Latest posts by Jennifer Brea from February, 2009
DRC: Police raise revenue, but whom are they keeping safe?
In the DRC, Cedric Kalonji questions the Inspector General of the South Kivu police who, in a recent radio interview, pledged that the police were committed to raising revenue through security taxes or fees for the issue of public documents. Kalonji writes: “While killings, lootings, rapes and murders, which...
Martinique and Guadeloupe: Vocabulary of the general strike
le blog de [moi] [Fr] discusses how a new vocabulary has entered into the creoles of Guadeloupe and Martinique since the beginning of the general strike: “What was really surprising (and for me, I admit, a little unsettling) was to see how in interviews, men and woman on the street...
DRC: When it rains in Kinshasa
Cedric Kalonji describes Kinshasa after a heavy rain [FR]. The roads turn into lakes, but “high up in their 4x4s, the authorities are untouched by the problem, the result being that there is almost no support for making storm sewers or gutters.”
Martinique: On independence and French “paternalism”
As the workers' movement in Martinique and Guadeloupe continues, bloggers in Martinique consider what it might mean for the overseas departments to become independent. le blog de [moi] finds the idea Martinique couldn't make it on its own offensive and paternalistic. Her readers think that one reality of being a small island country is that you are always under someone else's shadow.
New Tunisian podcast, in English
Tunisian blogger zizou from Djerba announces plans for a new podcast [FR] about Tunisia, in English, meant primarily for a foreign audience.
Martinique: Carnival cancelled after weeks of workers’ protests
le blog de [moi] discusses officials’ decision to cancel Carnival in Martinique after four weeks of workers’ protests. She quotes Louisy Berté from the Alliance union who asks, “How can we stand against the rising cost of living and, at the same time, present an image of Martinique singing and...
Guadeloupe: Escalating tensions lead to violence
After weeks of largely peaceful protests in the French overseas departments of Guadeloupe and Martinique, things took a violent turn on Monday, as police and demonstrators clashed in Guadeloupe's largest city, Pointe-à-Pitre. Workers are protesting skyrocketing unemployment and the rising costs of basic necessities, many of which are imported from France.
Lebanon: Students make banner of peace for Gaza
Students in Lebanon pose with their banner of peace, a denunciation of the conflict in Gaza.
Guadeloupe: Police clash with protestors
Protests continue in Martinique and Guadeloupe, and yesterday protestors clashed with police. Imaniyé posts photos and writes [Fr]: “Yesterday, the French forces of repression hit Guadeloupeans. Tonight, Guadeloupe was set on fire and Guadeloupeans will not retreat!”
DRC: Volcanic eruption may be imminent
Local radio are reporting that Nyamulagira volcano, near Goma, is showing intense activity, suggeting that an eruption may be imminent.
Martinique: Yes “Oui Canne”
le blog de [moi] [Fr] writes about “Oui Canne”, a new ad campaign for a Martiniquan liquor, a riff on Barack Obama's famous campaign slogan.
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