Stories from 4 April 2006
Zimbabwe: Life for ordinary citizens
Zimpundit conducts an interview on the streets of Harare to find out what life is like for the people.
South Africa: Hugh Masekela
SoundRoots reports on Hugh Masekela's birthday celebrations today….”When you think of Masekela, you have to think not only of his music, but his role as something of an ambassador-at-large for South Africa (and specificically, black South Africa). The stories he tells in his songs capture snapshots of life, past and...
South Africa: World Cup stadium
South Africa writes on the politics surrounding the building of the World Cup Stadium in Cape Town
Nigeria: Charles Taylor escape saga
Grandiose Parlor wonders if Charles Taylor received help from the Nigerian government in his attempted escape….”Taylor definitely received some help to escape; however, to assert that his escape was probably orchestrated by the top hierarchy of the Nigerian security forces is troubling and warrants a thorough investigation”
Somaliland: Arab League
Inside Somaliland points to an article in the Sudan Tribune which asks “Will the Arabs dare to listen to Somaliland?” referring to the Arab League's failure to act on other issues such as Sudan and Darfur.
Ethiopia: Banking
Addis Ababa Rocking Fun Zone posts on the banking sector in Ethiopia which he believes may be growing as the ordinary person on the street begins to use banks. This has helped fuel investment and maybe one contributory factor to the huge amount of construction work taking place in the...
Liberia: refugees
The Vision reports that in six months Liberians will no longer be considered for resettlement in the US and refugees will be encouraged to return home.
Sierra Leone/Liberia: Charles Taylor
Black Star Journal posts on Charles Taylor's day in court and lists the many charges against him including murder, use of child solidiers, sexual violence, physical violence, abductions and forced labour.
Kenya: Vote for women
Kenyan blogger 4Sheezy asks Kenyan women to stop complaining and vote for women – “No this is not feminism. It is a fact. The fewer women are in government the fewer issues that concern us will be taken seriously.Women voters need to understand that women can make good leaders if...
Armenia: April Fools
Zarchka writes that Armenia has a long way to go before April Fools’ Day is celebrated as widely as it should be. (Though, stepping out of the impersonal voice, I should say that they did well enough to trick me.)
Kyrgyzstan: TsUM, the Pirate King
David Read writes adoringly on Bishkek's central department store, which he calls “temple to dodgy goods and illegal stuff.”
Mongolia: Too Much Celebrating
Luke Distelhorst asks whether or not Mongolia is going over-the-top with its celebrations throughout the year of the country's 800th anniversary.
Armenia: Buying a Home
Christian Garbis writes about the difficulties involved in buying a home in Yerevan.
This Week in Palestinian Blogs: They Bloom Again!
From the soul unfolds itself : In 1976, Israeli policy of expropriating Palestinian land in northern Israel to build Jewish settlements provoked Palestinian residents in the Galilee town of Sakhnin to protest on March 30. Six Palestinians were killed during the demonstration. Since then, Palestinians inside Israel and the West...
