Mali: Could the Azawad secede?

With oil found, and now unity between the Azawadi Haratines, Arabs and Tuaregs, could Mali split? Can the Azawad dream become reality?

France: Bankrupt without Africa or Germany?

Subsidies at home, support from the Germans, and reaping the benefits of historic foreign escapades. Is France broke?

South Sudan: creating a new capital at Ramciel

But are centrally-located new capital cities typically successful? Other countries' experiences might provide an answer.

World: outside bets for their countries' presidencies

Ireland, South Korea, Mexico, the Ivory Coast and the United States. See who.

Ivory Coast: Can Koulibaly's party win in 2011?

President Ouattara has promised parliamentary elections in Côte d'Ivoire before the end of the year. Who will champion the south?

Election Special: Liberia

As presidential and parliamentary elections are held on October 11, can Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and her UP hang on?

Bangladesh: jute boom

After years of decline, the 'golden fibre' is resurgent. How will this effect Asia's 4th poorest economy?

Nigeria: terrorists on the warpath

Does Boko Haram's bombing of the UN in Abuja herald a need to break-up Africa's most populous country?

Nigeria: cut across the middle?

The Muslim North votes one way and the mainly Christian South another.  Could Nigeria degenerate into civil war?