Get Ready for a Resumption of War in Sudan Maggie Fick May 23, 2011On Saturday, the northern Sudanese army invaded the border town of Abyei, rolling tanks through the streets and firing mortar rounds into the United Nations' compound. The Sudanese Armed Forces took the strategic town of Abyei with little struggle from the south's Sudan People's Liberation Army forces stationed in the town.
Uganda’s Big Man Politics Maggie Fick May 17, 2011Spotted in Kampala Uganda: One bright yellow billboard festooned with President Museveni's face, saying: "28 rebel movements have been defeated since 1986. Enjoy your peace and make it work for you."
Post-elections in Nigeria: a mixed picture Maggie Fick April 28, 2011ABUJA, Nigeria--After nearly a month-long elections cycle, the verdict on the 2011 parliamentary, presidential, and state governor polls is decidedly mixed.
The UN prepares its post-independence presence in Southern Sudan Maggie Fick April 28, 2011The UN Security Council has extended its current peacekeeping mission in Southern Sudan and unanimously adopted a resolution committing to establish a "successor mission" in the soon-to-be-independent Republic of South Sudan.
Elections and Violence in Nigeria Maggie Fick April 19, 2011Young men and boys took to the streets in several Nigerian cities, determined to protest the emerging results of Saturday's vote, which--though not yet made official at that time--indicated the victory of "accidental incumbent" president Goodluck Jonathan.
Scenes From Nigeria’s Elections Maggie Fick April 17, 2011KADUNA, Nigeria–The hundreds-strong crowd of young men–the same “ready army” often used by opportunistic Nigerian politicians to rig past elections–tensed, momentarily surged, then broke into rowdy cheers, satisfied with the result of a dispute during the ballot counting process
Straight talk on democracy and development in Nigeria Maggie Fick April 10, 2011KANO, Nigeria–Nigerian voters have high hopes for this month’s elections, after two delays due to logistical hurdles resulted in the first round of the postponed polls finally getting off to a rocky start yesterday. Here are the words of a Nigerian citizen who expects more from the so-called democratic government than he has experienced in the 12 years since Nigeria abandoned military rule.
The view from the ground on the eve of Nigeria’s vote Maggie Fick April 9, 2011A series of bomb attempts, explosions, and other security incidents struck across Nigeria yesterday, on the eve of Nigeria’s parliamentary elections
Up Close and Personal in Nigeria’s Election Maggie Fick April 7, 2011Many Nigerians I've met are under no illusions about the extremely corrupt and dysfunctional nature of their government, but nonetheless, the 2011 elections are viewed as a chance for the country to change course.
