The two biggest in area, Sudan and Congo, are ravaged by strife and misgovernment.

ECONOMIST: Africa

By wiping the slate clean, creditors may reward past misrule and provide the resources for future misgovernment.

ECONOMIST: Inviting China to dinner

But now, after two centuries of factional infighting, misgovernment and corruption, not to mention 32 coups (33 if you include Mr Aristide's ousting), Haiti is the poorest country in the Americas.

ECONOMIST: After Aristide, what? | The