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Nigeria: The Mass Wedding in Kano
[Daily Trust] When the idea of the Kano mass wedding was made public, it was greeted with mixed feelings. While some welcomed it, some were sceptical about its propriety.
AllAfrica | 18-May-2012 12:14

Africa: Commemorating Empire: A Personal Reminiscence
[Fahamu] 'I find myself marking these dates as if they were personal milestones because they are two of many landmarks, not only for the entire modern world, but for my own family'.
AllAfrica | 18-May-2012 12:08

Africa: Time for Radical Action on the Unemployment Crisis
[Fahamu] There are at least four million young people without jobs in South Africa. This is the country's worst crisis, yet some people still say that the ANC has done well with the economy.
AllAfrica | 18-May-2012 12:08

Nigeria: Reflections On the Lagos State Government's Onslaught On Doctors
[Fahamu] A recent crackdown on doctors in Nigeria is symptomatic of a wider state attack on the working class.
AllAfrica | 18-May-2012 12:08

Rising Tribalism in South Africa: A Rejoinder
[Fahamu] Gumede is right in his conclusion that people will seek refuge in tribalism when democratic institutions are made to fail.
AllAfrica | 18-May-2012 12:08

Africa: Neither Devil Nor Angel - The Role of the Media in Sino-African Relations
[Fahamu] The Chinese government is eager to balance the international media coverage of Chinese image and this approach is becoming more and more urgent for Beijing's strategy of engagement in Africa.
AllAfrica | 18-May-2012 12:08

Africa: A New Constitution - Let Zimbabweans Decide
[Fahamu] It is unfair for a small group of individuals to disenfranchise Zimbabweans through a premature campaign to abandon the constitutional review process without affording the people an opportunity to engage directly with the draft.
AllAfrica | 18-May-2012 12:08

Somalia: UN Threatens the Somali Democratic Movement
[Fahamu] Is the authority of the UN and regional bodies divine, such that it cannot be challenged by the Somali people? The only 'crime' the Somali democratic movement has committed is to dare dream of freedom in the land of its birth.
AllAfrica | 18-May-2012 12:08

Somalia: Somalia - No Justification for Ratifying the Draft Constitution
[Fahamu] Widespread opposition to the document stems from the way it was formulated in secret without public mandate or the input of Somali civil society, intellectuals and constitutional experts.
AllAfrica | 18-May-2012 12:08

Egypt: Nawal Al Saadawi and the Sky Over Egypt
[Fahamu] Dr Nawal al Saadawi's continued hope, after decades of persecution by the Egyptian political and religious authorities, and the as yet unfilled promise of Tahrir, offers inspiration to everyone challenging the violence and abuses of patriarchy and capitalism.
AllAfrica | 18-May-2012 12:08

Africa: Asia in My Life
[Fahamu] The celebrated Kenyan writer reflects on how much India has been an important thread in his life and in the wider anti-colonial struggle in Africa, and calls for greater interaction between Africa, Asia and South America to escape the long shadow of the 'Age of the European Empire'.
AllAfrica | 18-May-2012 12:08

South Africa: Palestinian Solidarity - The Responsibility of South African Intellectuals
[Fahamu] The South African academic community should break out of its "silent and inert", albeit sympathetic, posture toward the Palestinians and fully reject cooperation with Israeli institutions.
AllAfrica | 18-May-2012 12:08

Of Flowers and Thorns - Where Has 'Public' Gone in Public Service?
[Fahamu] By the late 2000s, the bed had turned into a fully fledged forest. Not content with what were already very decent wage packages financed by the public purse, high-ranking politicians and public sector officialdom at every level were awarding themselves with super-salaries and a huge range of benefit sweeteners. Indeed, South Africa has to be one of the countries in the world where the majority of this public sector 'cadre' are made millionaires every year and that's not counting what many of them make on t
AllAfrica | 18-May-2012 12:08

South Sudan: The Minister Wants to Rectify the Higher Education but Being Ridiculed!
[Citizen] I was stunned when I read in a newspaper that the Council of Ministers reviewed the logical decision of shutting down the substandard private universities in the country. The Cabinet is putting the Minister to task by expressing reservations about his decision. From the Newspaper reports, it is apparent that the Cabinet is going to review and may reverse the Minister's decision!
AllAfrica | 18-May-2012 12:07

South Sudan: Govt Must Not Put All 'Egg' On the UN & AU Baskets
[Sudan Tribune] The African Union backed talks between Sudan and South Sudan was about to begin this week, but signs are that one party in the conflict (Khartoum), is still dragging its feet, whether to attend the much publicized talks with the Republic of the South Sudan or stay out altogether. They have started to blow hot and cold at the same time. This is how: they have introduced another element called security, an indicator that the issues of boundary demarcation and Abyei are to wait until the question of security
AllAfrica | 18-May-2012 12:04

Sudan: Juba - 'Filthy' Is an Understatement
[Sudan Tribune] President Salva Kiir was being polite on May 16th when he said Juba was a filthy habitat. The truth of the matter is that Juba is not only dirty; it is dangerous and much worse. People disappear without trace. Citizens cannot call for police help because the streets have no numbers or names. Homes and buildings have no numbers or addresses. The security personnel cannot radio for backup in pursuit of a suspect because of the lack of street names and numbers. It is even impossible to direct a guest to a hou
AllAfrica | 18-May-2012 12:04

Nigeria: Judicial Officers and Integrity Question
[Leadership] As judges gathered in Abuja this week for a workshop, chief justice of Nigeria Dahiru Musdapher told them: "The judiciary today is under intense and sustained public scrutiny more than ever in the history of this country. In the face of this increased public scrutiny, judicial officers must ensure that their judicial activities are irreproachable and their character unimpeachable.
AllAfrica | 18-May-2012 10:14

Africa: Leadership Key to Eliminating Hunger in Continent
[New Times] For too long, Africa has been looked at with disdain, or referred to as the 'hopeless continent'. Drought, famine, repression, civil war and tribal conflict have been rife. However, developments in the recent past show that the tide is turning.
AllAfrica | 18-May-2012 09:02

Rwanda: Effectiveness and Efficiency in Service Delivery
[New Times] Effective and efficient are common words in business cycles that they have become clichés. Something is effective if it is adequate to accomplish a purpose; producing the intended or expected result.
AllAfrica | 18-May-2012 09:00

Gambia: Well Done!
[Daily Observer] Barely two days after a Briton was found dead in his car in Bakoteh, three people suspected to have orchestrated his murder are now in custody helping the police in their investigations. This timely success of the police in apprehending the suspects is indeed commendable, as they have once again proven to the whole country that the institution is leaving no stone unturned in making this country crime-free.
AllAfrica | 18-May-2012 08:54

East Africa: Give and Take Needed to Solve EALA Dispute
[Observer] Uganda's major political parties have so far failed to agree on representation in the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) despite several rounds of meetings.
AllAfrica | 18-May-2012 05:43

Libya: Why Instability Persists
[Cameroon Tribune] More than a year after the overthrow of the regime of the Gaddafi regime, peace is yet to return.
AllAfrica | 17-May-2012 22:17

It's Human Nature to Question ICC
[The Star] Former Bosnian Serb army commander Radko Mladic went on trial yesterday in The Hague accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity. He is accused of ethnic cleansing of Bosnian Muslims and Croats between 1992 and 1995.
AllAfrica | 17-May-2012 19:21

Kenya: Citizens Have to Change Attitude On Leadership
[The Star] The imminent end of the Kibaki era heralds the fourth face of post-Independence Kenya. A look back at where we came from will give an indication of where we are headed and what to avoid as we move forward into that future. The Kenyatta era set the foundation which was enthused by the youthful nationalists of the day who sought to shame the departing colonial master that Kenyan Africans did not have the capability to govern themselves.
AllAfrica | 17-May-2012 18:57

Kenya: Let's Reject Ethnic Political Alliances
[The Star] There has been a veritable epidemic of alignments and regroupings across the various elite led Kenyan electoral vehicles as these pin striped three piece tribal chieftains changed their political stripes for the umpteenth time-and presumably not for the last time.
AllAfrica | 17-May-2012 18:49

Kenya: Insults Won't Win You State House
[The Star] It's a great pity indeed that the war of words between Dr Kibisu Kabatesi (acting for DPM Musalia Mudavadi) and Mr. Barrack Muluka (acting for PM Raila Odinga) came to such an early - and abrupt - end.
AllAfrica | 17-May-2012 18:49

Kenya: Integrate Mobile Into Your Campaign
[The Star] The mobile agency I work for did a campaign a few years ago where consumers recruited each other into the navy. The campaign got consumers to go to the web and customise a video to their friend's name and then send it to their mobile. The videos, a mission impossible style short movie got consumers to see what it is like to work in the navy. Consumers loved the idea of sending custom videos and the agency got the message home.
AllAfrica | 17-May-2012 18:47

Considering Putting Your Security Environment On an IP Platform?
[Biz-Community] The evolution to internet protocol (IP)-based networked cameras and video solutions for security surveillance and remote monitoring offers a number of benefits, not least the ability to integrate with existing systems, like access control and building management systems. In combination, these systems offer exponentially more benefits, but putting it all together smartly requires some expertise and forethought.
AllAfrica | 17-May-2012 18:42

South Sudan: Shortage of Fuel in Juba
[Citizen] There is still an acute shortage of fuel in Juba. Long queues of vehicles and bodabodas are a common sight in petrol stations. Some motorists queue for as long as three hours and yet still go home without a drop of the coveted commodity.
AllAfrica | 17-May-2012 18:37

Breaking the Standoff On Post-Independence Issues With Sudan
[Citizen] Dr. John Garang de Mabior code-named the current President of South Sudan, Salva Kiir Mayardit, "tiger". South Sudanese affectionately call him "Joshua" for taking over successfully from where Dr. Garang de Mabior or "Moses" had left off, then crossing the Jordan and leading his people to promised-land. New African Magazine listed Mayardit as one of top 100 contemporary African personalities in 2011, citing:"using his dogged pragmatism, [President Kiir] led his people through tough and tortuous negotiation
AllAfrica | 17-May-2012 18:37

South Sudan: When You Are Said to Be a Liar While You Are Not You Cannot Keep Silent
[Citizen] There were several news outlets which travelled from Juba to Palouge in Upper Nile State on Saturday, 2012 to cover the crossing over of the 214 men plus one woman making 215 militia force which defected to the SPLA side in the presence of these news outlets including Al Jazeera English. Our reporter and photographer had seen practically twelve vehicles: which were eleven Toyota pick-ups and one lorry locally called Warol.
AllAfrica | 17-May-2012 18:37

South Africa: IMC Conference Launches #imcquestion
[Biz-Community] In keeping with the mission to bring relevant marketing communication content to the conference, the IMC Conference Team are giving all delegates the opportunity to post questions to all selected speakers prior to the conference, ensuring that everyone attending the conference will experience a tailor-made package and take home the answers they're looking for.
AllAfrica | 17-May-2012 18:18

South Africa: New Look for Liqui-Fruit
[Biz-Community] Liqui-Fruit, voted SA's favourite fruit juice brand in the Sunday Times Top Brands Survey 2011, is sporting a fresh new look in environmentally friendly recyclable cartons.
AllAfrica | 17-May-2012 18:18

South Africa: Branding for the Brain
[Biz-Community] Those who profess to possess a comprehensive and intact understanding of human cognitive behaviour, can, in most instances, be called deluded themselves. The swirling whirlwinds of our psyches, house many natural mysteries, myths and conundrums, and so cannot be said to be fully understood.
AllAfrica | 17-May-2012 18:12

Ignore Your Boy At Your Own Peril
[New Vision] IF you have not been in an environment where everything concerning the ever-cute; always dainty 'girl-child' has someone ready to do it, it is probably either because you do not exist, or you do, but need more than one form of help.
AllAfrica | 17-May-2012 18:01

Churches Are Not 'Ebimeeza'
[New Vision] Uganda is not a theocracy where a state is governed by divine guidance as is the case with Vatican City which is a Christian theocracy and such Islamic theocracies as Saudi Arabia, Iran, Yemen and Malaysia.
AllAfrica | 17-May-2012 17:59

Help, He Is Not Picking My Calls
[New Vision] I am 22 years old and I have a boyfriend with whom I have been with for five years. We were planning to get married in two years' time.
AllAfrica | 17-May-2012 17:54

Labor Trafficking - Modern-Day Slave Trade
[SACSIS] The free flow of commodities and capital has been one of the features of the contemporary process of globalization. Unlike in the earlier phase of globalization in the 19th century, however, the freer flow of commodities and capital has not been accompanied by a freer movement of labor globally. The dynamic centers of the global economy, after all, have imposed ever tighter restrictions on migration from the poorer countries.Yet the demand for cheap labor in the richer parts of the world continues to grow,
AllAfrica | 17-May-2012 17:42

Zimbabwe: Do I Hear About Another GNU?
[Financial Gazette] SO I see there is fresh hype on the possibility of either an extension or another Government of National Unity (GNU) in Zimbabwe. In February 2012, Ibbo Mandaza wrote intimating a philosophy that pointed towards another GNU being the only deadlock-breaker in Zimbabwe's tense political space. Eddie Cross was also in the papers this week lauding about such possibility. There was even a newspaper article -- again in the past week -- indicating that ZANU-PF wanted another GNU.
AllAfrica | 17-May-2012 16:59

Police, DPP Guilty of Abusing Their Powers
[Observer] Eleven terrorism suspects who have been in detention at Luzira in connection with the monarchist riots of September 2009 have been acquitted after Justice Ralph Ochan ruled that the state had failed to prove its case against them. Another 14 had been released after the trial started this year. In his ruling, the High Court judge noted that the Police and the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had mishandled the case right from the start. He also agreed with the defence lawyers that the state had viol
AllAfrica | 17-May-2012 15:35

Teachers' Salaries - Who Is Hiding Their Head in the Sand?
[Observer] Last Thursday, the ministry of Education and Sports landed in a spot of bother after Parliament realized that their proposed budget for the next financial year did not reflect a promised 30% increment in teachers' salaries.
AllAfrica | 17-May-2012 15:28

South Sudan: Let Us Unite to Recover Our Occupied Lands Together
[Citizen] We people of South Sudan must be united in continuation of our march to total independence. While parts of our motherland including Abyei which was annexed to Sudan in 1905 by the British administrators to ease for them the burden of travel during inspection rounds and other parts like Kafia Kingi, Hofrat Nahas, Balballa, Panthou, Makinans, Kaka are still occupied by soldiers of Sudan whose leaders have always wanted anything good to be for themselves we cannot say we are totally independent.
AllAfrica | 17-May-2012 15:15

Botswana: Why Country Has Never Had a Military Coup
[OSISA] Lauded as a 'shining example of democracy', Botswana is one of the few countries in Africa that has never experienced a military coup. I recently studied a paper by Dr Naison Ngoma, a senior researcher at Institute of Security Studies in South Africa titled, Coups and Coup Attempts in Africa: Is there a missing link? In the paper, Ngoma talks about how Botswana, Namibia and Mauritius have never had military coups or even coup attempts - although he doesn't go into detail about why not.
AllAfrica | 17-May-2012 13:23

Zimbabwe: Harare International Festival of the Arts
[African Arguments] Often it is assumed that dictatorships are completely, absolutely bad. Rotten to the core. The businessmen of that nation are corrupt. The students who are lucky enough to be in school are children of officials. The successful artists are apolitical.
AllAfrica | 17-May-2012 13:09

Zimbabwe: Get Newzim Steel Deal Going As a Matter of Urgency
[The Herald] Zimbabwe is a country with a huge appetite for investment as with many other countries on the continent and elsewhere. Foreign direct investment helps create wealth, generate jobs and grow a country's economy, complementing domestic investment in the process. Therefore, attracting a single US$4 billion investment is a major feat with potential to transform this country's economic landscape.
AllAfrica | 17-May-2012 13:09

Nigeria: Electricity in Every Language
[Vanguard] DOUBTS about the increasing confusion in our electricity transformation programme are strengthened by the relentless quest of Nigerian officials to snap up contracts in all languages.
AllAfrica | 17-May-2012 12:29