The push back by France is having wider implications in Africa.

I don't think it is going to take much to stabilize Africa. I really don't.

VANGUARD, 29 JANUARY 2013
The Islamic sect Boko Haram (click here) reportedly says it is ready to "lay down arms" to negotiate peace, after a 42-month onslaught that left approximately 3 000 people dead and property and infrastructure destroyed.

The primary drivers to the instability in Africa is corruption in government, such as the oil pollution in Nigeria and exploitation of natural resources including forests.

...Briefing Journalists (click here) after their marathon meeting, the acclaimed Commander in-charge of North and Central Borno, Sheikh Abu Mohammad Abdulazeez Ibn Idris, said after due consultation with the leader of the sect, Shiekh Abubakar Shekau, as well as intervention and pleading from respectful individuals/groups in the state, they have all come to terms and agreed to lay down their arms, but insisting that, Government should immediately released all their members from custody unconditionally, re-build their places of worship, and compensate them, among other demands....

The 'sense of authority' in Africa is so diluted they seek structure through the ICC (International Criminal Courts) resulting in over burdened staff.

The governments are overwhelmed with their own internal disarray, the people seek authority where structure actually exists. The ICC is empty authority. It can arrest individuals, but,it cannot clean up widespread corruption.

29 JANUARY 2013

ANALYSIS

London — Concerns are being raised (click here) that the International Criminal Court (ICC) investigation into alleged war crimes in Mali is placing a serious strain on an already over-stretched and cash-strapped institution.

Announcing her first formal investigation since taking office, prosecutor Fatou Bensouda on 16 January promised justice to victims of "brutality and destruction" in three northern regions of Mali. But with a shrinking team of investigators and a budget that has barely increased despite a doubling of the workload, some analysts are doubtful she can deliver.

"There are serious questions to be asked of the new prosecutor as to whether it is a drastic overstretch to have eight African countries being dealt with simultaneously with essentially the same level of staff and the same level of finance as her office was operating on before," said Phil Clark, a lecturer in comparative and international politics at the University of London's School of Oriental and African Studies. "Is it really feasible for the office to be dealing with so many cases?"...

The leaders of these nations seek power where they can find it. It is silly. Some of this prejudice is linked to fighting HIV/AIDS, but, the reality is transmission of the disease happens regardless of the video. There are holy men banning condoms. Does FOX have access there?

The National Broadcasting Commission ((click here) has denied claims that it banned a number of new music videos from being broadcast in the country, citing "sexually suggestive and immoral" dances.

Is there any doubt as to why there are murders in Africa after elections? The mess never stops and it is because the leaders have no real purpose. The rebels rule the countries. Elections promise lives will improve, but, it never happens. The leaders find clean water and free money and they never leave.

EDITORIAL

PRESIDENT Mwai Kibaki (click here) is about to end his second term of office. He will soon retire in honour and dignity.

In Rwanda President Paul Kagame's second seven-year term of office expires in 2017.

Some RPF hardliners now want to change the constitution so he can stand for a third term. Wisely Kagame has indicated that he is not interested.

Events in neighbouring Uganda show that removing term limits is very risky.

President Yoweri Museveni led Uganda very successfully from 1986. He served as president for two terms under the 1996 constitution and was supposed to step down in 2006. Instead he allowed the constitution to be amended so that presidential term limits were removed.

Since then Uganda politics have become a quagmire for him. Last week he was reduced to threatening rebel MPs of his own NRM party that the army could take over again if they did not cooperate with him.

Without presidential term limits, there is no longer a clear handover mechanism. Sycophants fight to keep the incumbent president in power. Opposition is criminalised rather than institutionalised. The economy stagnates....

If there are real chances we can stop the rebel groups, there is a real chance Africa will have a future for their children other than child soldiers. 

"Bring it on!" Hurry!

It will be far easier to stabilize the nations of Africa. The people want it. Soldiers won't be necessary.

...The U.S. ambassador to Niger, Bisa Williams, (click here) made the request at a meeting on Monday with President Mahamadou Issoufou, who immediately accepted it, the source said.

"Niger has given the green light to accepting American surveillance drones on its soil to improve the collection of intelligence on Islamist movements," said the source, who asked not to be identified.

The drones could be stationed in Niger's northern desert region of Agadez, which borders Mali, Algeria and Libya, the source said....