In The News

What AIDS Means in a Famine

Alex De Waal November 19, 2002
With 29 million Africans infected with H.I.V. and a life expectancy of under 40 for countries hit hardest by the disease, the last thing African governments need is a famine. Without assistance from resource-poor African governments, African families will have to develop new tactics to confront the dual threat of H.I.V. and famine. Prior to the outbreak of AIDS, families were experts at...

‘Blood Diamonds’ Polished Off

November 5, 2002
After coffee, it’s now turn for diamonds. A worldwide campaign by NGOs brought about a new brand -- Fair-Trade Certified Coffee -- that ensures the coffee beans were bought from growers at fair trade condition. Now a global campaign against the so-called “blood diamond”, the stones mined and smuggled out by armed groups in Africa to finance civil wars or illegal operations, has brought some...

World Court Rules for Cameroon in Prolonged Oil-Land Border Dispute With Nigeria

Marc Lacey October 11, 2002
The World Court has declared Cameroon the rightful owner of the Bakassi peninsula, ending the country's long-standing dispute with Nigeria. Located in the Gulf of Guinea, the Bakassi area is rich in oil and has provided important naval access for Nigeria. Concern that the Nigerian military might balk at the decision worried some observers, but many are encouraged that the presidents of...

World Court Rules for Cameroon in Prolonged Oil-Land Border Dispute With Nigeria

Marc Lacey with Neela Banerjee October 11, 2002
The World Court has declared Cameroon the rightful owner of the Bakassi peninsula, ending the country's long-standing dispute with Nigeria. Located in the Gulf of Guinea, the Bakassi area is rich in oil and has provided important naval access for Nigeria. Concern that the Nigerian military might balk at the decision worried some observers, but many are encouraged that the presidents of...

Globalization of Beauty Makes Slimness Trendy

Noritmitsu Onishi October 3, 2002
When a Nigerian woman won the Miss World in 2001, she created a buzz in a nation that thought it would never win a competition based on western standards of beauty. Suddenly, Nigeria was number one and modeling agencies were looking for more 'It' girls in Africa. But many Nigerians never found the winner very beautiful. As some said, she was 'a white girl in black skin.' For...

A Road That Death Often Travels

Norimitsu Onishi September 18, 2002
For many in West and Central Africa, the only hope for decent work lies in reaching Libya, and from there Europe and the Americas. For these illegal immigrants, the journey often means traveling across the punishing Sahara desert. But while surviving the trip is a victory itself, it is no guarantee that they will find the better life they seek. – YaleGlobal

Step Aside, L.A. and Bombay, for Nollywood

Norimitsu Onishi September 16, 2002
In the Surulere district of Lagos, Nigeria the lure of the silver screen beckons aspiring actors and actresses. Quickly assuming the role of the African counterpart to Bombay’s Bollywood and L.A.’s Hollywood, “Nollywood” represents a trend towards the globalization of the entertainment industry. Once Nigeria began exporting its blockbuster films throughout Africa, the market soared, producing...