All Africa
In Mali, French forces move north amid plea for faster African deploymentsMalian troops have entered the key garrison town of Diabaly after French airstrikes pushed out Islamist rebels. But many residents wonder if they're gone for good.聽
A town on Mali's frontline switches back and forthThe recent history of Diabaly calls into question the quality of聽the Malian troops that are needed to hold on to such areas cleared by the French military intervention.- A second life for the West's secondhand clothing 鈥� in UgandaAmerican and European thrift store rejects are making their way in bulk to markets in the developing world, but in Uganda they are threatening the local textile industry.
US recognizes Somalia government after two decades of anarchyFor the first time since 1991, the United States has recognized a government in the war-torn East African nation, setting the stage for strengthening political ties between the two countries.聽
Islamists promise fight across Sahara, but response disjointedForeign military intervention in Africa looked impossible - until last week. French launched airstrikes in Mali. Then European and American oil workers got kidnapped in Algeria.
France gets deeper in Mali war: Are they ready?The recent rebel capture of the village of Diabaly renewed concerns that French air power in tandem with Malian ground forces would not be enough. Now French troops are headed north.
How the French got to airstrikes in Mali: A briefing from BamakoFive key questions about how Islamic militants took over northern Mali -- and why the French are trying to stop them.- Refugees no more, Liberians ponder if they're ready to go homeLiberians who fled their home lost their refugee status last year. The UN has helped repatriate 155,000 people since 2004, but聽painful memories of two civil wars keep some from returning home.
With French airstrikes, has the war to retake northern Mali begun?Today's expansion of the French air campaign beyond central Mali has left many wondering if the war has started聽鈥� without much international coordination.- As French forces hit rebels in Mali, Paris wants to avoid Europe's AfghanistanThe poor showing by Mali's Army against Islamist radicals in the key city of Konna this week has France worried enough to send troops.
Tanzania withdraws bid to sell 'legal ivory;' Kenyan poachers kill 12 elephantsConservation groups rebuff Tanzania's bid to sell $55 million in ivory and downgrade elephants' endangered status. But Kenya's largest massacre of elephants Jan. 5 points to the difficulties of ending poaching.
Poaching crisis escalates with 'targeted, efficient' slaughter of 12 Kenya elephantsKenya's largest elephant killing on record comes on the heels of a sevenfold increase in elephant killings since 2007, driven by soaring Asian demand for ivory.
Central African Republic preps for peace talks as regional troops arriveAmid a weak truce, CAR officials and rebels are preparing to negotiate in Gabon as South African, Chadian forces arrive to secure the Central African Republic's capital. What are the prospects for peace?
Ghana inauguration goes on, while opposition plots court comebackPresident John Dramani Mahama was inaugurated today. But the opposition is not giving up its legal challenge to his election.
Africa's energy consumption growing fastest in worldAfrica's energy demands are skyrocketing, but with 64 recent major discoveries of fuel deposits, it is in a good position to meet its needs.- The men who would save Mali's manuscriptsIslamist militants in Timbuktu destroyed graves and shrines associated with Sufism this year. Ancient manuscripts are not directly threatened, but some fear they are next.
After grenade attacks, Kenya wants Somali refugees in campsIn light of an uptick in violent attacks in Kenya over the past year, often linked to Somalia's Al-Shabab, Kenya recently ordered all refugees living in its urban areas to move to established refugee camps.
Mali's army dumps another government, this one led by ex-NASA scientistCheikh Modibo Diarra, an astrophysicist who has worked for NASA, abruptly resigned today as Mali鈥檚 interim prime minister following his arrest last night by the country鈥檚 powerful army.
Ghana pulls off sixth 'free and fair' election in model for regionDespite problems with the voter registry and allegations of vote rigging, Ghanaians have once again chosen their president:聽John Dramani Mahama.
Moving Mali forwardMali was turned upside down last spring as armed groups overran the north and the military toppled the president. For some, crisis is a wake-up call, offering Malians a chance to create a new path.