West African countries show Ebola can be beaten
West Africa, a dynamic belt with nearly a quarter of a billion people and two of the 10 fastest-growing economies in the world this decade, has recently been marred by the Ebola epidemic consuming...
View ArticleUS and others must seek answers on Mexico's missing students
While there seems to be a new crisis every week to grab the 24-hour news networks, there has been a theme that has been in the background that we can no longer ignore: Young people are not being...
View ArticleBoko Haram has become Africa's ISIS
The new year is off to great start for the militant group Boko Haram — and much less so for Nigeria, its West African neighbors, and the international community as a whole — as the brutal insurgents...
View ArticleUS disappointed with delay in Nigeria election
Secretary of State John Kerry said late Saturday that the U.S. is “deeply disappointed” by the decision to postpone Nigeria’s presidential election.“Political interference with the Independent National...
View ArticleIs Nigeria about to explode?
Nigeria has the largest black population in the world: 178 million. Within that population are 300 differing ethnic and culture groups. Traditionally, colonial powers such as Britain would group...
View ArticleThe 'threat' of war is a false option
Supporters of making a nuclear deal — and more — with Iran frequently tell us that if there is no deal, there is likely to be war. The most recent example is Ben Rhodes on Tuesday night. The same is...
View ArticleNigeria's moment
Since their country is by far and away Africa's most populous, its biggest economy, and home to both its largest Muslim community as well as its largest Christian community, any time Nigerians go to...
View ArticleThe African Growth and Opportunity Act, a US trade failure
Too many people read the headlines and skip the actual substance. A headline might say that it's imperative for America to renew the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). The underlying facts...
View ArticleBoosting African democracy
Nigerians made history last week as ordinary citizens turned out in their tens of millions to cast ballots in what was not only the most competitive presidential race many had ever witnessed, but,...
View ArticleBolster US-Nigeria ties to seal democratic gains
The historic victory of challenger Muhammadu Buhari over incumbent Goodluck Jonathan in Nigeria's recent presidential election, the latter's graceful concession and the apparently smooth transition...
View ArticleNigeria frees 20 in push against Boko Haram
Scores of Boko Haram terrorists were killed and 20 women and children were rescued Saturday, according to the Nigerian military.The military touted Saturday’s operation as more progress against Boko...
View ArticleReal African solutions to Africa's challenges
Each year, May 25 — the anniversary of the founding in 1963 of the Organization of African Unity — is observed internationally as "Africa Day," a celebration of pan-African unity not only across the...
View ArticleNigerian political transition sets model for other African elections
On May 29, Nigeria will experience, for the first time in its history, a peaceful transfer of power between two political parties. Since 1999, when the then-government of Nigeria allowed new political...
View ArticleNigerian president's visit a refresh for US-Nigerian relations
Today's White House meeting between President Obama and new Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari is more than a courtesy call. Rather, it is an opportunity to refresh a relationship that has the...
View ArticleIs OPEC about to go to financial war?
On Friday, Dec. 4, the OPEC oil ministers met and as I anticipated, they decided to leave production levels unchanged. The official target for production is 30 million barrels a day; however, OPEC is...
View ArticleWest Africa's terror problem needs a regional solution
Terrorism in West Africa is evolving into a more regional phenomenon. In order to hold back wider destabilization, international partners would be wise to emphasize regional cooperation in...
View ArticleClinton: 'My heart aches’ for girls Boko Haram abducted
Hillary Clinton on Thursday said that she feels sorrow over the hundreds of Nigerian schoolgirls kidnapped by Boko Haram terrorists.“[It is] a stark reminder of the work we must do to advance equality...
View ArticleAnti-corruption groups celebrate new US transparency rules
I’ve been investigating corruption in the oil, gas and mining industries for nearly 20 years, and today feels historic. Here’s why: on Monday, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)...
View ArticleOn Africa, will isolationist Trump fight an internationalist Congress?
President George W. Bush's administration surprised Africans: U.S. exports to Africa doubled, overall trade volume tripled and U.S. foreign aid to the continent quadrupled.The President's Emergency...
View ArticleOPEC production cut boosts oil price, but uncertainty looms
The 2016 presidential election was exceptional in many ways, but one of the least talked about aspects was that, in contrast to nearly every other modern presidential election, oil prices had virtually...
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