Latest posts by Elia Varela Serra
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.
Kenya: A few recommended blogs
Victor Ngeny at Kenya Imagine recommends a few interesting blogs writing about Kenya.
South Africa: Is poligamy compatible with democracy?
Opalo's Weblog comments on Jacob Zuma‘s intention to take on a third wife: “We have seen (with deep embarrassment) the sorry affair that is the life of the King of Swaziland. Let not the same become of the leader of a democratic, and supposedly modern, republic like South Africa”.
DR Congo: New mass killings, weak media attention
While fighting in North Kivu has been somewhat quiet of late, there have been reports of mass killings perpetrated by the Ugandan rebel group LRA in the Congolese Haut-Uélé region by the Sudanese border during the past two weeks. Meanwhile, media attention is elsewhere.
Ghana: A good relationship is like fufu
Gayle Pescud of This is Ghana compares fufu, a Ghanaian staple, with a good relationship.
Ethiopia: Opposition leader jailed
Samuel Gebru reports that opposition leader Birtukan Medeksa faces life imprisonment for denying that she apologized to the Government for her role in the 2005 unrest. Mamá Etiopía [Es] reports that she's already in jail, the same one as singer Teddy Afro, and describes her as an “Ethiopian Obama”.
Rwanda: The myth of the lack of hospitality
Morgan in Rwanda debunks the popular myth amongst expats living in Rwanda that Rwandese are not hospitable and don't invite people over for dinner. She concludes: “knowing how to communicate in the local language is really the only way to learn about a culture beyond the obvious”.
Niger: Tolerance with mental disability
P3jessca5 of Leemu Haari, a Peace Corps volunteer in Niger, reflects on tolerance in her host country by sharing a few stories of encounters with mentally ill people and how others around her reacted to them.
South Africa: Personal review of 2008
Pitso Gauteng of Thinking Aloud reflects on the main events of 2008 in South Africa, and adds a note about the rest of Africa as well.
Zimbabwe: A promise for 2009
Hope of This is Zimbabwe shares a recent story in which a little girl was begging drivers to help her take her grandmother to the hospital, and she makes a promise for 2009: not to give up.
Côte d'Ivoire: Porn display in news stands
Le blog de Yoro [Fr] shows a picture of a news stand in Abidjan, wondering why pornographic publications are displayed so prominently.
Elia Varela Serra's space
