Continued attacks by the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) contradict claims that the group is finished

Senegal is at its most politically volatile period in recent history. On 23 June, 85-year-old Abdoulaye Wade – who is seeking a controversial third term as president- tried to push through two laws that would have ensured his success in the February 2012 elections and created a way for his son, Karim, to take over.

The leading barons of the Front Populaire Ivorien (FPI), his former ruling party, are unrepentent and do not recognise their poor handling of the country over the past decade.

The debate over nationalising the mining industry continues to divide opinion in South Africa, despite assurances by President Jacob Zuma that it is not government policy. Some see it as a proxy for political factions battling to control the ruling party, others as a genuine attempt to address persistent imbalances in the country’s economy.

Nigeria has pledged to recognise Libya’s National Transition Council (NTC) if its leaders build a democratic foundation in the country where respect for human rights and the rule of law would prevail.

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu was in Ethiopia on Monday where he held emergence talks with Ethiopian and African Union (AU) Commission officials on Libya.

Firebrand ANC Youth League leader Julius Malema is fighting for his political life and this week’s events are likely to profoundly influence the ruling party’s leadership battle in 2012.