Beauty on Sunday 1/27

The Washington Post reports, that with the humanitarian crisis continuing in Kenya, Ugandan locals say they understand their plight and make them as welcome as limited resources allow (1/27/08).

The Los Angeles Times reports on a meeting between Kenyan rivals : "In their first meeting since the disputed Dec. 27 presidential vote, President Mwai Kibaki and opposition leader Raila Odinga met with former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan for about an hour. Then they emerged from the presidential office side by side, smiling broadly and vowing to work together." (1/25/08)

The New York Times reports that rebel groups in eastern Congo have signed a peace agreement with the government to end fighting in the last remaining war zone in the country. (1/24/08). Also reported on 1/22/08

Beauty on Sunday 1/20

Executive mansion of Liberia reports, the west African heads of states have adopted a regional Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS). (1/19/08)

The Africa Nations Cup began in Ghana today. BBC reports through a "nation's cup diary". (Latest entry: 1/17/08)

BBC writes about hopes for change in Zimbabwe; "it is still basically a rich country, and - because the aid agencies do an excellent job - there is little malnutrition" (1/15/08)

Beauty on Sunday 12/23

BBC reports on the rebel force and government disarmament process, which has begun in Ivory Coast. (12/22/07)

The Washington Post reports on political campaigns in Kenya and the effect of increased technology. (12/22/07)

The Economist also reports on the election in Kenya as an example for the rest of Africa.

Beauty on Sunday 12/16

BBC reports, Sierra Leone's president has launched a scheme to save part of an endangered rainforest, which campaigners say will help fight climate change. (12/10/07)

The New York Times reports that Southern Sudan's main political party is set to rejoin the national unity government. (12/13/07)

Kenyan music group, "Yunasi" was named winner of BBC World Service's Next big Thing 2007 competition. (12/13/07)

Beauty on Sunday 12/9

The Washington Post reports on a story of "wealth and kindness among Somalia's poorest". (12/10/07)

BBC reports that South Africa has released new figures showing a decrease in violent crime. (12/6/07)

The New York Times reports on how a pygmy traveler from the Congo gives voice to a marginalized people. (12/1/07)

Beauty on Sunday 12/2

The New York Times reports, Malawi's "successful use of subsidies is contributing to a broader reappraisal of the crucial role of agriculture in alleviating poverty in Africa and the pivotal importance of public investments in the basics of a farm economy: fertilizer, improved seed, farmer education, credit and agricultural research." (12/2/07)

BBC reports, former South African President Nelson Mandela spoke at a concert in Johannesburg, South Africa, where international musicians were performing alongside local talent to mark the 20th Wold Aids day. (12/1/07)

BBC reports that the drop in measles deaths in Africa has dropped from an estimated 396,000 to 36,000, meaning the United Nations target to cut measles deaths by 90% by 2010 has been hit four years early. (11/30/07)

BBC reports, on the 5 month trial of One Laptop Per Child in Abuja, Nigeria. (11/28/07)

Beauty on Sunday 11/25

BBC reports, that South African president, Thabo Mbeki is confident that mediation will produce a solution for the political crisis in Zimbabwe. (11/22/07)

The New York Times informs that "Congo has announced the establishment of a rain-forest preserve intended to shield the bonobo, one of human beings’ two closest ape relations, from wildlife poachers and deforestation". (11/20/07)

The Los Angeles Times writes about the rich culture of protestors in Zimbabwe, despite the constant risk of censorship or arrest from President Mugabe's regime. (11/19/07)

Beautiful little girl
Photo taken in front of The Peace House in Yaounde, Cameroon.

Beauty on Sunday 11/18

CNN reports that over 200 children who served with militias in the Democratic Republic of the Congo have been released and are being returned to their families. (11/17/07)

BBC reports that Mwai Kibaki, Kenya's president, has pledged to crack down on politically instigated violence to ensure a peaceful vote. (11/15/07)

Both The New York Times and BBC report on Africa's increase in economic growth. "The trend indicates that a fundamental change is occurring in Africa, a World Bank official told the BBC." (11/15/07 & 11/14/07 respectively)

The Los Angeles Times reports on a teacher in Somalia, Abdulkhadir Wasuge, whose mission is to "ensure that 'young people don't miss out' on a chance to learn and grow." (11/11/07)

Beauty on Sunday 11/11

CNN reports, Sudan has asked South Africa to help mediate on the violence in Darfur. (11/6/07)

BBC reports, "Two Tuareg leaders are to meet in Algiers to try to revive the peace process between Mali's government and the rebels in the north of the country." (11/5/07)

The L.A. Times reports on how self-taught artisans in Asmara (capital of Eritrea) are able to turn garbage into goods. (11/5/07)

The New York Times reports, "Sudan’s former north-south foes have agreed on steps to carry out a 2005 peace deal". (11/4/07)

BBC reports that South Africa is working on "going green". South African power giant, Eskom and the National Energy Efficiency Agency are working together on solar powered traffic lights. (11/2/07)

BBC reports on the first prisoner in Tanzania to be awarded a law degree. "I want to be like my father, I want to graduate," said his 23-year-old daughter, who was seven when her father, I want to graduate," said his 23-year-old daughter, who was seven when her father was jailed. (11/1/07)

A monument in Yaounde, Cameroon, symbolizing the Unity
of its Anglophone and Francophone citizens.
Wednesday June 13th, 2007

Beauty on Sunday 11/4

William Easterly in an L.A. Times article, What Bono doesn't say about Africa, refers to a portrait of Africa being painted by westerners: "It's a dark and scary picture of a helpless, backward continent that's being offered up to TV watchers and coffee drinkers. But in fact, the real Africa is quite a bit different."

Similarly, Uzodinma Iweala's in his article Stop trying to save Africa argues, "News reports constantly focus on the continent's corrupt leaders, warlords, "tribal" conflicts, child laborers, and women disfigured by abuse and genital mutilation."

While the focus of most top news stories about Africa is in fact negative, if you do some digging, it isn't too difficult to find news reports with a more positive outlook. As long as time and circumstances permit, every Sunday, i will post news reports and articles focusing on the progress and "beauty" in Africa.

Confucius said, “Everything has its beauty, but not everyone sees it.” I hope i can provide an opportunity to see some of the beauty in Africa...

The Washington Post reports, after 2 years of relative peace in South Sudan, the animal wildlife is returning to the region. "The reappearance of the elephants is one of the greatest symbols of southern Sudanese hopes for peace." (11/3/07)

BBC reports, chief negotiator of the Ugandan rebels, Martin Ojul releases a white dove in Kampala as a symbol of their commitment to peace. (11/1/07)

The New York Times reports, the Sudanese government declared a unilateral cease-fire at the opening ceremony of peace talks on Darfur which took place in Libya on Saturday, Oct. 27th. (10/28/07)

The Economist reports, Joaquim Chissano, a former president of Mozambique wins the first Mo Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership. (10/25/07)

The L.A. Times reports that an experimental Malaria vaccine shows effectiveness among infants in Mozambique. (10/18/07)

View of the market in Bamenda, Cameroon.
Photo taken from the VODECAM (Volunteer Development for Youth in Cameroon) office.
Saturday, June 16th 2007