China's huge infrastructural investments in Africa, the frenzied welcome for Obama to East Africa and the planned visit by Pope Francis to Kenya, Uganda and the Central African Republic in November are further evidence of Africa rising.

This year is the deadline for MDGs, and the global community is set to come up with new set of development goals SGs in September at UN summit in New York. The Addis Ababa 3rd International Conference on Finance for Development held last week laid a foundation for further conversation on how to end extreme poverty and pursue the other post-MDG goals.

The newly signed Tripartite Free Trade agreement bears great opportunities, especially in the areas of information technology, agriculture, social and intellectual capital. However, as with previous and future agreements its success depends highly on political will and stability in the countries involved.

Development is often viewed as top-down: Principally the work of government, international actors and other institutions. This village on the Rwanda-Uganda provides a case for focus on the rural political economy as the engine of bottom-up sustainable development.

The argument pushed by Nkurunziza and his backers for a third presidential term is unconvincing. This, and the fact that many people have really not enjoyed the fruits of peace under his 10-year rule, is what has galvanized relentless opposition to the regime.

Many black South Africans are yet to enjoy the freedom dividend. This is the primary source of their frustration that needs to be addressed urgently. As one of Africa’s leading nations, the country should also intensify its efforts to realize the dream of pan-Africanism.

The Islamic militant group Boko haram, which has wreaked havoc in parts of Nigeria, influenced the outcome of this year’s presidential election. These terrorists must be eliminated as the first priority of the new administration, along with other urgent scourges such as endemic corruption.

In the quest for regional integration, it is helpful to look at some of the less known yet strategic locations such as Katuna for models of emulation and improvement. Katuna offers a model of integration from below.

Pope Francis has used his soft power to speak progressively against an international system that creates and maintains economic inequality and poverty. This year the pope is expected to travel to Africa - a much needed visit for Africans of all faiths as it will once again remind the world of persistent injustices as well as the vast potential of the continent.

Although the mission of Jesus on earth has always been understood as being spiritual, a closer look at his life and work exposes a social and political philosophy geared to building a better world for all people.

There is a lot going on in Africa: Boko Haram crisis in Nigeria, the Ebola crisis, armed conflict in South Sudan, rhetoric of ‘Africa arising’, the dramatic exit of Blaise Compaore, presidential elections... Many of these are issues that tend to make people get too serious and stressed. Uganda’s star comedia Anne Kansiime is offering people some respite.

Sustainable and lasting peace in Africa’s conflict states would be better guaranteed if transitional justice included the rule of law, separation of powers, electoral reforms, decentralization and a democratic ethos nurtured by free media and a vibrant civil society.

Evidently, the existing nation-state model does not successfully handle the global challenges facing humanity. Cosmic state theory proposes a different human organization: a supra-state transcending family, state, market, school, gender, race, party, religious and tribal affiliation. The cosmic state is founded upon the values of peace, justice and sustainable human progress.

The complex history and ethnography of Rwanda that has its roots and fruits in the rest of the Great Lakes Region could hold the key to the country’s prosperity and ultimate survival. In this regard it might be helpful to deconstruct some of the dominant narratives

Given the history of nation-building in Africa, the violent conflict in South Sudan is not entirely surprising. To end it and lay the ground for lasting peace, the protagonists together with regional players and the international community need to isolate and boldly address the deep-rooted causes of the conflict

The East African Community (EAC) modeled on the EU has enormous potential and resources. Resolving political differences and harmonizing with other regional blocks remains the foremost challenges

There lies enormous potential in a genuinely independent media in assisting in the development and democratization process in Africa

Among the investment suitors lined up for Africa, Brazil has close historical and cultural links with Africa and this makes her a more likely partner than other rivals. Africa should develop the chemistry that exists between her and Brazil

They provide a model for other youth in diaspora to emulate: keeping in touch with one’s culture and religion; how to settle in a foreign land; creativity in employment; long-term investment in education

Fare thee well great literary spirit
That inspired millions
To dream a new.

Fare thee well great literary mind
That provoked many a mind
To think
creatively.

Fare thee well great literary giant
Father of African literature
Who spiced words for eating.

Fare thee well prophet of social justice,
May things not fall apart as you depart;
May anarchy not befall the
African literary world.

May you join the great ancestors
As you cross the great river;
Rest in peace as you await
The second coming.

We are no longer at ease
Without you;
For you were our arrow of God
Shooting without missing.

You are our man of the people
Traversing the ant hills of the savanah;
Adieu great literary soul, spirit, and mind.