Liberia: 'The Role of Agriculture in Post-Conflict Recovery - The Case of Liberia'

A statement by Her Excellency Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President of the Republic of Liberia on "The Role of Agriculture in Post-Conflict Recovery: The Case of Liberia." Delivered at… Read more »

Madagascar: Rajoelina Not to Stand for President

After the recent deadlock in talks aimed at ending Madagascar's political crisis, and the constitution of a new civilian-military administration, the island's leader, Andry… Read more »

Madagascar: Rajoelina Negotiates on Army Demands

Madagascar's ruler, Andry Rajoelina, is reported to be conducting talks with military leaders in an effort to meet their demands that he bring to an end the country's political… Read more »

Sudan: Clinton Defends U.S. Record on Khartoum

The United States Secretary of State, Hilary Clinton, has defended the Obama administration's record on Sudan, saying although she is "certainly not satisfied" with what it has… Read more »

Somalia: UN Envoy Says Peace and Humanitarian Efforts Must Move to Mogadishu

Peace in Somalia is not only possible but is 'relatively easy' to achieve, according to Ambassador Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah, a veteran diplomat who has served as Mauritania's foreign… Read more »

Nigeria: Electoral Reform, Energy Are Top Priorities for Acting President

Acting President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday called for a curb on the sale of small arms around the world and for the international community to support Nigeria's efforts to… Read more »

Sudan: Polls Peaceful But Confusing

Sudan on Monday was voting in the country's first multi-party elections in 24 years, but the credibility of the polls has been cast in doubt because of an opposition boycott. Read more »

Sudan: Opposition Parties Threaten Polls Boycott

Most of Sudan's political opposition parties threatened on Thursday to boycott upcoming elections, following months of concerns raised in the south over insecurity and poor… Read more »

Western Sahara: Controversial Film Exposes Slavery in Refugee Camps

One of the most controversial films shown at the recent Los Angeles Pan African Film Festival (PAFF) was “Stolen,” which had its U.S. premier at the festival. The… Read more »

Sudan: Darfur Rebel Group Reaches Peace Deal With Govt

A major Darfur rebel group has reached a "framework agreement" with the Sudanese government, according to news agencies and the United States government. Read more »

Cote d'Ivoire: Several Dead in Clashes With Security Forces

Security forces shot dead six people in Cote d'Ivoire during protests on Friday following the dissolution of the government and the electoral commission. Read more »

Niger: When is a Coup not a Coup? The AU's Dilemma

Events in Niger are unfolding as a classic coup d'etat: after gun battles in the capital, Niamey, President Mamadou Tandja was captured by the military, including members of his… Read more »

Madagascar: International Community Warns of Sanctions

An international contact group on Madagascar has warned the rulers of Madagascar that "necessary steps," including sanctions, will be implemented if the impasse over returning the… Read more »

Sudan: Hague Court Attacks Prosecution Evidence as 'Weak,' 'Unreliable'

The International Criminal Court has described evidence against a Darfur rebel leader accused of an attack on African Union peacekeepers variously as "weak", "scant" and… Read more »

Liberia: Former Liberian Leader's Son Ordered to Pay Torture Victims

A federal court in the United States has ordered the son of former Liberian president Charles Taylor to pay more than US$22 million in damages to five people tortured by his… Read more »

Somalia: Nato Forces Recover Ship from Pirates

Danish specialist troops seized a merchant ship in the Gulf of Aden Friday, soon after Somali pirates had boarded it and tried to hijack it, the European Union's naval force for… Read more »

Somalia: New Hijacking as Shipping Industry Voices Frustration

A Libyan cargo ship carrying a crew of 17, the MV Rim, has been hijacked by Somali pirates operating south of Yemen, as shipping industry groups express frustration at the failure… Read more »

Somalia: Pirates Hold Couple for Nearly 100 Days

Nearly 100 days after being seized by Somali pirates, a British couple appeared in separate videos, speaking of “cruel” treatment by their captors and a longing to see… Read more »

Sudan: Parties Strategize Ahead of April Polls

The Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) has named a northern Muslim, Yasir Arman, as its candidate for the April presidential elections. Read more »

Guinea: Parties Agree on Unity Govt, Elections

The African Union has welcomed the signing of an agreement setting up a unity government in Guinea, to be followed by elections within six months. Read more »

Madagascar: Region Rejects Rajoelina's Election Plans

Southern African leaders have dismissed plans by Malagasy leader Andry Rajoelina to hold unilaterally-organized elections in March. Read more »

Guinea: Wounded Military Ruler Emerges - Reports

The leader of Guinea, Captain Moussa Dadis Camara, has appeared in public for the first time since surviving an assassination attempt last month. He had been receiving treatment in… Read more »

Nigeria: Government Limbo Continues

Nigerians are getting startling, and conflicting, news each day about their long crisis of governance. Early Monday morning, the BBC's Hausa service surprised them with a… Read more »

Niger: Talks on Political Crisis Resume

Negotiations between Niger's government and the opposition aimed at resolving the country's political crisis resumed on Monday, reports L'Observateur Paalga of Ouagadougou. Read more »

Nigeria: Will Power Brokers Listen and Act?

A few weeks ago, while chatting with my neighbor, I told him I had been doing some work in Nigeria. Read more »