lagos, yesterday evening. Thanks to the 80 or so who turned up – it was a memorable encounter..”
Mali: The music of Mariam Bagayoko
Awesome Tapes From Africa posts the music of Mariam Bagayoko: Um, yeah. This is scary. The other-worldly pentatonic balafon and its apocalyptic overtones repeat toward infinity, and I can't help but think of Reich's marimba ostinatos and Partch's microtones here.
Angola: Miss Landmine Angola
Omodudu blogs about Miss Landmine Angola: “The web voting for Miss Landmine Angola is open until April 3, 2008. Have a great weekend.”
D.R of Congo: Grand Master Franco Luambo
Shakara blogs about the Congolese musician, Franco Luambo: “It’s a known fact that Franco recorded various praise songs for Mobutu, openly supported Mobutu’s presidential campaigns and toured to promote the Authenticity policy.”
Kenya: Partnership between Google Kenya and Safaricom
Africaincorp writes about the partnership between Google Kenya and Safaricom: “Safaricom subscribers will now enjoy email services launched by the company in partnership with Google Kenya.”
Zambia: Statistics, maize and poverty
New Zambia blog discusses the work of the Central Statistical Office in Zambia: “The Central Statistical Office have been doing some brilliant work to bring to life some of their data. There's still some distance to go to get underneath some numbers….”
Rising Voices in Sierra Leone and Bangladesh
This week we highlight developments of two of the Rising Voices grantees in Asia and Africa. Interns at the Think Build Change Salone in Sierra Leone are starting to document their experiences while Bangladeshi women at the Nari Jibon center add video and photography to their skill kit.