Topic: Central Africa

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In Pictures: Refugee Camps in Tanzania
In Pictures: Lost in migration: A refugee falls between the cracks

All Content

Mixed reactions over Malawi's plan to repeal anti-gay law

Repealing a colonial-era ban on homosexuality may please foreign donors, intent on protecting democratic rights of minorities. But it causes a stir among churches and conservative Malawians.
Terrorism & Security
How US special forces help in the hunt for Joseph Kony (+video)

Some 100 Special Forces soldiers are advising and training regional troops searching for Joseph Kony, leader of the Lord's Resistance Army, in central Africa.
Backlash against Kony 2012: Where are the voices of Ugandans?

Since the Kony 2012 video about atrocities in Uganda went viral, there has been a backlash and counter-backlash over the campaign by Invisible Children to stop Joseph Kony and his rebels. Lost in the debate: the need to include the voices of Ugandans.
Change Agent
Why 'Kony 2012' video grabbed 100 million views online

The  'Kony 2012' online video, urging action against warlord Joseph Kony and his Lord's Resistance Army in Central Africa, works because it tells a simple story that makes the viewer the hero, an expert says.
Kony 2012: Director of video agrees with critics (+video)

Kony 2012: The ICC chief prosecutor praised the Kony 2012 video Monday. The director of the Invisible Children viral video agrees that he 'oversimplified' the issues.
Africa Monitor
Crisis mapping: How Invisible Children's Kony 2012 campaign changed advocacy

Invisible Children's Kony 2012 campaign includes an early warning radio network and crisis map that help civilians prepare for attacks by Joseph Kony's Lord's Resistance Army, guest blogger Patrick Meier says.
Global News Blog
Kony 2012: Campaign against African warlord goes viral, now who is he?

The Kony 2012 campaign succeeded in making African warlord Joseph Kony infamous, but left out much of the background. Here's Monitor coverage on Kony and his Lord's Resistance Army.
For tiny Burundi, big returns in sending peacekeepers to Somalia

For poorer countries like Burundi, sending soldiers to join a UN or African Union peacekeeping mission offers financial and political benefits, as well as better arms and training.
Top Picks: The life of Charles and Ray Eames, the best travel destinations for 2012, and more

'The Help' is a worthy adaptation of a powerful book, NPR's hilarious 'Wait Wait ... Don't Tell Me!' looks back at the year's top stories, 'Christmas at St. Olaf' on PBS celebrates the 100th anniversary of a beautiful musical tribute, and more top picks.
Africa Monitor
US troops against the LRA? A war worth winning

Guest blogger Kellen McClure argues that sending US military advisors to fight the LRA's Joseph Kony is a small price to pay for removing one of the world's worst mass murderers.
LRA leader Joseph Kony: Why Obama sent US troops to Uganda to get him

The feared group LRA is responsible for the murder and rape of thousands in Central Africa. Siding with interventionist advisers, Obama sent the US troops to help remove Joseph Kony from the battlefield.
Change Agent
Five fruits you've never heard of that are helping to end hunger

From Monkey Oranges to Tsamma Melon little-known fruits can provide nutritious food to help alleviate hunger and poverty.
Africa Monitor
Congo election season in full swing, along with electoral problems

The Congo election season is fully underway, but voter registration fraud, delays in the legislative elections, and vote buying are just a few of things disrupting the election.
Chapter & Verse
In Zimbabwe, hope behind the horror

Peter Godwin's book, "The Fear: Robert Mugabe and the Martyrdom of Zimbabwe," is about more than tragedy.
Africa Monitor
On International Women's Day, honoring a woman who told the world about rape in Congo

In light of International Women's Day, The Enough Project is honoring women working to end atrocities in Africa. Today they introduce Lynn Nottage, whose play "Ruined" tells the world about rape in the Congo.
Africa Monitor
The Steelers won the Super Bowl? T-shirts sent to Africa say so.

A US-based NGO's move to send misprinted Super Bowl T-shirts to Africa is a misguided attempt at aid, writes guest blogger Laura Seay.
Africa Monitor
In Rwanda, a rebel commander's case that no one wants to try

Two years after Rwanda arrested Congolese rebel commander Gen. Nkunda, it still doesn't know what to do with him – he knows too many secrets that could come out if he is tried.
Difference Maker
A Nobel Peace Prize winner finds spiritual values in planting trees

Nobel laureate Wangari Maathai, who founded the Green Belt Movement, says spiritual values are the key to healing ourselves and our environment.
Africa Monitor
The ICC trial won't lead to reform in Kenya

Guest blogger G. Pascal Zachary says that the International Criminal Court trial against six high-profile Kenyans will not lead to positive change in Kenya – that needs to come from within.
Africa Monitor
US legislation on Congo's 'conflict minerals,' explained

A congressional staffer explains recently passed legislation that aims to reduce Congo's "conflict minerals" industry by making it easier for activists to target US companies who import minerals from the Congo.
UN report on Rwanda genocide threatens stability in Central Africa

The leaked report accuses Rwanda's leadership of mass murdering Hutu refugees in Congo. Once seen as heroes for ending the 1994 genocide – they're now billed as villains. But oversimplified claims don't serve justice, and may have dangerous consequences for regional progress.
Africa Monitor
Congo rejects recommendation in UN report on genocide

Guest blogger Jason Stearns says that the Congolese government's rejection of recommendations made in a UN report on the possible genocide makes it less likely that crimes will be adequately addressed.
Africa Monitor
UN report on Congo genocide could be game-changer

Guest blogger Lauren Seay says that the leaked UN report on the possible Congo genocide, which implicates the Rwandan government, brings crucial facts to light that could bring justice to the region.
Africa Monitor
Dissecting Rwandan criticism of UN report on Congo genocide

The Rwandan government claims there were flaws in the UN report that implicates it in the possible Congo genocide. Guest blogger Jason Stearns responds.
Africa Monitor
Highlights from leaked UN draft report on Congo atrocities: 1993-1996

Guest blogger Jason Stearns offers highlights of the period 1993-1996 from a leaked UN draft report that chronicles mass atrocities in the Congo between 1993 and 2003.