Though the issue of mediation is relevant to many other countries, the discussion here will focus on the situation in Uganda where on 1st February 2013, the Judicature Mediation Rules 2013 were passed into law. The rules made it mandatory for civil matters such as land, and family disputes, among others, to first attempt mediation before being taken to the High Court and its Subordinate Courts.

Africa has been depicted as the "hopeless continent" by Western media and the public. But Africa is more diverse and bigger than most people think, with a land area exceeding Europe, the United States, and China combined and a three trillion-dollar economy. According to UNDP, Africa has 1.34 billion people (17% of the world pop), home to some 30 % of the world's mineral reserves, 40 % of the world's gold, 90 % of its chromium and platinum, 12 % of the oil reserves, largest reserves of uranium in the world and 65 % of the world's arable land. Despite such a long list of natural resources, Africa can't fully feed itself.

It is often pointed out that Africa is the riches in natural resources. It is a fact that cannot be disputed. But then, the argument proceeds with a comparison with countries which are comparatively poor in natural resources. Look at South Korea. It had lower GDP than many African countries at independence but look at it now. The same, they argue, is also true of Singapore. Or they turn to size. How come tiny countries like Israel, and Japan are economically and technologically more advanced than African countries. So, what is wrong with Africa?

In forming United Nations and colonized nations becoming politically independent, the world took one step forward. However, by retreating to extreme nationalism and engaging in violence to solve national and international problems, the world is taking two steps back.

The lorries have no drivers. The supermarket shelves are emptying. The poor are having their subsidies cut. The British government ties itself in knots trying to square what is a circle in Northern Ireland. Brexit–the leaving of the EU–is failing the nation. But Europe itself is not failing. In fact, it is about to get stronger. Writing in 1751 Voltaire described Europe as "a kind of great republic, divided into several states, some monarchical, the others mixed but all corresponding with one another. They all have the same religious foundation, even if divided into several confessions. They all have the same principles of public law and politics unknown in other parts of the world."

One must accept that international politics as we read about and knew it then has died a natural death since the coming down of the Berlin wall leaving us with only the Chinese wall. This means, there is no need for President Joe Biden’s Administration to pursue either his own foreign or national policies or the “Make America Great Again” policies of former President Donald Trump. A few months ago, there were images at the US border with Mexico which spread on social media which were not different from those seen during the Trump Administration.

Democracy is one of the most important ideas in human history. Different people in various places, and at various times often hotly debate it, fight for, and even die for it. In Western cultures, it is believed that democracy was invented in Athens, Greece a long time ago (7th century BCE), though the idea and practice also existed in various cultures in Eastern Europe, Asia, Africa, and America in one form or another without necessarily calling it democracy or having it written down. Africans and non-Africans have discussed democracy with respect to Africa in many forums.

The arrest of Nigerian Humanist, Mubarak Bala, for blasphemy on April 28, 2020, has generated heated debates about blasphemy. Opinions are divided regarding the concept of the contempt of religion and how alleged blasphemers should be treated. In this piece, I draw attention to the often-overlooked perspective that blasphemy is part of everyday discourse. Contempt of religion is part of the universe of faith and belief. I suggest that it is utterly senseless for some religious believers, Muslims in this case, to accuse somebody of blasphemy. I submit that blasphemy is a right, not a crime, and should be respected and not penalized.