Latest posts by Elia Varela Serra from January, 2009
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...
Zimbabwe: Running out of money and zeroes
World Bank economist and blogger Shanta Devarajan of the Africa Can blog, posted a letter sent by a friend in Zimbabwe describing the long lines at the ATM's and banks to withdraw money. On the other hand, This is Zimbabwe describes the confusion people experience with zeroes, since everything costs...
South Africa: Why condemning Israel is wrong
Justin Hartman is upset about the ANC, the ruling South African party, condemning the attacks on Gaza by Israel: “…this upsets me is because our leaders are quick to jump on this political band-wagon while they’ve done absolutely nothing about the bigger problem just outside our borders – Zimbabwe. Why...
Zimbabwe: Interview with urban groove artist Sanii Makhilama
Pamela Stitch interviews urban groove artist Sanii Makhilama at African Loft. She defines urban groove as “a blend of Pop, RnB, Hip Hop and Soul, infused with the notes from local indigenous musical instruments”.
Côte d'Ivoire: Former combattants’ life today
Yoro has been writing about former rebel combattants in Côte d'Ivoire at Chronique Ivoirienne [Fr], with photos of Camille Millerand. In one article, he describes the life of 10 female former combattants who fought during the 5 years of wars in Côte d'Ivoire since 2003, and who are now demobilised...
Cameroon: Little Bright Fuh passes away
The Bright Fuh Supporters blog reports that Bright Fuh, a four year old Cameroonian boy suffering from a rare orbital tumor passed away on January 8th. George Esunge Fominyen reposted in his blog a comment left at the Friends of Bright Fuh online forum pointing at the defficiencies of Cameroonian...
Ethiopia as seen by an Argentinian adoptive mother
Alicia Grinberg of Road to Ethiopia – Camino a Etiopía describes her personal experience of traveling to Ethiopia as an Argentianian adopting mother.
Africa needs God?
Rombo of What an African woman thinks criticises a recent article by Mathew Parris for The Times UK titled “As an atheist, I truly believe Africa needs God“. And she wonders: “why does everybody assume that no African had ever climbed the mountain before the adventurous foreigner came along and...
Nigeria: Atypical motorcycle helmet
Jidesalu Photos posted a picture of an atypical motorcycle helmet seen in Lagos, where the use of helmets came in to force from New Year's day.
Ethiopia: Poor maintenance of historical buildings
A few days ago Arefe of Addis Journal posted a picture of a historical building in Addis Ababa from the 1920s, and has now posted one of another building from the same period complaining about the poor maintenance of such building. He says: “…there is a booming of buildings which...
Nigeria: No tolerance for same sex relationships
Ebekuo of Icheoku wonders if Nigeria is becoming more intolerant towards same sex relationships, after Ruth Simon and Clementina Jerome, two police-women serving with the Nigerian police force in Sokoto State were recently dismissed from the police for allegedly engaging in “lesbianism or somewhat lesbian acts of affection”.
DR Congo: What went wrong in establishing lasting peace
The Mushaki Pager analyses what went wrong in establishing lasting peace in the DR Congo and why conflict persists.
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