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 »

Nigeria: Critical Time for Nigeria's Future

The new round of violence in Jos, tragically similar to unrest there in the past and once again misinterpreted as primarily a Muslim-Christian dispute, was exacerbated by the… 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 »

Africa: Indigenous Rights Ruling Could Have Big Impact on Land Disputes

In 1973, Kenya forced the Endorois people off their ancestral land in the heart of the Great Rift Valley to create a wildlife reserve, plunging a community of traditional… 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 »

Uganda: Anti-Homosexuality Law Sets Off Firestorm in the West

Ugandan MPs probably didn't know what a firestorm David Bahati of the ruling National Resistance Movement would raise when he first presented his proposed Anti-Homosexuality Bill… Read more »

Uganda: Obama Condemns Proposed Anti-Gay Law

U.S President Barack Obama has criticized the controversial anti-gay law which has been proposed to Uganda's legislature. Read more »

Sudan: Court to Reconsider Bashir Genocide Charge

An Appeals Chamber of the International Criminal Court has again opened the prospect of charging Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir with genocide over killings in Darfur. Read more »

Uganda: Continent's Govts Watch Anti-Gay Bill Debate

For years, Uganda’s population has endured human rights violations at the hands of both government agents and rebel groups. Ugandans have been subjected to harassment, unjust… Read more »

Congo-Kinshasa: Lubanga Trial Highlights Plight of Child Soldiers

The defence in the trial of alleged Congolese warlord Thomas Lubanga Dyilo  – the first war crimes trial to be conducted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) … Read more »

Sudan: Major U.S. Company Divests Over Rights Violations

A major American financial services company, TIAA-CREF, has divested from four Asian energy companies doing business with the Sudanese government due to concerns about human… Read more »

Niger: U.S., Ecowas Refuse to Recognize Tandja

The United States has followed the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) in refusing to recognize the legtimacy of President Mamadou Tandja of Niger, who has… Read more »

Guinea: Commission Blames Camara For Massacre

An international commission which investigated the September 28 massacre of civilians in a Conakry stadium has laid responsibility for the killings squarely on Moussa Dadis Camara,… Read more »

Nigeria: Yar'Adua's Absence Heightens Dismay Over Nation's Future

At the December 11 Colloquium on Nigeria sponsored by Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island in the United States, and led by famed novelist, Chinua Achebe, the most… Read more »

Madagascar: Rajoelina Walks Away From Deal

Malagasy leader Andry Rajoelina, who seized power in March, has repudiated internationally-brokered mechanisms agreed with his opponents as a way of restoring constitutional rule… Read more »

South Africa: 'Flawed Democracy' Slips in Governance Rankings

Which way is governance going on the African continent and particularly in South Africa? According to the newly released 2009 African Governance Report (AGR-II), put together by… Read more »

Nigeria: Media, Civil Society Must Call Govt to Account

For the vast majority of Nigeria's population of more than 140 million, the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) country review report for Nigeria published this week will have… Read more »

Western Sahara: Hunger Striker Aminatou Haidar Returns Home

Intense negotiations to save the life of Saharan hunger striker Aminatou Haidar and allow her to return to her home in Moroccan-controlled Western Sahara bore fruit Thursday night,… Read more »

Nigeria: Abuja, Executive Branch Have Too Much Power, Says Peer Review

A major review of Nigeria compiled by its African peers says too much power is concentrated in the central government, inhibiting "true federalism," and that the executive branch… Read more »

South Africa: Zuma Outraged at Xenophobic Attacks

President Jacob Zuma has used South Africa's Day of Reconciliation to denounce attacks on migrants from elsewhere in Africa who are living in the country. Read more »

Guinea: End of Crisis Is Not Imminent

Since the death of the former Guinean leader Lansana Conté and the accession to power of Moussa Dadis Camara in coup a year ago, the political environment in the country has… Read more »

Western Sahara: Hunger Striker Intensifies Pressure for Talks

The month-long hunger strike of Western Sahara activist Aminatou Haidar has succeeded in bringing pressure to bear on the international community to step up efforts to find a… Read more »

Western Sahara: UN Chief Calls for 'Political Negotiations' on Territory

At a news conference in New York on Monday, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon addressed the issues raised by the hunger strike of Western Sahara activist Aminatou… Read more »

Sudan: North, South Agree on Independence Referendum

Officials from the ruling parties in Khartoum and Southern Sudan have reached an agreement on new legislation governing national elections next April as well as a later referendum… Read more »

West Africa: Region to Intervene Militarily in Guinea?

The international community appears to be laying the ground for a West African military intervention to prevent Guinea from sliding into war and destabilizing surrounding… Read more »