1960 is often called the year of African independence because of the unprecedented number of countries--seventeen--that achieved their independence. It might more appropriately be termed the year of West and Central African independence as these countries were mostly from the two regions (except for Madagascar and Somalia). They were also predominantly former French colonies (save for Nigeria and Somalia). read more »
PTZeleza's blog
From the Editor The Birth of Kenya's Second Republic
This week Kenyans voted overwhelmingly for a new constitution. It was a landslide victory for the ‘Yes' campaign (the Greens), which garnered 67.25 percent (5,954,767) of the vote against the ‘No' campaign's (the Reds) 30.25 percent (2,687,193). The voter turnout was high (71 percent) as Kenyans understood the referendum offered a historic opportunity for the country to remake itself from its battered past, for the nation to reimagine its future, to anchor the ‘second independence' on a more democratic basis. read more »
From the Editor AFRICA AT FIFTY
This year marks 50 years since the year of African independence in 1960 when 17 African countries achieved their independence from European colonial rule. A series of celebrations are being held in specific countries and across the continent as well as in the diaspora to mark this important milestone. Over the next few months, I will be posting a series of reports and commentaries from a wide variety of sources and outlets commemorating the year. read more »
From the Editor Sharing the Gifts of the Nile: The Struggle between Egypt and East Africa
The Nile, for so long the lifeblood of many African civilizations along its banks, is now the scene of acrimonious debate and potential conflict among the nations that contribute to or depend on its precious waters. Nine Nile Basin countries are pitted against each other; on the one hand is Egypt and Sudan and on the other Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, and Ethiopia. The battle for control of the Nile is fueled by a combustible mix of colonial history, postcolonial politics, environmental threats, and developmental ambitions. read more »
From the Editor Africa's World Cup
The beautiful game has begun with flourish. South Africa and the entire continent are filled with intoxicating ecstasy, jubilant that the World Cup has finally come to Africa for the first time in its eighty year old history. For some this is South Africa's and the marginalized continent's coming out party, a proclamation to the world that Africa is on the move. read more »
