CONTINENTAL DRIFT

Justice on trial

Nigerian authorities have begun the trials of more than 1 500 suspected Boko Haram militants — a milestone in the eight-year fight against the Islamist militant group that has terrorised local populations during its attempt to overthrow the government. But can Nigeria’s notoriously corrupt judicial system cope with the complexity and volume of these cases?

The fear factor

In yet another blow to the reputation of Rwandan President Paul Kagame, a new Human Rights Watch report reveals how torture and illegal detention are commonplace under his administration. The report documented 104 cases of detainees being subjected to brutal interrogation, including the use of asphyxiation, electric shock and mock executions. Kagame won a recent election with nearly 99% of the vote but these revelations suggest that fear may underpin his apparent popularity.

More work, less pray

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has urged his people to spend more time working, not “praying and shouting as if God is deaf”. He was talking at the country’s 19th National Prayer Breakfast, where he also claimed that, while Africans were busy praying, European countries had been making scientific discoveries. Ironically, Museveni’s many opponents would like the president to work a lot less — they are calling for him to step down.

Madagascar plagued