Stories about Sub-Saharan Africa from December, 2019
From Kenya to Ethiopia, these men received divine dream ‘maps’ to carve caves
Throughout history, many have questioned the veracity of divine intervention through dreams, but prophets from Islam, Judaism and Christianity have all testified to messages from God through dreams for millennia.
Rash of abductions and arrests signals ‘dramatic slide’ in human rights in Tanzania
In recent years, an uptick in abductions, arrests, detentions and trumped-up charges of economic crimes for activists and journalists have amounted to a disturbing trend toward silencing dissent in Tanzania.
Nigerian government orders release of Omoyele Sowore, journalist and human rights activist
Omoyele Sowore was arrested in August on charges of treason, money laundry and harassing President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria. He has been in jail despite court pronouncements ordering his release.
8 West African countries rename currency in historic break from France — but colonial-era debts persist
Changing the CFA franc to "Eco" does not change the fact that many West African countries are still locked in a legacy of debt to France in its colonial-era deposit system.
Kenya now has a data protection law. What does this mean for netizens?
Will Kenya’s new data protection law protect the rights of citizens? Or will it serve as a conduit to acquire, store and use data in the digital capitalism food chain?
Has Russia influenced the general elections in Mozambique?
The suspicions about Russia began before the elections with the publication of an electoral poll that gave clear victory for Frelimo.
Sudan’s ride-sharing revolution needs better regulation
Sudan’s ride-sharing industry faces serious challenges: Labor rights, algorithm bias and data privacy need to be addressed for ride-sharing to be sustainable.
Abduction of human rights activist echos chilling trend in Tanzania
Human rights activist Tito Magoti's abduction echoes a chilling trend toward the disappearances of journalists, human rights defenders and opposition leaders in Tanzania since 2015 when Magufuli first took office.
2019: A year of flipping scripts and changing narratives in Africa
2019, a year of changing narratives in Africa: Revolutions. Internet shutdowns. Tree-planting. Migration. Feminist songs. Media crackdowns. Cyclones and climate change. Opposition rising. Cultural icons dying. Illness, cures, and healing.
Gambian minister brought Myanmar to The Hague ‘in the name of humanity’
"...No one put pressure on President Jammeh to stop his atrocities. ... We don't want others to feel our pain or our fate," said The Gambia's Justice Minister Abubacarr Tambadou.
Ethiopia: Stop hate speech, not free speech
Ethiopia's new hate speech bill aims to "tackle the erosion of the nation’s social cohesion, political stability and national unity." But digital rights advocates say it threatens democracy.
Taxing dissent: Uganda’s social media dilemma
Uganda’s social media tax essentially amounted to an internet shutdown, driving thousands offline and silencing dissent for others.
Civil society criticizes the arrest of 18 political delegates in Mozambique
Political delegates of the New Democracy party were arrested, accused of carrying fake credentials.
Ahead of 2020 elections in Ghana, citizens fight against extreme surge in data costs
The increased Communication Service Tax to 9% will create a huge barrier to affordability, increase existing digital inequalities and will be disproportionately felt in rural areas and among women.
Morna, a music style from Cabo Verde, recognized as World Heritage
Cesária Évora was one of the genre's best-known interpreters.
Astrophysicists in Ethiopia hop on ‘astrobus’ tour of cosmic possibilities
A team of 24 astrophysicists, scientists, artists, and innovators will hop on "Astrobus Ethiopia" and tour eight cities in northern Ethiopia to teach hands-on workshops in science and the arts.
Tears with truth: The Gambia’s Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission
President Barrow’s triumph at the polls set the stage for "righting the wrongs" of the past. For Gambians, this interim leadership provided a reset button for transitional justice, following years of brutality.
Join Global Voices’ #WritingTowardFreedom Twitter chat on December 11, 2019
How has ethnic hate speech, mis- and disinformation and internet shutdowns become insidious threats to online freedom of expression in Africa? Join us for this discussion in a Twitter chat.
‘They call for my slaughter': Somali atheists living in fear
The Somali atheist community spans the globe, while many others remain “in the closet,” hiding their beliefs for fear of repercussions. An estimated 1.2 million seek solace online, using pseudonyms.
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