In the heart of Bahrain's financial district, about 40 Africans, Arabs, Asians and Europeans spent two days in early April debating the geopolitics of Africa's economic upturn at a conference hosted by the International Institute of Security Studies.

Brand new embassies, booming trade in agriculture, precious stones and information technology together with shadowy security deals: Israel is back in Africa. But this time tycoons and generals are leading the charge.

To better comprehend Mauritania, one should understand that slavery has been abolished three times! The fourth abolishment of slavery is yet to be announced as the widespread practice continues unabated.