Stories about Sub-Saharan Africa from January, 2012
Mozambique: Mayor Shares Photos of Storm Damage on Facebook
Newly elected mayor Manuel de Araújo of Mozambican city Quelimane shared photos on Facebook of the damage, flooding and suffering caused by tropical storm Funso in his coastal home. Last week another heavy storm, Dando, caused serious flooding in the capital city of Maputo, displacing hundreds.
Madagascar: Exiled Former President Ravalomanana Refused Return
Since January 18 2012, former president Marc Ravalomanana has announced that he would return to Madagascar soon after being in exile in South Africa for three years. On January 21, the capital city anxiously anticipated his return as thousands gathred on the roads leading to the airport waiting for the plane to land. However, a few minutes after the plane entered the Malagasy airspace, the plane was told to divert from its route and land in a different city. Malagasy citizens reacted in real time to the tumultuous event.
Togo: Public hearings for the Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission
Ayetan Charles wrote [fr]: “Beyond the formal proceedings, the public and the private hearings on the Commission on Truth, Justice and Reconciliation (CVJR), it is once again possible for the population to listen to other revelations about the political violence that the country experienced from 1958 to 1960. “ ...
Zambia: Blogger Challenges Ex-ruling Party's Query On Guy Scott's Appointment
The former ruling party, the MMD, has questioned the legality of the appointment of independent Zambia’s first white Vice President, Dr Guy Scott, threatening to take the matter to the court of law to determine its constitutionality. But one Zambian blogger argues that Dr Scott qualifies hold the office of Vice President and even to stand for the office of president.
Liberia: Was the Presidential Oath of Office Taken Improperly?
Liberia’s President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf took the oath of office on January 16, 2012 in Monrovia. One Liberian blogger argues that Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf is not Liberia's President because she did not raise her right hand and kiss the Bible while taking the oath as the procedure requires.
Uganda: Controversy Over King of Buganda's Child Out of Wedlock
On Tuesday January 17, 2012 the Buganda kingdom in Uganda announced the birth of a second son of their King (Kabaka), Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II. The announcement has sparked controversy and mixed reactions because the new prince was born out of wedlock.
Sudan: Sudanese Activist, Alim Boushi, Freed from Prison
A case that Sudanese bloggers have been highlighting in recent days, indicating the current repressive state of affairs in Sudan, is the arrest of the Sudanese political activist and engineer Mohamed Hassan Alim, nicknamed Boushi.
Belgium, D. R. of Congo: Miss Belgium 2012 on Gay Marriage
The website Congo LOL reports that “On twitter, the hastag #plusoumoins (#moreorless in english) has created quite a buzz (in DR of Congo). The reason ? The answer given by Miss Laura Beyne (Miss Belgium 2012) on a question on gay marriage. “I think they [homosexuals] are human beings (…) they can do “more or less” whatever they want. I am “more or...
Liberia: Lawmaker in the Web of Nudity
Netizens discuss the recent revelation of a scandalous episode of nudity widely known in Liberia as ‘Snoweleaks' or ‘Snowegate' which involves Edwin Melvin Snowe, Jr., a very popular lawmaker.
South Africa: The Blogosphere's Take on ANC's 100 Years
The African National Congress (ANC) has just celebrated its 100 years in existence in South Africa, moving from a radical resistance movement to the leading political party in the country. Bloggers' views are as diverse as the country itself.
Black Women in European Politics: from Struggle to Success
Nowadays, it is a common to witness African-born women with successful careers in Europe. Despite the evident challenges, many have also distiguished themselves in politics. Still, it was not so long ago that such success would have seemed impossible.
Madagascar: After the Land Grab Affair, Is Daewoo Back in the Country ?
Sam posts an open letter to Andry Rajoelina written by Mamy Rakotondrainibe that demands more transparency on the return of Daewoo Logistics in the economy of Madagascar [fr]. Mahefa Rakotomalala provides more context on this return [fr]. The South Korean company is notorious for an attempted land grab deal that provoked...
Video Highlights: Activism, Freedom of Speech, Identity and Culture
A selection of Global Voices' recent and interesting stories including video from Middle East and North Africa, Sub Saharan Africa, Western, Eastern and Central Europe, East Asia and Latin America, selected by Juliana Rincón Parra.
Africa: Good Development Blog
Good Developments is a blog about African politics, development aid, peace and conflict. The blog is run by Katrin Eder and Peter Dörrie.
Kenya, Somalia: Twitter War – Kenyan Army Versus Al Shabaab
Kenya's military incursion into Somalia against the militant group Al Shabaab dubbed “Operation Linda Nchi” (Swahili for “Operation Defend the Country”) has found a new battleground: Twitter.
Occupy Nigeria: From Cyberspace to Face-to-Face
Occupy Nigeria is a national protest in Nigeria which started as a response to the fuel subsidy removal by the federal governmnet. The protest has been fueled by the democratization of information as personified by young Nigerians through their use of social media.
South Africa: Braille Burgers and Social Media
A fast food chain in South Africa delivered 15 burgers to organizations for the Blind: through social media, the story of those 15 burgers reached more than 800,000 people, letting them know about the restaurant's new Braille menu. What made that strong impression? The burgers’ buns had messages in Braille...
Cameroon: Essayist and Blogger Arrested and Charged with Robbery
Enoh Meyomesse, a Cameroonian writer and blogger, was arrested on November 22, 2011, at Nsimalen airport in Yaoundé, Cameroon on his way back from Singapore. Charged with robbery by the military court of Bertoua, in the north of the country, he is now detained at Nkondengui prison in Yaoundé.
Madagascar, Ethiopia: Arable Lands on Sale
The association “Collectif TANY” for the Protection of Land in Madagascar has published an exhaustive list of the instances of Land Grab by foreign entities in Madagascar [fr]. They warn the public opinion that sales or leasing of arable lands at discount prices are still taking place in Madagascar (2...
Competition to Develop Low-Cost Water Purification Device
Inventors, designers, entrepreneurs from developing countries are invited by the University of South Florida's Patel Center to submit ideas for the creation of a “Smart Pot” that can purify water easily and has a similar shape as a traditional jerrycan. Winning proposals will receive up to $8,000 plus the opportunity...
Global Voices in French: Translators’ Choice 2011
In 2011, volunteer translators at Global Voices in French translated hundreds of articles and updates on world events and we'd like to say "'Merci!". We've asked them which translation struck them most, during this epic year. Here is the French translators' selection!
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