The borders of Africa's countries are defined by the European partitioning that came from the Berlin Conference of 1885. Today, these borders cause numerous problems, and the push for a United States of Africa, originally suggested by Kwame Nkrumah, is beginning to make sense.

There is a new spirit and awareness in Africa today, and, as a result, some states are beginning to record economic growth. "If the structures of democracy and the market become institutionalized in Africa, development will follow and the continuous cycle of misery and violence" should come to an end.

The image of Africa as the sick continent of the world is firmly entrenched, and the idea of explosive economic growth there comes as a shock. Indeed, Africa is experiencing an unprecedented rate of economic expansion, and it may soon play a larger role in the world economy.

Africa is making new headway: democracy and economic reform are revitalizing the continent, and a number of countries are experiencing dynamic economic growth. However, control of population growth is needed, and with greater political openness, many African governments are addressing health and education needs.

Africa's new leaders represent, if not an African solution to African problems, at least an African attempt that has provided some positive results. Marina Ottaway focuses on four of these new leaders and the effects they have had on their country's economy, political stability, move toward democracy, and human rights.

After 15 years and 1.5 million deaths from both famine and fighting, Sudan's oft-forgotten war has lost little steam, and international efforts to solve the crisis have failed.

A new spirit of self-reliance has developed among many Africans. Some nations are determining ways to harness their natural and human resources, while ordinary Africans are searching out their own paths to progress. Political and economic advances that are based in local cultures are now apparent and there is a fresh vision of admired and respected leadership.

Almost simultaneous bombings took place at US Embassy buildings in Nairobi, Kenya, and in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, demonstrating that the US still has secret and deadly enemies. In Kenya, thousands were injured and some 100 were killed. In Tanzania, there were 72 injuries and seven deaths