John Campbell says that as oil-rich Nigeria continues to suffer from decades-long dysfunctional governance and tensions between the Christian South and the Muslim North are rising, Nigeria is in need of creative American diplomacy.

China has increased its economic ties with Africa as it seeks to fulfill its growing energy demands. But China's way of doing business has prompted international criticism, even as its policy of noninterference faces new challenges.

CFR's James M. Lindsay discusses Nelson Mandela's release from prison in February 1990 and his subsequent rise to the presidency to show how individuals shape history.

Obiageli Ezekwesili discusses the rise of Africa as a frontier market, the prospects for growth in coming years, the emergence of new players in African economies, and the World Bank's most innovative projects in the region.

John Campbell argues, "Only genuine reform of Nigeria's political economy can pull it back from the brink."

Obiageli Ezekwesili discusses the rise of Africa as a frontier market, the prospects for growth in coming years, the emergence of new players in African economies, and the World Bank's most innovative projects in the region.

Obiageli Ezekwesili discusses the rise of Africa as a frontier market, the prospects for growth in coming years, the emergence of new players in African economies, and the World Bank's most innovative projects in the region.

This report of the United Nations Assessment Mission on Piracy in the Gulf of Guinea was released on January 18, 2012. The document was mandated by the UN Secretary-General, to report the "mission to the Gulf of Guinea to assess the scope of the threat of piracy in the region, and take stock of national and regional capacities to ensure maritime safety and security in the region and make recommendations for a possible United Nations response".

This proposed anti-homosexualitybill was introduced in Uganda's Parliament in October 2009; among its provisions, it states that "A person who commits the offence of aggravated homosexuality shall be liable on conviction to suffer death." The bill has not been voted upon.

While widening violence by Nigeria's Islamist group Boko Haram has caused concerns about its possible links to international terrorist groups, some experts argue it's best to focus on addressing the crippling poverty, political corruption, and police abuses that are at the root of the violence.

The United States should withhold its support for the Kabila government until the situation in Congo clarifies, says CFR's Africa expert John Campbell.

In "Domestic Factors and China's Health Aid Programs in Africa," a chapter in the Center for Strategic and International Studies report, China's Emerging Global Health and Foreign Aid Engagement in Africa, Yanzhong Huang examines the policy dynamics behind China's health aid.

Because of increasing American recalcitrance on multilateral issues, Jagdish Bhagwati holds little hope for the Durban climate change talks.

Micah Zenko analyzes the unexpected invasion by Kenyan forces into Somalia to defeat the militant group, al-Shabaab.

Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool discusses South Africa's role in the changing landscape of global health governance.

The Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa, also known as the Maputo Protocol, was adopted by the African Union on July 11, 2003 and entered into force on November 25, 2005.

The African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child was adopted by the Organization of African Unity on July 11, 1990 and entered into force November 29, 1999.

The African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights (Banjul Charter) was adopted on  June 27, 1981 and entered into force October 21, 1986.

The Organization of African Unity’s Convention Governing the Specific Aspects of Refugee Problems in Africa was adopted on September 10, 1969 and entered into force on June 20, 1974.

In this Markets and Democracy Brief, CFR’s John Campbell and Asch Harwood note the potential dangers of elections in weak and divided African countries, but they urge continued U.S. support for elections because Africans themselves embrace them.