All articles from Mike Pflanz

Are US and UK 'turning a blind eye' as Ethiopia uproots natives?

California think tank issues double-barreled report alleging Washington, London are willfully ignoring gross violations.
Did West ignore rape charges related to Ethiopia land grab?

USAID officials are accused of ignoring reports of profound human rights abuses by Ethiopia, a strategic ally in the Horn of Africa. They deny it.
Hague court 'expected' Nigeria to arrest Sudan's Bashir. It didn't. (+video)

Instead of arresting the Sudanese leader who faces 10 charges, including genocide and war crimes, Nigeria gave him the red carpet treatment.
In Nigeria, Sudan's Bashir plays cat and mouse with international court

Nigeria gives Sudan's president an honor guard and red carpet treatment, even though he is wanted by the International Criminal Court for war crimes.
Obama pledges to help double electricity in sub-Saharan Africa (+video)

President Obama is casting the $7 billion initiative as part of a new US strategy to move the region forward with development, not charity dollars.
On first day in Africa, Obama calls Mandela a 'hero for the world'

The White House is in Senegal, South Africa, and Tanzania for a week, to make up for lost ground as China's influence rises. But the status of Mandela looms over visit.
Obama lands in an Africa more skeptical of his presidency (+video)

White House predecessors George W. Bush and Bill Clinton left a mark on Africa. Obama in his first term did not. Will his second term bring a different story?
Obama prepares to visit an Africa more skeptical of his presidency

Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush left a mark on Africa that Obama so far has not. Will Obama's second term change that?
Al Qaeda-allied suicide team blasts UN compound in Mogadishu

Al Shabab fighters launch one of worst attacks since being largely driven out of the Somali capitol two years ago. 'We knew it was dangerous here,' says UN spokesman in country.
ICC trials for Kenya's new leaders may shift partly back home

Newly elected president Uhuru Kenyatta and deputy president William Ruto were indicted by the ICC for 2007 election violence. Is Kenya ready to watch the hearings up close?
Is West now looking past Darfur genocide to engage Sudan?

President Omar al-Bashir is charged with mass deaths, but he may not last forever. Are Barack Obama and John Kerry starting to count on that?
Britain issues unprecedented apology to colonial-era Kenyans

In surprise reversal, UK says it is sorry and will compensate locals for round-up, torture, and harm in 1952 colonial crackdown.
Kenyan official seeks ally in UN to drop criminal charges against new president

Kenya's UN ambassador says the crimes against humanity indictments of the country's president and his deputy are flawed. Can his move influence the International Criminal Court?
Donors pledge cash to Somalia to rein in terrorist threat

At a conference in London, international donors said they'd give $350 million to Somalia's new government. Most of the money would go toward beefing up the feeble security sector.
Meet the floating plant that has Lake Victoria's economy in a chokehold

Massive mats of invasive water hyacinth are creeping their way across the lake, severely disrupting local fishermen and sending scientists scrambling for a way to stop the runaway weed.
Two Iranians in Kenya found guilty of bomb plots

The men were found with enough RDX explosives to bring down a building, and more could be hidden. They scoped-out British and Israeli embassies, and a synagogue.
New Kenyan lawmakers vote themselves free luxury car perk, worth $60,000

Before elections in March, salaries for politicians in the East African nation were agreed to be pruned as a matter of national contrition. That didn't last long.
Deadly day in Mogadishu shows weakened Somali militants not yet defeated (+video)

Al Shabab militants in Somalia killed 19 people Sunday in three bomb attacks that targeted Mogadishu's main court complex and an aid convoy.
Hot idea to keep African farmers planting harvests 100,000th participant

Insurance pay-offs to small farmers in Kenya and Rwanda give them courage to plant, despite bad weather predictions. Cell phone technology makes it possible.