Stories about Sub-Saharan Africa from April, 2010
Kenya: Flying toilets and poop
Kenyan Pundit on Kibera, flying toilets and poop: “I have been wanting to write this for a while now. Especially after I read about Peepoo: a biodegradable plastic bag that acts as a single-use toilet for urban slums in the developing world. Inspired by the ever ubiquitous Kibera flying toilets.”
Sudan: On buying and selling of votes
Hafiz discusses corruption in Sudan Elections 2010: “There is one very important issue which has not been raised by anyone, as I have listened to all reports from the election observers , until now , that is the buying and selling of votes and loyalty.”
Uganda: Can the opposition defeat Museveni in 2011?
Can Uganda's opposition defeat Museveni in 2011?, asks Rosebell Kagumire: “As Uganda heads into general elections early next year, what can especially the opposition learn from one of the greatest propagandist, USSR’s Vladimir Lenin? At the beginning of the 20th century, Lenin, while organising in the Soviet Union on his...
Madagascar: A Flurry of Alleged Coups as Mediation Resumes
After the Minister of the Armed forces was fired on April 7th under allegation of a Coup attempt, Achille52 wonders what the April 18th allegation of another Coup and the ensuing arrests really mean (fr). He is especially suspicious of the timing of these arrests because they happened just before international mediations including Rajoelina...
Senegal: Growth of Citizen Movements
Yakhya Massaly wonders whether the rapid growth of citizen movements is due to the failure of political parties or a genuine need for citizen participation as advocated by famed musician Youssou Ndour (fr).
Guinea: Thierno Siré Diallo on Hunger Strike
Guinée50 wonders whether Thierno Siré Diallo hunger strike to raise awareness for all the Guineans who disappeared in the past 40 years is helping the reconciliation process or not (fr).
Cameroon: E-Government for Southern Nations
Hervé Djia reflects on how governments could use information technology to simplify a multitude of administrative procedures and improve public services (fr).
Rwanda: Rwanda suspends newspapers
Jason links to a few stories of interest from Rwanda and D.R of Congo: “* Rwanda suspends two newspapers critical of the government for six months, meaning they won't be able to cover the election campaigns – Texas in Africa isn't happy. * An excellent interview of Congolese academic Jean...
South Africa: MTN South African Music Awards 2010
Swazibella writes about MTN South African Music Awards 2010: “Friday the 16th of April saw Sun City's Royal Ballroom play host to some of South Africa's most slick and glamorous artists, producers and record industry reps for the MTN Gala Awards.”
Sudan: Women's Votes
Alex de Waal discusses wome's votes in Sudan: “Without doubt, the statistics of Sudan’s elections will be pored over and debated at length, and the interpretation of every figure will be open to dispute. But there seems to be one consistent feature across the country. Women were the majority of...
Sudan: Elections and its implications for Darfur
Enough Team discusses the implications of Sudan's elections for Darfur: “The results of Sudan’s elections will have a large impact on the many challenges still standing between the country and peace. Outstanding provisions of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (the treaty that ended the North-South civil war) and questions relating to...
South Africa: Ticketing woes as 2010 World Cup approaches
The first day of FIFA World Cup Ticket sales in South Africa was characterized by chaos and one fan even died. More than 500,000 tickets are expected sold in local retail outlets.
Sudan: Using the web to promote fair elections, justice and democracy
As we are waiting for final results of the historic elections in Sudan, let's look at organizations and movements using the web in different ways to campaign for justice, freedom and democracy in Sudan.
Malawi: Madonna and the Girls Academy
Pop star Madonna shares her motivation to help Malawian girls: Having lost my mother at such a young age, I felt a close connection to these children. Their stories had touched my own. In a country of 14 million, a staggering one million children have been left alone with the...
Sudan Elections 2010: The good, the bad and the ugly
On April 11, 2010 citizens in Sudan went to the polls for the first time in 24 years. A whole generation that was born, raised, educated and graduated under one totalitarian government rule has been able to cast their vote. Please join Mahdi, our new Sudanese author, in finding out what is happening in the country from bloggers in Sudan and the Diaspora.
Zimbabwe: Yellow card for Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority
Members of Women and Men of Zimbabwe Arise marched to the offices of the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority to deliver yellow cards to the electricity service provider for poor service and high tariffs.
Sudan: Why hit illiterate voters with 12-ballot process?
Geofrey York tweets from Sudan about the elections: “Sudan election is extended to 5 days. When the population is largely illiterate, why were they hit with incredibly complex 12-ballot vote?”
Sudan: Sudan Elections Roundup
Read Alex Thurston's Sudan Elections Roundup on Sahel Blog.
Sudan: SuDEMOP concerned about elections
A press release from the Sudan Domestic Election Monitoring and Observation Programme (SuDEMOP): “…we are expressly concerned about the myriad logistical, procedural and administrative constrains that caused serious delays in the setting up, the opening of polling centers and the beginning of voting.”
Sudan: Alex de Waal on election in Sudan
Alex de Waal writes about elections in Sudan from Khartoum: “Today the questions are, did the ballots arrive in time? Were all the names on the electoral roll? What was the voter turnout?Quietly, with dignity, with apprehension and sometimes with confusion and frustration, millions of Sudanese are voting. Good for...
Sudan Votes After 24 Years
Presidential and parliamentary elections are currently taking place to elect the President of Sudan and members of the National Assembly. The last time elections were held in Sudan was 24 years ago.