Africa must act on Zimbabwe's disaster
25 June 2008
By Michael Holman and Greg Mills
Something is stirring in Africa. Belatedly, often reluctantly, its leaders are speaking out on Zimbabwe. The rogue president in their ranks, they are coming to realise, poses a threat with the potential to destabilise their fragile continent, already caught in a growing storm.
A rescue package for Zimbabwe
1 April 2008
By Michael Holman
If bravey shaped reality, Zimbabwe would be starting a new era. In the face of thuggery and in defiance of years of state intimidation, the country's opposition has swept the election board. But it would be premature to celebrate the political demise - and foolish to underestimate the resolve - of the 84-year-old Robert Mugabe.
Crisis in Kenya leaves guilty stain on the west
1 January 2008
By Michael Holman
As western leaders scramble to prevent Kenya's descent into chaos they should find time to consider their own failure to respond to a crisis that has been long in the making. Seldom has an African tragedy been signalled so far in advance. Fore hte past three years the international donor community, led by the World Bank and supported by the International Monetary Fund, have ignored the warning signs and knowingly backed one of Africa's most corrupt regimes.
The donors who turn a blind eye to Kenyan sleaze
15 February 2005
By Michael Holman
Not since an outraged German banker exposed the multibillion dollar fiddles Presdient Mobutu Sese Seko of Zaire has there been such an authoritative account of sleaze in an African state as the revelations of John Githengo, Kenya's anti-corruption supremo.