Nigerian women have successfully used their naked bodies as an instrument of power, rather than shame, to protest injustice.
Freedom of speech
Arts and Culture Poetry review: the thorned roses of Uganda’s Stella Nyanzi
Written from prison, the new book of poems by the writer, academic and activist shows her fire but also her deep love for Uganda.
Politics and Society Nigeria, Hate Speech Bills and a dying democracy
With a Hate Speech Bill and a shrinking democratic space, Nigerian lawmakers have become no different from the country’s military rule which saw dictatorship thrive. The final breath of democracy in Nigeria is being killed by Nigerian lawmakers, and Nigerians run the risk of losing what is left of their freedom if they continue to sit in silence.
Politics and Society Why Tanzania’s attacks on free speech break with Nyerere’s legacy
While sometimes intolerant of criticism, Nyerere tended to respond with argument rather than force.
Politics and Society Has Nigeria found itself back to 1983 under President Buhari?
A reread of an article published in September 1985 by West Africa, a weekly magazine shows that Nigeria is facing the same economic, and political challenges it faced three decades ago when President Buhari was Head of State.
Politics and Society Government-imposed internet blackouts are a power move to suppress dissent
A government-imposed internet blackout in Sudan is the latest in a series of internet shutdowns as a means to quell dissent.
Politics and Society What is the alternative to Western media for Africans?
Many Africans grew up with the BBC and CNN as their sources of information. In fact, these stations remain the main news source for a lot of us. Are there other options that might serve Africans better?
Politics and Society Missing Burundian journalist Jean Bigirimana remembered as a “calm, wise man”
In a perfect world, some days wouldn’t exist. But our world is far from perfect. On August 30th, the world marked the International Day of the Disappeared. It is the day set aside to draw the world’s attention to the fates of the millions around the world who are missing or are being unjustly held in places unknown to their loved ones. Burundian journalist Jean Bigirimana, who disappeared in late July, is believed to have met such a fate. In this piece, fellow Burundian journalist Armel-Gilbert Bukeyeneza, gives a personal account of how he came to meet this “calm, wise man” and why he’s hoping against all hope that Jean is alive