Africa Up Close

March 7, 2013

French Article Translation of the Week

“Jean-Yves Le Drian en visite surprise au Mali”

“Le ministre français de la Défense, Jean-Yves Le Drian, est arrivé jeudi 7 mars dans le nord-est du Mali pour faire une visite surprise aux troupes françaises qui y combattent les groupes islamistes armés. Il doit ensuite se rendre à Gao et Bamako.”

“The French Minister of Defense, Jean-Yves Le Drian, arrived Thursday, March 7 in the northeast of Mali to make a surprise visit to French troops who are fighting armed Islamist groups. He will then go to Gao and Bamako.”

Continue reading for news including stories on the confirmed death of Mali coup leaders Abou Zeid and Mokhtar Belmokhtar, private foundation investment in Africa, Kenyatta’s early lead in the Kenya presidential election and CORD’s reaction, the detention of Dr. Kiiza Besigye in Uganda, and how the M23 split might affect the current DRC peace talks.

March 4-10, 2013

Continue reading for events occurring throughout Washington, D.C.

Continue reading for articles including those on corruption as a global phenomenon, the future of Rwandan President Paul Kagame, Kenya’s hopes for a peaceful and fair election, and Africa’s macroeconomic setting threatening gains that were made in the 1990s.

February 28, 2013

French Article Translation of the Week

“Élections au Kenya: un “geek” à la présidence?”

“À l’heure de désigner le prochain chef de l’État, le Kenya prépare ses élections générales du 4 mars dans l’effervescence et dans la crainte de nouvelles violences. Mais au-delà des meetings qui ont animé le pays, la campagne a aussi mobilisé Internet. Réseaux sociaux, sites, débats en direct via YouTube… La Toile est devenu un passage obligé de la vie politique kényane.”

“In preparation for the designation of the next Head of State, Kenya prepares its general elections on March 4 in the excitement and the fear of further violence. But beyond the meetings that animated the country, the campaign also mobilized the Internet. Social networking sites, live discussion via YouTube … The Web has become an obligatory feed for Kenyan politics.”

Continue reading for news including stories on Amnesty International’s accusation that the Ivorian army has violated the human rights of supporters of former President Gbagbo, the postponement of the ICC trial of four Kenyan suspects, including presidential candidate Uhuru Kenyatta, how the murder of a young Zimbabwean boy might be connected to the country’s upcoming referendum, the current successes of AMISOM, and Paul Kagame’s amendments to key cabinet positions.

Continue reading for news including stories on Boko Haram’s role in the abduction of a French family in Cameroon, Kenyan officials’ promise of peace for the upcoming elections, how a top ANC official was arrested for murder, a special report on the rise of telecoms in Africa, and an analysis of the land reform issue in four East African countries.

February 25 – March 3, 2013

Continue reading for events occurring throughout Washington, D.C.

Continue reading for stories including Pan-Africa Insurance shares reaching new heights, Egyptian president calling for parliamentary elections in April, Kenyatta and Odinga tied in polling, and learning Chinese as a lucrative investment in Zimbabwe.

February 21, 2013

French Article Translation of the Week

“RDC – M23: l’accord-cadre de l’ONU signé ‘avant la fin de février'”

“Rapportant des propos du secrétaire général des Nations unies, le Premier ministre de RDC, Augustin Matata Ponyo, a indiqué que l’accord-cadre de l’ONU pour la pacification des Grands Lacs devrait être signé avant la fin du mois de février.”

“Relaying remarks from the Secretary General of the UN, Augustin Matata Ponyo, Prime Minister of the DRC, said the U.N. framework agreement for peace in the Great Lakes should be signed before the end of February.”