Topic: Ouagadougou

Usain Bolt: ultimate showman delivers unforgettable Olympic moment, again

Usain Bolt won the 100 meters at the London Olympics Sunday in stunning fashion, once again showing that he is at his best when the stakes are highest. All eyes turn to the 200 meters.

Africa Monitor
Mali, Shari'a, and the Media

Reporting tends to portray Islamic Sharia law as barbaric. Guest blogger Alex Thurston writes that this tendency hinders a chance to understand countries like Mali in their complexity.

Africa Monitor
Amid police firings in Burkina Faso, all eyes on 2015 election

Nearly a year after protests by trade unions and students, Burkina Faso's rulers are sorting through the fallout and recently fired 100 policemen, writes guest blogger Alex Thurston.

Terrorism & Security
Libya's interim leader predicts Sirte victory by end of week

A Sirte victory would end the protracted battle for Qaddafi's hometown and allow a new government to be established. Delay could increase the likelihood of rifts in Libya's future leadership.

Terrorism & Security
Libyan rebels' 'final assault' on Qaddafi's hometown of Sirte (VIDEO)

Libyan rebels have captured new areas of the strategic coastal city, one of the last strongholds of former leader Col. Muammar Qaddafi.

Africa Monitor
Is Compaore's reign in Burkina Faso coming to an end?

Burkina Faso's President Compaore is seeing new protests against his regime in Western Africa that may finally be sweeping him out of power.

Why sustained protests in Burkina Faso haven't brought Egypt-style revolution

Fierce demonstrations have been raging for months throughout the landlocked West African nation, but civil society lacks the strength to bring about revolutionary change.

Africa Monitor
Are cellphone apps and Facebook the key to empowering African youth?

Technology holds promise for Africa's young people by giving them greater economic opportunity, but sometimes that opportunity is in niches such as music piracy.

Africa Monitor
Burkina Faso presidential vote won't change much

President Blaise Compaoré, who has held power since a 1987 coup, is likely to win reelection – and solidify his regional influence.

Counterterrorism training to curb Al Qaeda threat in Africa

US and European troops train local militaries in counterterrorism tactics in the face of threats from Al Qaeda and criminals in West Africa.

Guinea nears civilian rule after September massacre by military

The ruling military junta of Captain Moussa Dadis Camara in Guinea announced that it supports transition to civilian rule.

Discoveries
A meteor helps reveal West Africa's troubling drought history

Terrorism & Security
Rise in food prices sparks unrest

Sub-Saharan Africa has been particularly hard hit by the rising global food costs.