Election year

The regime changes did not start and stop with the people's revolt in the Arab North. 2011 has turned out to be a year of elections in Africa.

Mwangi S Kimenyi, a U.S.-based Kenyan researcher, noted in his paper titled "Africa's Elections 2011," published earlier in the year, that there were up to 27 African countries slated to hold presidential, legislative and local elections in 2011.

"How these elections turn out - whether they are considered fair or not, results disputed or accepted, peaceful or violent - will have a major impact on the development prospects in the continent," he noted.

The countries where polls were held this year include Nigeria, Niger, Uganda, Cameroon, Liberia, Zambia, Benin, Cape Verde, Central Africa Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sao Tome & Principe, and Seychelles.

Countries like Zimbabwe and Madagascar postponing their elections to next year due to logistical vagaries.

While in most countries the incumbents retained power, in Cape Verde and Zambia, the opposition had a taste of victory and there was regime change.

The change of guard in Cote d'Ivoire that ended a period of post-poll political strife is also a mark of confidence in the continent's democratic march.

Famine and rumors

The sad news of the continent in 2011 centered on the five countries in the Horn of Africa, where 12 million people were faced with starvation and famine. The countries involved were Kenya, Somalia, Eritrea, Ethiopia and Djibouti.

The World Food Program, the Food and Agriculture Organization plus the United Nations, marshaled donors to respond to the humanitarian emergency and the aid is flowing in. The ongoing tragedy is likely to spill over into 2012.

Another tragedy that turned out to be a high-profile hoax was the rumor about the "death" of the global icon Nelson Mandela – the rumor became a major trend topic on twitter, and almost sent an entire continent into mourning. Fortunately the frail 93-year-old is still alive.