July 09, 2013
Mali: Election Threatens to Exchange One Crisis for Another
Mali's forthcoming election risks being marred by such technical shortcomings, and with such a low rate of participation, that a new president could be deprived of the legitimacy… Read more »
May 07, 2013
Somalia: From Fear to Hope - Getting It Right in Somalia
It has been two decades of mayhem, chaos and bloodletting in Somalia. Read more »
April 30, 2013
Rwanda: UN Security Council Presidency an 'Eye-opener' - Foreign Minister
The government of Rwanda is completing a busy month at the helm of the United Nations Security Council, a task that rotates among members - both the five nations with permanent… Read more »
April 01, 2013
Sudan: President Announces Release of All Political Prisoners
Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir has said that he will release all political detainees in the country, AFP reported on Monday. Read more »
November 19, 2012
Mali: No Quick Fixes for a Complex Crisis
The Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) has agreed on a revised concept of operations for the deployment of an international military force of 3,300 soldiers to help… Read more »
November 08, 2012
Africa: Mbeki Named 'African of the Year'
Former South African president Thabo Mbeki has been named "African of the Year" for his "persistent and consistent" efforts to avert war between Sudan and South Sudan. Read more »
October 22, 2012
Rwanda: Govt Wants African Solutions, Not Tribal Alliances, Says Foreign Minister
The verified Twitter account of the Rwandan president, @PaulKagame, suddenly came to life on October 10 after a five-month silence. The 15 late-night posts were a mixture of… Read more »
October 17, 2012
Africa: Calls for Obama, Romney to Debate Africa
American lobby groups advocating stronger United States government action to bring peace to Central and East Africa are calling on candidates in the U.S. presidential elections to… Read more »
October 04, 2012
Africa: Tutu Wins Extraordinary Ibrahim Award
The foundation which presents Africa's premier prize for good governance has announced a "one-off extraordinary award" of U.S. $1 million to Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South… Read more »
October 01, 2012
Mali: Restore Democracy Then Liberate the North - U.S. Official Johnnie Carson
The top United States diplomat for Africa has acknowledged that military action will be needed to break the control of northern Mali by Islamic extremists and re-unite the country,… Read more »
September 25, 2012
Mali: UN to Debate Military Intervention
Diplomatic efforts to ease the crisis in Mali are being stepped up at the United Nations this week, against the backdrop of warnings that the situation in the country will… Read more »
August 14, 2012
Southern Africa: Zuma to Report to Regional Leaders On Zimbabwe
Excerpt from a media briefing by the South African Deputy Minister of International Relations and Coooperation, Ebrahim Ebrahim, on August 14, 2012: Read more »
June 18, 2012
Liberia: Sirleaf Needs to Use Powers to the Fullest
Liberia has come a long way from the bloody civil wars that raged from 1989 until former president Charles Taylor left office in 2003. Read more »
April 02, 2012
Guinea: Parties Need to Put Nation First in Election Year
In recent weeks, Guinea's President Alpha Conde and the opposition have failed to resolve differences over the conduct of the legislative elections set for July 8. Read more »
October 04, 2011
Liberia: Collecting Stories to Heal a Nation
When journalist Agnes Fallah Kamara-Umunna returned to her native Liberia in 2003, she found a country that was a shell of its former self. As the nation sought to rebuild,… Read more »
September 01, 2011
Sudan: Obama Names Two Experienced Diplomats to Team As Problems Mount
President Barack Obama has tapped two experienced U.S. diplomats to represent him in Khartoum and Juba as tensions grow between Sudan and South Sudan. Read more »
August 26, 2011
Libya: South Africa Compromises With United States on Unfreezing Assets
South Africa withdrew its opposition late Thursday to the unfreezing of U.S. $1.5 billion in Libyan assets after intensive negotiations at the United Nations and… Read more »
August 22, 2011
South Sudan: New Govt Must Prepare for Scrutiny - U.S. Activist
In the Republic of South Sudan, partition has created both opportunities and obstacles. Against a backdrop of regional and ethnic tensions, reports of human rights abuses continue… Read more »
July 05, 2011
Libya: African Union Urges End to Talks Preconditions
The African Union has asked the Nato alliance pursuing military operations against the administration of Libya's Colonel Muammar al-Gaddafi to put pressure on opposition leaders… Read more »
June 20, 2011
Sudan: Ethiopian Peacekeepers Expected to Deploy to Abyei
Ethiopian peacekeepers are expected to move into the contested Abyei region of Sudan under a deal negotiated between the Khartoum government and South Sudan, says the African… Read more »
June 13, 2011
Madagascar: Regional Leaders Call for Deposed President's Return
Southern African leaders have called on Madagascar's rulers to allow exiled leaders, including the deposed president, Marc Ravalomanana, to return home. However, the country's… Read more »
Zimbabwe: Contesting Parties Both Welcome Summit Outcome
In a communique publicly welcomed by political leaders on both sides of Zimbabwe's political divide, Southern African presidents have called on them to create an environment… Read more »
June 09, 2011
Madagascar: Ravalomanana's Fate Bedevils Talks
The return to Madagascar of its deposed and exiled president, Marc Ravalomanana, is creating profound division among the political formations which met in Botswana this week to… Read more »
May 25, 2011
Libya: Zuma to Discuss Gaddafi's 'Exit' Plan
South African President Jacob Zuma is set to visit Tripoli next week to conduct talks with Libyan leader Colonel Muammar al-Gaddafi. Read more »
May 24, 2011
Sudan: Security Plan and Cooperative Spirit Needed to End Abyei Conflict - U.S. Envoy
Efforts are underway to develop a new security plan for Sudan's disputed Abyei region that would include the withdrawal of northern and southern Sudanese troops and the boosting of… Read more »