Stories Sub-Saharan Africa

African Bloggers Offer Solidarity to Obama

  November 4, 2008

As Americans line up to vote-in their 44th President, African bloggers write in solidarity and offer near unanimous support for an Obama Administration. So what are people saying? Ari Herzog brings us the scoop from Africa and around the globe.

Why isn't Election Day a Holiday?

  November 4, 2008

As Americans queue up to wait for potentially hours to vote, observers from other countries are wondering why Election Day in the U.S. isn't a holiday. In many countries, voting is mandatory, and the day a holiday to ensure people are able to vote. Although some states do require that businesses give their employees time off to vote, many do not. Jillian C. York looks at reactions from Kenya and Australia.

Illegal Alien or Not, the World Reacts to Obama's Auntie Zeituni

  November 4, 2008

Unless you've been living under a rock, you probably know by now that Barack Obama's paternal aunt, Zeituni Onyango, 56, who was affectionately described as "Auntie Zeituni" in his memoir, "Dreams from My Father," is a Kenyan immigrant living in Boston public housing. She is also living there illegally, which complicates issues considering she contributed $260 to her nephew's presidential campaign. Bloggers from around the world react.

America votes. American election officials sweat.

  November 4, 2008

A record number of voters in the United States will attempt to cast ballots in Tuesday's election, leading many to worry about the potential for chaos at polling stations across the country. International bloggers look at the problems and some possible solutions.

Breaking News: Twittersphere Reacts to Obama Grandmother's Passing

  November 3, 2008

In a sad turn of events, presidential hopeful Barack Obama's grandmother, Madelyn Dunham, passed away from cancer less than 24 hours before her grandson could be elected president. Obama visited his grandmother, whose nickname was “Toot,” last week, taking a break from his schedule of heavy campaigning. Although it's too...

Sing Along to the White House

  October 29, 2008

Talent is pouring out from all corners of the globe in support of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama. Here are some songs celebrating the Illinois Senator from Ghana, Japan and Germany.

Today's Faves: Liberian Youth, Pepsi, and Obama in the Lottery

  October 29, 2008

Voices without Votes continuously aggregates interesting links about the election from world bloggers. Our authors take turns picking their top 3 personal favorites every weekday. 1) My first pick for today isn't exactly a blog, but the perspective is certainly blog worthy. In the Youth Media Reporter, a professional journal...

International bloggers tackle polling

  October 28, 2008

For many of us, scanning poll results have become a fixture of politics. The media has long been criticized for covering elections much like a horse race instead of concentrating on issues and probing the mind of voters. Candidates often complain about the polls, too, especially when those results show them trailing. International bloggers weigh in.

Africans reflect on Bush, Obama and McCain

  October 27, 2008

As the presidential election zooms towards the final lap, Africa finds itself in the throes of debate for the first time since the major party primaries ended in June. Since Barack Obama and John McCain beat back their respective challengers earlier this year, the two major party candidates have focused on other issues in the race for the presidency, like the global financial crisis and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Regardless of not having a place at the table, many Africans and African bloggers have followed the U.S. presidential race with keen interest.