3 things we found interesting
Free press may be at risk in Nigeria
One day after Nigerian-American journalist Omoyele Sowore of Sahara Reporters was released on bail, he was rearrested in a court room. Initially arrested in August on charges of money laundering, cyber stalking, and treason for organizing a protest he called “Revolution Now,” he was kept in state custody even after a judge granted bail in October (Sowore denies all charges). Though the reason for his rearrest remains unclear, many observers fear that Sowore’s situation is indicative of a trend toward tightening media restrictions in a country already ranked 120th out of 180 countries in the World Press Freedom Index.
Sahel and Climate
50 million years ago, northern Mali looked more like Puerto Rico. Today, the Sahara continues to expand over the Sahel, combining with issues like regional insecurity and migration. What might the future of the area look like with alternative livelihoods, agricultural potential, investing in education, and urbanization. Will it become a Sahelistan, or a Desert Rose?
Fighting the measles epidemic
Just as the number of measles cases is surging in the rest of the world, new outbreaks are infecting communities in subsaharan Africa. The United Nations confirmed this week that at least twice as many people have died from the disease than from Ebola in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In Cameroon, where only 30 percent of the population uses standard medical clinics, the Public Health Ministry is trying to get ahead of a current outbreak with a campaign that will place vaccination stations in public places such as churches and markets.
Some other pieces we liked
Accra—the making of an African capital
Nairobi—the city that was never meant to be
What economic and developmental changes can the Dakar Consensus bring
How exactly does the controversial CFA franc work?
Out of the water, into a different hell in Greece.
19th Century Egypt without Egyptians
Conversations with young Nigerians on Faith and God
Taking ‘going through the motions’ to another level
Oh, also:
Ghana gave citizenship to over 100 “returnees”
Are you my father?
(from The Elephant)
Peace & love,
Anakwa and Katie