Samantha Schultz

Anna Zimmer
IP290 RR #2
25 January 2016
Middle East and Africa
The Economist: Political Tweeting in Africa P. 51
Social media has paved the way for digital doers in Africa to address issues, provide
support for causes and also poke fun at their countrys political leaders. The most recent trending
topic in Africa focuses on the new leader of Tanzania. The United Republic of Tanzanias fifth
President, John Magufuli holds the mentality of work and nothing else and that slogan
certainly seems to hold true in respect to his latest actions. So far as president, Magufuli has
taken strides to promote work efficiency at all costs, even going as far as cancelling
Independence Day celebrations and showing up unexpectedly at the ministry of finance to make
sure staff were present. Magufulis behavior and mentality encouraged tweeters to invent the
hashtag #WhatWouldMagufuliDo to express their humorous thoughts and opinions about
Tanzanias newest president.
As most comments remain affectionate in nature, not all the hashtags are as comical.
Uhuru Kenyatta, Kenyas president, who is also facing a trial at the international criminal court,
has become the target for harsh jokes by tweeters criticizing the politician for the many foreign
trips he takes and his lack of continuous presence in the country overall. Anti-corruption
campaigners in Kenya have taken to Twitter also to identify concerns in their community.
Through the social network the anti-corruption campaigners are able to organize ideas and
events, address injustices and comment on other matters and issues pertaining to Kenyas
corrupted system. The instant dispersion of messages within 140 characters has proven to be an
extremely effective way to relay information and connect with others about significant issues.

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SOURCES
http://www.economist.com/news/middle-east-and-africa/21688102-poking-fun-african-leaderssocial-media-political-tweeting-africa
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/oct/30/africa-twitter-blogs-politicians

The Economist: Utilities in the Middle East P.54

Renewable energy has not been a primary focus of concern for too many people in the
Middle East. However, EcoPeace, a joint NGO among Israel, Jordan and Palestine, proposed a
$30 billion plan that attempts to produce water from Israels abundance of sunlight. This plan
proposes to construct desalination plants along the Mediterranean shore of Israel and the Gaza
Strip. Simultaneously, a number of areas in the eastern Jordan desert will house a solar energy
plant over 75 square miles. The solar energy plants will generate power for the desalination
plants as well as for Jordan on terms of exchange for water from the coast. This plan will help to
promote a peaceful economy based around water and energy in the Middle East. This plan is still
in the premature stages and concerns over costs and political instability remain high but the
benefits from renewable energy are factors surely to be taken into consideration.
SOURCES
http://www.economist.com/news/middle-east-and-africa/21688414-environmental-proposalpolitical-overtones-sun-and-sea
http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-1.690127