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The political stalemate in the coalition is blocking reforms and economic recovery and may force a snap election – if South Africa can’t forge a deal

ZIMBABWE

The next revolution

RWANDA

FPR dissidents break cover

BLUE LINES

THE INSIDE VIEW

The combination of militia attacks in the Middle Belt, killing over 200 people, and bombs in the Niger Delta has given Acting President Goodluck Jonathan the pretext to assert his authority – despite his questionable constitutional position and the opposition of most of the 36 state governors. The sacking on 17 March of all the ministers appointed by ailing President Umaru Yar’Adua means the balance of power swings back in Jonathan’s direction. He started the process by removing the much excoriated Attorney General Michael Aondoakaa, then sacked National Security Advisor Abdullahi Sarki Mukhtar and is now reshaping the regime, helped by three veteran soldiers: Lieutenant General Theophilus Danjuma, who chairs Jonathan’s Advisory Council, the new National Security Advisor, Gen. Aliyu Mohammed Gusau, and former Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Owoye Andrew Azazi. The mass ministerial sacking may be a ploy to purge Yar’Adua’s placemen but reappoint committed reformers, such as Oil Minister Rilwanu Lukman and his Deputy, Odein Ajumogobia, and Finance Minister Mansur Mukhtar. It may also prompt another clash with the governors who have sided with Yar’Adua’s camp in recent weeks. It may be a risk worth taking, given the outbreak of political violence around the country. After clinging to Yar’Adua’s baba riga for months, the more ambitious politicians may now press for early elections, while they block attempts to reform the present corrupt system.

RWANDA

The President's would-be rivals

Lieutenant General Faustin Kayumba Nyamwasa has often been seen as a potential rival to President Paul Kagame. He enlist...

SOMALIA

More troops for Mogadishu

The government has new allies against Al Shabaab but the facts on the ground remain much the same

SOMALIA

Whitehall strengthens Sharif

No one was left in any doubt about the purpose of President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed’s four-day trip to Britain last week. He...

UGANDA

The north makes its stand

The prospect of the opposition uniting behind a single candidate against President Museveni in next year’s election is d...

MOZAMBIQUE

Aid strike in Maputo

Relations between President Guebuza’s government and the West are deteriorating fast – that will mean less aid

AFRICA | UNITED STATES | EUROPE

US military calls up Europe

Washington wants the European Union to work with its African military missions, which may be more complicated than it se...

AFRICA | UNITED STATES | EUROPE

Military money

In budget-cutting Washington DC, European cooperation is welcome even if European budgets are a fraction of United State...

NIGER

Confusion after the coup

The new military rulers promise an anti-corruption purge and elections but are thin on detail

TOGO

Tarnished triumph

As President Faure’s regime cracks down on protest against his election fraud, the opposition dithers

BLUE LINES

THE INSIDE VIEW

The combination of militia attacks in the Middle Belt, killing over 200 people, and bombs in the Niger Delta has given Acting President Goodluck Jonathan the pretext to assert his authority – despite his questionable constitutional position and the opposition of most of the 36 state governors. The sacking on 17 March of all the ministers appointed by ailing President Umaru Yar’Adua means the balance of power swings back in Jonathan’s direction. He started the process by removing the much ex...

TOGO

The men at the centre

* Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, 44, won a second five-year term, on a platform of economic development and reform, with fe...


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Special Briefing on the South African Economy

How significant is the pressure on President Jacob Zuma from radicals in the ANC Youth Wing? What are the implications of Pravin Gordhan's first budget? Our seasoned observers provide the inside track.

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