Vol 38 No 2 | NIGERIAFRANCE Biligual diplomacy 17th January 1997 General Sani Abacha's 31 December announcement that by stepping up French teaching, Nigeria will in 'a very short time' become bilingual is a shrewd diplomatic move, however unrealistic...
Vol 37 No 25 | GHANA Rawlings does it 13th December 1996 Although it lost the presidency, the opposition alliance will be a real force in the new parliament Jerry Rawlings has delivered the knockout blow he had promised for the 7 December presidential election (AC Vol 37 No 22), finishing some fifteen points ahead of his...
Vol 37 No 24 | SIERRA LEONE Sankoh signs up 29th November 1996 Foday Sankoh's Revolutionary United Front has been badly damaged, with 'spontaneous demobilisations' in the east. So it was expected to sign the draft Peace Agreement in Abidjan on...
Vol 37 No 23 | MALI Surviving and thriving 15th November 1996 Democracy seems to be working well here – to the irritation of military neighbours The coup was a flop and President Alpha Oumar Konaré is looking even stronger than before. On 28 October Konaré's security services clamped down on a group of...
Vol 37 No 23 | LIBERIA Shooting in the mansion 15th November 1996 After fighting up country, the warlords bring their battles to the government offices The personal vendettas in Monrovia are only part of the real battle for control of Liberia that is being fought out in the hinterland. All the signs are...
Vol 37 No 22 | GHANA Close call 1st November 1996 In the first real election campaign since 1979, tempers are beginning to fray The smart money is on a close result in the legislative and presidential elections due on 7 December. President Jerry Rawlings is far more popular than his ruling...
Vol 37 No 22 | SIERRA LEONE Rebel revival 1st November 1996 President Kabbah's shaky democracy lacks cash and the will to settle the war With no friends and no money, President Tejan Kabbah's government is in deep trouble after less than nine months in office. The rebels of Corporal Foday Sankoh's Revolutionary...
Vol 37 No 21 | NIGERIA Privatising politics 18th October 1996 The ruling soldiers believes that selling state assets will win them friends and influence The government is pushing ahead with its sale of state assets in the hope of reaping political and economic dividends. First to come to market will be the...
Vol 37 No 21 | NIGERIA Abacha's agbada 18th October 1996 The military announce five new parties and six new states but leave key questions open Alongside General Sani Abacha's bold plans to sell the state oil and gas companies, plans for his political transition are becoming clearer. Above all, the government is determined...
Vol 37 No 21 | NIGERIA Troubled Times 18th October 1996 The appointment last month of veteran journalist Peter Enahoro as sole administrator of the Daily Times is the Abacha government's latest bid to rescue the ailing newspaper group.