"Ansaru's new salience represents another, serious challenge to Nigeria's stability," writes John Campbell.

France says it will withdraw from Mali once an African peacekeeping force is in place. To keep Islamists at bay, the United States is considering increasing its military presence in the region. A better approach is to focus on fixing the governance issues that fuel radicalism to begin with, says John Campbell.

The radical Islamist group Boko Haram has contributed to widespread and deadly violence in Nigeria, but the government sercurity services are also at fault, write CFR's John Campbell and Asch Harwood.

John Campbell reflects on the 2009 "underwear bomber" incident, and how it revealed the need for Americans to understand religion in Nigeria.

John Campbell discusses Nigeria's upcoming presidential elections, and says credibility in the elections is imperative.

John Campbell says credible polls in Ivory Coast were a step in the right direction, but the runoff vote for the presidency will be the true test.

Asch Harwood and John Campbell write that in Nigeria, cell phones can both be used to instigate--and anticipate--violence.

John Campbell outlines the difficulties involved in addressing the current ecological disaster in the Niger Delta.

John Campbell discusses the risks of the upcoming Nigerian national elections.

John Campbell discusses the Mo Ibrahim Foundation's announcement that for the second year in a row it has declined to award its prize for excellence in African leadership.

John Campbell and Asch Harwood state, "The conventional wisdom that sub-Saharan Africa has moved beyond military coups may be wishful thinking."

John Campbell argues, "Despite China's escalating energy requirements, its attempts to expand its energy relationship with Nigeria have largely failed."

John Campbell says that, if only for a time, excitement and pride in hosting the World Cup will likely lift the gloomy political mood in South Africa and bridge somewhat the nation's racial and economic divides.

Regarding Nigeria, John Campbell says, "... paralyzed and divided government is the order of the day in one of Africa's most important countries."

"President Yar'Adua's periodic illness since 2007, beyond depriving Nigeria of its leading regional role," states John Campbell, "has also created a succession crisis that raises the stakes for military adventurism."

John Campbell discusses how Nigeria's response to U.S. security measures against the country exposes its need for clear leadership.

Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab's links to al-Qaeda are not what define him, writes John Campbell. Instead, we must look to his Nigerian upbringing to understand the roots of his rage.

Nigerian President Umaru Yar'Adua's efforts to reform the oil and gas industry have the potential to upset the fragile Nigerian internal political balance among the regions, ethnic and religious groups, and patronage networks, writes John Campbell.

Ambassador John Campbell writes that under the presidency of Umaru Yar'adu, Nigeria is moving away from its corrupt system and towards the rule of law.

CFR's John Campbell says the new, more comprehensive policy for Sudan is "a positive development," and disagrees with those who say the approach offers engagement without requiring that the Sudanese government meet existing benchmarks.

As Zimbabwe moves closer to elections, the prospect for political violence grows. CFR Senior Fellow John Campbell argues that coordination on Zimbabwe policy can be the basis of a stronger overall U.S.-South Africa relationship to help promote free, fair and credible elections.

John Campbell discusses the evolving political situation in Nigeria and strengths and weaknesses in the U.S.-Nigeria bilateral relationship.

The independence of South Sudan is a call for celebration but many difficult issues remain unresolved, says John Campbell, Senior Fellow for Africa Policy Studies at the Council of Foreign Relations. The outstanding delineation of 20 percent of the Sudan-South Sudan border and questions regarding divisions of oil revenues between the two countries must now be addressed.