It now seems clear that the almost unknown Swiss-based ProDev, which managed to get a foothold in Elf-Aquitaine's highly prospective ultra-deepwater oil block 32, was hoping to use...

As the United Nations struggles to impose sanctions on Angola's rebel diamond-smugglers, the government says it is tightening its chaotic system for certifying the stones. The old system...

United Nations' attempts to keep a presence in Angola are being frustrated by the United States Congress. Jonas Savimbi's União Nacional para a Independência Total de Angola has...

Worried about a re-run of its disastrous December offensive, the Movimento Popular de Libertação de Angola government is deliberately downplaying its latest military moves. Meanwhile, hoping to ridicule...

Although dominated by trades unionists, the Movement for Democratic Change, launched on 11 September, is a formidable coalition: lawyers, war veterans, students and activists from the women's movement...

Zimbabwe's trades unionists cannot expect the landslide that their colleagues in Zambia's Movement for Multi-Party Democracy scored against President Kenneth Kaunda in 1991. Although bad, conditions in Zimbabwe...

Politicians are scurrying to prepare for the country's second multi-party general elections: President Joaquim Chissano confirmed on 31 August that polling would take place on 3-4 December (probably...

South Africa's trades unions chose to confront the country's new President, Thabo Mbeki, just after his inauguration and before he'd had time to find his feet (AC Vol...

The public servants' challenge to President Thabo Mbeki's government involves over twelve unions with 800,000 members from all races and all shades of political opinion. Three constituent...

The Namibian government reacted with a heavy hand in early August when Caprivian secessionists mounted an armed raid on the region's capital, Katima Mulilo. The Caprivi Strip...