African Nations Bypass Embassies, Tap Lobbyists

As gunshots rang out in the background, then-Prime Minister of Somalia Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed called his man in the United States. It was 2011, and fighting around Mohamed’s fortified location in Mogadishu was commonplace.

30 Jul 2013, by Aaron Kessler and Wanjohi Kabukuru, exclusive to 100 Reporters (Also published in the Huffington Post)

FIFA Investigates Use of Soccer Development Grant to Gabon

A FIFA appointee is investigating the use of a $548,262 grant paid to Gabon’s defense ministry to promote soccer as the sport’s ruling body tightens regulations on managing development funds.

By Alex Duff and Antoine Lawson, 28 May 2013, Bloomberg

Oil, Money, and Secrecy in East Africa

Officials in East Africa are gushing with anticipation over potential oil revenue: A new production agreement has been reached in South Sudan; fresh discoveries have been made and drilling deals signed in Kenya and Uganda.

Getting Rich in Poverty-stricken Congo

Congolese-Australian journalist Eric Mwamba went on a search to find the secret behind the riches of the Congolese elite.  Many of his witnesses prefered staying anonymous for fear of their lives – which looks like a kind of Congolese omerta. John Vandaele selected Mwamba’s strongest observations and added some personal touches.

FAIR member talks about football and corruption at Brazil IJ conference

The corruption in the organization of world football’s biggest event was the main problem addressed in the lecture “World Cup in Africa: lessons for 2014″

Uganda officials earn 5 times more than Olympians

The government did not provide money for Ugandan athletes to fund their preparations ahead of the 2012 Olympics that start tomorrow in London, a senior Ugandan official has said.

Stealing the Peoples Power in Ghana

“We have enough power for our immediate needs from the Volta Dam and for the Aluminum smelter which VALCO is now constructing at Tema. But we are ready and prepared to supply power to our neighbors in Dahomey, the Ivory Coast and the Upper Volta. As far as I am concerned this project is not for Ghana alone. Indeed, I have already offered to share our power resources with our sister African states.”