All Africa Monitor

Despite official denials, European nations list hostage ransoms as 'development assistance.' In 2003 a hostage cost $200,000; today the figure reaches $10 million: New York Times investigation. 

Assassins tried to take out Muhammadu Buhari, probably the most popular politician with the 'street.' He was a presidential candidate in 2003, 2007, and 2011, and may be so again in 2015.

A viable peace process for CAR requires involvement of the international community, patience to rebuild the state, and courage to support and at times co-manage the political process.

With millions facing hunger and 1.5 million displaced, President Kiir and rebel leader Machar are supposed to lay down arms and figure out a new government. Just the opposite is happening.

Only Botswana protested when African heads of state voted themselves free from prosecution for genocide and crimes against humanity in a proposed new 'Africa court.'

Mamphela Ramphele's departure from party politics is a sad end to a brilliant career – one that may be so again.

A training center for artisan sewing brings jobs but also healing and self-worth to survivors of sexual violence and conflict in this part of Africa.

New fighting in CAR between Ugandan troops and Seleka rebels could also jeopardize what has been a bright spot in the fight against Joseph Kony's Lord's Resistance Army.

When Mugabe drove 4,000 productive white farmers off their land a decade ago it was a tragedy. Kicking out the last 150 seems like a sad farce. Let's hope that cooler heads prevail. 

Is Nigeria bifurcating between the teeming urban corridor of Lagos-Ibadan, and the Boko Haram-infested northeast, where killings happen daily?

Ten years ago the UN Security Council mandated the dreaded Janjaweed militia be disarmed. They never really were.                                                                  

The extremist Somalis have killed soccer fans and bombed stadiums. But it seems their jihadis love the beautiful game and have their own 'halal' team. A score requires an 'Alahu Akbar!' 

The Chibok girls were abducted in a state the size of Ireland that has 30,000 schools. Those basic logistics are not so easy to surmount.

Africa is booming based on commodities sales. But buyers like China are not transferring 'know how.'  Without more of a middle class and new Mandela-like leaders, things could go sideways. 

With civil war, the Security Council changed its South Sudan mission from nation building to civilian protection. Even China is sending peacekeepers.

Sudan is again witnessing serious violence including in Darfur, and South Sudan's civil war has put it on the brink of collapse. 

Nigeria has the third largest internally displaced population in the world. Now comes Boko Haram. Neither the government nor international organizations have systematically assessed the situation.

The insurgency is driving people out of the north. But Boko Haram has never formally occupied cities and held swaths of territory. To create an enclave would require a whole new approach.

With six failed banks and runaway corruption, most places in Africa would be looking at a military coup. But the dictator's grip remains strong and he may simply print more money. 

Is the militant group a self-styled Islamic insurgency, or part of a protracted civil war? The answer to that question matters.