Commentary on Sub-Saharan Africa Mali: A Democracy Destabilized by the Arab Spring “UNESCO World Heritage Sites are being destroyed by Islamist militants” The Republic of Mali has been destabilized as a result of the Arab Spring revolution. Tuareg mercenary fighters returning from Libya brought with them a large cache of arms, and joined “Le Mouvement […]
Read MorePresident Obama’s Engagement of Sub-Saharan Africa
It was in the early 1960’s when the independence movement in sub-Saharan Africa was unfolding, and Pan-Africanists promised food on everyone’s table. These young African idealists were seeking to build governing institutions; creating jobs, trade and global market access. With poor economic decisions some of these countries were beginning to fail, and financial aid, loans […]
Read MoreKenya: Our Journey Back
“One village at a time” On June 12, 2012 our family headed to sub-Saharan Africa for the annual visit of a selected country. This year the consensus was to go back to the Masai Mara in Kenya. Our group included thirteen, ranging from six to sixty plus, all of whom love this far away continent. […]
Read MoreSyria: Regime Change Will be Bloody Without a Diplomatic Endgame Plan
Commentary and Analysis by Ambassador John Price Syria: Regime Change Will be Bloody Without a Diplomatic Endgame Plan The Wall Street Journal article, “U.S. Envoy Paints Dire Syria Scenario”, of May 31, 2012, writers Joe Lauria and Nour Malas note remarks by Ambassador Susan Rice made at the UN. “Urging Security Council penalties on Syria, […]
Read MoreSpeed: The Art of the Performance Automobile
Speed: The Art of the Performance Automobile Utah Museum of Fine Arts June 2 – September 16, 2012 www.SpeedUMFA.com Speed: The Art of the Performance Automobile is the newest exhibition at the Utah Museum of Fine Arts, running June 2 – September 16, 2012. Showcasing the world’s finest and fastest cars, the exhibition will feature […]
Read MoreThe Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – Wahhabism and Oil Exports
Wahhabism in the Arabian Peninsula, North Africa, Horn of Africa, East Africa and Sahel region Commentary and Analysis by Ambassador John Price The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: Wahhabism and Oil Exports The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is the largest country in the Arabian Peninsula, which borders on Jordan, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, […]
Read MoreThe Republic of Yemen: Al-Qaeda’s backyard
Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, North Africa, Horn of Africa, East Africa and Sahel region Commentary and Analysis by Ambassador John Price The Republic of Yemen: Al-Qaeda’s backyard The Republic of Yemen is divided into two principal Islamic religious factions, the Shia Zaydi sect in the north, and Sunni Shafi sect in the south. Before […]
Read MoreThe Republic of Mali: Under Siege
Note this recent update on trouble in sub-Saharan Africa: Commentary and Analysis by Ambassador John Price The Republic of Mali: Under Siege In the 1950′s, the independence movement became endemic in sub-Saharan Africa, beginning with Ghana in 1957. Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, a socialist, became Ghana’s first president. Nkrumah founded the Pan-African movement with the goal […]
Read MoreFazul Abdullah Mohammed: Could have been captured in 1998
The killing of Osama bin Laden in 2011 has become a highly charged political issue in the 2012 presidential election. President Obama has taken the credit away from the “doers of the deed”, our military, who put their lives on the line. The Executive Order (ExOrd) to kill Osama bin Laden didn’t take “guts”, just […]
Read MoreOsama bin Laden: Could have been captured before 1996
The 2012 election campaign has focused on the Executive Order (ExOrd) which was issued by President Obama to kill Osama bin Laden. In writing my book “When the White House Calls”, I reviewed a number of articles, books, media interviews and other source data on Osama bin Laden and his top lieutenants. The data compiled […]
Read MoreSudan: A legacy of tribal and ethnic conflicts
News out of sub-Saharan Africa: Commentary by Ambassador John Price: Sudan: A legacy of tribal and ethnic conflicts “Africa has a history of irrational borders” (Excerpts from When the White House Calls, and February 8, 2012 Commentary, Sudan- Erratic Diplomacy at Best) In the seventh-century Arab traders sailed into the various ports along the coastline […]
Read MoreIn Nigeria: It’s about jobs and economic survival
Note this recent news out of sub-Saharan Africa
Commentary by Ambassador John Price:
In Nigeria: It’s about jobs and economic survival
I spent April 15 to 24, 2007 in Nigeria, serving as a member of the International Republican Institute (IRI) election observation team. It was to be a momentous occasion, with President Olusegun Obasango stepping down after two four year terms, as provided for in the Constitution. In this second civilian election for president, scheduled for April 21, the leading candidates were Umaru Yar’Adua, the governor of Katsina State, located in the northern part of the country; Vice President Atiku Abubakar; and Muhammadu Buhari, a former military leader.
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