Vol 54 No 19 | NIGERIA Reshuffle may not help Jonathan's chances 20th September 2013 The President sacked nine ministers on 11 September, many of whom are linked to his opponents The first major reshuffle of Goodluck Jonathan's presidency on 11 September looked more like a panic reaction to political revolt inside his party rather than a strategic move...
Vol 54 No 19 | GUINEA BISSAU The unforgiven 19th September 2013 To the relief of many seeking a restoration of democracy, law and order, on 10 September parliament failed to pass a law granting amnesty to the leaders of...
Vol 54 No 19 | LIBERIA Eclipse of the son 19th September 2013 The pressure would not let up. Human Rights Watch, Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General Karin Landgren and a chorus of domestic voices clamoured for President...
Vol 54 No 19 | SÃO TOMÉ & PRÍNCIPE Total loss 19th September 2013 Hopes of oil wealth seem to be in ruins now that oil company Total has decided to abandon Block 1 of the Joint Development Zone (JDZ) with Nigeria....
Vol 54 No 18 | GHANA Opposition turns to tax and graft 6th September 2013 After the 29 August Supreme Court judgement, the political theatre will shift to economic policy and accountability issues. Oppositionists accuse the National Democratic Congress government of relying too...
Vol 54 No 18 | GHANA Economic tests looming 6th September 2013 There are only two-and-a-half years before the next election cycle. It may not be long enough to improve the fiscal position Finance and Economic Planning Minister Seth Tekper has a tricky message for Ghanaians. The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has been in charge of the economy for nearly five...
Vol 54 No 18 | NIGERIA Cracks widen in the PDP 6th September 2013 Seven state governors have walked out of the governing party, dealing a critical blow to its election strategy As he started a three-day state visit to Kenya on 5 September, President Goodluck Jonathan might try to put his own government’s political disarray into perspective. His host,...
Vol 54 No 18 | SIERRA LEONE Bah reveals official links 6th September 2013 Breaking his silence, Ibrahim Bah denies he has blood on his hands and claims to have set up many ventures and worked closely with ministers In an attempt to clear his name, former warlord Ibrahim Bah has been talking to Africa Confidential by telephone from a secret location. He has contradicted the government’s...
Vol 54 No 18 | GHANA The Court lowers the curtain 5th September 2013 The judges’ finding for President Mahama raises as many questions as it solves but the focus will shift quickly to economic matters The final act lasted just 20 minutes. That is how long Justice William Atuguba, Chairman of the nine-member Supreme Court panel, spent on 29 August on delivering the...
Vol 54 No 17 | MALI IBK's agenda 22nd August 2013 Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta approaches his 19 September inauguration as Mali’s new President backed by an overwhelming 77.62% of the vote, to Soumaïla Cissé’s 22.38%. The mandate sets him...