Latest posts by Elia Varela Serra
Côte d'Ivoire: Presidential Election in Pictures
On this Sunday, October 31st, registered voters in Côte d'Ivoire cast their ballots in the first presidential election in 10 years, due to the Civil War that broke out in 2002 and the subsequent issues that arose from it. Despite some initial delays in some polling stations, voting has been reportedly peaceful and the turnout appears to have been good. Here is a selection of pictures of the voting day.
Ghanaian beaches worth exploring
Maameous recommends a few Ghanaian beaches worth exploring.
Côte d'Ivoire: Journalists accused of document theft are freed
The three journalists of Le Nouveau Courrier d'Abidjan arrested for refusing to reveal their sources have been finally released [Fr] this evening after a two-week ordeal. The journalists were found not guilty of theft but the newspaper is fined and suspended for 15 days for publishing information under legal consideration.
Côte d'Ivoire: Blogger and Journalist Théophile Kouamouo Arrested with his Team since July 13th
Three journalists of Le Nouveau Courrier d'Abidjan were taken into police custody when they refused to disclose sources for an investigative report on the coffee and cocoa export trade. Here are reactions from citizens and media in Côte d'Ivoire as the three colleagues are still fighting for their release.
Coup in Niger: Bloggers sigh in relief at the ousting of President Tandja
On Thursday, February 18th a coup d'état took place in Niger, in which President Mamadou Tandja was captured after a gun battle in the capital. A few months ago Tandja illegally changed the constitution to allow him a third term in what was generally considered a mass fraud referendum. Bloggers react to these latest developments.
Light Up Nigeria: Enough Is Enough
Despite being a country rich in oil, Nigeria's electricity supply situation is insufficient. “In most parts of the country, darkness pervades and generators have taken over as the source of power”, says Adebayo's blog. Now Nigerians have started a massive online demonstration against this frustrating situation on social media sites, especially on Twitter with the hashtag #lightupnigeria.
Congo Brazzaville: Disappointment at Presidential election
On Sunday July 12th, people in the Republic of the Congo voted in an election which opposition leaders boycotted over allegations it would be neither free nor fair. Denis Sassou N’Guesso, who has ruled the Congo for about 25 years as head of state, is seeking another seven year term...
DRC: Goma's Makeover for Independence Day
June 30th marked the 49th anniversary of the Democratic Republic of Congo's independence from Belgium. This year, the official festivities took place in Goma. Bloggers react to this historic anniversary, celebrated in a city that not long ago was a war zone.
Gabon: On President Omar Bongo's death
Sunday night, French media announced the death of President Omar Bongo of Gabon, who had spent 41 of his 73 years in power. Bloggers write about Gabon after Bongo and what Bongo's death means for Francafrique.
Rwanda: The unresolved FDLR issue
Last January the conflict in North Kivu shifted once again with the arrest of CNDP rebel group leader Laurent Nkunda in Rwanda and the entry of the Rwandan national army (RDF) into the DR Congo to root out the FDLR rebel group in joint operations with the national Congolese army (FARDC). As Rebecca Feeley of the Enough Said blog explains, the Congolese Minister of Defense, Charles Mwando Nsimba, even went so far as to say that the FDLR threat had been “neutralized.”
Rwanda: Fifteen years after the genocide
Today marks the end of a week of national mourning in Rwanda to commemorate the 15 anniversary since the genocide which killed 800,000 people. On the 7th of April ceremonies were held in the capital Kigali, and in Nyanza, where more than 5,000 people were slaughtered. At a stadium in Kigali, thousands of candles spelt out the word "hope" in three languages.
Senegal: Beach wrestling
George Esunge Fominyen writes about the popularity of traditional wrestlilng in Senegal's beaches, and posts a video shot in the touristic resort of Mbour. He writes: “wrestlers competing in the championnat de lutte avec Frappe, earn fabulous sums of money. Youngsters are dreaming of emulating their local champions”.
Cameroon: Interview with Côté Minou
Dulce Camer interviews Maryanne E. Mokoko and Stephanie T. Mouapi, the designers behind the fashion label “Côté Minou” launched in 2006. The interview includes several photos of their designs.
The beauty of Sudan in pictures
Memoirs of a Sudanese breath has been posting a series of pictures of Sudan under the title “Beauty of Sudan“: battling women, traveling by donkey or camel in rural areas, a gula water container, landscapes, public transportation vehicles, and more landscapes.
Comparing Illinois governor Blagojevic and his Nigerian counterparts
Grandiose Parlor draws a parallel between the impeachment of the Illinois State Governor (U.S) Rod Blagojevic over corruption charges, with Nigerian governors: “while the two are corrupt – well, maybe not in equal measures-, the political system in the state of Illinois is able to self-correct, promptly”. The blog also...
Two South African inventions
Cape Town Daily Photo highlights two South African inventions, the dolos and the kreepy krauler.
Guinea: Civil society is key
Black Star Journal reviews and analyses the latest developments in Guinea. He concludes: “With the former opposition political parties impotent and incoherent, an organized and assertive civil society might be the difference between a military junta that keeps its promise to cede power via democratic elections this year and one...
DR Congo: Journalist released after 10 months in prison
Bana Congo [Fr] reports that Nsimba Embete Ponte, director of the paper l’Interprète, was released from prison on January 7 after completing a 10-month sentence for “offence to the head of State”.
DR Congo: A musical roundup
With so much bad news coming from the Democratic Republic of Congo lately, we decided to show a different perspective on the country and looking at a completely different type of blogs for a change - those highlighting Congolese music.
DR Congo: ICC trial for Bemba?
Bana Congo [Fr] and Wronging Rights report that Jean-Pierre Bemba‘s confirmation of charges hearing began at the International Criminal Court on January 12. Bemba is alleged to be criminally responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in the Central African Republic (CAR) between October 25, 2002 and March...
Ghana: Is ‘largely’ free and fair enough?
Belle of Catalyzing Change wonders why irregularities during the recent Presidential elections in Ghana have been overlooked: “Of all the media I have seen and heard though; both African and broader international, there has been little mention of any irregularities. This bothers me because it is not as if there...
Elia Varela Serra's space
