Stories about Sub-Saharan Africa from February, 2014
Sudan: Blogger Remains in Detention for Criticizing Presidents
Tajeldin Arja Arja was arrested at a press conference last December, after he criticized the Sudanese and Chadian Presidents for their actions surrounding the conflict in Darfur.
Zambia Ditches English in Primary School for Government-Approved Local Languages
Although there are 73 recognised languages in Zambia, only seven are to replace English as the language of instruction in primary school. Leaders of various ethnics groups oppose the change.
The Millenium Development Goal for Safe Water Is Still Beyond Reach for Many African Countries
Virgil HOUESSOU, a Benin-based reporter for the African association for clean water, is pessimistic about the Millenium Development Goal with respect to safe water. He writes on the collective blog Wash Journalists [fr]: A quelques mois de l’échéance de la réalisation des OMD [Objectifs du millénaire pour le développement], beaucoup de défis...
On the 11 Wives of Convicted Zimbabwean Preacher
Following the conviction of End Time Message church leader Martin Gumbura on multiple charges of rape, Sibusisiwe Bhebhe asks whether his 11 wives are victims, villains or victors: In past weeks, Zimbabwean gossip – from the mainstream media to social media to bars and public transport – has been dominated...
The End of Zimbabwe's Kubatana Blog
Kubatana.net, an online community of Zimbabwe's activists, is discontinuing its blog: Hello everybody and anybody out there! Just a short note to say that we are discontinuing this blog so you won’t see any new posts on it. This isn’t because we’ve fallen asleep over our keyboards, it’s because we...
Revisiting the Era of Foreign Domination in Cameroon
Dibussi Tande revisits the era of foreign domination in Cameroon in the context of the Guiness Mount Cameroon Race: The first three editions of the Guinness Mount Cameroon Race were won by local Bakweri runners. By the time of the 4th edition in 1976, an aura of superstition had already...
Togolese Skier Petitjean, from Facebook to the 2014 Winter Olympics
Mathilde-Amivi Petitjean is a cross-country skier who competes for Togo at the 2014 Winter Olympics Game. The president of the Togolese Ski federation explained that they reached out to Togolese abroad via Facebook to recruit some athletes.After finishing her first olympian race, Mathilde-Amivi Petitjean said[fr]: Merci tout le monde pour...
What Happened to Creative Writing in Malawi?
Steve Sharra discusses the reasons behind the fall of quality of creative writing in Malawi: Of the many private universities that are mushrooming across the country, very few offer humanities courses where people can study languages and literature, creative writing and literary criticism. The University of Malawi has been operating...
A Visitor Describes How it Feels to be Mugged by Bulgarian Police
Political scientist and blogger Anastas Vangeli used social networks to describe his experience of extortion by Bulgarian policemen on his way from Macedonia to Poland.
Ending Illegal Logging and Launching Forest Carbon Credits in Madagascar
The new administration in Madagascar is seemingly making a concerted effort to curb down deforestation in Madagascar. First, new president Hery Rajaonarimampianina has made ending illegal logging of Madagascar rosewood a priority at his first executive meeting[fr]. Second, the Wildlife Conservation Society announced that the Government of Madagascar has approved...
“Another Face of Africa”: Call for Photos, Stories
A group of young volunteers from southern Germany, many of whom have lived in Africa, are calling for photos, essays, videos, blog posts or poems by locals of five major African cities: Lagos, Addis Ababa, Gaborone, Kigali and Kinshasa. With a forthcoming exhibition called “Sichtwechsel,” their goal is to show...
Examining the Post-Colonial Evolution of Francophone and Anglophone Africa
The topic of the post-colonial evolution of francophone versus anglophone African states has always a fodder for intense debate. Cheidozié Dike, from Nigeria, brings a new perspective to the subject : While the French Loi Cadre system was mostly about integration, the British colonial system sought only exploitation. Creating an...
Rap Musicians Take on Guinea-Bissau's Drug Trafficking Problem
"This is Guinea-Bissau for those who don't know / This is where the traffickers are given more privileges than college professors / I swear pigs wear ties and suits here."
Video: Why Young Nigerians Leave Home
Nigerian netizen Kola Olaosebikan uses YouTube to address, among other topics, the question of why young Nigerians are running from home: This video addresses moving back to nigeria, why i left nigeria, brain drain in nigeria, and issues impacting youth and progress in nigeria all wrapped up in a nice...
What Guinea Needs Now is Peace and Stability
Serge Lamah reports on his blog[fr] that Oyé Guilavogui, the communication minister has pointed out the pressing needs for Guinea today : Vous vous rappelez, en 2011, les avions en direction de Conakry ne désemplissaient pas. Les hôtels étaient pleins à tout moment, aujourd’hui, allez-y, il y a de la place...
Nigerian Governor Reportedly Pays Bloggers for Meet-Up
"You blog about government wastes, get invited to a government Q&A, & collect money? Newsflash: y'all have chopped state funds"
Doubts Arise Over Nigerian Journalist's Undercover Human Trafficking Exposé
A Nigerian journalist went undercover in a human trafficking syndicate, witnessed two brutal beheadings and lived to tell the tale. But some are questioning the veracity of her report.
VIDEOS: Argentina's Melting Pot of Culinary Traditions
A large diversity of migrants in Argentina allows us to enjoy a wide array of international dishes often shared in feasts for the various immigrant communities throughout the country.
‘Blogging Ghana’ to Establish Country's First Physical Social Media Hub
"A physical meeting place, a hub, will go a long way to provide a platform for the experienced bloggers in the organisation to train students and professionals."
Remembering Dr Alison Jolly, Lemurs of Madagascar Expert
After leading a distinguished career as a primatologist at the Berenty Reserve of Madagascar, Dr. Alison Jolly has died at home in Lewes, East Sussex, aged 76. Dr. Jolly, a PhD researcher from Yale, made her name as the first scientist to do an in-depth account of the behaviour of the ring-tailed lemur, L. catta, beginning...
Somali Activist's Personal Account of Female Genital Mutilation
Somali activist Asha Ismail recounted her own experience with female genital mutilation (FGM) and her fight to eradicate it to radio Onda Vasca on International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation on February 6, 2014 (hear the full interview in Spanish here). Asha Ismail was born in a...