All Africa Monitor
- Pope Francis tackles Central African Republic's Christian-Muslim Divide
By choosing the travel to CAR, Pope Francis spotlighted the need for reconciliation between Christians and Muslims.
- Is Eritrea the North Korea of Africa?
Should Eritrea's track record on human rights crimes and religious freedom warrant a referral to the International Criminal Court at The Hague?
- Could one of Kony’s abductees trigger his downfall?
How the the capture of Dominic Ongwen, a top Joseph Kony lieutenant, could precipitate more defections and the breakdown of the Lord's Resistance Army.
- The BBC and the West need to clean up their act on Rwanda
An October BBC documentary titled 'Rwanda's Untold Story' represents and repeats most of the flaws and misreadings in the Western narrative on post-genocide Rwanda.
- Can the US help Nigeria confront Boko Haram?
For years, Nigeria was Washington DC's most important strategic partner on issues of security and stability in Africa. But, Boko Haram, and Abuja’s response, has put that partnership in jeopardy.
- Is Nigeria's Boko Haram moving toward governing?
Boko Haram appears to be focusing on the acquisition of territory, and it's moving in the direction of providing services, especially security, for residents in the territories it controls. But will residents who fled the extremist group really return?
- Ebola vaccine trials in Africa could start by January, says WHO
Experimental drugs have been used on infected patients, but none have been approved by the World Health Organization. There are signs that the Ebola outbreak in West Africa is being contained in some countries.
- Cuba to the rescue: Ebola-stricken countries welcome Castro's doctors
The US is the biggest financial donor to Ebola-infected countries in West Africa. But the largest number of healthcare workers deployed in the field hail from an island nation with a cash-strapped communist government.
- The problem behind Africa's 2014 index of well governed countries: Few are.
Author helped create the index in 2007 but laments that Africa's two best governed countries are islands far out at sea. Most Africans today have still never known the rule of law, security, good education and free speech.
- Diamond king De Beers moves London operation to Botswana
Days after Botswana is named the best governed nation on the African continent by the Ibrahim Index, a leading diamond concern moves its sales staff there. Joint venture is seen as win-win.
- Not just 'Lost Boys,' but 'Lost Girls' – in war-torn South Sudan
The previous Sudanese civil war and US humanitarian efforts gave world attention to the 'Lost Boys.' But scant attention is paid to 'Lost Girls.' As South Sudan plunges back into conflict, the risks that girls face are mounting.
- Is Boko Haram chief Abubakar Shekau dead or alive? Does it matter?
The shadowy insurgent Nigerian group is remarkably resilient and doesn't rely on one paramount leader.
- Nigerian bishop details Boko Haram control -- and criticizes president
The extremist Islamic group now holds 25 towns in the three northeast Nigerian states where they operate. Group has heavy weapons says Catholic prelate from Maiduguri, Boko Haram's 'hometown.'
- Ebola outbreak: Sierra Leone ends three-day lockdown
At least 5,000 people have been infected with the deadly disease in West Africa since March. Sierra Leone is the first country to impose a nationwide curfew.
- As Boko Haram tries to capture a capital, how prepared is Nigeria's Army?
While Boko Haram talks about a 'caliphate' in northeast Nigeria, what it wants is to take the capital of Borno state, Maiduguri. Nigeria formed an entire Army Division to deploy in Borno. But it is not enough.
- Diamond the size of the Ritz found in South Africa: A $16 million rock
While a giant new stone may attract news glitter and interest, gems and gold are no longer the needed engines of South Africa's economy.
- Boko Haram takes cues from ISIS: Ferocious new friends?
Maiduguri, a key state capital in northeast Nigeria of two million people is now vulnerable -- just as Mosul in Iraq was to a swift takeover by fighters of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria.
- Chinese complicit in ivory poaching and elephant deaths. So are Americans.
For the first time more elephants are dying than being born each year due to poaching, with elephant herd leaders being a special target. China may be the No. 1 ivory market, but America is No. 2.
- A billion Africans under 18 by mid-century: More jobs, or more angry youth?
Arguments that a large African labor pool brings growth through expanded light manufacturing, is belied by the fact that African labor markets aren't now absorbing a vast and growing supply of workers.
- Mugabe is bailed out by Beijing. But too little too late for Zimbabwe?
The southern African strong man was greeted by President Xi Jinping in a full state visit to China. But did Mugabe put up all his minerals and ore for a badly needed loan?