· January, 2011

Stories about Sub-Saharan Africa from January, 2011

Zimbabwe: Myopic Look East Policy

  27 January 2011

Upenyu analyses Zimbabwe's “Look East” policy: “When ZANU PF looks East I wonder what it is looking at. Is it examining the Chinese Communist Party’s successes and failures and how these may be instructional for them too?”

Sudan: What will be the new name for Southern Sudan?

  27 January 2011

A referendum took place in Southern Sudan from 9 January to 15 January 2011 on whether the region should remain a part of Sudan or become Africa's new independent state. As of 27 January 2011, preliminary results showed that 98.81% of voters are in favor of secession while 1.19% are in favor of unity. Final results will be announced early February. This is our latest roundup of posts related to the referendum.

Namibia: I am an African goddess

  26 January 2011

Big Ear Records, Production label and new management from South Africa is releasing the much anticipated new super dance album, I am an African goddess, of the Namibian Superstar LadyMay.

World: Free and open source software for academics

  26 January 2011

Kajsa attended a lecture by Joshua Kwesi Aikins as a part of a two-day lecture series for graduate students at Institute of African Studies at University of Ghana where free and open source softwares for academics were recommended.

Ghana: GMT means Ghana Man Time!

  26 January 2011

Do you know Ghana Time?: “Jokes abound about lateness – GMT stands for Ghana Man Time – and there is an assumption that nothing will ever start on time. And yet sometimes I wonder whether things don’t start on time because people are late, or because the attendees know that...

Nigeria: The new face of politics

  26 January 2011

Robinson Tombari Sibe shows how the Nigerian President has changed the face of Nigerian politics: “President Jonathan has enlarged the political workspace in Nigeria by not only playing by the rules but also encouraging perceived opponents in their quest to unseat him.”

Gabon: Opposition Leader Takes Oath as New President

  26 January 2011

The double presidential power struggle in Côte d'Ivoire seems to have inspired Gabon's political opposition as well. This afternoon on January 26, 2011, former Gabonese presidential election candidate André Mba Obame - regarded by many as the probable winner of the 2009 election - has taken oath as President and formed his own 'unofficial' government.

Kenya: How developers can make money with Safaricom

  25 January 2011

Bankelele looks at how Kenyan developers can make money with Kenya's leading mobile phone company, Safaricom: “One of the unintended effects of Airtel’s price wars with Safaricom in Kenya is that it has made Safaricom more responsive to Kenyan developers in terms of collaboration on products, services, platforms etc.”

A Korean Vessel Rescued from Somali Pirates, Worries of Retaliation Grow

  24 January 2011

Last Friday, South Korean special forces successfully rescued its 21 crew members who had been held as hostages by Somali pirates in the Arabian Sea. Prudent net users have raised worries over possible retaliation and complaints against mainstream media for neglecting important domestic issues and the efforts of the individuals who have actually saved the crews.

Malawi: Connecting tourism and music industry

  24 January 2011

Gregory discusses the need to connect tourism and music industry in Malawi: “Taking advantage of the fact that music pulls and attracts people and their world the tourism industry which sells our places out there would intensify promotion of the varieties at their places.”

Ghana: 10 Do's and Don'ts of Accra

  24 January 2011

10 do's and don'ts of Accra, Ghana: “Don’t shake hands with the left hand. Also, don’t eat with the left hand. Always use the right hand when dealing with people and showing directions, Don’t be a fan of taxis in general whiles staying in Accra rather, opt for the cheapest...

Cote d'Ivoire: Who are the fools in Ivorian crisis?

  24 January 2011

Novis identifies “the fools” in the political crisis in Cote d'Ivoire:”The basic fact is that Ouattara's claim of victory is no less disputable as that of Gbagbo. on the other hand, Gbagbo's claim of electoral fraud by his opponent is no more credible than that of Ouattara. So there's clear...

About our Sub-Saharan Africa coverage

Zita Zage
Zita Zage is the Anglophone Africa Editor. Email her story ideas or volunteer to write.

Jean Sovon
Jean Sovon is the Francophone Africa. Editor. Email him story ideas or volunteer to write.

Dércio Tsandzana
Dércio Tsandzana is the Lusophone (Portuguese) editor. Email him story ideas or volunteer to write.