August 30, 2023
Africa: Wagner Group - What Yevgeny Prigozhin's Death Means for Stability in Africa
The death of Yevgeny Prigozhin after his private jet crashed on August 23 has raised questions about the Wagner Group's future. Many in the west suspect Kremlin involvement in his… Read more »
August 25, 2023
Africa: How Russia Is Fighting for Allies Among the Brics Countries Using 'Memory Diplomacy'
Since the start of the Ukraine war, there have been numerous diplomatic visits by Russian officials to Africa and Latin America aiming at boosting Russia's global influence. Read more »
August 24, 2023
South Africa: Six More Nations Are Set to Join Brics - What They're Buying Into
One key outcome of the 15th Brics summit, hosted by South Africa, is the decision to invite six more countries to join the group with effect from January 2024. They are Argentina,… Read more »
August 16, 2023
Kenya: Kenya and the U.S. Are Negotiating a Trade Deal That Could Be a Model for Africa
The US and Kenya announced a trade and investment partnership in July 2022. Talks have been progressing on the way forward in nine areas, including agriculture, anti-corruption,… Read more »
August 14, 2023
Africa: Florida's Academic Standards Distort the Contributions That Enslaved Africans Made to American Society
The state of Florida ignited a controversy when it released a set of 2023 academic standards that require fifth graders to be taught that enslaved Black people in the U.S.… Read more »
August 06, 2023
Africa: An Expanded Brics Could Reset World Politics but Picking New Members Isn't Straightforward
Eager to escape perceived western domination, several countries - mostly in the global south - are looking to join the Brics bloc. The five-country bloc (Brazil, Russia, India,… Read more »
August 03, 2023
Africa: Dismantling the Myth That Ancient Slavery 'Wasn't That Bad'
As someone who researches slavery in the ancient Mediterranean world, especially in the Bible, I often hear remarks like, "Slavery was totally different back then, right?" "Well,… Read more »
July 29, 2023
West Africa: Military Takeover Is a Setback for Democracy and U.S. Interests in West Africa
The West African nation Niger is under military rule following a coup in which President Mohamed Bazoum was overthrown and held captive by members of his own guard. Read more »
July 28, 2023
Africa: Putin Offers Unconvincing Giveaways to Make Up for Killing Ukraine Grain Deal
The second Russia-Africa summit in St Petersburg on July 27 and 28 was predictably overshadowed by the war in Ukraine - and especially Russia's refusal to agree an extension of the… Read more »
July 21, 2023
Africa: Russia-Africa Summit Provides a Global Stage for Moscow to Puff Up Its Influence
Forty-three African heads of state attended the 2019 Russia-Africa summit. They had high hopes that Russia would emerge as a new source of investment and trade for the continent.… Read more »
July 20, 2023
Africa: Migrant Deaths At Sea - The Real Blame Lies With Policies Created By European States
On 15 June, the overcrowded fishing trawler Adriana sank on its illicit journey from Libya to Italy, drowning hundreds of men, women and children. In response, states have… Read more »
July 14, 2023
Africa: Contemporary African Photography - Tate Modern Show Celebrates New Generation of Artists, but Misses a Trick
The last large survey exhibition of African photography by a major western gallery was In/Sight at the Guggenheim Museum in New York in 1996. Twenty-seven years later, Tate Modern… Read more »
July 17, 2023
Mali: UN Troops to Withdraw From Mali - What Will Change in Terms of Security
On 30 June 2023, the UN Security Council voted unanimously to end the mandate of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in Mali (Minusma). Read more »
June 24, 2023
Africa: Wagner Group Mercenaries in Africa - Why There Hasn't Been Any Effective Opposition to Drive Them Out
It is easy to understand what African rulers see in the mercenary group Wagner. Its fighters can be deployed quickly. It brings sophisticated arms with it and can apply force… Read more »
June 06, 2023
Africa: China's Population Grew Older and Richer - Policy Lessons for Some African Countries
For decades China was the world's most populous country. But that's changed. Its population has peaked, and is now falling. Read more »
June 04, 2023
Africa: Removing Antimicrobial Resistance From WHO's 'Pandemic Treaty' Will Leave Humanity Vulnerable to Future Pandemics
In late May, the latest version of the draft Pandemic Instrument, also referred to as the "pandemic treaty," was shared with Member States at the World Health Assembly. The text… Read more »
June 02, 2023
Africa: What is Brics, and Why is It Presenting South Africa With a Dilemma?
South Africa will host the BRICS summit in August 2023. The event could offer the country an opportunity to exercise leadership in the BRICS' efforts to reform the arrangements for… Read more »
May 30, 2023
Ghana: Ghana and the IMF Have Struck a Deal, but Hard Choices Lie Ahead
In mid-May 2023 the International Monetary Fund (IMF) finally approved a US$3 billion 36-month arrangement with Ghana. It immediately disbursed the first tranche of US$600 million. Read more »
May 28, 2023
Africa: Ottawa Is Doing Little to Eliminate Discrimination Against French-Speaking African Students
The fact that Immigration Canada discriminates against Black students from French-speaking Africa is something researchers and observers of Québec and Canadian politics have… Read more »
South Africa: South Africa's Pact With Russia - and Its Actions - Cast Doubt On Its Claims of Non-Alignment
Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 South Africa has proclaimed a policy of non-alignment in that conflict. This position was placed in doubt when US Ambassador… Read more »
May 23, 2023
Africa: Ancient Humans May Have Paused in Arabia for 30,000 Years On Their Way Out of Africa
Most scientists agree modern humans developed in Africa, more than 200,000 years ago, and that a great human diaspora across much of the rest of the world occurred between perhaps… Read more »
May 25, 2023
Africa: Africa Is Getting Renewed Attention From Washington - and Some African States Are Courting African Americans
Recent allegations by the U.S. ambassador to South Africa that the African nation gave ammunition and weapons to Russia in December 2022, amid Russia's war on Ukraine, illustrate… Read more »
May 24, 2023
Africa: Continent's Russia-Ukraine Peace Mission - What Can It Achieve?
South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa is set to lead an initiative of six African heads of state to explore an end to the year-long Russia-Ukraine war. The announcement followed… Read more »
May 18, 2023
Africa: U.S. Laws to Promote Home-Grown Industries Will Hurt African Economies
The Biden administration has ratcheted up protectionism and industrial policy amid surging economic tensions with China. Legislation passed in 2022 unlocked hundreds of billions of… Read more »
May 05, 2023
Africa: The Empire Sings Back - the Deep History Behind South African Soprano Pretty Yende's Triumph
Among the invited artists at the coronation of Britain's King Charles III is the South African soprano, Pretty Yende. Coronations are not events that take place often. What makes… Read more »