Stories about Sub-Saharan Africa from July, 2015
“Ethiopians Should Not Wait for Obama to Give Them Democracy”
"The united hands of our people are stronger than that of Western world! Let us do that and reign the democracy we are longing for!"
Africans Take Jabs at One Another With #IfAfricaWasABar Hashtag
"If Africa was a bar, what would your country be drinking/doing?," Siyanda- Panda, a writer from Botswana, asked on Twitter.
To Ululate or Not to Ululate for President Obama? Kenyans Are Asking That Question
The art of ululation is very common in African culture. Was a Kenyan TV host who ululated while welcoming Obama being unprofessional?
Scroll Through Madagascar History Via Vintage Photographs
Access to the visual history of most former colonial countries in Africa is usually a challenging proposition because former colonial powers restrict access to historical archives. Helihanta RAJAONARISON and Tsiry Fy-Tia SOLOFOMIHANTA in Madagascar sought to solve this issue and make the history of Madagascar more palatable to the general...
Uganda Ponders a Sustainable Future as MDGs Become SDGs
Uganda has made clear progress in meeting its development targets in some areas, and almost none in others.
Reality TV's New Stars Are Tanzanian Farmers
"Female Food Heroes" is a Tanzanian TV show produced by Oxfam that aims to empower and educate rural women who feed most of the families in the African nation.
The Gambia's Increasingly Isolated President Frees Almost All Prisoners
Yahya Jammeh has pardoned all convicts between 1994 and 2013 in celebration of 21st anniversary of his toppling of the democratically elected President Dawda Kairaba Jawara on 22nd July 1994.
After Youth Activists’ Arrest, Ugandans Speak Out Against Police Impunity
"The Uganda police has been reduced into a small armed group that fights political opposition while part-timing at law keeping"
How Boko Haram Is Changing International Politics in Western and Central Africa
Boko Haram has revved up its attacks against many African nations in the past several weeks. Here is a recap of the conflict in the region so far this year.
A Musician Convicted of Rape Released After He Sings the Praises of Zambia's President
"Clearly, President Lungu is increasingly becoming a danger not only to the nation but more specifically to the welfare of the girl child in Zambia."
On ‘Ex-South Africans’ and White Privilege in Diaspora
One can live an entire life in Israel with a social circle wholly composed of White South Africans. Curiously, many of these transplants identify as “Ex-South African.”
What You Need to Know About Ethiopia v. Zone9 Bloggers: Verdict Expected July 20
Ethiopia's Zone9 bloggers have appeared in court 30 times in 15 months, and been adjourned each time. "This is no anomaly in Ethiopia’s highly compromised judiciary system," says Endalk Chala.
Explaining the Appeal of the Song ‘Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika’ Across Africa and Beyond
"Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika" means "Lord Bless Africa" but its message resonates at a deeper level for many Africans and non-Africans alike.
Some Nigerians Don't Think Obama's Nigeria Snub Is Such a Bad Thing
"Obama is not welcome in Nigeria for many many reasons…forget about the elections…he was a very arrogant president in his diplomatic relationship with Nigeria."
This Invention by Burkinabe and Burundian Student Scientists Could Save Thousands from Malaria
Two students, Moctar Dembele and Gerard Niyondiko, might have just made a major contribution to reducing the morbidity of one of the deadliest diseases in Africa.
Zambia's Crippling Energy Crisis Is Changing Life for Everyone. And Not for the Better.
A near-nationwide power outage hit Zambia earlier this year, leading to drastic cutbacks in the country's electricity supply. A new "load-shedding" scheme is now testing consumers and employers alike.
Ethiopians React to Bloggers’ Release With Compassion, Criticism
Supporters of the Zone9 blogging collective are expressing both joy and bitterness at the release of some -- but not all -- of the bloggers from prison last week.
BAKE, an Organization That's Helping Kenya's Blogging Community Grow
The association has trained over 1,500 people on blogging, social media and online community management. One day, they hope to "help set up blogging associations in all the African countries."
It's No Picnic Being the Political Opposition in Uganda
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has been in office for 29 years, and a pair of high-profile arrests is now raising serious questions about the country's future.
How Do You Bring Electricity to 620 Million People?
Sub-Saharan Africa needs a more reliable energy supply. The way it chooses to meet that need will affect the entire planet.
Five Ethiopian Journalists Freed From Prison, But Others Remain Behind Bars
Alongside an outpouring of joy and disbelief over the bloggers' release, supporters urged each other to keep "tantrummin" until there are no more journalists jailed in Ethiopia.
About our Sub-Saharan Africa coverage
