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The article explores the policies of Iran, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the dominant regional powers in Sub-Saharan Africa. Topics discussed include the evolution of foreign relations in the region, the power struggles among Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey, and the implications of the rapid deepening of transregional relations for Africa.

Africa has traditionally been marginal to the Australian foreign policy agenda, aside from British colonial and Commonwealth ties and later efforts to end minority rule in southern Africa. Yet a resources boom, strong economic growth, increasing democratisation and reformed governance institutions have created new international interests in engaging with Africa and made it difficult for aspiring global players like Australia to ignore the continent's opportunities and challenges. Under Labor (2007-13), Canberra pursued substantial 'new engagement' with this 'new Africa', enhancing political and diplomatic relations, supporting major Australian commercial interests and quadrupling the Africa aid budget. Following the election of the Abbott Coalition government in September 2013, the article argues that while commercial opportunities and some specific security and humanitarian concerns will keep the Coalition interested in Africa, the enhanced level of engagement with the continent pursued under Labor is unlikely to be sustained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This publication presents political, social and cultural news and developments on African countries for March 1 to 31, 2014. Topics discussed include Cameroon's re-imposition of security in an area where the Nigerian Islamist militant group Boko Haram operates, the agreement of Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) leaders to deploy troops to South Sudan to enforce a ceasefire between government and rebels and diplomatic friction between South Africa and Rwanda.

The article discusses the highlights of the Second High Level Meeting of Africa-European Union (EU) Energy Partnership (AEEP) held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on February 13, 2014, wherein continued cooperation of stakeholders was discussed to ensure access to energy by Africans across the continent.

The article discusses the role that the English language plays in the foreign relations of African countries during the mid 1960s. The relationship between Pan-Africanism and language, including the former's relationship with the French Language, is discussed. The role that the English language plays in Africans' political activity, including in the latter's independence movements from colonial powers, is also discussed. An overview of the impact that Great Britain allegedly had in fostering African nationalistic self-assertion, including in regard to the relationship between nationalism and the English language, is provided.

The article reports on the state visit of Chinese President Hu Jintao to the 48 countries of Africa. His first trip to Africa came after the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), which aims to double the aid to Africa and expand access for goods of low-income countries to China. Between the countries he visited, which China has diplomatic ties, include Cameroon, Liberia and Sudan. Discussions on each country's events during the president's visit are also presented.

The article discusses China's win-win diplomacy towards Africa. Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao made an extensive tour of Africa in June 2006 as the country's quest to secure future energy supplies and raw materials for its economy. The trip is also being used as a platform to advance China's foreign policy orientation on Africa and other developing regions. Critics say that China's hunger for energy and supplies has led it to cooperation with some unsavory regimes in Africa and beyond.

The article highlights the cooperation and trade efforts of Africa and France. It is stated that French President Nicolas Sarkozy, on his first visit to sub-Saharan Africa, proposed a partnership between the two continents to tame the harmful effects of globalization and foster development, dubbed as Euroafrica. In a speech to students at Dakar's Chenikh Anta Diop University in Senegal, Sarkozy urged the continent to take responsibility for tackling corruption and widespread conflict. He also pledge to make a break with the French government's traditional relations with Africa, marked by cosy personal ties with the ruling elites of Francophone countries.

The article reports on the cooperation and trade efforts of Africa and the U.S. It is stated that the trade program that gives preferential access to the U.S. market for African exports has proved disappointing in several respects. This was the consensus as a conference reviewing the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) took place in mid-July 2007 in Ghana. Moreover, assistant secretary-general of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Sindiso Ngwenya notes that AGOA has done little to advance African agriculture. Ngwenya discloses that part of the problem lies in the restrictions the U.S. places on farm imports from COMESA countries.

Reports that the African continent is entitled to at least one veto-wielding member at the United Nations Security Council, according to Cheikh Tidiane Gadio, Senegal's Minister of Foreign Affairs during his visit in Washington. Condition of the geopolitical realities in Africa; Representative of the international community; Grant for permanent members status.

The article reports that leaders at the second European Union-Africa summit in Portugal have declared their commitment to give the new strategic partnership the needed means and instruments to fulfill their Joint Strategy and Action Plan by 2010. In a joint statement, they resolved to build a strategic political partnership that overcomes donor-recipient relationships and builds on common values and goals in pursuit of peace and stability, rule of law, democracy, progress and development.

The article reports that British Prime Minister Tony Blair had set up the Africa Progress Panel because of his concern that the Group of 8 nations might backslide on its commitments. The panel will maintain the international political profile of Africa achieved in 2005 by producing an annual report for the G8, United Nations and the Africa Partnership Forum. The panel will be chaired by U.N. secretary-general Kofi Annan. The G8 will meet in Russia on July 15-17, 2006.

Reports on the appointment of David Triesman as the new Minister for Africa, following the victory of Prime Minister Tony Blair in Great Britain. Improvement of the foreign relations between Africa and Great Britain; Support to Africa's feat to solve poverty; Efforts of the British government to promote Whitehall's Africa agenda.

Reports on developments about diplomatic relations in Africa as of May 2004. Appointment of Cynthia Efird as U.S. ambassador to Angola; Plans of Australia to open diplomatic mission in Libya; Plans of South Africa to establish an embassy in Trinidad and Tobago.