· April, 2011

Stories about Sub-Saharan Africa from April, 2011

Zambia: Live Updates of FAZ AGM

  30 April 2011

Follow live updates of the long awaited Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) Annual General Meeting:”Kalusha [FAZ President] is calling for security now as Livingstone based Mr Kasoka is leading the petitioners. Its total confusion…. Zambia Police officers are now in.”

Chad: White Gold Opens Income Stream For Women

  30 April 2011

Franseca writes about white gold in Chad: “Shea nuts are indigenous to southern Chad, and have been traditionally pressed into a black oil to add to foods. While nutritious, it has an odor that many find unpleasant. Processing the Shea nuts into a white butter gives it all kinds of...

Zambia: President's Son Threatens Journalist

  29 April 2011

A senior Zambia journalist recently received threats from the son of the Zambian president Rupiah Banda, James, following a story that appeared on the Zambian Watchdog, a leading investigative journalism website, alleging that James was a thief and was involved in major government deals and also State House officials are drunks and start drinking as early as 15.00 hours during working days.

Uganda: Citizens Outraged by Violent Re-Arrest of Opposition Leader

  29 April 2011

Uganda opposition leader Dr.Kiiza Besigye was re-arrested in the capital Kampala for participating in the Walk to Work Campaign one night after he was granted bail. Besigye had been granted bail on the condition that he would not engage in the campaign that has put the Ugandan regime in the headlines for three weeks now.

Rwanda: Ask Rwandan President Questions on YouTube

  28 April 2011

On May 5, 2011 President Paul Kagame of Rwanda will be the first African leader to be interviewed on YouTube World View. World View is a series of monthly interviews with the world's foremost leaders, where you ask the questions.

Uganda: Opposition Leader Arrested Again

  28 April 2011

Rosebell Kagumire reports from Uganda: “After spending Easter in a jail, Uganda’s opposition leader Dr.Kizza Besigye was granted bail with ridiculous conditions that he would not participate in walking to work [protest] for seven months. As it would turn out Besigye’s freedom was short-lived as the military and police blocked...

Zimbabwe: Bloggers Discuss President Mugabe's Legacy

  28 April 2011

Zimbabwe is a country where public discussion about the President's health or a future without him can land one into jail. Blogs have become the only forum where "sensitive" political issues can be discussed by Zimbabwean netizens.

Zimbabwe: Revolution has no blueprint

  28 April 2011

Upenyu Makoni- Muchemwa from Kubatana.net writes: “Rumours of a revolution in Zimbabwe have been greatly exaggerated. Filled with hope but little practical knowledge, several unidentified groups took to Facebook in an attempt to replicate the Egyptian revolution here.”

D.R. of Congo: Donors wary of involvement in elections

  27 April 2011

Donors are wary of involvement in elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo: “With only seven months to go before elections in the Congo, donors are trying to calibrate their political and financial involvement in the polls. One forum where this is playing out is the UN Security Council, which...

Nigeria: Women Protest in Abuja

  27 April 2011

Nigerian women say no to violence: “Nigerian women in Abuja protesting against the post election violence in the north of the country. Nigerian women have always at the forefront of anti-violence protest in the country. Last year hundreds women from the Jos region gathered in Abuja in a day of...

Kenya: Poets and Writers Meet in Nairobi

  27 April 2011

Poets and writers meet in Nairobi, Njeri Wangari reports: “Last Saturday, 23rd April was the inaugural POWO event – a forum for Poets and Writers that seeks to encourage Kenyan Creative writers to exploit the various opportunities presented by their internet for promotion of their writing.”

Zimbabwe: Does Violence Deter Women From Entering Politics?

  26 April 2011

Simon Moyo wonders whether violence in Zimbabwe deters women from participating in politics: “Since the emergence of the MDC as a credible challenger to Zanu PF domination in 2000, violence has been a consistent feature, and often it is women who have been the greatest victims. Some have totally withdrawn...

Nigeria: Elections commenced in peaceful atmosphere

  26 April 2011

The governorship and state assembly elections commenced in a peaceful atmosphere, 234Next reports: “At about 10am, some polling booths began to witness large crowds as more people came out for the accreditation exercise. At some polling units, residents brought plastic chairs and canopies to provide shelter for the voters to...

Ghana: The Day I Detonated My Twitter Account

  26 April 2011

Ghana based blogger Fiona Leonard writes about the day she detonated her Twitter account: “I signed up for a trial of one of those automatic follower programs. Despite my trial lapsing somehow the autofollow lingered and I ended up with 7,500 followers, the majority of whom were pure spam.”

South Sudan: Taking Prevention Message to Times Square

  26 April 2011

According to Sally Smith South Sudan takes its message to Times Square: “As we inch closer to July 9, the date when South Sudan will become the world's newest independent country, the Sudan Now campaign is working hard to remind everyone – from average citizens to world leaders – that...

Cote d'Ivoire: The Music of Espoir 2000

  25 April 2011

Abena writes about the Ivorian music group Espoir 2000: “I've been listening to one of my favorite Ivorian music groups Espoir 2000 (Hope 2000). Their 2006 album Gloire et Dieu (God and Glory) is not only laden with infectious ‘zouglou’ tracks but with lyrics full of wisdom and a little...

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.