Marguerite Michaels

The momentum for change that swept across Africa only two years ago has slowed to a crawl as incumbent leaders thwart elections, Western-driven economic reforms squeeze hard-pressed populations, and political instability destroys what remains of a viable investment climate. Despite the attention given Somalia, the United States has steadily retreated from the sub-Sahara. To avoid neglect that leads to disaster, a money-shy U.S. policy should place greater emphasis on the grass-roots groups of Africa's own emerging civil society.