The Deception of Paint

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) celebrates 50 years of independence today. Repainting crumbling structures is one of the tasks that have been undertaken to give the dilapidated capital a face lift. The rot is still beneath as lives keep getting wasted in a resource-rich country.

Obiang Nguema Wants a Face Lift

Readers of this blog will be familiar with the notorious dictator Obiang Nguema, President of the tiny country called Equatorial Guinea. He now wants a face lift, an extreme make over. He has hired an American lobbyist to sanitize his image abroad.

Africa Has Most Expensive Cities in the World

A recent survey shows that Luanda, the capital of Angola, is the most expensive city in the world, especially for expats. See the other cities that make it here.

DRC Turns 50: A Pictorial Story

Pictures are worth a thousand words. Also see this.

Is Blood Still in the Diamond?

The connection between the diamond we wear and the people being killed for it continues to be vital. Read this and this.

No Angels Here

A fabulous tale of betrayal. T'hami el-Glaouis of Morocco was the quintessential African leader, selling his people to amass wealth for himself. Some things just don't change.

The Shame that is Burundi and Rwanda

Burundi and Rwanda, countries that have recently known genocides in Africa, are taking African politics decades back. While the incidents of political leaders killing their rivals have generally declined in many African countries (compared to the immediate post-colonial periods), political leaders in Burundi and Rwanda are taking the continent back to that time when political leaders killed their opponents or sent them into exile. That is why the upcoming elections in Burundi and Rwanda should be called out for the farce that they are.