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The objective of this article is to demonstrate that one of the most significant consequences of the growth of China-Africa relations is the positioning of the African continent as a possible theatre for US-China geo-political rivalry. The interpretative approach adopted in this essay involves a comprehensive review of extant literature, and draws on recent data to highlight China's economic forays into Africa and the attendant implications. Undeniably, Africa's strategic minerals are of great value to both competing global powers, that is, the United States and China. Interestingly, China's presence in Africa has been bolstered by its state-capitalist model which has captivated and convinced most African leaders into believing that this alternative development paradigm might be the answer to Africa's long quest for economic growth. To many African leaders whose regimes are mainly pseudo-democracies, the Chinese model which delivers economic growth without embracing democracy has become an attractive option vis-à-vis the Western model which is predicated on unpopular conditionalities of good governance and respect for human rights. While the emergence of China in Africa has been welcomed in the continent, it is equally true that some concerns and fears are emerging over the growing presence of China in Africa. Some of these concerns include the reversal of the democratization agenda in some African countries; the unequal trade relations between Africa and China; environmental questions on Chinese investments; and fears of a re-packaged form of new colonialism.More importantly, most African countries are apprehensive about the growing tensions between China and the US over Africa which might lead to a new 'Scramble for Africa' and the re-emergence of proxy conflicts on the continent.

The crisis in Zimbabwe in the past decade has many dimensions. One of the underestimated dimensions is the impact of Western media reportage on the unfolding drama in the country. Biased reportage by some mainstream Western media channels on Zimbabwe has had a negative and damaging effect both on the Mugabe regime as well as the country's economy. It has also highlighted the excesses of the Mugabe regime in its quest to ensure regime security. In response to these Western media blitz, the Mugabe regime has countered them by stifling media independence in the domestic arena in a calculated strategy aimed at cushioning itself from unfair and biased media attacks. While there is some truth in what is being reported about the Mugabe regime by the Western media, on balance, this paper argues that the role played by the Western media in the ensuing political crisis in Zimbabwe has done more harm than good. In a big way, the Western media has aggravated the political and socioeconomic crisis in Zimbabwe in the past decade.

Zimbabwe is a relatively small country situated in the southern part of Africa between South Africa and Zambia. It is also bounded by Mozambique in the east and Botswana in the West. This land-locked country occupies about 390,757 sq km of land and its population is about 12.4 million (CIA World Fact Book, 2011). Zimbabwe was a British colony for almost a century and was one of a few countries which belatedly achieved independence after waging a protracted liberation war. Several racial and ethnic groups reside in the county. English is the official language with two dominating native languages, that is, Shona and Sindebele being accorded national language status. Since 2000, Zimbabwe has been embroiled in the worst political and socio-economic crisis of its thirty-one year history as an independent state. Unfortunately, this unprecedented crisis has negatively affected every aspect of the country and every segment of the population. However, in February, 2009, after almost a year of uncertainty following controversial elections in 2008, a semblance of normality seems to have emerged after the main political actors agreed to set up an inclusive government. Despite these promising signs the country is still not out of the woods yet.

Conflict recurrence in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) provides a litmus test to the Southern African Development Community's (SADC's) capacity to sustainably resolve the conflict and build peace. The surrender of the March 23 (M23) rebels, followed by overtures to incorporate the same into the Congolese military and political institutions, seem not to have made much significant impact on the security stability in the eastern part of the country. Armed activities by militia groups such as the Democratic Liberation Forces of Rwanda (FDLR), the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA), and various Mayi Mayi groups are likely to cause a recurrence of a fully fledged armed conflict in eastern Congo. Whilst the UN Mission for the Stabilisation of Congo (MONUSCO), along with its Intervention Brigade continue to make efforts to support the Congolese government to address the security situation in the country, this article presents a critical analysis on the prospects and constraints of SADC to sustainably resolve the conflict and build peace in the context of conflict recurrence. For purposes of conflict resolution and peacebuilding, the DRC falls within SADC's area of sub-regional responsibility, which overlaps that of the International Conference of the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR). The paper looks at the political/diplomatic and military/ security initiatives that SADC can take to complement the current efforts of critical role players such as MONUSCO and ICGLR in sustainably resolving the recurring conflict and building peace.It also analyses the prospects of such sub-regional initiatives. Considering the conflict matrix of the eastern Congo conflict with specific reference to its recurrence, an examination of the likely constraints that SADC could encounter in trying to resolve the eastern Congo conflict will be presented. Policy suggestions will be proffered on what can be done to encounter such constraints.The research adopted a qualitative approach premised on interviews. Secondary sources, including key policy documents and statements of the SADC, AU, ICGLR and UN, were utilised. To complement the primary sources, structured opportunity interviews were conducted at seminars and workshops with academics and senior political and security analysts conversant with the SADC conflict and peace dynamics.

<div><p><em>The focus of this paper is to unravel who Boko Haram members are, what brought about the rebellion against the Nigerian state by the group and the platform on which the sect operates. The paper further seeks to examine the raging debate that poverty is principally responsible for the emergence of Boko Haram insurgency. The paper made use of content analysis such as the use of newspapers, books, published articles, internet library sources available. The conduct of this research involves structured and semi-structured interviews used to interview respondent such as academics in the field of strategic studies and political science. The research found out that there are factors that motivate terrorism other than poverty and unemployment. Such factors are seen to be religion, ethnicity and political interest.</em></p></div>

<em>The Boko Haram and the Niger Delta militancy today remain unarguably the greatest security threats to the corporate existence of the Nigerian state and her development. At the root of these insurgencies are socio-economic, ethno-political and religious challenges which are actually bye-products of a dysfunctional system. This research work examines the issues and challenges as it relates to the real test of Nigeria's nationhood. The research work made use of content analysis through the use of books, newspapers, journal publications and available sources from the internet library. This is to give a deeper understanding of the issues that surround insurgency in Nigeria with a view of proffering solutions. The findings of this research work revealed that, lack of employment and equal opportunities especially for the youths of the minority tribes who make up the people of the Niger Delta region are seen as the root cause of agitations. Also, the findings disclosed poor and ineffective governance as responsible for the increased social and political uncertainties, rigidity and institutional failure. Issues such as religion, ethnicity, and regional sentiments were the real problems behind the violent conflict in Nigeria.</em>

The Boko Haram and the Niger Delta militancy today remain unarguably the greatest security threats to the corporate existence of the Nigerian state and her development. At the root of these insurgencies are socio-economic, ethno-political and religious challenges which are actually bye-products of a dysfunctional system. This research work examines the issues and challenges as it relates to the real test of Nigeria's nationhood. The research work made use of content analysis through the use of books, newspapers, journal publications and available sources from the internet library. This is to give a deeper understanding of the issues that surround insurgency in Nigeria with a view of proffering solutions. The findings of this research work revealed that, lack of employment and equal opportunities especially for the youths of the minority tribes who make up the people of the Niger Delta region are seen as the root cause of agitations. Also, the findings disclosed poor and ineffective governance as responsible for the increased social and political uncertainties, rigidity and institutional failure. Issues such as religion, ethnicity, and regional sentiments were the real problems behind the violent conflict in Nigeria.

The focus of this paper is to unravel who Boko Haram members are, what brought about the rebellion against the Nigerian state by the group and the platform on which the sect operates. The paper further seeks to examine the raging debate that poverty is principally responsible for the emergence of Boko Haram insurgency. The paper made use of content analysis such as the use of newspapers, books, published articles, internet library sources available. The conduct of this research involves structured and semi-structured interviews used to interview respondent such as academics in the field of strategic studies and political science. The research found out that there are factors that motivate terrorism other than poverty and unemployment. Such factors are seen to be religion, ethnicity and political interest.

This study analyses the corrupt practices in the Nigerian democracy with specific reference to national legislatures. Using thematic analysis after conducting semi structured interviews, the paper argues that, legislative corrupt practices have become one of the greatest threats to the Nigeria democratic consolidation; it reveals that, corrupt practices are responsible for the poor implementation of public policies in health, education and other infrastructures, it also contributes to the youth unemployment, poverty and national crisis. The paper opines that, corrupt practices of legislative members are inimical and obstacle to democratic consolidation in Nigeria, since the legislature is an institution that is expected to consolidate democracy. Until the institution has been strengthened in its oversight function, scrupulous screening of the legislature is undertaken before the election, the strengthening of recall back mechanism, and the comprehensive approach to deter corrupt practices by the anti-graft institutions, consolidated democracy would not be attained in Nigeria.

The West African States are known as States with endowed natural and human resources that ought to have an enlargement in the area of economic growth and development.This will help yield results to the countries in West Africa through economic cooperation among states within the region.It is therefore, the goal and objective of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to promote regional integration and co-operation for the purpose of ensuring economic growth and development in the sub-region.The endowed resources in West African states are mostly untapped due to challenges that face the region such as lack of technological know-how, bad governance, political instability, lack of adequate diversification, infrastructure problem, lack of political will and the inability to involve the private sector adequately.Therefore, the objectives of this study is to firstly, create an enabling environment where peace and security is sustainable for West African states to engineer economic governance through regional integration and economic co-operation among the countries in West Africa, and secondly, to enable partnership with the private sector.The methodology used in this research is review of previous literature and the use of content analysis which will also provide useful information on the region.The findings from this study reviews that, peace and security sustainability can only be maintained when the West African States employ the measures that would lead to economic growth and development of the region through provision of job opportunities to the youths, employing the early-warning mechanism, transparency and accountability in governance and good leadership to foster growth of ECOWAS community.