· August, 2012

Stories about Sub-Saharan Africa from August, 2012

Somalia: The Very First Humanitarian “Customer Calling Center”

  10 August 2012

In her blog post about the very first humanitarian customer calling center, Anahi Ayala Iacucci describes “a quick and convenient way for Somali beneficiaries to give feedback about projects funded or services provided by the Danish Refugee Council using an SMS feedback system”: “This project has started in September 2011...

Mauritania: The Day Ould Taya was Toppled

Maaouya Ould Sid'Ahmed Taya ruled Mauritania for more than 20 years following a military coup he initiated against his predecessor Mohamed Khouna Ould Haidallah, on December 12, 1984. In 2005, he was toppled. Remembering Ould Taya's ousting, netizens share some of their memories and impressions on that day.

Kenya: ‘Do Milk!’ Campaign Targets Fast Food Generation

  9 August 2012

The Kenya Dairy Board and milk processors in the country have decided to launch a nationwide campaign to encourage the consumption of milk, using the title ‘Do Milk’. This is in line with changing lifestyle attitudes in the country, which has seen many of the youth abandon healthy eating practices for fast food.

Guinea: Massacres Perpetrated by Security Forces in Zoghota

  8 August 2012

On August, 4, the NGO Avocats Sans Frontières (Lawyers without Borders) in Guinea reports that they have observed group killing of civilians in the village of Zoghota [fr] (Warning: graphic photos included).   Villagers testified that security forces came around midnight and fired at unarmed civilians. The village of Zoghota was...

Mauritania: Bribery and String-Pulling, Made in China

  8 August 2012

"The Chinese accused of bribing escaped any legal pursuit. What matters is, as far as I know, that he is the first civil servant to report a bribery case in Mauritania." After three Chinese investors tried to bribe him, Mauritania's General Director of Taxation locked them in his office and called the police.

Madagascar: Second Mediation Effort Stalled Yet Again

  8 August 2012

Midi Madagasikara reports that the second mediation meeting in Seychelles is likely to have stalled yet again as transitional president Rajoelina refused the candidacy of deposed president Ravalomanana [fr] for the upcoming 2013 presidential elections.  The South African Development Community SADC that drives the mediation effort warned that the participants who...

Mauritania: Head of Supreme Court Rejects His Dismissal

Mauritania has been witnessing a wave of mounting protests calling for the toppling of the military regime. According to the opposition [ar], the military rule is against the existence of an institutional state in addition to its attempts to tame justice. Meanwhile, the head of the Mauritanian Supreme Court, Seyid Ould Ghailani, has rejected the decision discharging him from his function prior to the end of his mandate. Ghailani considered this decree as a coup against justice and an outrageous interference in the work of the judicial power by the executive one.

Angolan and Mozambican Politicians Among Most Influential Africans

  6 August 2012

Brazilian blogger Marcio Pessoa comments [pt] on personalities from Portuguese language countries who have been featured on the list of the world's most influential Africans of the magazine The Africa Report: the Angolan Manuel Vicente, former president of the state oil company (Sonangol), and the Mozambican Daviz Simango, the founder and...

Africa: Africa Tumblrs to Follow

  4 August 2012

Here are Apostrophekola's top African photo tumblrs: “…I think you should be following if you have any interest in Africa. With these tumblrs, a picture is definitely worth a thousand words”

Africa: Post-feminism in Africa?

  4 August 2012

Simi Dosekun intends to blog about the concept of post-feminism in Africa: “My posts will cover my research interests: African feminism, how as African women we think of ourselves, media and popular culture, the dubious concept of post-feminism which I think is, ironically enough, infiltrating popular discourse in Africa.”

Mauritania: $10 Million Aid Grant Comes Too Late

The World Bank has approved a US$10 million grant to help the Government of Mauritania provide emergency food and agricultural supplies to rural communities in the face of the country's ongoing drought. The funds are intended to provide fertilizers to rice farmers; veterinary products and livestock vaccines to herders; cereal...

Create UNAOC 2012: Apps and Games for Intercultural Dialogue

  2 August 2012

The recently launched Create UNAOC 2012 competition is an opportunity for developers across the world to produce innovative apps and mobile games to promote intercultural dialogue, in a bid to avoid global conflicts and tension. Find out how to submit your idea.

UK: Empty Seats at London 2012?

  1 August 2012

As the games enter their 5th day, Olympic fans are struggling to find tickets to the various venues in London. Many were shocked to see empty seats during the early days; forcing the London Organising Committee of the Olympics & Paralympics (LOCOG) to defend themselves.

Zimbabwe: Bulawayo Residents Air Grievances Online

  1 August 2012

The Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association has set up a Facebook page for residents to comment on the city's problems, which range from marginalization by central government to issues with refuse collection and an erratic water supply.

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.