Is Africa slowly turning the rhetoric of democracy into action? The Constitutive Act of the African Union (AU), which introduced to the continental body the values of democracy, rule of law and constitutionalism, is 13 years old. And its prohibition of seizing power unconstitutionally goes back even earlier to 2000, preceding the AU
Politics and Society Tanzanian government muzzles The East African
The East African newspaper has been suspended by the government of Tanzania which says the 20-year-old paper is not officially registered.
Politics and Society Xenophobic violence: SA government’s careless utterances can cost lives
South Africa’s Minister of Small Business Development recently made xenophobic comments, which prompted the DA to lodge a complaint with the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC). Here’s why the utterance is problematic, in light of the recent Soweto Attacks
Politics and Society Zim’s urban land as the new profit frontier of the political elite
The fast track land reform programme has been a point of political conflict since colonisation, and now Zimbabwe’s political elite are manipulating the system to make money by developing urban land
Lifestyle Nigerian-styled ‘Queens of Africa’ doll outsells Barbie
A Nigerian businessman, Taofick Okoya, created a doll which has grown so big that it now outsells the legendary Barbie dolls in Nigeria
Lifestyle Made in Africa: seven publishers changing the African fiction publishing scene
In a recent New York Times article, Nigerian writer Tricia Nwaubani argued that Western publishers still determine the type of African story to be published and this is often for Western eyes. This is Africa’s Bwesigye bwa Mwesigire looks at the other side of the coin through the Made in Africa II series, where he talks to seven publishers at the centre of the growth of new African Literature made on and for the continent
Politics and Society THINK AGAIN: Chad rides to the rescue in Nigeria, but which Chad?
With 400 military vehicles already rolling, it’s worth considering what kind of impact Chad’s intervention is likely to make in the fight against Boko Haram in north-east Nigeria. Fortunately, we have two very recent examples of how Chadian soldiers operate as peacekeepers; unfortunately, they tell two very different stories
Arts, Culture and Sport Zukiswa Wanner: All for a thousand literary initiatives taking place
With four novels published on the continent, there is no better person to speak to about the production and consumption of African Literature on the continent than Zukiswa Wanner. TIA’s Bwesigye bwa Mwesigire was in conversation with her about books, publishing and reading in Africa
Politics and Society Tanzanian opposition leader charged with organising protest, MPs storm out of Parliament
A Civic United Front leader appeared in court on Wednesday to answer to charges of staging a protest without a permit, in which police arrested 30 people. This news caused lawmakers to storm out of parliament in Dodoma