African history is filled with experiences of people shooting their way to power and then splintering into factions, like in Somalia and Liberia.

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.

Virtually all of Africa's civil wars were started by politically marginalized or excluded groups.

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.

If NATO goes in and solves the crisis in Darfur, when the next one comes along Africa's leaders will just sit back.

Radio is the death and life of Africa.

The only good dictator is a dead one.