West
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Nigeria: The shattering of the Buhari mythology
The reality of leadership has exploded the illusion of Buhari’s messianic abilities and exposed him as a prisoner of power – in other words, as just ... -
Senegal: Why did President Sall pardon a rival convicted of embezzling over $200 million?
Karim Wade (aka “The Minister of Earth and Skies” and “Mr 15%”) is the influential son of the former president and could run against Macky ... -
Everything you need to know about São Tomé and Príncipe’s presidential elections
Voters go to the ballots this Sunday. Can the incumbent hold on to the presidency? On 17 July, the small island nation of São ... -
The UN had to go, but is Liberia ready to keep its own peace?
With thousands of UN peacekeepers leaving Liberia after 13 years, the country could be facing the most important transition in its history. Liberia has ... -
Not much magic: Nigeria’s Buhari completes his first year in office
After a mixed start, the hope and goodwill on which Buhari was elected a year ago is starting to run low One year after Muhammadu ... -
New friends, new risks as the Gambia looks East
The decisions of the tiny Gambia and its enigmatic president could have more repercussions for the region than one might expect On 11 December ... -
Boko Haram: A review of Eat the Heart of the Infidel
Andrew Walker’s book on the rise of Boko Haram is a mine of fascinating information. But like any mine, its valuable nuggets can take some hard labour ... -
Between a rock and a hard place: Gambians tackle Fortress Europe
The number of Gambians seeking asylum in Europe nearly quintupled between 2012 and 2014. The fact that most are turned away as ‘economic migrants’ speaks to ... -
Boko Haram, Islamic State, and the underlying concerns for West Africa
Last year, Boko Haram pledged allegiance to the Islamic State. What’s come of it? When Boko Haram released a recording in March 2015 in ... -
How to “not understand” Nigeria
In A New History of a Turbulent Century, Richard Bourne says anyone who claims to understand Nigeria is either deluded or a liar. It’s ...
