Stories about Sub-Saharan Africa from August, 2012
Somalia: The Very First Humanitarian “Customer Calling Center”
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
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.
Seven Cameroon Olympic Athletes Go Missing in London
"Their disappearance is not only an embarrassment, but a great surprise to members of the Cameroon delegation and Cameroonians based in London."
Guinea: Massacres Perpetrated by Security Forces in Zoghota
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
"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
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...
D. R. of Congo: M23 Rebels Take Their Offensive Online
The M23 movement has made headlines by entering into open conflict with the Congolese army. But the rebel group is not stopping at armed conflicts on the ground - they have also gone on the offensive on the Internet and social networks.
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
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...
Zambia: State TV Ignores Homegrown Sprinter for Jamaica's Usain Bolt
On the day a Zambian runner - Gerald Phiri - qualified in third place for the men's 100 meter semi-final at the Olympics, the national broadcaster, Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC), led instead with the qualification of Jamaican superstar, Usain Bolt.
Runner Dibaba Reigns Supreme in Ethiopia/Kenya Athletics Rivalry
Ethiopian long-distance runner Tirunesh Dibaba has reignited the Ethiopian and Kenyan Olympic rivalry. Leading two of the Kenyans into the final lap of the women’s 10,000 metre race on Saturday 4 August, she ran away with the gold.
Africa: Africa Tumblrs to Follow
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?
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.”
Zambia: Catholic Priest Deported for ‘Poverty’ Sermon
A Catholic priest from a parish in the rural Eastern Province of Zambia has been deported for a Sunday sermon in which he allegedly preached that the rich in the country were getting richer while the poor were getting poorer.
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
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?
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
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.
Sao Tome and Principe: Deforestation of an Area of Unique Biodiversity
“In the distance a bulldozer was relentlessly doing its work while the whole landscape seemed to be mourning the destruction.” denounced [pt] João Pedro Pio, a biologist living in Sao Tome and Principe, after visiting a former forest known for its unique biodiversity. The area – mapped on his photopost –...
Mozambique: Meanings Behind Women's Traditional Mussiro Masks
In the northern coast and islands of Mozambique, it is very common to come across women with their faces covered of a natural white mask, called mussiro. The purposes of its use seem to have varied over time, but the tradition still survives.