Gambia's Donor Supported Dictator Strengthens His Grip

The latest on Yahya Jammeh in the Economist:The arrest of nine journalists on sedition charges appears to constitute an attempt to eradicate the last vestiges of resistance to the president's rule in Gambia. There are other threats, however...Meanwhile...Donors have some leverage over the administration and, along with public pressure, the withholding of aid is reported to have been a factor in

Obama in Africa

G Pascal Zachary in the Guardian:Obama's tendency to view Africa through an American lens is thus both understandable and inevitable. Yet his African roots give him a unique capacity to transform American relations with Africa, elevating the importance of African self-reliance and achievement, while striving to make American aid more intelligent and effective. More here.

Quick Hits

Nigerians are a conquered people.-Sahara Reporters'They Came in the Name of Helping'A canny chameleon-Blaise CompaoréThe Longevity Project,Ghana.Black Economic Empowerment failed-Moeletsi MbekiCarnegie's gospel of wealth