· November, 2010

Stories about Sub-Saharan Africa from November, 2010

Additional Context on the Recent Political Arrests in Madagascar

  30 November 2010

Blogger Alain Rajaonarivony writes at length about the implications of the recent series of political arrests in Madagascar (fr). A close relative to Raymond Ranjeva and his daughter describes the circumstances of their arrest. Here is a petition to denounce the arbitrary arrests (fr).

Madagascar: Wave of Arrests in the Aftermath of the Failed Coup

  29 November 2010

In the aftermath of the referendum and simultaneous failed putsch , a veritable waltzes of arrestations and investigations are shedding a sad shadow on the island of Madagascar. Malagasy citizens react to the series of concerning events that have left many of them either incredulous, cynical or just plain blasé.

Nigeria: Now a “Middle Income” Country

  29 November 2010

Solomonsydelle reports that Nigeria has joined Brazil, South Africa, and 100 other countries in a category the World Bank refers to as “Middle Income.” She expresses her gratification that the nation has left the label “low income” behind, but wonders, “does this classification really mean anything?”

Africa: The Black Dutchmen of Indonesia

  29 November 2010

Do you know the Black Dutchmen of Indonesia?: “The Black Dutchmen are the desendents of 3,000 West African men who were sent by the Dutch colonialist to fight in their colonial war in Indonesia. Black men forced to the other side of the world to fight a white man’s war...

Africa: Glasses for Africa

  29 November 2010

afroklectic blogs about ‘Glasses for Africa” initiative: “Nyt Syn collected optical frames from more than 70, 000 people across Denmark. With 6 optometrists (opticians) and a nurse, they travelled to areas in Gambia and Senegal to perform eye tests and fit people with much needed glasses.”

Africa: The Africa They Never Show You

  29 November 2010

The Africa They Never show You is a Face Book group with over 210,000 members. It goes by this description – ”You’ve seen the images on tv about africa: the huts, the famine, disease, wars and suffering but they never show you that Africa is beautiful, has happy people and...

Ghana: Ghana's “Luck”: The Oil/Gas Co-Efficient

  29 November 2010

As Ghana is set production of oil next month, Ghanaian blogger Jemila is highly skeptical about its potential for growing Ghana's economy: “Until now, I've kept pretty mum about the issue, but given that the first production of oil is set to start next month – in a couple of...

Guinea: Three days of post-election violence

  28 November 2010

Guinea recently experienced three days of violence resulting in at least seven dead, after the declaration of the results of the presidential elections that have seen tension brewing in the country for the last month. The second round of the vote, held on 7th November, saw long-time opposition leader Alpha Condé (RPG) brought into power with 52.52% of the votes compared with the 47.48% share obtained by Cellou D. Diallo (UFDG). The declaration of these results triggered renewed civil unrest.

Ghana: Images from Ghana

  26 November 2010

Beautiful images from the Central Region in Ghana by Nana Acquah: “Yesterday, I photographed a kind, old man who is our President’s friend and he has photos and stories to prove it. Each day brings new, refreshing stories.”

Sierra Leone: CIVICUS supports government accountability

  26 November 2010

CIVICUS to support government accountability in Sierra Leone: “In Sierra Leone, a country that receives 70% of its money in overseas aid, civil society organisations are big business. Weak regulation and limited collaboration between CSOs have shaped a civil society sector marred by poor governance, minimal transparency and cases of...

Zimbabwe: Problems getting national ID

  26 November 2010

This is a podcast in which a man describes the difficulties he is having trying to get an Identity Card (ID in Zimbabwe. He needs this to be able to vote in the constitution referendum and the next general and presidential elections.

Ghana: What on earth is Nkrumahism?

  26 November 2010

Ato wants to know what exactly Nkrumahism is: “Hardly a week passes by without Ghanaians hearing about ‘Nkrumahism’ or the fact that the ‘Nkrumahist’ parties are fragmented…What on earth is Nkrumahism? I know it has something to do with Kwame Nkrumah but I don't know exactly what.”

Africa: Announcing a new knowledge resource for Africa

  26 November 2010

Oluniyi announces the launch of a new knowledge resource for Africa: “Today 25th November 2010 marks another milestone in the quest for putting African information online. A new website has launched. It is aptly named Africa Portal, and aims to be an authoritative knowledge resource for Africa”.

Cameroon: Meet Ebot Tabi, founder of Geofeed.me

  24 November 2010

Activ Spaces interviews Ebot Rabi from Cameroon, the founder of Geofeed.me: “Today we spotlight Ebot Tabi, a startup pioneer who joins us this month. Ebot is the founder of a location-based service called Geofeed.me which allows people to connect and share information about places they visit…”

Africa: African Hackers Featured on Hackerspaces

  24 November 2010

African hackers are profiled on Hackerspaces: “The interview contains two talks, the first with Erik Hersman from the iHub in Nairobi, Kenya and a second one with Valery Colong from our own ActivSpace here in Buea, Cameroon.”

Africa: African Mosaic

  24 November 2010

African Mosaic is an exhibition of African art at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African Art and has a mix of contemporary art, installations and popular street art.

About our Sub-Saharan Africa coverage

Zita Zage
Zita Zage is the Anglophone Africa Editor. Email her story ideas or volunteer to write.

Jean Sovon
Jean Sovon is the Francophone Africa. Editor. Email him story ideas or volunteer to write.

Dércio Tsandzana
Dércio Tsandzana is the Lusophone (Portuguese) editor. Email him story ideas or volunteer to write.