Africa Today: Culture, Economics, Religion, Security

In the post 9/11 global environment Africa is standing at a crossroads in international affairs as the combined issues of politics, religion and security attract renewed interest. While some countries seem to be moving forward with greater levels of confidence, democracy and stability, others continue to be mired in conflict and religious/ethnic division. Islam has been spreading rapidly and during the last decade the Muslim population in Africa has increased by an estimated 50 per cent to 149 million, a higher figure than in the countries of the Middle East. Equally, terrorist attacks have occurred and links have been established between Al Qaeda groups/sympathizers and certain countries and political elites. It is clear then that many African states face challenges in the decade ahead and those difficulties will be of considerable concern to the wider community. Africa Today provides students with an introduction to the key contemporary issues that the continent faces.Heather Deegan is the author of 'Africa Today: Culture, Economics, Religion, Security', published 2009 under ISBN 9780415418836 and ISBN 0415418836.