After the Storm

It’s only a handful of times that I have felt this. It’s what I call a Mandela moment – being aware of living through something historical and extraordinary.

The answer to Senegal’s prayers

The celebrations of the birthday of the prophet Mohammed are a big deal in Senegal, where almost all of the population are devout Muslims. Hundreds of thousands of people are congregating in the town of Tivaouane for prayers on Monday to mark what they call Gamou. For the people of Dakar, the journey to Tivaouane – just a few kilometres -- is long, slow and arduous. That’s because the capital’s infrastructure – barely able to cope with its daily workload -- seizes up when faced with a mass movement on this scale. Dakar is at one end of a peninsula, and ...

World Have Your Say from Coco Beach

Last night's World Have Your Say was a tricky programme. Power surges and power cuts not to mention low-flying bats all formed hazards that needed to be avoided. Still, we managed to get several Tanzanians on air at the Coco Beach bar and heard their views on the impending crisis. Special thanks to WHYS regular Adam who heard us on FM 104 -- a local World Service rebroadcaster -- and turned up to take part. The podcast is here. Some of the contributors left to right: Emmy, Dina, Jacqueline, Salim and Ranjiv And a massive thanks to the World Service business unit's Rob Young ...

Bob Geldof

Never one to mince his words, especially in front of world leaders, Sir Bob Geldof has just entered the debate here in Dar es Salaam. Click here to hear Bob (0 mins 43 secs). "Africa is not forgotten but a lot of Africans are schizophrenic about aid. " "Everyone is so frightened, everywhere, people are scared stiff. I' ve just come from Ireland. It is catastrophic. The unemployment figures are going through the roof." "Berlusconi doesn't give a crap" [caption id="attachment_220" align="alignnone" width="420" caption="Sir Bob Geldof."][/caption]

Jeffrey Sachs on African aid

Jeffrey Sachs is a special advisor to the UN's Ban Ki Moon. He's one of the key speakers here at the IMF conference in Dar es Salaam . . .

Reflections

After the Storm

It’s only a handful of times that I have felt this. It’s what I call a Mandela moment – being aware of living through something historical and extraordinary. Read More →