Vol 52 No 1 | BENIN Banker for Benin 7th January 2011 Abdoulaye Bio Tchané, the Governor of the regional Banque ouest-africaine de développement, this week officially launched his bid for April’s presidential election in Benin. This had been long...
Vol 51 No 25 | NIGERIA The war against the amnesty 17th December 2010 The presidential election, the oil trade and community peace deals are at risk in the latest Niger Delta conflicts Leaders of the Ayakoroma community in Delta State saw the violence coming. They warned the military Joint Task Force in mid-November that their town was in the crossfire between...
Vol 51 No 25 | NIGERIA General John Togo and all his enemies 17th December 2010 The self-styled General of the Niger Delta struggle, warlord John Togo, emerged from the Itsekiri/Ijaw ethnic war of 2003, when rival tribal groups from Delta State spawned death,...
Vol 51 No 25 | SIERRA LEONEMINING Iron constitutions required 17th December 2010 A Chinese-British consortium exploiting massive iron ore reserves at Tonkolili prompts opposition from villagers and anti-corruption campaigners One of the wealthiest and most controversial businessmen in Britain, Vasile Frank Timis, has brought over $300 million of Chinese finance to Sierra Leone’s Tonkolili district to exploit what...
Vol 51 No 25 | CÔTE D'IVOIRE Two presidents, one crisis 17th December 2010 Violent clashes on the streets of Abidjan for control of state broadcasting escalate the post-election conflict Whether Côte d’Ivoire erupts into a fresh conflict or joins a new world of parliamentary democracy depends mainly on money, the military and regional solidarity. As Africa Confidential...
Vol 51 No 24 | NIGERIA Atiku, Buhari and Ribadu - the great northern hopes 3rd December 2010 Northern politicians have regrouped and are making a determined bid for the presidency in next year's election The postponement of the presidential election until 9 April 2011 means another four months of intensive party politicking and the shelving of plans to reform the oil, gas and electricity sectors....
Vol 51 No 24 | NIGERIA All the President's militias 3rd December 2010 Jonathan must win the Delta vote and is mustering the violent gangs to ensure his victory The fierce race for the presidency and National Assembly in next year's elections is worsening the violence in the Niger Delta and undermining last year's amnesty deal. Within the governing People's...
Vol 51 No 24 | GAMBIAIRAN Iranian guns and a king in Banjul 3rd December 2010 As he plans to install himself as monarch, President Jammeh has cut ties with Tehran over a mysterious arms shipment None of the official explanations - from either Tehran or Banjul - of why Iran was sending arms to Gambia via Nigeria make any sense. Gambia's President Yahya...
Vol 51 No 24 | BURKINA FASO Modesty Blaise 3rd December 2010 Apathy and a chronically low turn out meant that President Compaoré could have won comfortably without bothering to steal votes Of all West Africa's electoral battles, President Blaise Compaoré's fight for re-election after 23 years in power was the least in doubt. The 21 November poll saw him secure 80.21% of...
Vol 51 No 23 | GUINEA Over the new rainbow 19th November 2010 Election winner Alpha Condé’s promise of national reconciliation is put to the test as his opponents’ supporters take their disputes to the street The first test started within hours of the announcement on 15 November of the victory of Alpha Condé in the second round of the presidential election with 52.5%,...