Stories about Sub-Saharan Africa from April, 2011
Nigeria: Photos the Presidential Vote
I’m posting a few photos I took from Saturday’s presidential vote from Kaduna, Nigeria. Stay tuned for more photos from yesterday along with my longer post on the view from the ground.
Nigeria: Jega set to announce presidential election results
The stage is set for the announcement of final presidential election results by the Chief Returning Officer, Prof Attahiru Jega, as accredited stakeholders arrive the National Collation Centre in Abuja.
Nigeria Votes 2011: Opinions From the Polls
Nigerians voted yesterday in the third presidential election since the nation transitioned to civilian rule in 1999. Thus far, the election has widely been declared a success, with only sporadic reports of violence and voting irregularities. News sources reported a large turnout, orderly queues, and voters waiting until polls closed to make sure their votes were counted. Bloggers discuss the experience.
Angola: Concern with Côte D'Ivoire
The volume of comment on this news story “Angola yet to react to the fall of Gbagbo” [Pt] reveals Angolan netizens’ significant concern with Côte D'Ivoire. Some lament rumors that Angolan mercenaries were killed needlessly in Côte D'Ivoire defending Gbagbo. Others suggest Gbagbo was victim of betrayal by other African...
Nigeria: #PlessYaHand and #NigeriaDecides Trending
Voting in Nigeria’s presidential election has begun. The election was postponed from 9 April, 2011. The main candidates are the incumbent Goodluck Jonathan and Muhamadu Buhari. #PlessYaHand and #NigeriaDecides are currently trending in Nigeria's Twittersphere.
Ghana: Bloggers React to Demeaning and Misleading Article
On April 8, 2011, Ghanaians came across a very demeaning and disgraceful article titled “Inside the criminal world of Ghana's e-mail scam gangs” by Thomas Morton, which got featured on the CNN website. Ghanaian bloggers consider the journalist to be completely uninformed and biased.
Equatorial Guinea: Few, but Strong Virtual Voices
In Equatorial Guinea, where only 2% of the population has access to the Internet, and there are about 11,000 Facebook users and two known blogs. Juan Tomás Ávila Laurel and Eyi Nguema are the only bloggers writing in Equatorial Guinea. For them, blogging is a true commitment with democracy.
Burkina Faso: President Campaoré Flees from Mutiny
Grioo reports that Burkina Faso President Campaoré has fled the Capital City (fr) Ouagadougou under the pressure of mutinous soldiers. The onset of the discontent in the army was reported on April 2nd when a mutiny first broke out.
Is Empowering Women Key to Eradicating Global Hunger?
As global food prices continue to remain high, with potential increases on the horizon because of soaring oil prices and supply concerns, experts says that there is one often-overlooked solution for fighting hunger: women.
Kenya: Citizen Journalism of the Kibera News Network
Young people in Kibera, Kenya, which is known to some as Africa's largest slum, are determined to show a different face of the place where they live. With video cameras in hand, they scout the streets for stories to show the world how Kibera sees itself.
Malawi: The Power of a Blog Post
The two-month old stand-off between the university lecturers in Malawi and their employer has led to the closure of the University of Malawi's main colleges. But no one would have known that things were so bad if one blogger, Boniface Dulani, had not written a post titled "Mutharika's dictatorship hits a new low: Unima's Blessings Chinsinga summoned by Inspector General of Police" on February 12, 2011.
Gabon: Movement in the Petroleum sector
While the rest of the world searches for alternatives to petrol, it is the basis of almost the entire economy of countries like Gabon. Several months ago the country was rocked by revolts that went widely unreported yet which by the end of January saw the leader of the political opposition declare himself as the new President. The issues are now extending beyond politics and are now impacting Gabon's petroleum sector, which provides 60% of the national revenues.
Gabon: Issues in the Oil industry Sector
On Monday, April 8, oil industry workers returned to work following an announcement made to AFP by Arnauld Engandji, spokes-person for ONEP (the National Organization for Petrol Industry Workers), stating "the demands have been met. We do not want to cause chaos". ONEP, an organisation of between 4000 and 5000 members, went out on strike (fr) to obtain new regulations relating to the employment of foreign workers within the sector, who "they accuse of taking the place of Gabonese workers".
Côte d'Ivoire: Brutality Continues After Gbagbo's Capture
Since their capture on April 11, 2011, pictures of former Côte d'Ivoire President Laurent Gbagbo, his wife, and their entourage have spread on the web and via international newspapers. One picture in particular provoked a strong reaction: an image of Simone Gbagbo being humiliated by her captors.
Swaziland: Protest Leaders, Journalists Arrested
Activists in Swaziland took to the streets of Manzini on Tuesday and Wednesday demanding political reform and calling on King Mswati III, Africa's last absolute monarch, to return power to the people.
Mozambique: Police Attack Protesting Workers
On the 6th of April, police officers from the Rapid Intervention Force (FIR) used violence to put an end to a protest by the employees of the private security firm G4S. On Facebook, cybernauts showed their indignation with such acts of brutality and questioned on the role of police, justice and human rights.
Uganda: #walk2work Arrests Spur Hunger Strike, Future Protests
Rather than backing down after the arrest of two Ugandan opposition leaders for staging a "Walk to Work" protest against high fuel and food prices on Monday, Ugandan activists have responded by announcing a hunger strike and planning more demonstrations.
Zimbabwe: No hope for security sector reforms
Sokwanele has no hope for security sector reforms in Zimbabwe: “Zimbabwe’s security forces comprise the Central Intelligence Organisation, Zimbabwe National Army, Airforce of Zimbabwe, Police and the Prisons, whose commanders are war veterans and President Robert Mugabe’s close allies.”
Uganda: “Mary the elephant” killed
“Window shopping elephant” in Uganda has been killed: “The female elephant, recently risen to fame when pictures were published in the Uganda media about walking along the Katunguru roadside stores, was apparently poisoned and found dead.”
Côte d'Ivoire: Laurent Gbagbo's Fall
On April 11 2011, Laurent Gbagbo was arrested at his residence in Cocody, with his wife, Simone, and their close entourage. The crisis that plagued the country has now seemingly found its epilogue. The sequence of events that led to Ggagbo's arrest was documented in details by online videos and intensely commented on the web.
Uganda: Is It a Crime to Walk to Work?
#walk2work is a trending topic in Uganda's Twittersphere. Walk to Work is a campaign organised by the opposition in Uganda to protest high fuel and food prices.