Stories about Sub-Saharan Africa from September, 2011
Global: Online Dialogue on Technology for Transparency
The Technology for Transparency Initiative, together with New Tactics in Human Rights, invites you to join an online dialogue on 'Using Technology to Promote Transparency'. Join us to discuss new ideas, challenges, risks, and opportunities.
Mozambique: Sant'Egidio Community Fights Back Against HIV/AIDS
Lack of access to care for HIV positive people has been well documented on the African continent. Many initiatives strive to show that things could improve with collective effort, and among them is the Drug Resource Enhancement against AIDS and Malnutrition (DREAM) program.
Uganda: LGBTI Human Rights Defender Receives Kennedy Award
Frank Mugisha, a Ugandan LGBTI (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex) human rights defender has been selected for the 2011 Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award. Haute Haiku reports.
Zambia: Netizens Ahead of Mainstream Media in Poll Reporting
On social media websites Zambian voters revealed delays of opening of polling stations, late-coming presiding officers, change of polling stations and even a shortage of ballot papers.
Zambia: Social Media Harnessed to Monitor Polls in Sep 20 Election
Built on the Ushahidi crowdsourcing platform, Bantu Watch encourages registered voters and interested parties in the Zambia September elections to report incidents involving election-related violence, hate speech, corruption and other matters both online via the web site and via text message.
Nigeria: Does Terrorism Pay Better Than Farming?
Activista Blogger, David Habba in Nigeria struck up conversation with a student from the University of Agriculture in Makurdi, who no longer feels financially motivated to enter the agricultural sector. “Someone must grow the food and who says it must be me?”
Cameroon: What if We Did Not Vote on October 9?
In Cameroon, the October 9 presidential election does not seem to be generating much interest amongst the general public. For many Cameroonians, this election has no real stake and voters don't see casting their ballot as worth the trouble, since the outcome is already in favor of incumbent President Paul Biya.
France, Africa: Suitcases Filled with Cash Expose the Françafrique Connection
In the wake of the Dominique Strauss Kahn scandal, a new furore is now rocking France and the upcoming 2012 French presidential campaign. Robert Bourgi, a shady lawyer and advisor for "African affairs" has confessed to acting as a go-between for French politicians and Francophone Africa heads of state.
Madagascar: Reactions to the Road Map Agreement to End the Crisis
The road map to end the Madagascar crisis has been signed by nearly all parties on September 16. Malagasy bloggers followed the event in real time and reacted to the implications [fr] of the agreement for the elections and the potential candidates.
Uganda: Is This the End of Amnesty for LRA Rebels?
Uganda seeks to end amnesty for rebels belong to the Lord's Resistance Army, Ashley Benner reports: “The controversial trial of former Lord’s Resistance Army commander Thomas Kwoyelo has taken a discouraging turn. The first former LRA rebel to stand trial, Kwoyelo has applied for amnesty through Uganda’s Amnesty Act of...
South African: Facebook Profile Picture Creates Controversy
South Africa's Facebook profile photo creates controversy: Authorities in South Africa are investigating a white man’s Facebook profile picture with a hunting rifle and a big grin kneeling in a classic hunter’s pose over what appears to be the lifeless body of a black boy – as if he is...
D.R of Congo: California Passes Bill on Congo Conflict Minerals
California passes first-ever state bill on Congo conflict minerals: “By a vote of 67 to 11, the California state assembly passed a bill that prohibits state agencies from signing contracts with companies that fail to comply with federal regulations aimed at deterring business with armed groups in eastern Congo.”
Zambia: Wikileaks Cables Not As Toxic
Almost a year after the WikiLeaks diplomatic cables' release, Zambia’s tranche of the documents have recently surfaced. As it turns out, nothing drastic has been disclosed by the leaks, which have proved so toxic in other countries.
Mauritius: The First Rally of the “Outraged” Youth
Khal Torabully on Africultures analyses [fr] the emerging movement of “outraged” (indignés) youth in Mauritius, where their first demonstration[fr] took place on September 10. “What if this “digital 2.0″ movement heralded a genuine revolution, making room for a new political culture, and encouraging the country to reflect in a more modern...
Angola: The Hot Embers of a Repressed Protest
Recent events have shaken Angolan society and the state. After a large police response to the demonstration against the 32 year-long government of José Eduardo dos Santos on September 3, at least 18 were "unjustly convicted" and sentenced to between 45 days and 3 months in prison.
Africa: Using Social Media for Citizen Engagement
Gamelmag blogs about the use of social media for citizen engagement in West Africa: “Government-to-citizen engagement- Ghana's Constitution Review Committee put together various channels such as Facebook, Twitter and SMS to collate views from individuals as part of the country's constitutional review process.”
Kenya: WordCamp Kenya 2011
7 reasons to attend WordCamp Kenya 2011: “This is a great chance to meet up with other WordPress fanatics and learn from the different levels of the conference. WordCamp is coming to East Africa for the first time and it is a great thing that it is happening in Kenya.”
Comoros: Reactions of the Comoran Community to Minister's Accusation
After the French Interior Ministry stated that Comorian Community is to blame for some of the violence in Marseille[fr], the governing body of the Comoros Union is denouncing such stigmatization of their community[fr], it encourages Comoran to stay calm and fight back violence only via legal means.
Cameroon: Women Must Vote During Presidential Election
Le journal du Cameroun notes that “civil society organizations are rallying to encourage women to vote [fr] during the upcoming Cameroon presidential election, on October 9″.
Central African Republic: ‘Letter to the Person Sending Me Death Threats’
Central African Republic blogger, Blogmandebangos, has posted a letter to the person sending him death threats [fr] for his blogging: “The truth is that I just want to be the painter of my society, a good testimony, I only write about things that happen here…I talk about the daily life we all...
China: Chinese blaze new paths in Africa
Jing Gao from Ministry of Tofu translated a NetEase story feature on Chinese people working in Africa on Chinese invested construction projects.
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