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 30, 2023
Zimbabwe: 'Patriotic Act' Erodes Freedoms and May Be a Tool for Repression
The introduction of the controversial "Patriotic Act" in Zimbabwe will contribute to the erosion of political and civil liberties in a country that has been in the grip of one… Read more »
July 27, 2023
Africa: Will Ukraine Be Able to Win Over the Global South in Its Fight Against Russian Aggression?
I was running from my home in Kyiv as the Russian army occupied Bucha, Gostomel and Irpin in the early stages of its invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Read more »
South Africa: South Africa Is Failing to Live Up to Its Constitution. Gains Made Since Democracy Are Being Squandered - Report
The end of apartheid in 1994 and advent of constitutional democracy resulted in major societal changes in South Africa. The aim was to forge a "united and democratic" society. The… Read more »
July 26, 2023
South Africa: Essop Pahad - a Diligent Communist Driven By an Optimistic Vision of a Non-Racial South Africa
The death of South African freedom struggle stalwart Essop Pahad (84) on 6 July 2023 prompted tributes from his former comrades. There were also less respectful obituaries… Read more »
July 19, 2023
West Africa: Bola Tinubu Is the New Chair of Ecowas - the Burning Issues That Face the Nigerian President
Nigeria's President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was elected as chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on 9 July 2023. He took over from President Umaro Sissoco… Read more »
July 20, 2023
Nigeria: Nigeria's New Police Chief Faces Structural Challenges - 5 Key Issues to Tackle
Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu named a new inspector general of police on 19 June 2023. He appointed the deputy inspector general, Kayode Egbetokun, to replace Usman Alkali Baba,… Read more »
July 12, 2023
South Africa: South Africa's Land Bank Can Be Fixed - Change the Funding Model and Narrow the Focus
It is disheartening to see how many South Africans, including parliamentarians, have forgotten the simple and influential role the Land and Agricultural Development Bank (Land… Read more »
July 11, 2023
Ethiopia: Ethiopia's Bid to Join BRICS - Expert Weighs Pros and Cons
A few years ago, the BRICS grouping - Brazil, Russia, China, India and South Africa - had lost salience because three of its members were in severe economic difficulty. Brazil,… Read more »
Angola: Painted Messages in Angola's Abandoned Liberation Army Camps Offer a Rare Historical Record
In Angola's Malanje province, the buildings of Camalundu stand abandoned amid open fields. On one of them, the fragmented words "IAN NGOYI" recall a figure little-known in Angola… Read more »
July 10, 2023
Nigeria: Nearly a Third of Nigerians Don't Have Access to a Basic Supply of Water
Water, sanitation and hygiene facilities are essential for health and welfare. Providing them is one of the core duties of the state. Read more »
July 09, 2023
Kenya: Kenya At 60 - Six Key Moments That Shaped Post-Colonial Politics
Kenya celebrates 60 years of independence this year. As a political scientist who has studied Kenya for the past 20 years, I consider a turning point from each decade that helped… Read more »
July 05, 2023
South Africa: Businesses That Address Social or Environmental Problems Often Struggle to Survive - 3 Things That Can Help Them
Social enterprises are organisations that promote social or environmental issues as their core business. They are useful to societies in lots of ways. They can help solve social… Read more »
July 03, 2023
Senegal: Senegal - Behind the Protests Is a Fight for Democratic Freedoms
President Macky Sall's unwillingness to confirm he will not run for a third term in 2024, and the targeting of political opponents, have created a political powder keg in Senegal. Read more »
Nigeria: Four Priorities for Nigeria's Newly Elected National Assembly
Nigeria's National Assembly - the 10th since independence - was inaugurated on 13 June 2023. It has two arms: the Senate and the House of Representatives. The 109 senators and 360… Read more »
Africa: The Global South Is On the Rise - but What Exactly Is the Global South?
The unwillingness of many leading countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America to stand with NATO over the war in Ukraine has brought to the fore once again the term "Global South." Read more »
June 30, 2023
Sierra Leone: Voter Trust Has Been Shaken, and Will Need to Be Regained
Julius Maada Bio, a 59-year-old former soldier, was sworn in for his second and final five-year term as president of Sierra Leone on 27 June. With 56% of votes cast in the election… Read more »
Cape Verde: Inside the Grogue Wars of Cabo Verde
At what point does a craft spirit no longer qualify as craft? Read more »
June 29, 2023
Africa: Elections Can Lead to Conflict If They Are Not Free and Fair - What Role Observers Play to Make Sure They Are
At least two dozen presidential, national, regional and local elections are held across the African continent each year. The sometimes fierce electoral competition, a history of… Read more »
South Africa: National Health Insurance Bill Has Noble Aims but Leaves Too Much Uncertain - It Needs More Work
South Africa's National Health Insurance (NHI) bill has passed the first hurdle towards becoming law, getting the country closer to its vision of achieving universal access to… Read more »
Nigeria: Nigeria's New National Security Bosses - 5 Burning Issues They Need to Focus On
Nigeria's President Bola Ahmed Tinubu recently appointed new military service chiefs alongside a new national security adviser and inspector general of police. Read more »
June 28, 2023
Africa: Wagner Debacle in Russia Raises Red Flags for African States and How They Manage Their Security
The brief rebellion led against the Kremlin by the head of the Wagner mercenary forces in Russia last week sent shock waves across the world. Read more »
June 22, 2023
Sierra Leone: Sierra Leone Has Been At Peace for 20 Years After a Brutal Civil War - What Went Right
Sierra Leone's June 2023 parliamentary elections are the fifth since the end of the civil war in 2002. Read more »
Sierra Leone: Sierra Leone Elections - Survey Reveals What Voters Care About Most
Sierra Leoneans go to the polls again on 24 June, in the country's fifth post-conflict electoral contest. Read more »
June 21, 2023
Rwanda: Rwanda - Paul Kagame Is a Dictator Who Clings to Power but It's Not Just for His Own Gain
Rwanda's president Paul Kagame recently said he was looking forward to his retirement after 23 years in power. Speaking to the press in April 2023, he claimed he "may join… Read more »