NATO’s involvement in Libya is a simple case of egotistical self-interest and attempts at control on the part of the Western powers, writes Jenn Jagire: ‘One thing is clear: Libya did not attack any of these countries for this mighty alliance to bring out its entire arsenal against this small country and its traumatised people.’

Young people have the opportunity to play an active role in monitoring and documenting Nigeria's elections for the first time in history, thanks to social media. Rosemary Ajayi looks at how Nigerians are using their new tools to participate.

Another war with Eritrea? A water war with Egypt? Alemayehu G. Mariam deconstructs Meles Zenawi's latest war talk.

Sentenced to six months in prison after falling foul of Gambia’s Jammeh government, democracy and human rights activist Edwin Nebolisa talks to Pan-African Visions’ Ajong Mbapndah about his ordeal.

‘While I’m finishing this article, the United Nations and France are announcing negotiations with Gbagbo in the quest to make him recognise Outtara’s victory and hand over power to Côte d’Ivoire new leader. But I still see Simone and Laurent in their wedding clothes, united by an insane destiny, with a bible in their hands.’

Facebook campaign ‘April 12 Swazi Uprising’ has received disproportionate international media coverage for an event that hasn’t happened, writes Peter Kenworthy. But how does it tie in with democratic movements on the ground?

Poet and writer Khainga O’Okwemba reflects on the Kenyan activities around International Women's Day on 8 March and a ‘support women artists now’ day held at the end of March.

IFC-funded mining projects in Africa have ‘a track record of causing human rights abuses and massive environmental damage’, writes Cyril Mychalejko. Can it really claim to be promoting ‘poverty reduction through sustainable development’?

Kenya’s Nubians are a ‘stateless people’, writes Xena Abdul, only recently part-recognised by the Kenyan government and facing day-to-day discrimination around land rights and identity.

What Africa needs is ‘transformational leaders with vision, commitment and a resolve to make Africa a better place for its younger generation and generations yet unborn,’ writes Phidelia Amey. Can the African Union deliver?

Walasia Noor EL Shabazz catches a train - and gives some tips about how to innocuously frighten the racists.

Kibera, Nairobi’s most notorious slum, is now the subject of a reality TV show. Rasna Warah slams the growing fashion of 'slum tourism'.

Antumi Toasije suggests the AU is preventing Pan-African unity.

Zimasa Lerumo tells the story of her experiences growing up in South Africa’s Eastern Cape.

In light of its dubious leadership and disingenuous soundings on the need for ‘youth empowerment’, Eyob Balcha has little patience with the African Union: ‘[F]or me the African Union is the most hypocrite institution that I’ve ever heard and seen.’

Unable to raise bail, four human rights defenders were imprisoned for protesting at a local nursing home about the ‘unacceptably high maternal mortality rates.’ Ruth Mumbi shares her story, noting that she was jailed ‘not because I was a criminal but because I had stood my grounds for peoples and women’s right to healthcare.’

‘We want our Country, Egypt, to be the best country it can be. One where we all can live and co-exist; one where the state is healthy and functions and all are represented and have rights. That’s what we always wanted and called for,’ writes Sandmonkey in a letter to Egyptians fearful about the impacts of continued protests. ‘If you don’t like something, change it. That was the lesson of the Jan25 revolution after all, you know?’

CISLAC of Lagos ‘note with great concern the tendency of some political parties and politicians to flagrantly disregard the provisions of the Electoral Act in the run-off to the April 2011 elections’ in Nigeria.

The ‘basic concern of the United States and NATO is not Libya, but the revolutionary wave being unleashed in the Arab world, something they would like to prevent at any cost,’ writes Fidel Castro.

Many an African dictator is trembling in his boots following popular uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt. But are the elements in place for rebellion to spread farther south, asks William Gumede.