Stories about Sub-Saharan Africa from September, 2011
Cameroon: How Candidates Are Navigating the Social Media Landscape
Dibussi looks at how candidates in Presidential Election 2011 in Cameroon are navigating the social media landscape: “President Paul: The president’s relatively recent social media presence is part of a much broader (and reportedly very expensive) PR campaign crafted by Patricia Balme, the most recent in a series of French...
Kenya: RIP #WangariMaathai
Tweets keep flowing in honor of Nobel Peace Laureate Wangari Maathai, a Kenyan environmental and political activist who died last week after a battle with cancer.
Global: Key Quotes and Tweets from the Internet Governance Forum
As the Internet Governance Forum is a truly epic event both online and offline, it's hard to do justice to the complexity of the discussions and debates that are currently taking place in Nairobi, Kenya. Discover with Global Voices some key tweets and quotes from participants, accompanied by short commentaries.
Cameroon: Calm Before the Storm?
Cameroon's presidential election will take place on October 9, but the lack of stake in the outcome felt by the general population is leading to a lack of interest. The threat of post-election violence and ethnic tension is also hanging over the country.
Cameroon: Attempted Mutiny in the Economic Capital?
Cameroon-Info [fr] reports that gunfire broke out in the morning of September 29, 2011, on the Wouri Bridge in Douala, the economic capital of Cameroon. Website Koaci.com [fr] reports that it was an attempted military mutiny and adds that the Special Units of the army were deployed. Reuters talks about “uniformed gun men”. A...
Zambia: Netizens Start Countdown to 90 Day Change Promise
Zambia’s new President, Michael Sata, has promised to transform the nation in 90 days including putting more money into people’s pockets. Expectant netizens have started the countdown; a group called the '90 Day Agenda' has opened a Facebook page to push for it.
Mali: Senegal and Mali Final Expected in Afrobasket Women 2011
Starafrica comments [fr] on the Afrobasket Women Championship 2011 currently being hosted in Bamako, Mali: ” Mali, the host country and vice-champion, and Senegal, winner of the last Championship, are very convincing during this 22nd edition […]. The two national teams remain invincible. Coming up on the horizon is a...
Kenya: Bloggers Pay Tribute to Wangari Maathai
African bloggers are paying tribute to Nobel Peace Laureate Wangari Maathai, a Kenyan environmental and political activist who died on Sunday after a battle with cancer.
Kenya: Kenya Hosts Sixth Internet Governance Forum
Gamelmag blogs about the sixth Internet Governance Forum, which will take place in Nairobi, Kenya from 27th September to 1st October: “If you want to take part in the IGF but you can't make it to Nairobi, don't worry. You can make your voice heard by participating remotely. You can...
Zambia: We Need to Watch Zambia
Ethan explains why the world need to watch Zambia: “There’s a danger that we miss a major story here: democracy is taking root in Africa and spreading rapidly. Nations like Zambia, which survived autocratic rule and then dominance by one party are now seeing democratic change.”
Zambia: Starting Life Under a New Leader
Zambians have started life under newly elected president Michael Sata who was inaugurated on September 23, 2011, three days after the elections which ended 20 years of rule by the MMD government. Netizens on various social network platforms have expressed different views on the inauguration and the new presidency.
Protecting African Forests: Wangari Maathai's Legacy
Wangari Maathai, a prominent Kenyan environmental and political activist and 2004 Nobel prize winner passed away on September 25. She was the first African woman to be awarded the prize and is recognized worldwide in the fight to protect the environment on the African continent.
Zambia: Did Ex-President Implicate Himself in Farewell Speech?
Netizens have been dissecting the speech by Zambia’s outgoing president Rupiah Banda to find out whether he implicated himself in the plunder of national resources. Gershom Ndhlovu reports.
Comoros: Blog monitors Fuel Shortage in Anjouan
In his blog, Dafinemkomori documents fuel and power shortage [fr] in the Comoros. He explains that fuel shortage has greatly impacted greatly many other aspects of the economy on the island of Anjouan (rise of the price of tuna and power shortage).
Guinea-Bissau: Celebrating Independence with a Tribute to Aristides Pereira
On the 38th anniversary of PAIGC's (African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde) declaration of independence of Guinea Bissau, many bloggers are paying tribute to the leader of the struggle at that time, Aristides Pereira [pt], who later became the first President of Cape Verde. Pereira died...
Update on Global Voices Mentorship: Meet the Activists
For over a month, ten Global Voices bloggers have been working with activists from ten different countries as mentors of members of the new Blogger Swarm initiative of Activista, the youth network of international development organization ActionAid.
Zambia: Tweeps Celebrate Michael Sata's Victory
Zambian tweeps as well as other Africans on Twitter have joined thousands of Zambians who have been celebrating around the country since last night. Here is a roundup of tweets congratulating Michael Sata and Zambia for being a model of democracy in Africa.
Mali : ATT Tending to his Legacy
Diawara at Sur les traces de l'empire du Mali [fr] describes the upcoming tight schedule of Malian president Ahmadou Toumani Touré (aka A.T.T) : “A.T.T is seemingly keen on leaving a good lasting impression as he prepares to depart his (presidential) office. Indeed, his upcoming agenda is heavy on inauguration ceremonies of newly built...
Zambia: Netizens Report Riots as Poll Results are Delayed
Zambian netizens on Thursday 22 September reported widespread riots across the country as a result of delays by the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to announce election results for presidential, parliamentary and local government elections. One death has so far been recorded.
Uganda: Anti-Museveni Author Freed After Five Days
The Ugandan government has freed the author of a book who was imprisoned for five days without access to his lawyers or family. Vincent Nzaramba’s little known book 'People Power, Battle the Mighty General' called for a coup and a revolution in the country, thrusting the little known activist into the spotlight.
Zambia: Netizens Fill Void of Delayed Election Results
Eighteen hours after Zambia’s September 20 elections closed, inordinate delays by the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to release presidential, parliamentary and local government results have led social media sources to give out the much yearned for information.