Published in The Independent (April 7th, 2012) Arriving in Timbuktu after a long, hot journey across the Sahara, you come to a striking monument to peace, with guns […]
Africa / Equatorial Guinea
Unesco’s latest attempt to give out dictator’s $3m prize delayed by lawyers
Published in The Guardian (March 5th, 2012) The latest attempt to award a controversial $3m UNESCO prize given by Africa’s longest-ruling dictator has been jeopardised by the organisation’s own lawyers, […]
Africa / Libya
This grave desecration does not mean Libya is out of control
Originally posted in The Guardian (March 5th, 2012) The morning had been spent dodging Muammar Gaddafi’s security stooges and talking to activists planning the uprising that erupted days […]
Arts / Books / Nigeria
Disorder, dereliction…and decency
Published in The Observer (January 29th, 2012) Looking for Transwonderland: Travels in Nigeria by Noo Saro-Wira (Granta) Nigeria does not top many people’s lists of the ideal holiday […]
Africa / Egypt
We should not fear a Muslim Brotherhood win
Published in The Independent (November 29th, 2011) The resurgence of Egypt’s revolution has overshadowed the start of the country’s convoluted election, so long awaited after nearly six decades […]
Africa / Egypt
Does democracy stand a chance?
Published in the Daily Mail (November 28th, 2011) As I entered Tahrir Square in Cairo one night last week, a motorbike sped out of the clouds of tear […]
Africa / Swaziland
The African Canute
Published in the Daily Mail (November 11th, 2011) Last weekend, it was hard to think of anywhere in the world where the scenery could have been more beautiful […]
Africa / Libya
MI6 role in Libyan rebels’ rendition ‘helped to strengthen al-Qaida’
Published in The Guardian (October 25th) British intelligence believes the capture and rendition of two top Libyan rebel commanders, carried out with the involvement of MI6, strengthened al-Qaida […]
Africa / Equatorial Guinea
The strange and evil world of Equatorial Guinea
Published in The Observer magazine (October 23rd, 2011) It is hard not to be impressed when you arrive in the newly rich nation of Equatorial Guinea, especially when […]
Africa / Libya
The pariah who tried to sink the QE2 – then fooled Blair and the West
Published in the Daily Mail (October 21st, 2011) Britain’s most famous cruise ship, Queen Elizabeth 2, set sail from Southampton for Israel in April 1973, packed with Jewish […]
Africa / Zambia
A good news story out of Africa brings hope
Published in The Observer (September 25th, 2011) Even in this remarkable year of uprisings and unpredictable events, it was an inspirational moment that revealed the pace of change […]