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This blog is a collection of commentaries and reflections written fortnightly by RAS director, Richard Dowden, on African topics. Saving Somalia? - reflecting on the last 20 years 12th Feb, Richard looks towards the upcoming 'London Conference' on Somalia's political future Goodluck Jonathan’s perfect storm 23rd Jan, Richard analyses the Nigerian Presidents double-crisis - fuel subsidy strikes and Boko Haram terrorist attacks 21st Dec, If re-elected Richard predicts a strengthening of US Africa policy Revisiting Biafra: civil war leader Ojukwu dies29th Nov, Richard reflects upon the legacy of the Nigerian Civil War 20th Nov, Richard visits Tunisia for the Mo Ibrahim Prize ceremony Getting Gay Rights Wrong in Africa 4 Nov, Reflecting on the impact of limiting aid to countries with poor records on sexual rights When China met Africa – a worm’s eye view 12 Oct, Richard reviews the latest film from the Francis brothers 29 Sept, Richard addresses the Nigerian cabinet The Commonwealth: Reiterating imperial roots 19 Sept, Some interesting changes in a politically volatile institution The longer term for Libya's neighbours 9 Sept, Richard looks at the potential regional fallout out from the fall of Gadaffi South Sudan: Newborn state in a nasty zone 5 Sept, Richard visits the world's newest country, and fears for its future. Reconciliation for Kampala and Kigali 24 August, Kagame and M7 back together again Famine in Somalia: It's the politics...stupid 28th July, Analysing the causes of famine in the Horn 17th July, Richard ponders weddings and women 14th May, Scant take-aways from Cape Town meet The Horn of Africa 20 years on 28th April, After 20 years of civil war, what does the future hold for this troubled region? 2 - 10th April, Richard is in Nigeria and will be blogging from the elections all week 29 March, Does a secret potion said to cure AIDs tell us something about how Tanzanians view their own government?
Gaddafi – where have all the billions gone? 9th March, Did Britain become accustomed to Gadaffi's millions? 21st Feb, What will become of Africa's self-proclaimed monarch in chief
Back to Somaliland: the non-state that works (sort of) 2nd Feb, A qualified success 20 years after almost total destruction.
South Sudan: Africa's newest country 15th Jan, Secession will happen, but the biggest challenge now is building a functioning state.
4th Jan 2011, Is Cote D'Ivoire's leader brave, ruthless or just plain stupid?
23rd Dec, An extraordinary politcal week in Kenya - all indications are for a clear run to the presidency for Raila Odinga
14th Dec, 2 years on and it's not all handshakes and smiles for Kenya's ruling coalition
Cote d'Ivoire's model electoral mess 7th Dec, Cote d'ivoire fits neatly into the electoral pattern begun by Zimbabwe and Kenya
19th Nov, From the IMF's praise to African economic management to memories of Fela Kuti in his underpants.
Tanzania elections 2010: a dangerous bubble 30th Oct, Richard takes the temperature of Tanzanian democracy and discovers a land of two halves.
18th Oct, Sharing a cell on Robben Island and a enlightening trip to Sweden.
11th Oct, From independence, to Cold War and China in Africa - a reflection on 50 years of change.
28th Sept Has come so far, but so far yet to go...
The Commission for Africa report: Five years on... 16th Sept 2010 Africa on the G8 agenda and China's role in poverty reduction.
Uganda II: What happens when war ends 9th Sept 2010 Northern Uganda post-conflict: The war maybe over, but its legacy lives on.
Nigeria - whose side is Britain on? 4th Sept. 2010 A Nigerian delegation comes to London in search of investment.
A spark of hope from Zimbabwe, a worry from Nigeria 17 August 2010 What next after Mugabe, and will Babangida come again?
6 August 2010 Naomi Campbell puts Charles Taylor in the spotlight.
Gone is the old rhetoric about saving Africans from poverty [read] 30 July 2010 A new Government, a new development?
In memory of Basil Davidson and Marack Golding [read ] 20 July 2010 A tribute to two titans of Britain in Africa.
The Development DNA of Clegg, Brown and Cameron [read] 22 April 2010
Africa’s Macbeth May Finally Be Tired of War [read] 21 May 2010
How George Bush helped bring President Yar A’dua back to Nigeria and Zuma’s Disastrous State Visit [read] 10 March 2010
Nigeria Government – did Nigerians miss it? [read] 27 February 2010
How Britain makes Tanzania poorer and more corrupt [read]
I have never been to a film premiere before [read]
As Nigeria heads into its 10th week without a president the power struggle at the top continues. ... [read]
I once landed at a remote airstrip in southern Sudan. The pilot dropped me off and flew away, and I was alone with a long wait for the person who was to pick me up... [read]
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