Western-style multi-party democracy is possible but not suitable for Africa.

The richest persons in Africa are heads of state, governors and ministers. So every 'educated' African who wants to be rich - and there is nothing wrong with wanting to be rich - heads straight into government or politics.

There's a belief that since Africa got a raw deal from the colonial West, then the Chinese must be Africa's best friend. But the evidence doesn't show that, and the main criticism is that they are building infrastructure in exchange for Africa's resources in deals that are structured to favor China.

Getting rid of the dictator is only a first step in establishing a free society. The dictatorship must also be disassembled.

When Uganda got debt relief in 1999, the first item President Museveni bought was a presidential jacket for himself.

In a banana republic, one might slip on a banana peel but things do work - now and then for the people, albeit inefficiently and unreliably.

Hippos kill more people in Africa annually than any other wild animal.