The United States has struggled to implement a coherent foreign policy toward sub-Saharan Africa even as strategic interests in the region have grown. Addressing issues of national security, development, trade, human rights, environment and natural resources requires stable, dependable and well-governed regional partners.? However, corruption, poor governance, conflict, environmental degradation, widespread poverty and malnutrition, and HIV/AIDS continue to bring untold hardship to a large majority of the region's 800 million inhabitants and undermine core U.S. interests in democracy and development.? The Council on Foreign Relations Africa Studies Program Roundtable Series on United States' Strategic African Partners seeks to foster discussion about how the United States can play a positive role in the region by strengthening the capacity of states to provide for their people and working with other African democracies on interests of mutual concern.? The Africa Program has a special focus on Nigeria and South Africa because of their size and strategic importance.

?

The Africa Roundtable Series will meet periodically during the 2007-2008 programming year in both New York City and Washington, DC. As always, the series will seek to provide a representative sampling of the prospects and problems on the African continent, but special focus will likely be given to the evolving crisis in Zimbabwe, the ongoing attempts to stabilize the Great Lakes Region, and the political situation in Nigeria. During 2006-2007, the series hosted Amos Kimunya, Finance Minister of Kenya; Tony Leon, leader of the official opposition in South Africa; and Atiku Abubakar, Vice-President of Nigeria, among others.

John Campbell discusses the election standoff in Ivory Coast.

Jendayi Frazer and Nicolas Berggruen discuss Africa's crisis of governance and argues, "For fundamental reform, Ivory Coast should take a cue from China, not just the West."

John Campbell reflects on the 2009 "underwear bomber" incident, and how it revealed the need for Americans to understand religion in Nigeria.

John Campbell discusses Nigeria's upcoming presidential elections, and says credibility in the elections is imperative.

John Campbell says credible polls in Ivory Coast were a step in the right direction, but the runoff vote for the presidency will be the true test.

Asch Harwood and John Campbell write that in Nigeria, cell phones can both be used to instigate--and anticipate--violence.

John Campbell asks what would happen if 2011 elections in Nigeria fail.

John Campbell discusses the risks of the upcoming Nigerian national elections.

John Campbell discusses the Mo Ibrahim Foundation's announcement that for the second year in a row it has declined to award its prize for excellence in African leadership.

John Campbell and Asch Harwood state, "The conventional wisdom that sub-Saharan Africa has moved beyond military coups may be wishful thinking."

John Campbell argues, "Despite China's escalating energy requirements, its attempts to expand its energy relationship with Nigeria have largely failed."

John Campbell says that, if only for a time, excitement and pride in hosting the World Cup will likely lift the gloomy political mood in South Africa and bridge somewhat the nation's racial and economic divides.

John Campbell discusses the death of Nigerian president Umaru Yar'Adua and its implications for Nigerian politics.

Regarding Nigeria, John Campbell says, "... paralyzed and divided government is the order of the day in one of Africa's most important countries."

"President Yar'Adua's periodic illness since 2007, beyond depriving Nigeria of its leading regional role," states John Campbell , "has also created a succession crisis that raises the stakes for military adventurism."

John Campbell discusses how Nigeria's response to U.S. security measures against the country exposes its need for clear leadership.

Nigerian President Umaru Yar'Adua's efforts to reform the oil and gas industry have the potential to upset the fragile Nigerian internal political balance among the regions, ethnic and religious groups, and patronage networks, writes John Campbell .

Ambassador John Campbell writes that under the presidency of Umaru Yar'adu, Nigeria is moving away from its corrupt system and towards the rule of law.

CFR's John Campbell says the new, more comprehensive policy for Sudan is "a positive development," and disagrees with those who say the approach offers engagement without requiring that the Sudanese government meet existing benchmarks.

Steven Simon discusses the investigation into twenty Americans who are believed to have joined a militant Islamist group in Somalia.

Micah Zenko argues that given the ineffectiveness of recent U.S. operations in Somalia, airstrikes against Somali pirates would be militarily and politically unsuccessful.

Sundaa A. Bridgett Jones argues that "there are lots of reasons to worry that the president's plan may not be able to save Pakistan from itself."

Sundaa A. Bridgett Jones argues, "respect and active engagement must start right away," in the Middle East.

Sundaa A. Bridgett Jones argues, "relative calm in South Sudan is no reason to make nice with a war criminal."