summary

The end of the year brings with it all sorts of compilations, lists and summaries of the good, the bad and the ugly of the year that’s coming to an end. And On Africa is no exception to this – see here the top-10 stories of 2009 (in English and in Spanish/español), and the ten photos that summarise 2010 (although without photos 😦 since the links broke when I transferred from Maneno to WordPress earlier this year and I have not fixed it yet…).

This year, I have compiled a list of the most viewed original posts written this year (according to WordPress). What this means is that the list excludes posts written in the past (the post most viewed this year is this one on Conguitos, a politically incorrect Spanish brand of sweets, written in march 2010). Also excluded are those posts that serve as self-promotion for pieces published for other media but to which I have made reference here.

So, whilst technically incorrect, the list makes this up in relevance, for these posts reflect better some of the most important news and stories in the African continent and beyond; with some exceptions – South Sudan independence, the war in Côte d’Ivoire (both these stories have op-ed pieces devoted to them and can be viewed on the «Other Work» section), as well as cultural notes. What is there includes: Zambia’s presidential election, Bin Laden’s death, Kenya’s invasion of Somalia and the «Arab spring» among others…

Enjoy these stories, leave below any comments you may have, and have a wonderful festive season and end of the year and beginning of 2012! Seguir leyendo →

The end of another year, and it comes with the inevitable re-caps of the top stories of the year (such as this one), and the predictions and suggestions for the next.
On our second «end-of-year blog-post», On Africa wants to continue this nice widespread tradition. Unlike last year, when I did a longer and more elaborate summary of 2009’s top stories – so broadly understood many are still relevant – this year we will go for a brief re-cap – in pictures – of what the year has brought (in roughly chronologycal order).
And happy 2011!

Many African countries celebrate their 50th anniversary of independence
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Part of a large crowd in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, this 30 June, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the country’s independence. Photograph: UN Photo / Evan Schneider. Source

SEACOM lands in East Africa
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A Kenyan boy looks at the East African Marine Cable (TEAMS) fiber optic cable from the ship Niwa in Mombasa. The cable has taken 18 months to reach the Kenyan coast by sea from the Middle East and is set to improve information and communication technology in Africa. REUTERS/Joseph Okanga (Source)

Murder of supremacist leader Terreblanche shakes race relations in South Africa

Terreblanche’s brother puts the AWB flag on the coffin during his funeral at a church in Ventersdorp on April 9 where 1,000 supporters turned up. AFP/Getty. Source

Yar’Adua returns, dies and Goodluck Jonathan takes Nigeria’s government
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Ambulance conveying Nigeria president Umaru Yar’Adua drives through the Nnamdi Azikiwe international airport in Abuja February 24, 2010. Yar’Adua died on May 5. Reuters/Afolabi Sotunde. Source

South Africa’s World Cup
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Archbishop Desmond Tutu welcomes the audience during the opening concert for the soccer World Cup at Orlando stadium. Photo AP/Hassan Ammar. Source.

Al-Shabaab bombs in Uganda
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The Ethiopian Village Restaurant, one of the scenes of the July 11 twin bomb blasts in Kampala (Uganda) Source

Kenya’s new constitution
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Kenyan officials cheer as President Mwai Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga make an address to announce that voters have approved a new constitution on August 5, 2010. Tony Karumba/AFP/Getty Images. Source

Food riots in Mozambique
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A demonstrator throws a tyre on to a burning barricade during riots in Mozambique’s capital Maputo. Photo Reuters. Source

Guinea manages a peaceful election and transfer of power…
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Alpha Conde supporters celebrate victory after November’s election in Guinea. Source.

…but Côte d’Ivoire doesn’t
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UN troops provide security at a hotel used by Ivory Coast opposition leader Alassane Ouattara and members of his party in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, Dec. 6, 2010. Photo AP/Schalk van Zuydam. Source

summary

It’s that time of the year… On Africa’s eleven top posts in 2011

On Africa’s ten photographs to remember 2010