Stories about Republic of Congo
Congolese-Belgian Blogger Travels to Curaçao
Congolese-Belgian blogger Sanza traveled to Curaçao to find the African heritage and wrote a post for Afro Europe: Food was great and actually similar to West and Central African food. We also eat beans and rice, cornmeal (what they call fungi), cassava and plantains as well. I tasted Iguana soup...
Africa: Nelson Mandela, an Icon Transcending Differences
On his 94th birthday, the entire world is celebrating Nelson Mandela, and the internet users of Francophone Africa are no exception. Nelson Mandela remains an absolute icon of the African renaissance, throughout the continent. Francophone bloggers have praised the life of the man whom they affectionately call "Madiba", and the lessons learned from his struggle.
Africa: Will Local Content Policies Help Avert the Oil Curse?
In recent years, major reserves of oil have been discovered at various locations across Africa. This 'black gold' may represent an opportunity for economic growth, but the fear shared by experts and Sub-Saharan Africa citizens is that the windfall may not benefit local populations at all.
Africa: Calls for Transparency Over Marked Increase in Land Deals
Almost 5% of Africa's agricultural land has been bought or leased by investors since 2000. Observers are increasingly worried about the fact that such land deals usually take place in the world poorest countries and how they impact its most vulnerable population, the farmers.
Republic Of Congo: After the Blasts, Anger and Solidarity
One day after the March 4 blasts in the ammunition depot in Mpila near Brazzaville, the time has come to assess the number of victims. Recent assessments vary from 150 to at least 200 people killed and 1,500 wounded.
Republic of Congo: Ammunition Depot Blasts Stir Panic in Brazzaville
On Sunday, March 4, 2012, at 8 am local time, an ammunition storage caught fire in the Mpida area of Brazzaville, near the Presidential Palace, causing at least four explosions. Houses in the neighborhood collapsed, creating an atmosphere of panic in the city.
Poetry Slam Activism in Francophone Africa
Poetry slam is a well-known channel of expression for many activists in North America but the rest of the world has now embraced this unique blend of poetry and rhythmic oral story telling. Here are some examples from Francophone Africa and the context in which they arose.
France, Africa: Suitcases Filled with Cash Expose the Françafrique Connection
In the wake of the Dominique Strauss Kahn scandal, a new furore is now rocking France and the upcoming 2012 French presidential campaign. Robert Bourgi, a shady lawyer and advisor for "African affairs" has confessed to acting as a go-between for French politicians and Francophone Africa heads of state.
Africa : Delicious Peanut
Nadia Khouri-Dagher writes a post on afrik.com [fr] where she praises the peanut, a condiment that has been integrated in most African cuisines: “Senegalese Chicken Mafé, Malian Peanuts Tiguadegue sauce, Ghanean Inkatse-abè sauce, Togolese Azindéssi sauce, Beninese Aziin nusunnu sauce, Congolese moambe chicken, Peanut rougail from Reunion Islands,… : The peanut...
Republic of Congo: Is the New ‘Made In Africa’ Tablet Actually Chinese?
A new ‘made in Africa' tablet computer from the Republic of Congo was announced in June 2011 to much fanfare. While technical innovation in Africa is worth celebrating, it's worth double-checking whether the new VMK tablet is actually designed, developed and engineered in Congo as advertised.
Republic of Congo: Local Company To Produce First African Android Tablet
VMK, a Congolese company, announced via its CEO Verone Mankou‘s Twitter account, that it will produce the first Android tablet made in Africa. Tech Central magazine interviewed Verone Mankou, showing a picture of the back of the tablet. More pictures are available on the VMK Blog [fr]. An official introduction will be...
Republic of Congo: Widows Demand Their Rights
minguabiango [fr] writes on congo-liberty about the cruel treatments and deprivation of their rights suffered by some widows in the Republic of Congo: “In Congo-Brazzaville, some widows are daring to prosecute their in‑laws and obtain compensation, sometimes with help from NGOs. They set a good example for all those women...
D.R. of Congo/Republic of Congo: A thorn in Brazzaville and Kinshasa relations
Is Gen. Faustin Munene, a thorn in Brazzaville and Kinshasa relations?: “After many theories, the police told the media that the February 27 coup attempt was organized and executed by the exiled General Faustin Munene who is in Congo Brazzaville. DRC has been requesting Congo Brazzaville to extradite Gen. Munene…”
Republic of Congo: Plane Crashes in Downtown Pointe-Noire
The blog Congopage reports that an Antonov airplane crashed in the city of Pointe-Noire in the Republic of Congo [fr]. Congopage also wonders why the media does not mention that the danger of building airports within cities and that the airline, Trans Air Congo, is owned by one of president...
Tragedy bookends Year 2010 for Francophone Citizen Media
It appears that tragedy will bookend yet another year rich in remarkable events in the world of francophone citizen media. The month of January set the tone with the fallout from the earthquake in Haiti and December saw the elections in Cote d'Ivoire take a dramatic turn. Here is the year 2010 reviewed through the lenses of francophone citizen media users.
Africa: The Scandal of the “Ill-gotten Gains”
In the scandal of the wealth accumulated by some African politicians, the French Supreme Court of Appeals reversed the verdict pronounced by Paris Court of Appeals a year ago. The court of appeal deemed that the claim of embezzlement filed by Transparency International against the leaders of RDC, Gabon and Equatorial Guinea and their entourage was valid. Bloggers discuss the implications of this wealth accumulated by African leaders in contrast with the poverty of the rest of the population.
Republic of Congo: Bass Player from Japan Learns Lingala to Collaborate with Music Stars
Japanese-born bass player Niwa explains in this video interview that his motivation for learning Lingala was to get better acquainted with the music scene in Congo [fr/ln]. Niwa is now also a Congolese citizen and has played with Congolese music superstars Tonton Zao and Bisso Na Bisso.
Republic of Congo: Anniversary of 50 Years of Independence Under the Shadow of Unemployment
Benjamin Bilombot Bitadys at Congopage writes that it's puzzling that Congo-Brazzaville is spending 27 billions of CFA francs on the celebration of the anniversary of the independence (August 15) when 53% of the population (mostly young people) is still unemployed [fr].
Chez Gangoueus: A brilliant blog about African literature in French
A close runner-up for the Best of Blogs in French Award is Chez Guangoueus (fr). Réassi Ouabonzi blogs about African and diaspora literature in French from a reader's perspective since 2007. Here is an interview of him for Global Voices:
Egypt: No Longer Jewel of the Nile
Four of the seven upstream Nile Basin Initiative countries have decided to sign a new Nile deal. Despite strong Egyptian and Sudanese opposition, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda and Ethiopia signed a new water-sharing agreement. Egyptian bloggers react to the news in this post by Marwa Rakha.
Spain: Conguitos Racist Logos in Question
On Maneno, a blogging platform dedicated to meet the needs of sub Saharan Africa bloggers, schauzeri wonders why Conguitos, a renown sweets company in Spain, retained their current logos despite the offensive undertones for Africans [article also available in spanish]. According to schauzeri, The offensive logos, which have been in circulation...