Vivienne Griffiths

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Senegal: Casamance Region Hopes for Peace Through Deal in Rome

  25 October 2012

On October 13 and 14, preliminary talks took place in Rome between representatives of the Senegalese government and of the Movement of Democratic Forces of Casamance (Mfdc). Casamance is a region in the south west of Senegal, which has been the scene of violent conflict between government forces and those fighting for independence since the beginning of the 1980s.

Togo: Violent Police Clash With ‘Save Togo’ Protesters

  19 June 2012

A peaceful march by the 'Save Togo' collective on June 12 degenerated into a stand off with security forces and around 120 injuries were recorded. Amongst other things, the protesters are calling for the implementation of recommendations relating to torture and wide ranging constitutional change. Other demonstrations are scheduled for the coming week.

Colombia: Explosions near the US embassy in Bogotá

  15 April 2012

On the night of April 13, against the backdrop of the Summit of the  Americas [es] (a meeting of the continent's heads of State), explosions were heard [es] near the location of the United States Embasy in Bogotá. No one was injured as a result of the incident  [es], and...

Argentina: New Foreign Exchange Controls

  17 November 2011

At the end of October 2011 the Argentine government launched a series of regulatory measures designed to control foreign exchange. The country's bloggers comment on and analyse the measures, which aim to slow the inflationary tendency of the US dollar against the peso.

Sahel Region: Slavery still very much a Reality for Some

  15 November 2011

In an interview carried out by François Mauger with Mme Sophia Lakhdar [fr], Director of the Comité Contre l’Esclavage Moderne (Comittee Against Modern Slavery) published on the mondomix.com blog, she states: “Today human trafficking has taken over as the notion of modern slavery, which is a bit contrived.  However it helps...

Madagascar: A Blogger's Wish for Free Elections for Christmas

  9 November 2011

In a letter to Santa Claus, on his blog tulearenvie.mondoblog.org, @Andriamihaj shares his nostalgia for the atmosphere generated by peaceful elections and points out what he misses:  “I would really like to experience new things.  I actually want to experience the propaganda (it's been a while).  I want to change...

Côte d'Ivoire: When Will the Universities Reopen?

  8 November 2011

During the post-electoral crisis in Ivory Coast, at the beginning of 2011, the country's three universities were closed and those living in the university halls of residence made to leave. Today many are now questioning the uncertainty surrounding the reopening of the universities.

Syria : The “Free Army” defies the regime

  23 October 2011

Wearing bullet-proof vests and Kevelar helmets and holding assault rifles, 13 men make their way through an enthusiastic crowd (AR) which is warmly welcoming them with slaps on the back. It is the beginning of September in the Boustan al-Diwan district of Homs. For the towns activists today's "haul" is substantial. They are deserters from the Syrian army. Madjid Zerrouky explains:

France: The Twittosphere Pokes Fun at the Presidential Election Campaign

  19 October 2011

As can be seen on social networking sites like Twitter, the 2012 presidential campaign is well and truly underway in France. The left wing Primaries have animated the media landscape over the last couple of weeks, and resulted in François Hollande being named the Socialist Party (PS) representative. On Twitter, many Trending topics make reference to the up coming elections and are provoking amused reactions.

Cape Verde: Cesaria Evora Retires

  3 October 2011

Momar niang posted on their blog: “Following the advice of her Paris doctors to cancel her upcoming tour, Cesaria and her manager and producer José da Silva have agreed that she should retire once and for all.   In doing so Cesaria is relinquishing the itinerant life that has taken...