Stories about Sub-Saharan Africa from September, 2012
Guinea: Fightings Between Peuls and Malinkes Erupt in Conakry
Guinée TV1 reports that clashes between Peuls and Malinkes [fr], two of the largest ethnic groups in Guinea erupted in Madina, a borough of Conakry. Protesters blocked Conakry’s main bridge and barricaded...
Togo: Waves of Women in Red March Down Lomé for Political Reform
Several thousand women dressed in red marched in Togo's capital Lome on September 2Oth demanding political reforms. The Association Let's Save Togo posted several photos [fr] from the march.
Mozambique: Musician with a Cause
Ruben Mutekane invented Ndjerendje, a musical instrument that he uses to accompany social intervention songs while singing around Maputo, Mozambique. In the following video by Miguel Mangueze (@FotoMangueze)…
Senegal: ‘Completely White’ Whitening Cream Stirs Outrage
Lightening the skin is a common practice in Africa where the sale of skin lightening products is legal in many countries. In Senegal, a product named 'Khess Petch' is creating controversy on the web, as its name means 'complete whitenesss'.
Zambia: Former First Lady, Betty Kaunda, Dies
There was an outpouring of grief on social media networks on Wednesday September 19, following news of the death of former Zambian First Lady, Betty Kaunda, wife of Zambia’s first President Dr Kenneth Kaunda.
Mozambique: Photos of Bike-Taxis in Quelimane
A photo album by António Silva on Sapo illustrates the widespread use of bicycles as taxis in the flat city of Quelimane, in Mozambique, a place where there the lack...
Madagascar: How a Tiny Island Can Explain the Root of the Crisis
Lalatiana Pitchboule published a two-part detailed investigative report [fr] on what is at stakes when it comes to the appropriation of the tiny island of Juan de Nova (4.4 km2) off the west...
What's the Verdict on Uganda@50 Independence Song?
'Yoga Yoga' is the official celebration song for Uganda's 50th year of independence, featuring Ugandan artists such as Esther Nabaasa, Ruyonga, Barbara Kayaga, Hum Kay and Richard Kaweesa. Some netizens are praising it whilst others argue it neither represents Ugandans nor Ugandan culture.
Mexico: A Photographic Glimpse into Midwifery Around the World
Intercultural Midwifery is the topic of this Offbeat Mama guest photo blog post by Brooklyn based photographer Alice Proujansky. While 5 months pregnant she traveled to photograph a cultural knowledge exchange in Quintana Roo where students from the only government- accredited program in midwifery went to study with Mayan traditional midwives from rural area.
Mauritania: The Burden of Being Black
How is it not to know what it is like to be free? To have your every waking, sleeping and living moment and your whole life and destiny in the...
Central African Republic: The Cities of Sibut and Damara Attacked by Rebels
The RJDH-RCA (The Human Rights Journalists Network of the Central African Republic) reports that [fr] armed rebels claiming to be a faction of the CPJP (Convention of the Patriots for...
Sudan: YouTube Banned After Protesters Burn German Embassy
Angered by the trailer of a movie which insults Prophet Mohammed, made by an Egyptian in the United States and posted on YouTube, Sudanese protesters burned the German Embassy in Khartoum. Netizens weigh in as Sudanese authorities block access to video sharing site YouTube.
Kenyans Rally to Help Destitute Former Female Champion Boxer
A moving television interview has shown how former Kenyan female champion boxer, Conjestina Achieng, is currently destitute and suffering from mental illness. Kenyan netizens have rallied round to support her.
Ethiopia: Remembering Jailed Dissident Blogger Eskinder Nega
On 13 July, 2012, Ethiopia's federal court sentenced a prominent Ethiopian blogger Eskinder Nega and 23 other opposition activists to 18 years in jail for allegedly participating in terrorist activities. 14 September, 2012 marks the first anniversary of his arrest. The Ethiopian online community remembers him on Facebook.
Should Uganda's Abortion Law Be Revised?
Ugandans are divided over the Center for Reproductive Rights and Development's campaign to revise the abortion law in Uganda. There are approximately 267,000 abortions carried out in Uganda every year, although the practice is currently illegal except where the life of the mother is in danger.
Nigeria: Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala Declines WTO High Post
Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Nigeria's Finance and Co-ordinating Minister of the Economy is not interested in the World Trade Organisation (WTO) top job. Pascal Lamy will retire soon and there's been...
Burkina Faso, Niger: Cholera Kills 80 after Floods
Bark Biiga writes on Fasozine [fr] that following the floods that plagued Niger and Burkina Faso, 80 people have succumbed to Cholera in the Western Region of Niger. The disease also threatens to...
Is Tanzania's Peaceful Reputation in Danger?
Tanzania has experienced several crises since the October 2010 general elections. The most recent case is the violent death of Tanzania journalist Daudi Mwangosi, who was killed by a tear gas cannister in Iringa, Southern Tanzania, whilst police tried to disperse a group of opposition party supporters.
Zambia: Mining Proposal Threatens Lower Zambezi Ecosystem
Potential mining activity in Zambia’s Lower Zambezi National Park, part of a greater World Heritage Area, is threatening its ecosystem and that of the adjacent Mana Pools National Park in Zimbabwe.
Guinea: Are Guineans less Capable than their Neighbours?
“You can't say that our neighbours are more intelligent than us, but they have had forthright leaders who have maintained the basis of a modern administration system and laid the...