Sierra Leone’s elections were peaceful and participation was high but concerns remain that the conditions that sparked its long civil war are unchanged.

Ethiopia is a staunch U.S. ally in the Horn of Africa. But its domestic policies raise questions about the wisdom of the partnership.

After numerous failed peace attempts, Cote d’Ivoire forged a “homegrown” peace agreement this spring, raising questions about the role of international mediators in Africa peace processes.  

The peculiar resolution to an international standoff with Libya over detained foreign medics may have stemmed from Europe’s need for Libyan energy resources.

Weakly governed and close to lucrative European markets, West African states are emerging as illicit transit hubs for drugs and people.

Oft overlooked beside Chinese mega-investments in Africa, India too is pouring money into the continent. The relationship holds economic and political ramifications.

Sudan’s acceptance of a hybrid UN/AU force in Darfur may allow diplomatic efforts to turn toward long-neglected peace negotiations, but there is little consensus on the way forward.

A landmark natural gas deal between Libya and BP signals a shift toward greater economic openness in the once-marginalized North African state.

Despite international intervention to protect Somalia’s fledgling government, fighting persists while the humanitarian situation deteriorates. Regional stability is at risk once again.

President Bush ups pressure on the Sudanese government with new economic sanctions but it remains unclear how much leverage the United States has on its own.

West Africa’s large oil reserves have attracted especially keen interest from the United States and China, but prompt familiar concerns about the “resource curse.”

Africa’s most volatile region appears to be coming apart at the seams. New outbreaks of violence in Somalia and Ethiopia raise fears of a wider war and create a perfect haven for terrorist groups.  

International efforts have focused on getting UN peacekeepers into Darfur. But what about a peace agreement?

Election monitors and the opposition decry Sunday’s presidential elections as Nigeria’s worst vote in history, issuing calls for a new vote.

Widespread allegations of vote rigging, intimidation, and outright violence dashed hopes of a clean election in Nigeria on Sunday and led to calls for a clean slate.

As the one-year anniversary of the Darfur peace agreement approaches, the Sudanese president agrees to a partial deployment of UN troops but many wonder if it just another diplomatic feint.

A series of suicide bombings across North Africa raises fears that a new front is emerging in the global jihad.

Nigerians have begun voting in two sets of elections closely watched for signs of the fitness of their democracy. Early indications are discouraging.

U.S. efforts to staunch the spread of terrorism across northern Africa have increased. But some experts warn excessive focus on counterterrorism there could be counterproductive.

Oil piped through the swamps and creeks of the Niger Delta powers Nigeria’s economy, but ecological devastation and pervasive poverty are stirring political unrest.