The Meaning of Vibrant Africa
written by: Aiko Doden
Nov 20, 2009

Sitting next to me on the plane bound for Kenya from southern Sudan was a Norwegian gynaecologist. I had just completed my two weeks' reporting assignment in Africa, and the gynaecologist had finished hers and was heading home. The doctor said that she had volunteered to work in southern Sudan on ...more

Africa’s Time of Reckoning
written by: Ambika Vishwanath
Oct 21, 2009

Poverty, civil wars, pirates, environmental degradation, the highest number of HIV/Aids victims are some of the images conjured up when we discuss Africa. It is a land of high fertility and large families, where societies are under extreme stress and the young out number the old by almost double. ...more

Contention Over Rankings of African Nations
written by: Celia W. Dugger
Oct 06, 2009

JOHANNESBURG - Two independent ratings of Africa's best- and worst-governed nations - one released Monday, the other last week - both put Mauritius at the top of the heap and Somalia at the bottom and reached often similar, though far from identical, conclusions about the 51 countries in between.

But ...more

Guinea junta troops 'killed and raped hundreds at democracy rally'
written by: Catherine Philip
Oct 01, 2009

The African Union threatened to impose sanctions on the junta in Guinea yesterday after more than 150 pro-democracy demonstrators were killed and hundreds were raped by government soldiers on Monday.

About 50,000 demonstrators had gathered at the main stadium in Conakry, the capital, to protest ...more

Why the U.S. Needs Africa
written by: Paul Kagame
Sep 21, 2009

Africa and the United States may be on the verge of a new partnership, not one of dependency and aid but one of shared ideas, vision and investments that increase our mutual prosperities. To begin this improved relationship, both must accept urgent and substantial changes in the nature of our bond.

Africa ...more

In Somalia, a Leader Is Raising Hopes for Stability
written by: Jeffrey Gettleman
Sep 17, 2009

MOGADISHU, Somalia - From the gates of Villa Somalia, the hilltop presidential palace, this ruin of a city almost looks peaceful.

After nearly two decades of civil war, there is very little pollution, since just about all of Somalia's industry has been razed. A clean breeze lifts off the ...more

Ethiopia: Ethnic Federalism and Its Discontents
Sep 07, 2009

Nairobi/Brussels, 4 September 2009: Ethiopia's governing coalition must improve democratic practices or risk pre-election violence that could destabilise the region.

Ethiopia: ...more

U.S. Kills Top Qaeda Militant in Southern Somalia
written by: Jeffrey Gettleman and Eric Schmitt
Sep 15, 2009

NAIROBI, Kenya - American commandos killed one of the most wanted Islamic militants in Africa in a daylight raid in southern Somalia on Monday, according to American and Somali officials, an indication of the Obama administration's willingness to use combat troops strategically against Al Qaeda's ...more