All Africa Monitor
Sahelistan loot: Al Qaeda sucks $125 million in ransomsDespite 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.聽
In Nigeria, a civil war within IslamAssassins tried to take out Muhammadu Buhari, probably the most popular politician聽with the 'street.' He was a presidential candidate in 2003, 2007, and 2011, and may be so again in 2015.
Brazzaville ceasefire: Progress but no panacea for Central African RepublicA 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.
7 outrageous things S. Sudan's leaders are doing instead of making peaceWith 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.
As Africa considers war crimes court, leaders want immunityOnly Botswana protested when African heads of state voted themselves free from prosecution for genocide and crimes against humanity in a proposed new 'Africa court.'
Nelson Mandela prot茅g茅 and figure of conscience bows out of S. Africa politicsMamphela Ramphele's departure from party politics is a sad end to a brilliant career 鈥撀爋ne that may be so again.
Congo women stitch together a community of beauty and strengthA 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.
Will clashes in Central African Republic thwart UN peace mission?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.
Zimbabwe: President Mugabe's new attack on white farmersWhen 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.聽
Nigeria: With Abuja blast, Boko Haram creeps to center of capitalIs Nigeria bifurcating between the teeming urban corridor of Lagos-Ibadan, and the Boko Haram-infested northeast, where killings happen daily?
A Janjaweed spin-off makes inroads in Sudan: ReportTen years ago the UN Security Council mandated the dreaded Janjaweed militia be disarmed. They never really were. 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽
Al Shabab's biggest problem with World Cup soccer (they may like it)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!'聽
Boko Haram's kidnapped girls: Nigeria's side of the storyThe 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.
Is Africa's meteoric rise to riches sustainable?Africa is booming based on commodities sales. But buyers like China are not transferring 'know how.' 聽Without more of a middle class and new Mandela-like leaders, things could go sideways.聽
South Sudan: World's newest nation now completely dependent on othersWith civil war, the Security Council changed its South Sudan mission from nation building to civilian protection. Even China is sending peacekeepers.
Crisis in Sudans begs new approach, say 78 global rights groupsSudan is again witnessing serious violence including in Darfur, and South Sudan's civil war has put it on the brink of collapse.聽
With Boko Haram, Nigeria's displaced are a humanitarian crisis in the worksNigeria 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.
Is Boko Haram forming an enclave in northeast Nigeria?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.
Mugabe's Zimbabwe: Broke and brokerWith 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.聽
Getting to Boko Haram's roots might have surprising implicationsIs the militant group a self-styled Islamic insurgency, or part of a protracted civil war? The answer to that question matters.