Sierra Leone: Elections Bring Hope for a Former Failed State

It all seems almost too normal to be newsworthy. On August 11, Sierra Leone goes to the polls to choose a new president among three candidates, all pledging to reform government,… Read more »

Liberia: Goodwill May Yield Tangible Dividends for Old Ally

Thanks to widespread support for Liberia's fledgling post-conflict democracy in the U.S. Congress and within the Bush administration, several thousand Liberians living in the… Read more »

Africa: Nigerian Runners Dominate Athletics

Nigerian sprinters have dominated this year's running competitions, winning four gold medals, one silver medal and three bronze medals. Read more »

Africa: U.S. Agoa Forum Meets in Accra

The sixth United States African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa) Forum meets Wednesday and Thursday in Accra. Read more »

Africa: U.S. Secretary of State Cancels Ghana Trip

United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has cancelled her scheduled trip to Ghana this week to stay in Washington to focus on Middle East issues. Read more »

Chad: No Special Court for Habré, Says Senegal

The Senegalese government on Thursday announced that the trial of former Chadian President Hissene Habré will not take place in a special court as initially suggested. Read more »

Nigeria: Ex-Im Bank Again Denies Approving Financing for Police Fund

The Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank) has responded to Nigerian press reports by reiterating that it has not at the present time authorized any financing for the… Read more »

Liberia: Charles Taylor Appears at Trial

Former Liberian President Charles Taylor made his first appearance for his war crimes trial at a hearing at The Hague today. However, the trial’s proceedings were postponed… Read more »

Africa: Youssou N'Dour Promotes Pan-African Vision

Youssou N'Dour has been named by Time, the American news magazine, as one of 100 men and women whose talent is transforming the world. As the Senegalese superstar's fame… Read more »

Cote d'Ivoire: Prime Minister Survives Rocket Attack

Three people were killed on Friday when Ivorian Prime Minister Guillaume Soro's plane was hit by a rocket. Soro survived the attack, said Forces Nouvelles, Soro's former… Read more »

Guinea: Soldiers Guilty of Torture, Rape and Executions - Report

Guinea's security forces have illegally executed civilians and used deliberate and excessive force, according to a new report from Amnesty International. Read more »

Liberia: Taylor Trial Delayed Again

The trial of former Liberian president Charles Taylor on war crimes charges was again delayed today by wrangles over his legal representation. Read more »

Africa: Africom Can Help Governments Willing to Help Themselves - Ellen Johnson Sirleaf

Since the announcement of the creation of Africom, a new unified American combatant command responsible for Africa, there has been much skepticism over its intent and what it will… Read more »

West Africa: Free Trade With U.S. Would Boost Cotton Farmers

Poor West African farmers' incomes could increase by about 5 percent if the United States eliminated its cotton subsidies, according to a new report released today by Oxfam… Read more »

Mali: Film Review - 'Everything's Fine'

Everything's Fine (Toro Si Te) is a wonderful, humorous and serious documentary that tells the story of Dr. Seydou Konaté, a Malian doctor working in Nongon, a small… Read more »

Cote d'Ivoire: Govt to Burn Weapons in 'Flames of Peace'

Prime Minister Guillaume Soro of Côte d'Ivoire wants to begin disarmament in the north of the country with a high-profile ceremony at which weapons would be burned in the… Read more »

Niger: Rescuing a Child From a Gold Mine

Child labor activist Aichatou Bety was deeply disturbed some years ago when she came across a 10-year-old boy down a 90-meter hole in Niger, wearing a headlamp and looking for… Read more »

Guinea: PM Committed to 'Free and Fair' Elections in December

Guinea's recently appointed Prime Minister, Lansana Kouyaté, has committed himself to holding "free and fair" elections in December this year, but has stressed the… Read more »

Guinea: PM Presses for International Support

After widespread unrest in Guinea earlier this year, during which more than 100 people died, President Lansana Conté, who has ruled the country since seizing power in a coup… Read more »

Sierra Leone/Togo: Helicopter Crash Kills at Least 19

A Paramount Airlines helicopter in Sierra Leone crashed Sunday, reportedly killing at least 19. The helicopter was carrying passengers from an African Cup of Nations qualifying… Read more »

West Africa: Website Launched to Cover Taylor Trial

Civil society groups today launch a project to provide daily news and expert analysis of the war crimes trial of former Liberian president Charles Taylor. Read more »

Senegal: Police Seize Radio Station Equipment

Sixty armed Senegalese government security agents raided the headquarters of a radio station yesterday, the Senegalese newspaper Wal Fadjri reported. Read more »

Nigeria: Ex-Im Bank Denies Approving Loan for Police Fund

The Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank) has disputed a recent report that it has granted a loan to Nigeria's Presidential Committee on Police Equipment Fund. Read more »

Liberia: Education Initiative Wins Support in U.S.

Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and United States Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (Democrat – New York) were the guests of honor at a Washington, D.C. fundraiser for… Read more »

Guinea: Armed Soldiers March Through Capital

Conakry slowly returned to normal late Friday as soldiers agreed to return to barracks. Read more »