Togo - West Africa - page 841

West Africa Today
Life is often difficult in this corner of the world. Drought, hunger and political in-
stability continue to stalk the region, and much of the southern Sahara has become a
no-go zone, the domain of bandits and Islamist rebels in no mood to compromise. At
the same time, peace now reigns in countries previously wracked by seemingly in-
tractable conflict, while democracy and prosperity are increasingly the norm else-
where.
Best on Film
Moolaadé (Ousmane Sembene; 2005) An important film by one of West Africa's finest directors.
Kabala (Assana Kouyaté; 2002) Award-winning film about Malian village life.
Ezra (Newton Aduaka; 2007) A searing look at the abduction of child soldiers as seen from an African per-
spective.
Les Saignantes (Jean-Pierre Bekelo; 2005) Fascinating film from Cameroon with a female-dominated cast that
sheds uncomfortable light on poor governance in Africa.
Best in Print
The Lost Kingdoms of Africa (Jeffrey Tayler; 2005) A modern journey through northern Nigeria, Niger and
Mali.
The Shadow of the Sun (Ryszard Kapuściński; 2002) A masterpiece by one of Africa's most insightful observ-
ers.
Journey Without Maps (Graham Greene; 1936) One of the 20th century's best writers travels through Liberia
and Sierra Leone.
Travels in the White Man's Grave (Donald MacIntosh; 2001) A little-known classic.
The Good News
Good news about Africa can be hard to find, but West Africa has much to be proud of. The
one-time powerhouse of the region, Côte d'Ivoire, has emerged from a deeply troubled dec-
ade to find a peace that is fragile but somehow enduring. Liberia and Sierra Leone were for
much of the 1990s among the most dangerous places on the continent, and yet both have
made hugely impressive (and democratic) returns to peace. Sierra Leone, with its pristine
beaches, fine ecotourism projects and abundant natural resources, is certainly one to watch.
Elsewhere, Guinea, Mauritania, Niger and Togo are all emerging from troubled periods
and all face an uncertain future, but these shaky democracies were still holding on at the
time of writing and may even go the distance.