Africa in The Stream
A look at The Stream’s top episodes from the continent as our host Femi Oke heads to #SMWLagos.
Our top Africa episodes
Jump to episodes
- Locked up for love: Nigeria’s new anti-gay law elicits praise and fear.
- Zimbabwe’s election uncertainty
- White plight in South Africa?
- Bringing down Boko Haram
- Child and bride
- The Stream’s Africa #OpenEditorial
- Moroccans confront child sex tourism
- Can Kenya quench its thirst paradox?
- Life after Madiba
- On its golden anniversary, the AU at a crossroads
For gay Nigerians and their supporters, life’s become more difficult. Under a new law, those who witness or aid gay meetings or groups could spend a decade behind bars. The law also bans same-sex marriages, handing out prison terms of up to 14 years to offenders. Conservatives are praising the bill, but gay people and rights activists say they fear for their safety. Nigeria already has laws opposing gay-rights, so what motivated the new bill, and what impact will it have?
Zimbabwe’s election uncertainty
As Zimbabwe heads to the polls many observers are questioning the election process. President Robert Mugabe said the vote will be fair. His challenger, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, has united opposition parties but still argues the vote is rigged. So, will elections in Zimbabwe be “free and fair”?
Are white South Africans being persecuted? Alleging growing vulnerability, a group called Red October held nation-wide protests demanding government action against, what they call, “the inhumane slaughter and oppression of the white South African ethnic minority”. Their claims sparked debates about racism, crime and minority rights. While Apartheid looked after whites only, does their claim that post-Apartheid South Africa now threatens their future hold any truth?
Is Nigeria any closer to solving its issues with Boko Haram? Since the armed group’s formation more than a decade ago, thousands of civilians have been killed in bombings and attacks. But is the government’s response to fighting domestic terrorism also part of the problem? What’s motivating the continued violence by Boko Haram?
The hot button issue of child marriage has once again polarised Nigeria. This time at the hands of Senator Ahmad Yarima who successfully fought to uphold a clause in the constitution that deems all married women as “full age”, including those under 18. He is a controversial figure who, himself, has an underage bride and claims banning child marriage goes against Islamic law.
The Stream’s host Femi Oke held an open editorial meeting via Google hangout for community members in Africa.
What should be done to end the sexual exploitation of children in Morocco? After the Moroccan king pardoned a convicted Spanish paedophile, thousands have taken to the street to rally against child sexual abuse. In a country with a reputation for sex tourism, many Moroccans are angered over what critics see as the government’s indifference towards the issue.
Massive water reserves that can supply Kenya for the next 70 years have just been discovered in one of the country’s poorest drought-stricken regions: Turkana. What will this mean for the 17 million Kenyans who don’t have access to clean water? Does the government have the capacity to manage the water reserves responsibly? And how will the discovery affect Kenya’s border tensions with neighboring countries?
Despite spending 27 years in prison under white minority rule, Nelson Mandela called for reconciliation when he became South Africa’s first black president in 1994. He bridged, he forgave and rebuilt a country that had been destroyed by colour conflict for decades. Now with the passing of the nation’s father, what lies ahead for South Africa and her people?
On the one hand you have unresolved conflict, alleged corruption and a dishonest broker. On the other you have peacekeeping missions, government accountability and community engagement. As the African Union prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary, debate over its triumphs and failures grows. So what will be the legacy of the AU? And what role has it played in fostering Pan-Africanism?