At the Francophonie summit in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Siddhartha Mitter writes, “The roster [of musical acts] replicates the schism that has occurred in Congolese music over politics – specifically, whether to endorse President Joseph Kabila, and gain from official patronage; or whether to oppose him, either from outside the country, where numerous soukous veterans have sought shelter, or domestically, in the largely hip-hop-driven Kinshasa underground.”
Loomnie, responding to a recent interview on Boko Haram at the Economist, discusses how Nigeria’s oil wealth affected Northern Nigeria’s economy.
The Moor Next Door on Algeria and Mali:
It appears likely that French efforts to assert control over the regional setting through ECOWAS will go ahead, as its leaders have said ‘with or without Algeria’; what success or buy in these will get from Algiers is not clear to this blogger at this time. What Algeria is seeking to work out in Mali, beyond avoiding military intervention and the expansion of AQIM and its fraternal organisations beyond Mali, is also relatively obscure; the Algerian end state has not been articulated clearly as much as its preferences for a process, or style of process, that allows Algiers to remain central and with some measure of control (or perception of control) especially with respect to the parts of Mali bordering southern Algeria. Since last winter Algeria has been seeking out its traditional role as a mediator and facilitator in northern Mali; this comes from both internal priorities as well as regional ones.
Texas in Africa, “Realities of Rape in War.”
Amb. David Shinn flags new reports on the United States and the Sudans and on pastoralists in northern Kenya.
Zanele Hlatshwayo: “Time To Improve State Participation In Africa’s Extractive Industries.”
Roving Bandit: “The State of the Game between Juba and Khartoum.”
Amb. John Campbell: “Nigeria’s Economic Reforms in Trouble?”
The Economist on Kenya:
As they swish past in their flashy cars on their way to parliament, members of Kenya’s legislature are often greeted nowadays by protesters shouting “Mwizi !”, Swahili for “thief”. Having lost the power to vote for a rise in their basic salary, thanks to a new constitution endorsed in a referendum two years ago, the lawmakers found a sneaky way to boost their pay. It has not been popular.
A student newsletter from Somaliland.
Art installations at the Lagos Business School.
Sahel Blog 
Of course, a nation like Nigeria facing immense security and social challenges is going to have problems implementing a reform program.
Right now, security is the most important thing – everything else takes a back seat.
Ambassador Shinn blogs a lot. Is there a sense of how he’s viewed?
My sense is that he is one of the main experts journalists, think tanks, and government institutions turn to for perspectives on the Greater Horn. But I am only somewhat familiar with his work.
Great source of HoA info.
Resolutely on the side of Somaliland.