John Campbell

Africa in Transition

Campbell tracks political and security developments across sub-Saharan Africa.

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Showing posts for "Press Freedom"

Ghana: An African Poster-Boy?

by Guest Blogger for John Campbell
Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama (L) takes the oath during his inauguration ceremony at the Independence Square in Accra January 7, 2013. (Stringer/Courtesy Reuters) Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama (L) takes the oath during his inauguration ceremony at the Independence Square in Accra January 7, 2013. (Stringer/Courtesy Reuters)

This is a guest post by Fr. Giles Conacher, a Benedictine monk based in Ghana. 

Ghana is often portrayed as Africa’s answer to sliced bread, a political and economic role model for all of Africa–does it deserve so much credit?

Politically it shows creditable maturity. In elections in 2004, 2008, and 2012 it successfully and peacefully changed president. The margin between losers and the victors, in the 2008 presidential runoff, was 48.1 percent to 51.9 percent, and yet there was a change of government, party, and president; no riots. I was proud of “our Ghana,” I tell you! Read more »

Avoiding Political Violence in Sierra Leone

by Guest Blogger for John Campbell
Sierra Leone's opposition party All People?s Congress supporters mingle outside their party headquarters in Freetown 26/07/2007. (Katrina Manson/Courtesy Reuters) Sierra Leone's opposition party All People?s Congress supporters mingle outside their party headquarters in Freetown 26/07/2007. (Katrina Manson/Courtesy Reuters)

This is a guest blog post by Mohamed Jallow, Program Development Specialist at IntraHealth International. He was previously a program associate at the Council on Foreign Relations.

Sierra Leoneans go to the polls a little over a week after the United States this year. Unlike the United States, Sierra Leone is still experimenting with the idea of democracy and all its complexities. There remains an ever present fear of elections degenerating into chaos and violence. Read more »

South Africa: Zuma Painting Opens Freedom of Expression Debate

by John Campbell
A visitor photographs a painting of South Africa's President Jacob Zuma at an exhibition in Johannesburg May 18, 2012. (Siphiwe Sibeko/Courtesy Reuters) A visitor photographs a painting of South Africa's President Jacob Zuma at an exhibition in Johannesburg May 18, 2012. (Siphiwe Sibeko/Courtesy Reuters)

The New York Times reports that an exhibition at a Johannesburg art gallery is pushing contemporary hot buttons. On exhibit is a large painting of a figure resembling President Zuma with his genitals exposed. The governing African National Congress (ANC) is suing to have the painting removed. The gallery and its supporters from civil society are claiming the right to free speech, which the constitution guarantees. Read more »

Nigeria: Civil Servants Unpaid, Journalists Threatened, Boko Haram and MEND Bombing

by John Campbell
Farm produce are seen with burnt patches after a blast at Gomboru local market on Monday, in Nigeria's northern city Maiduguri February 7, 2012. (Stringer/Courtesy Reuters) Farm produce are seen with burnt patches after a blast at Gomboru local market on Monday, in Nigeria's northern city Maiduguri February 7, 2012. (Stringer/Courtesy Reuters)

Over the past week there have been curious Nigerian developments. The government has been unable to pay its civil servants and is now a month in arrears. The explanation has been that the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation failed to deposit the government’s oil revenue in the account from which civil servants are paid. Then, this week, the government closed down the press office at Lagos’s Murtala Muhammed Airport. This facility has operated under military and civilian governments and is a generation old. In addition, journalists were reportedly threatened in the Middle Belt. Read more »

Press Freedom in South Africa

by John Campbell
A demonstrator protests against the passing of the Protection of Information Bill outside Parliament in Cape Town, November 22, 2011. (Mike Hutchings/Courtesy Reuters) A demonstrator protests against the passing of the Protection of Information Bill outside Parliament in Cape Town, November 22, 2011. (Mike Hutchings/Courtesy Reuters)

Relations between South Africa’s governing coalition led by the African National Congress (ANC) and the mostly white-owned press have been edgy from the beginning of post-apartheid South Africa. They worsened under President Thabo Mbeki and current president Jacob Zuma. Read more »