Topic: Zimbabwe

Africa Monitor As Zimbabwe election approaches, West softens its condemnation

In July, Zimbabweans will vote in another election likely to be rigged by the ruling party. But President Robert Mugabe's small reforms have eased pressure from the West.

Will Robert Mugabe win, lose, or fix Zimbabwe elections July 31? (+video)

Today is the last day for voter registration in Zimbabwe: Opposition says reforms needed but will cast ballots anyway.

Zimbabwe election date tussle gets serious (+video)

Opposition politicians say President Robert Mugabe is using a constitutional court's call for an early date to achieve an unconstitutional outcome. 

Briefing Policing 'blood' diamonds: the watchdog Kimberley Process explained

Scientists discover a little astronaut within all of us

Phosphorus, a key ingredient in all living things, travelled to Earth via meteors, a new study has found.

Africa Monitor Is Nelson Mandela too soft on white South Africans? Robert Mugabe says so.

In a new documentary, the Zimbabwean president says that Mandela 'was too much of a saint' and takes the famous South African to task for not doing enough for the black majority.

Reader recommendation: The Covenant

Monitor readers share their favorite book picks.

Change Agent Mobile phones unleash farmers in Uganda

The information farmers in Uganda provide via mobile phones does more than just help them order and pay for supplies. It allows the collection of data that will help them sell their crops, build a credit history, and receive other services, such as crop insurance.

Africa Monitor Are South Africans 'backward'? Zambia's white VP says so.

In an unfiltered interview with the Guardian last week, Zambian Vice President Guy Scott had fighting words for the continent's economic powerhouse. Now Pretoria is demanding an explanation. 

Africa Monitor Do African nations have an ulterior motive in joining UN Congo brigade?

A UN 'intervention brigade' will enter the country this summer to fight Congolese rebels. But the countries sending troops have a political agenda as well. 

Change Agent Zimbabwe's farmers dig in to capture a deluge

With no access to groundwater, and no help from local authorities, farmers in drought-stricken Zimbabwe have grouped together to dig ponds to capture precious rainwater.

12 promising novels for spring 2013

Here are 12 spring 2013 fiction titles that we're looking forward to picking up.

Africa Monitor Will Zimbabwe's Morgan Tsvangirai be Africa's next fallen hero?

The 'heroic' leaders who follow notorious African dictators to power frequently fall from grace themselves. If Morgan Tsvangirai replaces Robert Mugabe as president of Zimbabwe, will he be next? 

Miriam Makeba: The fame and exile of 'Mama Africa'

Miriam Makeba led a life of song and protest. Google celebrates the South African singer Monday, on what would have been her 81st birthday.

Focus Can Kenya's March election avoid killings, catastrophe, of last national vote?

Kenya prized its strategic and symbolic importance as one of Africa's leading democracies. But bloody post-election riots in 2007 has the world now watching.

Change Agent 'Sand dams' store water for dry season in semi-arid Kenya

Simple dams that can be constructed in a day by unskilled laborers may revolutionize Kenyan agriculture by storing millions of liters of water, providing once-parched communities with water for domestic use and irrigation throughout the year.

Africa Monitor How many immigrants does South Africa have? That depends who you ask.

Immigration is a hot-button issue in South African politics, but one of the most important questions about migrants remains the most basic: How many are there?

Opinion 5 reasons why Africa is not ready to meet its own security needs – yet

Africa’s experiment in a regional approach to security is serious and laudable, but it will take time to build credible capacity. Here are five reasons why Africa is not ready to meet its own security needs – yet.

Zimbabwe claims it only has $217 left

In an appeal Tuesday to foreign donors to help raise some $200 million, Zimbabwe's finance ministry announced that paying civil servants and government employees had bankrupted the country.

Mugabe talks up reconciliation, but is it just 'lipstick on a frog'?

The Zimbabwean hardliner utters fine words and a new constitution is near at hand. But on the ground, repression is ongoing.

Opinion Attacks in Mali, Libya, Algeria show why Africa still needs US support

Attacks by Islamist insurgents on US outposts in Benghazi, Libya, at a gas plant in Algeria, and in Mali expose several reasons for persistent security weakness across Africa. For one thing, many countries are too poor to supply the funds and soldiers for regional peace efforts.

Tanzania withdraws bid to sell 'legal ivory;' Kenyan poachers kill 12 elephants (+video)

Conservation groups rebuff Tanzania's bid to sell $55 million in ivory and downgrade elephants' endangered status. But Kenya's largest massacre of elephants Jan. 5 points to the difficulties of ending poaching.

How to create a better food system in 2013 (+video)

Our worldwide food system needs an overhaul. Here are 13 steps to change food policies and improve lives.

The New Economy Why we need pirates in cyberspace

Whenever governments have tried to regulate new common areas – from oceans to airwaves – pirates have moved in. They remind us that some areas should be free. 

Senate freshmen: What the 14 new members bring to Capitol Hill

A freshman Senate class was sworn in Jan. 3, bringing diverse skills and experience – not to mention agendas – to the legislative body. Whether the 14 newest senators help break partisan gridlock, or refuse to work across the aisle, will be the test for the 113th Congress.Twelve were elected on Nov. 6, including three Republicans, eight Democrats, and an independent. In addition, a Republican and a Democrat were appointed to vacant seats after the election. Here is a look at the 14 and what they bring to the Senate: