Stories about Sub-Saharan Africa from December, 2011
Online Highlights from the Portuguese-Speaking World in 2011
2011 has been another year in which bloggers and activists from a number of Portuguese-speaking countries have come together to report, translate and promote blogs and citizen media from all over the world. This article selects the highlights in the coverage of Lusophone countries on Global Voices over the last year.
Somalia: Crimes against Journalists Increased In 2011
In a post published on december, 27th, The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) declares that: “In 2011, 4 journalists were murdered in Mogadishu alone, making it the only place where...
Africa: 10 West African Club Tracks
This is Boima Tucker's 2011 10 club friendly Afropop tracks: “I don’t think I’ve ever seen one song dominate a nation’s psyche like Junior Freeman and African Soldier’s “Dumyarea” did...
Ghana: Reading 52 Books in 50 Weeks
Fiona reaches a milestone: 52 books in 50 weeks: “With two weeks to spare, today I reached my goal of reading fifty-two books for the year. A week ago I...
Ghana: My Blogging Year 2011
Swedish blogger based in Ghana discusses her blogging year 2011: The year started out on a strong note. In January, I learned about Free and Open Source Software for Academics...
Africa: 12 Predictions for Africa’s Tech Scene in 2012
Read Mbwana Ally's 12 predictions for Africa's tech scene in 2012: “New models of mobile money will be explored that are less dependent on mobile operators, such asPagatech in Nigeria,...
Ghana: Azonto Dance Craze Goes Global
A Ghanaian dance called Azonto is making waves around the world and threatening to spawn its own YouTube industry as dance enthusiasts try to out do each other by posting...
Africa: African Arguments Online
African Arguments Online is “a multi-blogging site that covers both contemporary African events as they unfold, and develops debates on themes we believe are centrally important to an ever-changing continent.”
Cape Verde: The Musical Legacy of Cesária Évora
After the death of Cesária Évora, symbol of Cape Verdean music, on December 17, there was an abundance of tributes and declarations by her faithful audience from almost every corner of the globe. With the singer and Cape Verde in the spotlight, the blogosphere discussed who might take her place as musical spokeswoman for the country.
Italy: African workers renew their call for open dialogue
Following the murder of two Senegalese men in Florence, Italy, migrant African workers released an open letter on the web [it] to renew their call for dialogue with citizens of...
Mozambique: On the City of Quelimane, New Epicenter of Politics
Mayoral by-elections in the city of Quelimane, which opposition candidate Manuel de Araújo won, were enthusiastically debated in social networks. Interest in the electoral process went far beyond the provincial city and its repercussions were felt in the capital, Maputo. We document this unexpected end to 2011, an important political moment in Mozambique.
Ethiopia: Swedish Journalists Handed 11-Year Prison Sentence
An Ethiopian court handed prison sentences of 11 years on Tuesday 27 December to Martin Schibbye and Johan Persson, two Swedish journalists accused of supporting terrorism in the country.
Mauritania: Earth's Bulls Eye
Algerian-American Kal, or The Moor Next Door, shares this interesting geographical tidbit about Mauritania: “f readers ever get into space, they may find themselves looking for Mauritania, or its enormous...
A Radical Solution For Global Poverty: Open Borders
Various experts say that extreme poverty isn't inevitable. The most radical solution to drastically reducing global poverty would be, for many economic experts, opening the borders between countries and allowing workers to migrate where labor is most needed.
Liberia: Who Was at Fault for Monrovia Riots?
The Christmas vacation job scheme designed by Liberia's President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf to benefit 3,000 students turned Liberia's capital, Monrovia, into a scene of violence and destruction. Who was at fault?, netizens ask.
Zambia: Has the 90 Days Promise Been Fulfilled?
Zambia’s new government reached its landmark 90 days in government on December 23, a period during which it promised to turn around people’s lives. Netizens on various social networking sites have been assessing the new government’s achievements, if any, and failures.
Tanzania: Dar Youth Mobilise Online to Assist Flood Victims
Dar Es Salaam’s young social media users are mobilising volunteers to assist in relief efforts following the floods that inundated vast areas of Dar es Salaam causing deaths and damage to infrastructure. Using the hashtag #Darfloods, Twitter users have been in the forefront informing and mobilising relief efforts.
Ethiopia: Swedish Journalists Found Guilty of Terrorism Charges
The verdict against two Swedish journalists, Martin Schibbye and Johan Persson, detained in Ethiopia has caused strong reactions from defenders of press freedom. The judge in the case has called for a sentence of at least 15 years imprisonment to be handed down on 27 December.
Video Highlights: Protests, Elections, Culture and GV
A selection of Global Voices' recent and interesting stories including video from Middle East and North Africa, Sub Saharan Africa, Eastern and Central Europe, the Caribbean and Latin America, selected by Juliana Rincón Parra.
Italy, Senegal: Strong Reactions Follow Murder of 2 Senegalese Men in Florence
On December 13, Gianluca Casseri opened fired on a group of Senegalese in two outdoor markets in Florence. The horrific event resulted in the death of two street vendors from Senegal, as well as the perpetrator. Abdoulaye Bah reports on the country's reactions.
Mauritania: Bloggers Call for the Boycott of Government-Sponsored Conference
Mauritania announced plans it would host Arab bloggers and activists involved in Arab revolutions in its capital Nouakchott. Its bloggers have joined forces to call on their Arab counterparts to boycott the event which is being organised by a military regime, which bans protests in the country, to embellish its image. They also remind activists that their country's regime has stood against Arab revolutions, in support of Gaddafi in Libya and Bashar al-Assad in Syria.
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