Writing about the conflict in the Darfur region of Sudan and how best to resolve it, David Mendegila in Freetown, Sierra Leone thinks Africa should be left to solve its own problems.

I am sick and tired with the worldwide criticism about the involvement of the African Union and the United Nations in Darfur.

How long must we Africans rely on the UN to solve our self-created problems? It's high time we stood up for peaceful emancipation.

I therefore want to seize this opportunity, on behalf of all peace loving nations, to summon all Sudanese and warring parties in the Darfur region to cease fire and give peace a chance. This is the solution to your problem - not the UN.

Thursday 12th October

The lack of support for muslims in Darfur prompted an unhappy Mkondo Moyo to write from Blantyre in Malawi.

I am angered by the lack of condemnation from arab and other predominantly muslim countries concerning the potential genocide in Darfur.

Why are these countries silent while black African muslims are being subjected to this?

It seems to me that racism is still alive and we must stand up to it!

Wednesday 11th October

The war is over, an elected government in place and Liberia's Truth and Reconciliation Commission has begun its work. Reverend J. Bosco Bangura, a Sierra Leonean student in Belgium, is optimistic.

Allow me to congratulate the people of Liberia for commencing the process of truth-telling in that war-ravaged country.

Countries that have had successful disarmament and accredited elections need one more cogent step, and that is the process of truth-telling.

Liberia, like Sierra Leone, needs to confront the past with serious questions geared towards revealing the truth of what happened.

This process has helped us heal the deep wounds of war. I believe it will do the same for Liberia.

Tuesday 10 October

Jeffrey Otejiri from Delta State in Nigeria wrote his letter in response to interview with that Focus on Africa did with Professor Jerry Gana the latest Nigerian presidential aspirant.

It's all lies! Jerry Gana is telling us lies.

Did he not part take in defending the activities of the Abacha junta? How can he say that whatever he did or said then was to the benefit of Nigerian citizens?

How was the Abacha junta, that he was a mouthpiece of, beneficial to Nigeria and Nigerians? Was it by preventing freedom of the press?

Mr Gana, can't you see the writing on the wall? Nigerians don't need your services any longer.

Monday 9th October

Martin Goba from Nigeria congratulates Ugandans on their independence anniversary.

I want to seize this golden opportunity to wish Ugandans at home and abroad a happy independence anniversary.

Over the years the country has endured brutalities from the rebel LRA under the leadership of Joseph Kony.

Today he is wanted for war crimes at a crucial period when the country needs peace.

It is high time that the war charges be negotiated for peace, or else countless people stand the risk of loosing their lives and property.

Friday 6th October

Helicopter Mark Bulbul, a southern Sudanese living in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia takes issue with the main players in the Darfur conflict.

This message is for President Omar El Bashir and his associates who are so resistant to a UN peacekeeping force for Darfur.

Mr. President, what economic and material benefit do you and your allies gain from the deaths of innocent Darfuris?

Do you really consider their suffering? You think it is an African problem which requires an African solution, but why are you still acting this way?

Please, please for the sake of peace and stability in that region, drop the idea and allow the UN to come in.

United Nations, why are you still divided over this issue? If you know how important saving human lives is, which is essentially what you stand for, don't allow president Bashir another chance.

You know when the webs of a spider unite, they can tie up a lion. As the world's peacekeeping body, it is time you act now.

Thursday 5th October

John Vuni Zachaeus in Juba, south Sudan would like to add his personal appreciation as the world celebrates World Teacher's Day.

Please extend my heartfelt gratitude to the millions of teachers in Africa working for very low salaries under difficult conditions to improve the standard of learning, and especially to displaced teachers in Khartoum.

These teachers are usually volunteers sacrificing their time, resources and efforts to diligently educate displaced people from all corners of Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea and Somalia.

Let us not forget that illiteracy can only be eradicated through joint effort and commitment.