With literature, sometimes a book is presented in the media as being say, a Muslim story or an African story, when essentially it’s a universal story which we can all relate to it, no matter what race or social background we come from. (Shawn Johnson)   ♦

I’m going through my research material from Uganda as I’m preparing to write my masters thesis. I just came across one of the most hilarious quotes on my tapes. Check this out (it’s by a woman craft maker):   A  man who speaks and gives orders is that who has money to meet the needs [...]

Here’s an innovative idea in Sino-African relations: a floating hospital (called the Peace Arc) is visiting various African countries, beginning with Kenya (Mombasa). Owen Barder asks a valuable question: Is agriculture key to African development? An Impressive March Against Sexual Violence takes place in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Somali pirates seize South Korean ship. [...]

Nollywood becomes the world’s second largest film industry. (via Africa Unchained) The textile industry is shaking in East Africa. How dissidents and homeless have become the new pariah in Rwanda.  (NYTimes) Landslide kills 8 in Kenya. Maybe the government will finally debate the detrimental effects of deforestation in the region. Over 100 people are killed in Chad [...]

Uganda: Why Sub-Standard Goods Flood the Market? Chris Blattman writes about common donors’ mistakes. Women, Africa, and the informal sector. South Africa:  President Jacob Zuma is HIV-negative. We wish him well. Sudan: Incumbent President Omar al-Bashir is declared the winner of the polls. Well, that’s a shocker… French Lawyer uses racist slurs at the International [...]

Liberian President Ellen Sirleaf becomes the first Liberian President to ever visit Brazil. Climate change and its implications for Africa are analyzed in this timely  article. Ghana: Not a lot of attention is paid by local media to gender issues. Women and micro-finance in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Racial tensions and Nazi salutes at [...]

Rogue States and Rogue Presidents make the news this week. Libya denies visas for Schengen Visa Passport Holders. The European Union extends Zimbabwe sanctions for another year citing lack of progress in the power-sharing agreement. Ironically, this will reflect bad on Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai as he is the one who has campaigned for sanction [...]

Chad President Idriss Devy makes a surprise visit to Sudan. South African President delivers the annual state of the nations speech. “South Africa 20 Years Later: From Apartheid to World Cup.” Religious clashes between Muslims and Christians in impoverished country of Guinea cloud an already forsaken territory. UK says OK to a new scramble for [...]

BBC asks us to be presidents for a day. Gaddafi loses the AU chairman position, but doesn’t want to go down quietly. Nigerian internet slangs are hilarious. (via Chris Blattman) Tsvangirai wants Zim sanctions to be dropped but future is uncertain.

Rwanda joined the British Commonwealth validating my friend‘s opinion that anything French-related is slowly disappearing from the country. I say good riddance, others might disprove. COSATU tells Mbeki: Apologize for your AIDS bullshit policy. Will he? Facing life with HIV. A very good account here. Obama’s African aunt feels neglected. South Africa begins new battle [...]