Africa: World Marginalizes Continent in Quest for Democracy, Says Mbeki

Popular uprisings in North Africa have given a boost to democratization across the continent, but the world has marginalized Africa in the handling of recent crises in the… Read more »

Nigeria: Beating Grim Odds of Childbirth

An expectant mother in northern Nigeria faces higher risks in childbirth than in most any other place in the world, according to international public health surveys. Read more »

Liberia: Speech Delivered By Dr. Laurence Konmla Bropleh at Program Marking the Official Launch of The Union of High School Students for Ellen's Presidency

Today’s gathering is one of the many that brings joy unspeakable to my heart; a gathering that provides me a medium to communicate with one of the very best groups of our… Read more »

Africa: 'Time Running Out' for Leaders Who Outstay Welcome - Obasanjo

The former Nigerian president, Olusegun Obasanjo, has told African leaders who outstay their people's welcome that "time is running out" for them. Read more »

Africa: Sustain 'Fragile' Successes in Fight Against Malaria

We have encouraging news out of Africa this week of World Malaria Day, as we take stock of the illnesses and deaths caused by this longtime scourge. Read more »

Nigeria: Beyond Voting and Rioting - Why Democracy Must Prevail

After my visit to Nigeria in October 2010 to give public lectures in Abuja and Lagos on elections and democracy, I returned to the United States profoundly concerned about many… Read more »

Nigeria: Opposition Allegations of Flaws and Rigging Persist

The conduct of elections in Nigeria this month has received generally positive reviews. Read more »

Nigeria: Rioting in North, Buhari Rejects Results

Incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan was declared the winner of Nigeria's election on Monday as tensions began rising across the vast northern half of the country, which had… Read more »

Burkina Faso: President 'Flees' Guard Mutiny

Gunfire was reported in the Burkino Faso capital of Ouagadougou late last night, apparently from military personnel stationed close to the presidential palace. Read more »

Nigeria: Electoral Commission Must Act Swiftly to Eliminate Falsified Results

Professor Attahiru Jega, the widely admired chairperson of Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has repeatedly promised that the commission under his… Read more »

Cote d'Ivoire: Search Begins for Lasting Peace

Now that the capture of Laurent Gbagbo seems to have removed the main threat to stability in Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast), vital questions arise about how to attain lasting peace,… Read more »

Cote d'Ivoire: Gbagbo Should Not Receive 'Golden Exile'

Now that Cote d'Ivoire's Laurent Gbagbo has been detained in Abidjan after a four-month stand-off that brought the nation to full-scale war, the incumbent president should be held… Read more »

Cote d'Ivoire: Gbagbo Arrested, Now in Ouattara's Custody

Cote d'Ivoire's besieged leader, Laurent Gbagbo, has been detained and is now in the custody of the administration run by the internationally recognized president, Alassane… Read more »

Libya: African Leaders to Hold Talks with Opposition

A delegation of African presidents is heading to the stronghold of Muammar al-Gaddafi's opponents on Monday for the next round of African Union (AU) shuttle diplomacy aimed at… Read more »

Nigeria: Enthusiastic Voters Hope for Fair Outcome

In this central Nigerian city with a history of inter-communal strife, the delayed kick-off of Nigeria's three-week long elections process was greeted by long lines of… Read more »

Cote d'Ivoire: Gbagbo Forces Launch 'Renewed Assault' - U.S.

Forces loyal to former president Laurent Gbagbo have launched a "renewed assault" against those of the internationally-recognized leader of Cote d'Ivoire, Allasane Ouattara, the… Read more »

Cote d'Ivoire: 'I Won't Go!'

A public invective at the African Union heads of state panel (By Laurent Gbagbo, rightful ruler of South Ivory Coast):Jamais! I'll have the same thing Kibaki and Mugabe are having,… Read more »

Cote d'Ivoire: Sick, Wounded, Hungry Stranded in Homes

As the political stalemate drags on in Cote d'Ivoire, the humanitarian situation in the countryside and in the main city, Abidjan, continues to deteriorate. In Abidjan, especially,… Read more »

Cote d'Ivoire: French, UN Forces Attack Gbagbo Strongholds

United Nations helicopter gunships on Monday fired on two military camps, the presidential palace and the home of outgoing president Laurent Gbagbo in Cote d'Ivoire's main city… Read more »

Nigeria: Election Delay Shock Elicits Range of Reactions

As Nigeria's attempt to hold parliamentary elections—the first round of a three-stage vote set for this month in Africa's most populous nation—floundered this weekend,… Read more »

Cote d'Ivoire: Call for a Halt to Violence Against Civilians

As fighting in Cote d'Ivoire's main city, Abidjan, entered its third day on Saturday, France and internationally recognized president Alassane Ouattara called on fighters to halt… Read more »

Cote d'Ivoire: Red Cross Says 800 Killed in Duekoue

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) says at least 800 people were killed in the western town of Duekoue earlier this week in what appeared to be inter-ethnic… Read more »

Cote d'Ivoire: Ouattara Forces Besiege Gbagbo's Palace

Military forces loyal to the internationally recognized Ivorian president, Allasane Ouattara, were laying siege to the presidential palace in Abidjan on Friday, news agencies… Read more »

Cote d'Ivoire: Chaos in Abidjan, Fighting Near Gbagbo's Residence

Looting broke out in various parts of Abidjan late Thursday as chaos spread with the arrival of forces backing internationally recognized president Alassane Ouattara while the… Read more »

Cote d'Ivoire: Army Chief Defects

Embattled Ivorian leader Laurent Gbagbo's army chief of staff has sought refuge at the residence of South Africa's envoy in Cote d'Ivoire. Read more »