AFRICA :

Christian Science Monitor, 21 Jun 11, by David Sullivan
Providing air defense for South Sudan not ideal, but best available option
'While there are flaws with the idea of providing air defense capabilities to South Sudan, it may be the best option for protecting civilians ...'

Christian Science Monitor, 06 Jun 11, by Alex Thurston
Withdrawals, lack of pay for African Union's Somalia forces could thwart progress
'The African Union Mission in Somalia has been gaining ground against Al Shabab, but threats of countries withdrawing soldiers and failure to pay others could set back that progress.'

Christian Science Monitor, 05 Jun 11, by Maggie Fick
South Sudan's worst enemy: its own armed forces?
'A recent United Nations report features shocking details about the harassment of aid groups in the past few months by South Sudanese forces.'

New York Times, 22 May 11, by Jeffrey Gettleman and Josh Kron
Warnings of All-Out War in Fight Over Sudan Town
'The Sudanese Army invaded the flashpoint town of Abyei over the weekend, alarming Western and United Nations diplomats who warned Sunday that it was a provocative act that risked all-out war with the southern Sudanese.'

New York Times, 25 Apr 11, by Josh Kron
Instability Is Worsening in Southern Sudan
'The persistent violence in southern Sudan has killed more than 150 people in the last week alone, the regional government said on Monday as it continued to struggle to control its own territory less than three months before independence.'

Christian Science Monitor, 22 Apr 11, by Alex Thurston
South Sudan's rebel movements and their leaders
'Rebel movements in South Sudan that have clashed with the South Sudanese army pose a greater threat to the fledgling state than even aggression from northern Sudan.'

Christian Science Monitor, 25 Apr 11, by Alex Thurston
Nigeria's Muslim rebel movement capitalized on electoral tensions
'The Muslim rebel movement Boko Haram has bombed polling stations and electoral offices, contributing to the chaos and instability following the elections.'

New York Times, 13 Apr 11, by Adam Nossiter
Strongman Out, Ivory Coast Is Reviving
'With the arrest of Laurent Gbagbo, some residents expressed hope and relief that the five-month crisis was now over.'

New York Times, 01 Apr 11, by Adam Nossiter
Ivory Coast Battle Nears Decisive Stage in Key City
'The end of the Ivory Coast strongman Laurent Gbagbo‘s rule appeared to be nearing on Friday as his rival’s troops pressed into the country’s main city of Abidjan, his own army chief of staff abandoned his post and his opponents claimed substantial defections of his troops and police officers.'

Christian Science Monitor, 23 Mar 11, by Drew Hinshaw
Ivory Coast wonders: Where's our UN intervention?
President-elect Alassane Ouattara asked the United Nations this week to provide 'legitimate force' to protect civilians, but Ivory Coast is unlikely to receive the kind of international military intervention currently underway in Libya.

Christian Science Monitor, 23 Mar 11, by Alex Thurston
Niger's democratic transition starting off well, but challenges remain
Successful elections signal that Niger's democratic transition is going well, but incoming president Mahamadou Issoufou will face a number of challenges: drought, famine, and Libya fallout, to name a few.

Washington Post, 13 Mar 11, by Sudarsan Raghavan
Dozens of African Union peacekeepers killed in Somalia clashes
'About 50 African Union peacekeepers have died in clashes with militants linked to al-Qaeda over the past two weeks, suggesting a dramatic escalation in the fight for Mogadishu.'

Christian Science Monitor, 17 Feb 11, by Scott Baldauf and Max Delany
Why Uganda's 25-year ruler is unlikely to face Egypt-style protests
'Ugandans are expected to extend President Yoweri Museveni's 25-year rule in Friday's election. More voters seem to want change, but apathy and fear of brutal crackdowns prevent unrest.'

Christian Science Monitor, 27 Jan 11, by Alex Thurston
Five challenges South Sudan will face after referendum
'Although some results from South Sudan's referendum still need to be made official, Sudanese and international observers are beginning to look ahead to what comes with independence.'

The Guardian, 31 Jan 11, by Peter Moszynski
Southern Sudan needs to learn from the mistakes of the past
'Previous experience of failed post-war reconstruction efforts demonstrate the need for southern Sudan to focus on development initiatives that bring positive benefits to its people.'

BBC News, 26 Jan 11
Somalia: 20 years of anarchy
'Somalia has not been under the control of a single national government since 26 January 1991, when military strongman Siad Barre was toppled. What impact has 20 years of war and instability had on Somalia and its people?'

• Crimes of War Project : War in Africa
• Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers

See Africa archive for past stories.