December 13, 2013
Nigeria: Anambra Controversy Exposes Troubles Facing the Electoral Commission
With the 2015 presidential elections looming, Nigeria's electoral body will have to learn from its recent mistakes, and quickly. Read more »
December 12, 2013
Chad: The Habré Trial - 23 Years On, Justice Comes to Chad
After years of perseverance from victims of Habré's violent rule, the case against the former dictator is finally gathering steam. Read more »
December 13, 2013
Nigeria: "Fela Loved People...he Loved to Eat and Fuck and Play Music"
Rikki Stein, Fela Kuti's former manager and "self-appointed guardian of his legacy", reveals what it was like living and touring with the Nigerian legend. Read more »
December 05, 2013
Nigeria: Welcome to a Two-Party State
With the defection of five governors to the opposition All Progressives Congress, is the dominance of the ruling People's Democratic Party finally crumbling? Read more »
Africa: The Value of Voluntary Service - a Ghanaian's Story in South Sudan
On International Volunteers Day, it is worth highlighting the importance of volunteers around the world and their role in strengthening trust, solidarity, and reciprocity. And what… Read more »
November 25, 2013
Nigeria: 'Downright False' - Shell Accused of Misreporting Oil Spills in the Niger Delta
A new Amnesty report claims that firms have been misrepresenting oil spills to avoid paying compensation. But this is just the tip of the iceberg of Nigeria's oil problems. Read more »
November 11, 2013
Nigeria: Nigeria's National Dialogue Conference - Enhancing the Debate or Killing It?
A measure supposed to heal divisions, enhance dialogue and relieve mistrust has so far done the very opposite. Read more »
November 07, 2013
Sierra Leone: Sierra Leone - Freedom of Information Is One Thing, Freedom of Press Is Another
Sierra Leone's new freedom of information bill could be positive, but as Liberia's experience shows, without political will, the law could mean very little. Read more »
November 04, 2013
Mali: Are the Blue Helmets Going Green?
After the Haiti cholera scandal, the UN Mali mission has become the first tasked with assessing its own environmental impacts. However early indications don't look promising. Read more »
November 01, 2013
Mali: Music, Culture & Conflict in Mali
Music is Mali's most famous cultural asset and has shaped the country's history for centuries. A new book by Andy Morgan recounts how it has suffered under Islamist occupation. Read more »
October 31, 2013
Nigeria: Lagos - a Cultural and Historical Companion
The challenges of living in Lagos are widely anthologised, so why would anyone choose to live there? Read more »
Cameroon: Getting Girls Into School
Despite improving school enrolment statistics in Cameroon, girls continue to lag behind boys due to a complex mix of economic and cultural factors. Read more »
October 24, 2013
Guinea: Elections Are About More Than Ethnic Loyalties
Beyond notions of clan rivalries and ethnic bloc voting, a closer look at Guinea suggests its realities are far too complex to be boiled down to just 'us' and 'them'. Read more »
October 22, 2013
Nigeria: Red Hot + Fela
A covers album celebrating the Nigerian titan and originator of Afrobeat is yet another reason it's a great year for fans of Fela Kuti. Read more »
October 18, 2013
Cameroon: Opposition Stages Mini-Comeback
The ruling party's parliamentary majority was cut back in Cameroon's latest elections. But with 148 of the 180 seats still in its control, these losses will make no difference. Read more »
October 10, 2013
Senegal: Wolof 2.0 - Spoken Languages in a Digital Age
In Senegal, French was traditionally the language of writing, Wolof the language of speaking. But, helped by mobile phones and the web, that is fast changing. Read more »
October 09, 2013
Senegal: Mekfoul District, Toubab All Stars
The best African album you've never heard. Read more »
Africa: Nigerian Monarchs, the Custodians of Peace and Cultural Heritage
A renaissance is currently taking place in the African art world, and its appreciation - across various mediums - is growing. One of the latest examples of this is Nigerian… Read more »
October 07, 2013
Nigeria: From Fuel Subsidy to Subsidy Reinvestment Programme
Nigeria's Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme looks to have become yet another source of mismanagement and inefficiency. Read more »
September 30, 2013
Guinea: Long-Awaited Polls Held Peacefully
After years of delays, Guinea's first legislative elections since the 2008 coup have gone relatively smoothly. But the hardest task of is yet to come. Read more »
September 27, 2013
Niger: The Stable Sahelian State, for Now
Despite an outward image of stability, Niger can't be used as a model for Mali's reconstruction. Read more »
September 26, 2013
Mali: The Appeal of the Shadows and the Destruction of Democracy
Ibrahim Boubakar Keïta must learn not to make the mistakes of his predecessors if Mali is to make meaningful progress. Read more »
September 25, 2013
Cape Verde: Soccer Whirlwind Blows Out
Cape Verde were two games away from becoming the smallest nation ever to qualify for the World Cup. Their disqualification is a cruel exit from football's biggest tournament. Read more »
Mali: The Malian Griot in the Modern Era
Interview with Malian musician, Bassekou Kouyate, at The Sugar Club, Dublin. Read more »
September 19, 2013
Cameroon: Pastoralists Fight for Way of Life
After years of struggles against governments and private parties, the Mbororo-Fulani are gaining international attention. But is this too little too late? Read more »