Why is Africa not ripe for revolution?
The Mozambican president has said that the Arab uprisings "serve as a warning for all of us", but our correspondent says that he doubts the likes of Mugabe, Dos Santos and Biya are losing too much sleep … yet.
Two interesting articles on whether the pro-democracy protests in North Africa and the Middle East might be replicated south of the Sahara.
The first is from Wangari Maathai, explaining why Sub-Saharan Africa is different.
Whilst there are obvious dangers in generalising, one crucial factor preventing widespread popular uprisings in Africa is the weak sense of national identity, and the corresponding strength of ethnic identity.
The second article, by Lara Pawson, looks specifically at Angola, where the government has responded with repression to even a hint of dissent.
Speaking in Paris last week, the Mozambican president, Armando Guebuza, said the Arab uprisings “serve as a warning for all of us.
“A warning that we have to take the needs of our people into account, and we have to intensify dialogue with the people.”
Well, that can only be a good thing for Africa. But I’m not sure that the likes of Mugabe, Dos Santos and Biya are losing too much sleep … yet.