· August, 2011

Stories about Sub-Saharan Africa from August, 2011

Mauritania: Discrimination Plagues Census

  11 August 2011

adrar-info.net publishes an article on Mauritanian demonstrations in Paris and Mauritania, related to the current population census in Mauritania. Black Mauritanians apparently have a difficult time getting their name registered [fr]. According to Haimout Ba, the Paris based representative of  UFP (Union of Forces of Progress, an opposition party), “they...

Kenya: Mocality Launches Daily Deals and Mobile Apps.

  11 August 2011

Watch a video of Moses Kemibaro's interview with Joshua Mwaniki, the Country Manager for Mocality in Kenya, on the impending launch of Mocality Deals: “In addition to the deals, Mocality recently also launched mobile apps for both Apple’s iOS (i.e. iPhone, iPad and iPod devices) on the App Store and...

Guinea-Bissau: Films From Guinea-Bissau

  11 August 2011

Kris introduces his readers to films from Guinea-Bissau: “As African cinemas go, Guinea-Bissau is not well researched and there’s not that much about written about its history in film. I submit to you some of the films I’ve seen and some of the links that might be useful.”

Ethiopia: Let's Code for Ethiopia

  10 August 2011

“Let's code for Ethiopia,” says Ethiopian blogger and programmer: “I came across a project initiative in the United States called code for america. The leaders of technology companies had a video where they ask the programmers to code for a change and it is a kind of social service. I...

Nigeria: Did Halima Abubakar Deserve Award for Best Actress?

  10 August 2011

Noble does not understand why Halima Abubakar received Nigeria's Best Actress Award 2011: “Relatively new actress to the Nollywood scene, Halima Abubakar, took home the trophy for Best Actress of the Year at City People Awards. From all the movies I've seen her in, I can say for sure that...

Sudan: Coup Against Public Liberties

  10 August 2011

Osman Shinger examines the uncertain future of media freedom in Sudan: “Journalists and rights activists have expressed concern about diminishing press freedom in Sudan. Reporters attribute their pessimism to what they call a “coup” against public liberties. Chief among their concerns is the press freedom that was stipulated in the...

Liberia: Visiting a Country of Many Firsts in Africa

  10 August 2011

Dr. Sipho Moyo visits Liberia, a country of many firsts in Africa: “Liberia was Africa’s first republic, colonized in 1822 and declared independent in 1847. It is also home to Africa’s first female president: President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. I met with her last week at the Executive Mansion in Monrovia...

Ethiopia: Local Media Ignore Famine

  9 August 2011

Endalk wonders why Ethiopian media ignores famine in the country: “While there has been news after news on the issue of on the global press which was lead by the Guardian and other global newspapers. I have been desperately running from newspaper to newspaper but I have barely seen a...

Zimbabwe: Connecting to God Through Airtime Recharge Card

  9 August 2011

Lenard discusses Zimbabwe's Pastor Makandiwa’s innovative idea of getting linked to his followers through recharge airtime card: “Pastor Emmanuel Makandiwa…recently launched an airtime recharge card called Christian Spiritual Link. With this recharge card one can communicate directly to the prophet by calling him to get over-the-phone prophecies and spiritual messages....

Ghana: Taxi Ride And Politics

  9 August 2011

Linda shares her taxi ride experiences in Accra, Ghana: “One of the things I'm enjoying in the three months that I've lived in Accra is my taxi ride. There's something special about riding in a cab in the morning on my way to work, listening to a radio talk show...

Kenya: Kenyan Book Adapted to Film

  9 August 2011

From a book to a movie in Kenya: “Last Sunday afternoon as I went to the Kenya National Theatre to watch a play, I came across a poster on an upcoming acting workshop. Upon reading further, I could not believe what I was seeing! The Classic Novel ‘My Life in...

Africa: The Tricks of Visa Scammers

  9 August 2011

Ssuuna reveals the tricks of visa scammers in Africa: “In my home country Uganda and many other African countries, visa scams are on the increase. Many people have been robbed of huge amounts of money by visa dealers.”

Togo: Journalists Rally to Protect Free Press

  9 August 2011

On August 6, journalists in Togo rallied in the streets of Lomé to protest against threats to their colleagues. The protest was launched by the association 'SOS Journalists in Danger', who believe that the threats originate from the national intelligence agency. Sylvio Chombey explains further.

Togo: 8-Digit Telephone Numbers

  9 August 2011

Le blog de Toussine reminds readers that as of August 8, 2011,  Togo telecom have switched [fr] to 8-digit landline and mobile telephone numbers.  “A modification that requires updating contacts in Togo.”

Côte d'Ivoire: Abidjan in Mourning After Tragic Bus Accident

  8 August 2011

Friday, August 5, was a tragic day for the West African country of Côte d'Ivoire. A bus transporting passengers in the capital city Abidjan, plunged off a bridge into the Ebrié lagoon, killing 40 and injuring 9. The Ivorian government has decreed three days of national mourning as a mark of respect for the victims.

Zimbabwe: Will a Big Brother Winner Unite a Divided Country?

  8 August 2011

The Big Brother Africa reality marathon is now over. However, there are mixed views about which of the two Zimbabwean contestants deserved to win. The Zimbabwean chap who took home a cool US$200,000 "happens" to be white, which "inevitably" also became a talking point.

About our Sub-Saharan Africa coverage

Zita Zage
Zita Zage is the Anglophone Africa Editor. Email her story ideas or volunteer to write.

Jean Sovon
Jean Sovon is the Francophone Africa. Editor. Email him story ideas or volunteer to write.

Dércio Tsandzana
Dércio Tsandzana is the Lusophone (Portuguese) editor. Email him story ideas or volunteer to write.