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.

The miners' strike reveals the growing frustration over the political bargain that ended apartheid but did little to ease systematic economic inequalities, writes CFR's John Campbell.

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.

John Campbell discusses the death of Nigerian president Umaru Yar'Adua and its implications for Nigerian politics.

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

Ailing Nigerian President Yar'adua's sudden return after a three-month absence raises questions about who's in charge and whether a power struggle is brewing between the president's coterie and the political establishment, says CFR's John Campbell.

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

With the death toll in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo likely exceeding six million, the UN peacekeeping force needs beefing up, and both the Rwandan and Congolese governments should punish nationals guilty of violence against civilians, says CFR's John Campbell.

Nigeria's National Assembly voted Vice President Goodluck Jonathan as acting president, ending peacefully, but unconstitutionally, a power vacuum left by the ailing Yar'adua, says CFR's John Campbell.

"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.

The leadership void caused by the illness of Nigerian President Umaru Yar'adua could lead to domestic upheaval and a succession crisis, writes CFR's John Campbell.

The charging of a Nigerian with trying to blow up a U.S. airliner casts new attention on Nigeria's growing Muslim militancy and social challenges, writes CFR's John Campbell.

The worsening political crisis in Guinea will require stronger UN involvement and greater efforts on the part of African leaders to avoid what could become a civil war and a massive humanitarian crisis, says CFR's John Campbell.

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.