Latest posts by Jane Ellis from March, 2012
Senegal and Neighboring Nations Celebrate Peaceful Elections
An historical ending to a tense electoral period took place in Senegal on March 25. Senegalese celebrate peaceful elections which have permitted the political alternative to express itself. Citizens from Senegal and neighboring countries have voiced their approval, and in some cases, envy.
Algeria: 2012 Election Watchdog launched by Internet Activists
With the upcoming Algerian Legislative Election scheduled for May 10, 2012, one of the many elections taking place in 2012 [fr] within the continent of Africa, a collaborative website called Nahrag [ar] has just been launched by internet activists. Putting the case for more transparency in an election threatened with...
European Commission's ‘Clash of Civilizations’ Video Blunder
A video parodying the film Kill Bill and building on a 'clash of civilizations' theme was made to promote enlargement of the European Union to young adults. However, the video was pulled on March 6 after it was subject to virulent accusations of racism.
Lebanon : Mothers’ Day Event in the Absence of Prisoners Detained in Syria
Various organisations demanding the liberation of Lebanese prisoners detained in Syria are organising an event in the “Tent of the Families of the Missing and Detained” on Lebanese Mothers’ Day, today, 21st March 2012, in the gardens in front of the Beirut UN building.
Switzerland: Greetings from the “Greeks” of the French Cantons
An article from a Swiss German newspaper accusing the Swiss French of being the "Greeks of Switzerland" has driven French-speakers to reply in a humorous manner on social networks.
Cameroon: UN Drinking Water Data under Question
Oriane Alix in Cameroon reacts to the joint press release from UNICEF and WHO that states that 89% of the world has access to drinking water today. She writes [fr] the following on the collaborative blog of the West Africa WASH Journalists Network: “To announce having reached these United Nations Millennium Development...
Africa: A Dumping Ground for Energy-related Waste?
Dr Yves Ekoué Amaïzo, International Finance Consultant, wrote [fr] the following on the website Amaizo Info: “The year 2012 has been chosen as the International Year of Sustainable Energy. Nevertheless, many rich countries dump their nuclear, chemical and electronic waste in Africa in exchange for sums of money that are...
La Réunion : A Dynamism far from the Cliché of Dependence on Public Aid
Sandrine Dionys interviewed [fr] Emmanuelle, a young entrepreneur from La Réunion for the Bondy Blog. She rails against the cliché of the Réunion Islanders being dependent on the French government for aid.
Friendly atmosphere in Abidjan as Senegal nationals in Côte d'Ivoire went to vote
Suy Kahofi wrote on mondoblog [fr] regarding the atmosphere in Senegalese polling stations in the capital of Côte d’Ivoire: “This voting process has been, above all, a time of reunion for Senegal nationals living in Côte d'Ivoire, and the good-natured atmosphere seen outside the polling stations has also been felt within.”