While Burkina wins influence and approval, Niger's military is still struggling
Under the steely gaze of the omnipresent vultures, preparations continue in Ouagadougou for the Franco-African summit due on 4-6 December. The meeting will confirm President
Blaise Compaoré of Burkina Faso as a diplomatic heavyweight. It comes as France, under Gaullist President
Jacques Chirac, is struggling to evolve a new policy towards its African ex-colonies and when events in nearby countries, including Niger, have dented hopes for an African 'democratic revolution' on the East European model.
Democracy seems to be working well here – to the irritation of military neighbours
The coup was a flop and President Alpha Oumar Konaré is looking even stronger than before. On 28 October Konaré's security services clamped down on a group of army officers, with a...
In its Eastern Cape heartland, many think that the ANC needs to make radical changes
The province that was the cradle of African education, leadership and prosperity has come to be regarded by many as the country's worst governed and administered. Many of its citiz...
