March 16, 2011
Libya: Obama Denies 'Fence-Sitting' Over No-Fly Zone
As Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi moved to recapture territory seized by his opponents in recent weeks, a spokesman for U.S. President Barack Obama defended the administration… Read more »
Libya: White House Defends Obama's No-Fly Zone Stance
Excerpts from a press briefing by White House press secretary Jay Carney in Washington on March 15: Read more »
March 15, 2011
Africa: Obama Will Promote 'Strong Democratic Agenda' - Top U.S. Official
Popular uprisings in north Africa and elsewhere, and elections in many countries, are giving democracy new prominence across Africa. Read more »
Nigeria: U.S. Gives Strong Backing to Elections Chief
The Obama administration's top Africa official, Johnnie Carson, has given the head of Nigeria's election commission, Professor Attahiru Jega, strong public backing. Read more »
Somalia: U.S. 'Disappointed' With Interim Govt
The United States government has expressed its "disappointment" with the lack of political progress made by Somalia's interim government, and with the country's parliament for… Read more »
Cote d'Ivoire: Gbagbo Threatens Peace, Economic Progress, Says Top U.S. Official
Ivorian leader Laurent Gbagbo is "an ongoing threat" to peace and economic progress in his country and must step aside, says Johnnie Carson, the top United States official dealing… Read more »
Kenya: Justice Must 'Replace Impunity and Violence,' Says U.S.
Kenyans accused of responsibility for the violence which followed the 2007 elections must answer for their crimes in front of a judicial body, the top U.S. official responsible for… Read more »
Kenya: 'Soul Boy' Tells a Different Story of Life in Kibera
Soul Boy is a gem of a film. It takes us into the world of the Kibera slums of Nairobi, telling the story of 14-year-old Abila, who sets out to find what is wrong with his ailing… Read more »
East Africa: New Documentary 'Ni Wakati' Brings American, East African Artists Together
The new documentary by Kenyan filmmakers Michael Wanguhu and Russell Kenya premiered at the Pan African Film Festival in Los Angeles this year. It proved to be a good year for… Read more »
Africa: Idris Elba Shines in 'Legacy'
One of the most outstanding films at this year's Pan African Film Festival was Legacy by Nigerian/British filmmaker Thomas Ikimi. It tells the story of Malcolm Gray, a former… Read more »
Tanzania: 'Chumo' - A New Twist on a Familiar Love Story
The only Tanzanian film at this year's Pan African Film Festival, Chumo made its American debut here. It was nominated for best short narrative. Read more »
March 14, 2011
Nigeria: Politics at a Pivotal Moment
The approach of elections next month in Nigeria has raised hopes and apprehension in almost equal measure. Read more »
March 11, 2011
Sudan: A Dangerous Standoff in Washington - And Worlds Away
Sudan is a world away from Washington. And while American attention has been focused on the tumultuous events in Egypt, and the domestic crisis at home, Sudan continues to pose… Read more »
March 08, 2011
Liberia: Technology Eyed to Improve Lives of Women
In the densely populated community of Paynesville on the outskirts of Liberia's capital, scores of women are doing hard labor. Read more »
Africa: Empower Women to Realize the African Dream
It is hard not to be inspired by the widely-recognized economic growth story of Africa: more than a decade of robust growth for a region that has become a credible destination for… Read more »
March 06, 2011
Cote d'Ivoire: Increased Violence Sparks Growing World Concern
Reflecting fears that Cote d'Ivoire is spiraling towards all-out civil war, African and world leaders have made strong statements about the escalating violence. Read more »
March 03, 2011
Cote d'Ivoire: On the Brink of War
For over 54 percent of the voters of the West African country of Côte d'Ivoire, the November 2010 presidential election was a dream denied. Read more »
February 24, 2011
Africa: We Need a New U.S. Trade Framework
As the White House scrambles to keep pace with the fast changes taking place across North Africa, the administration should reassess another vital aspect of U.S. policy toward the… Read more »
February 22, 2011
East Africa: Somali Pirates Kill Four Americans
Somali pirates have killed four Americans aboard their yacht in the Indian Ocean, news reports said Tuesday. Read more »
February 21, 2011
Libya: Citizen Journalism Leads Way in Covering Escalating Conflict
As international media struggle to cover a story to which they don't have access, Libyans both inside and outside the country are using social media to plead for more visibility.… Read more »
Central African Republic: The Dark Side of Diamonds
The international watchdog which seeks to prevent diamonds from fuelling conflict, the Kimberley Process, should take a very close look at the situation in the Central African… Read more »
February 19, 2011
Libya: 'Help Us' Plea Pro-Democracy Activists Who Say Mercenaries Attacking Them
Libyan pro-democracy protesters both inside and outside the country are using social media to spread the word of what they say are brutal crackdowns by the Libyan regime. They cite… Read more »
Egypt: A New Tomorrow Dawns
Eva Haroun, who was in Tahrir Square on January 25 and on February 11 to witness both the start and the climax of Egypt's popular uprising, reports from Cairo on the euphoria of… Read more »
February 17, 2011
Cote d'Ivoire: Lessons to Draw from North Africa
The revolution in Egypt that led to the fall of Hosni Mubarak has once again given voice to the street and revived a more just vision for our world. The preservation of what has… Read more »
Libya: 'Day of Rage' Claims Several Lives - Reports
News reports said at least 10 people were killed in clashes in Libya on Thursday during a "Day of Rage" organized by pro-democracy activists against the regime of Muammar… Read more »