A number of African states are taking positive steps to combat violence against girls and child marriage. But social and cultural barriers can nullify national laws and strategies.
A pastoralist refugee in Cameroon.
Mouadjamou Ahmadou
The marked increase in the number of Nigerian pastoralists fleeing Boko Haram terror in northeastern Nigeria last year reflects a trend that started three years ago.
Voting proceeded peacefully in N’Djaména.
Marielle Debos/DR
French and African presidents have, in the past, entertained close relationships outside official channels. These often included illegitimate exchanges. But there are signs that this is changing.
Former Chadian leader Hissène Habré reacts as he is escorted by Senegalese police into the Palais de Justice in Dakar, Senegal, on July 20. He is accused of crimes against humanity and mass murder.
EPA
Former Chadian President Hissène Habré’s disruption of his trial, questioning its authority over him, is a tried and tested defence strategy used by revolutionaries and rulers for eons.
Former Chadian leader Hissene Habre reacts as he is escorted in to stand trial by Senegalese police at the Palais de Justice in Dakar, Senegal.
EPA
The commitment of African countries and the African Union in bringing the trial of former Chadian strongman Hissène Habré to fruition is unprecedented.
Suspected Boko Haram militants have attacked Northern Cameroon in another escalation of their now regional war against Nigeria, Cameron, Chad and Niger. In a cross-border attack, the militants kidnapped…
Is the sun setting on West African oil? A platform in Limbe, Cameroon.
VirginieVV
After the terrorist attacks of 9/11, the US made a point of diversifying its sources of oil to reduce dependence on the Middle East. It was a strategic move which promised a huge boost to West African…
A fight on her hands: CAR’s interim president, Catherine Samba-Panza.
Jerome Delay/AP
More than 2,000 people are feared killed since violence intensified in the Central African Republic (CAR) in early December of last year. Much of the violence erupted between the Séléka alliance of armed…
Get with it: AU chairperson Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma (left).
GovernmentZA
When the South African president, Jacob Zuma, returned from the African Union summit last weekend, his press statement said almost nothing that could not have been written before he left. The summit decided…
Research Fellow at the University of the Free State, South Africa and Assistant Professor in the History of International Relations, Utrecht University