Ofeibea Quist-Arcton

In Zimbabwe, Will Next Election Be More Peaceful?

Ofeibea Quist-Arcton — Sat, 18 May 2013 11:23:00 +0000

Host Scott Simon talks with NPR's Ofeibea Quist-Arcton about Zimbabwe's upcoming presidential election and efforts to alleviate its international isolation.

Media Focus On Ailing Mandela Is Not 'The African Way'

Ofeibea Quist-Arcton — Sat, 11 May 2013 09:29:00 +0000

It's almost impossible these days to switch on South African radio or television, or read a local newspaper, website or tweet, and not hear Nelson Mandela's name mentioned.

Friday marked the 19th anniversary of Mandela's inauguration as South Africa's first democratically elected — and first black — president, four years after he was released from prison.

For many South Africans, the coverage of his recent hospitalization and poor health seems like media overkill. Older South Africans stress that the African way of coping with the twilight years is culturally nuanced.

Dream Wedding Is Now South Africa's Diplomatic Nightmare

Ofeibea Quist-Arcton — Sat, 04 May 2013 21:09:00 +0000

It's been dubbed Guptagate. The real-life story reads like a Hollywood — or Bollywood — script, and it's dominating the national conversation in South Africa.

It starts with a high-society wedding in South Africa, organized by three wealthy, well-connected and influential brothers named Gupta from India.

Lady Mechanic Initiative Trains Women For 'The Best Job'

Ofeibea Quist-Arcton — Thu, 02 May 2013 07:00:00 +0000

The young women training to be mechanics at Nigeria's Lady Mechanic Initiative wear navy overalls and work boots and their hair is tucked under customized red caps as they repair vehicles in a garage. Customers come and go, dropping off and collecting their cars. Trainee Enogie Osagie says she faced great resistance at home when she started.

"At first, they were really angry. They didn't want me to go for it," says Osagie. "My mum wasn't happy with it. She just went on crying, 'Why do you want to be a mechanic? The risk is too much.' I was like, 'Don't worry, this is what I want.

S. African Leader Under Fire After Awkward Visit With Mandela

Ofeibea Quist-Arcton — Wed, 01 May 2013 21:15:00 +0000

In South Africa, controversial images of a frail and ashen Nelson Mandela being visited by South Africa's current president aired on national television this week.

A Minnesotan In Mali, Teaching The Country's Sounds

Ofeibea Quist-Arcton — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 13:51:00 +0000

Numbers are down at the American International School in Bamako, the capital of Mali.

In just over a year, the country has witnessed a rebellion, a military coup and the occupation by Islamist fighters of the desert northern region, recently largely liberated in a counteroffensive by French-led forces.

South Africans: Why Were Paratroopers In Central African Republic?

Ofeibea Quist-Arcton — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 09:11:00 +0000

The deaths of 13 South African soldiers in the mutinous Central African Republic has opposition politicians asking why South African troops were there. The ruling ANC has denied it has any business in the Central African Republic — which is rich in natural resources, including diamonds and uranium.

Nelson Mandel's Condition Seems To Be Improving

Ofeibea Quist-Arcton — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 08:42:00 +0000

Public expressions of concern are on full display as South Africans monitor the hospitalization of anti-apartheid hero and former president Nelson Mandela. The 94 year old is being treated for pneumonia.

Nigeria's Outspoken Writer Chinua Achebe Dies At 82

Ofeibea Quist-Arcton — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 14:55:00 +0000

Nigerian novelist Chinua Achebe, who played a critical role in establishing post-colonial African literature, has died. The author of Things Fall Apart was 82.

Chinua Achebe, Nigerian Author Of 'Things Fall Apart,' Dies

Ofeibea Quist-Arcton — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 12:29:00 +0000

NPR's Ofeibea Quist-Arcton reports from Lagos, Nigeria, on the death of one of Africa's greatest contemporary writers. Quoting his publisher, AP, CNN, and the BBC are reporting Chinua Achebe has died.

Chinua Achebe who taught at colleges in the United States made literary history with his 1958 best-seller Things Fall Apart, a sobering tale about Nigeria at the beginning of its colonization.

Achebe, 82, played a critical role in establishing post-colonial African literature and is known to students all over the continent for his seminal novel, Things Fall Apart.

Fastjet Brings High-Frequency, Low-Cost Flights To Africa

Ofeibea Quist-Arcton — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 10:18:00 +0000

The first pan-African budget airline took to the skies in late November with a series of flights in Tanzania. Fastjet's aim is to offer a low-cost alternative to passengers accustomed to uncertain and costly air travel.

Pope's Resignation An Opportunity For Africa's Cardinals

Ofeibea Quist-Arcton — Sat, 16 Feb 2013 10:18:00 +0000

The names of African cardinals are popping up as possible contenders to succeed Pope Benedict as head of the Roman Catholic Church when he steps down at the end of the month.

The Mary Mother of Good Council School is one of a number of respected Roman Catholic schools overseen by the archdiocese of Accra, the capital of the West African nation of Ghana.

'Blade Runner' Athlete Charged With Murder Of Girlfriend

Ofeibea Quist-Arcton — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 21:38:00 +0000

Transcript

ROBERT SIEGEL, HOST:

From NPR News, this is ALL THINGS CONSIDERED. I'm Robert Siegel.

Oscar Pistorius, the double-amputee who made history last year by competing in the London Olympic Games, is in the headlines for a very different reason today. The South African runner and Paralympic athlete, known as the Blade Runner, is facing charges of murder.

Insurgents In Northern Mali Launch Guerrilla Attacks

Ofeibea Quist-Arcton — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 10:36:00 +0000

It appears that the conflict in northern Mali is entering a new stage — insurgency.

Allegations Of Human Rights Abuse Abound In Mali

Ofeibea Quist-Arcton — Sun, 03 Feb 2013 21:37:00 +0000

As Malian forces backed by French and African troops have retaken the West African nation's contested northern region, there have been allegations of human rights abuses. Human Rights organizations accuse the Malian army of summary executions, among other abuses.

African Forces May Have Trouble Holding On To French Gains

Ofeibea Quist-Arcton — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 11:10:00 +0000

Transcript

STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:

On a Thursday it's MORNING EDITION from NPR News. I'm Steve Inskeep.

RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST:

And I'm Renee Montagne. The first phase of the French-led military intervention in Mali appears to be over. Radical Islamist fighters have been driven from the last major town they seized control of last year.

INSKEEP: France would like to step back now and play a supporting role for Malian troops and allied African forces.

Timbuktu Freed From Islamist Fighters

Ofeibea Quist-Arcton — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 10:21:00 +0000

In the West African nation of Mali, residents of Timbuktu were cheering in the streets Monday, after the city was liberated by French and Malian forces after months under the harsh rule of Islamist fighters. In a final act of cultural warfare before fleeing Timbuktu, the rebels are reported to have set fire to libraries housing priceless manuscripts.

In Fight Against Extremists, Mali Is Far From Alone

Ofeibea Quist-Arcton — Sun, 27 Jan 2013 11:55:00 +0000

Transcript

RACHEL MARTIN, HOST:

This is WEEKEND EDITION from NPR News. I'm Rachel Martin. The French-led military intervention in Mali is picking up momentum in the campaign to help the Malian government recapture Islamist-occupied strongholds in the north. And while French airpower has tipped the scales in the Malian government's favor, the question now is whether Mali's beleaguered army is up to the fight. NPR's Ofeibea Quist-Arcton reports from Bamako, Mali's capital city in the south.

OFEIBEA QUIST-ARCTON, BYLINE: Here's recent history in a nutshell.

Backed By French Might, Malian Troops Retake Diabaly

Ofeibea Quist-Arcton — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 10:05:00 +0000

The French-led operation in Mali, which is intended to drive back Islamist militants, appears to be gaining momentum. The U.S. and European powers are helping airlift French forces into the Sahara nation, and African soldiers from around the region are arriving to lend a hand.

In the past week, French airstrikes and ground troops have helped government forces retake the strategic town of Diabaly in central Mali — the first major victory in the fight to reclaim the north.

A scene of ruin greets visitors to Diabaly.

Mali Update

Ofeibea Quist-Arcton — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 09:22:00 +0000

The French military continues its bombing raids in Northern Mali, where extremists, including an al-Qaida affiliate, have taken over. The French have pummeled rebel positions from the air, backing up Mali's beleaguered army on the ground.

Clinics Come To The Rescue Of Ethiopia's Overworked Donkeys

Ofeibea Quist-Arcton — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 08:25:00 +0000

In Ethiopia, the donkey is more than just a beast of burden.

The Horn of Africa nation is home to more than 6 million donkeys and comes second only to China in global donkey numbers. The country is both donkey heaven and donkey hell, but though the animal is highly prized, it can also be mistreated.

"In Ethiopia, there's a good saying: 'A farmer without a donkey is a donkey himself,' " says Bojia Endebu, a veterinary surgeon and seasoned donkey doctor.

As Economy Prospers, Ghana Holds Presidential Vote

Ofeibea Quist-Arcton — Sat, 08 Dec 2012 10:29:00 +0000

Voting for a new president and parliament in Ghana has been extended into a second day in some areas due to glitches with the new biometric voter verification system.

Ghana, which began pumping crude oil in 2010 and is also a major cocoa and gold exporter, has gained an enviable reputation in its often-turbulent West African neighborhood. It's admired for being a relative oasis of stability and peace in the region — despite tensions in the build-up to the vote.

A Peaceful Democracy

The unofficial 2012 election campaign theme in Ghana was peace.

All Aboard South Africa's High-Speed Train

Ofeibea Quist-Arcton — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 19:16:00 +0000

Public transit in South Africa can be a bit of a nightmare. Many South Africans have had to depend on the ubiquitous taxivans, which are often overcrowded, dirty and driven recklessly.

But the continent's first rapid rail service, built to ease traffic congestion in South Africa's economic heart, is changing that.

The Gautrain links Johannesburg, the country's economic and business hub, and Pretoria, its political capital. With speeds of up to 100 mph, it is a smooth, swift, clean and chilly ride (complete with American-style air conditioning).

Disgraced South African Politician Champions Striking Miners

Ofeibea Quist-Arcton — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 10:49:00 +0000

Transcript

RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST:

In South Africa, high stakes political drama is playing out in the courts and in the headlines there. A disgraced political firebrand expelled from the governing African National Congress for insubordination has worked himself back into the spotlight as a champion of striking mine workers. Julius Malema is denouncing the president, a man he once supported, as a fat cat growing rich on the backs of the masses. In turn, the rebel politician is facing money-laundering charges.

For Many S. Africans, Strikes Recall Apartheid Era

Ofeibea Quist-Arcton — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 09:17:00 +0000

Last month, a confrontation between the police and striking platinum miners turned deadly when police killed 34 people. The incident, and the fallout, have sent shock waves across South Africa, with people saying that the violence harks back to the bad old days of apartheid, repression and white minority rule.

Remembering Meles Zenawi, Ethiopia's Champion

Ofeibea Quist-Arcton — Sun, 26 Aug 2012 00:35:00 +0000

Transcript

SCOTT SIMON, HOST:

This is WEEKEND EDITION from NPR News. I'm Scott Simon. Ethiopia's longtime prime minister died this week. Meles Zenawi was 57. He came to power in 1991 when a rebel army toppled that nation's Marxist dictator and the Ethiopian leader became a trusted U.S. ally in the war against terrorism.

Mali's Cultural Heritage, Old And New, Faces Threats

Ofeibea Quist-Arcton — Sat, 04 Aug 2012 09:53:00 +0000

Mali is a country rich in culture, both old and new.

The banging of hammers on silver echos through the main crafts market in Bamako, Mali's capital. It's usually teeming in a place where you can buy anything, from silver earrings to batik fabric, all of it handmade.

And despite its remote location, Mali has enhanced its cultural reputation in recent years with an annual international music and arts festival in the Sahara Desert near Timbuktu, drawing both African and Western artists.

But Mali's cultural gems, which have drawn steady tourist traffic, are now at risk from a dual crisis.