Stories about Sub-Saharan Africa from November, 2019
Nigeria's social media bill will obliterate online freedom of expression
The proposed social media bill will annihilate online freedom of expression, criminalize criticism of the government and legalize internet shutdowns in Nigeria.
The Gambia confronts the nightmare of witch hunts under former regime
In The Gambia, alleged witches were held for up to five days in secret locations and made to drink ‘Kubehjaro’, a hallucinogenic substance, and then forced to confess to witchcraft.
Tanzanian rapper scolded for lyrics about nation's cashew crisis
Roma Mkatoliki's hit song criticizes the government's 2018 decision to deploy the military to purchase cashew nuts from farmers in an attempt to force an increase in market price.
Varakashi: Zimbabwe’s online brigade targets activists and dissidents
The overarching aim of the Varakashi is to push the narrative that anyone who disagrees with the Zimbabwean government is an agent of foreign powers, and therefore unpatriotic.
Activists in Angola continue to face repression for online and offline activities
Online activists in Angola risk tough reactions from authorities, particularly when their activities are connected to offline activism.
Will Uganda shut down the internet as opposition heats up for 2021 elections?
As the 2021 election approaches, Uganda authorities are very likely to continue to crack down on political dissent, including through social media shutdowns.
In Ethiopia’s disinformation epidemic, the crumbling ruling coalition is the elephant in the room
As acts of communal violence that took place in Oromia in October subsided, a new battle began online over interpretations of the violence — and who was to blame.
Messages in motion: The art of Swahili sayings on public transport in Zanzibar
"They know that people will comment on the condition of their vehicle, or the way they drive. . . and they want to block you — they want you to laugh instead."
In Mozambique, Frelimo's landslide electoral victory rejected by opposition
Frelimo also elected 184 out of 250 seats of the unicameral legislative and all 10 provincial governors.
Tanzania high court upholds ruling to end child marriage despite attempts to repeal it
In October 2019, the Tanzanian High Court upheld the ruling to end child marriage. The ruling is a step toward eliminating harmful practices and ending all forms of discrimination against girls.
Was this Nigerian English language film too English for an Oscar nomination?
Lionheart, Nigeria's first-ever Oscar submission for best international feature film was disqualified by award organizers because it has too much dialogue in English.
Equatorial Guinea vice president's supercars seized to fund development programs
The vice president's seven Ferraris, five Bentleys, a Maserati and an Aston Martin were part of this auction on the 29 September in Geneva.
Twitter was a minefield of false information during the 2019 Nigerian elections
Twitter became a battle ground of ethnocentric disinformation and political propaganda before, during and in the immediate aftermath of the 2019 elections in Nigeria.
Social media propelled ethnocentric disinformation and propaganda during the Nigerian elections
The 2019 Nigerian elections witnessed unprecedented dissemination of ethnic hate speech at the service of disinformation and propaganda online, particularly on Twitter.
The right to privacy in Sudan: A call to enact a data protection act
In the absence of an effective data protection law, personal data will remain at risk of misuse and abuse not only by the government but also the private sector.
Protests in Guinea spark Pan-African solidarity against president's plan to run for third term
While the Guinean government remains vague about a possible extension to Alpha Condé's presidential term, protesters continue to mobilize throughout the world against constitutional changes that could allow it.
‘Everybody is looking for authenticity': A conversation with South African artist Siwa Mgoboza
South African multidisciplinary visual artist Siwa Mgoboza is one of the most dynamic emerging artists in the African art scene.
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