SA FORCED INTO RECOGNISING ‘BROTHER LEADER’ IS NOT THE BOSS ANYMORE

Late on Thursday South Africa finally relented and agreed to the US-led proposal to unfreeze some of Muammar Gaddafi’s assets held around the world. South Africa insists it would not choose sides in the conflict, but in the face of severe diplomatic pressure had to succumb to channelling Gaddafi’s assets back to Libya. It’s a preamble to acknowledging Gaddafi is no longer the voice of the Libyan people. By KHADIJA PATEL.

SUM OF ALL OUR FEARS, LIBYAN EDITION

Amid the current chaos and running gun battles in Libya lurks the chilling threat that dangerous nuclear materials could fall into the wrong hands. A case of life imitating art, writes J BROOKS SPECTOR.

WEST AFRICA NAVAL FORCE TO STEM PIRACY TIDE

West African piracy is crucially different from Somali piracy in that West Africa has functional governments who can deal with the problem – and have something to lose. A mooted regional anti- pirate naval force is just what’s needed to take the wind out of the pirates’ sails. By SIMON ALLISON.

380 MILLION FOR SOMALI FAMINE RELIEF MASKS POOR RESPONSE FROM POOR CONTINENT

The African response to Somalia’s famine hasn’t exactly been the zenith of ubuntu. Responding to overwhelming need, Africa’s leaders procrastinated, prevaricated and made excuses, their short arms kept firmly in those deep pockets. Thursday’s AU pledging conference was no different, and it took the African Development Bank to do a little damage control for Africa’s savaged reputation. By SIMON ALLISON.