Africa: India and China Vie for Leadership of the Global South

Which of the two countries is better placed to champion Africa's developmental aspirations? Read more »

Ghana: Ghana's Judiciary Must Act Fast to Regain Public Trust

With elections in December, widespread perceptions of political bias in the Supreme Court threaten the democratic process. Read more »

Africa: Deciphering Türkiye's Africa Policy

Beyond Türkiye's expanding African footprint that covers trade, investment and stability lie Erdoğan's strategic ambitions. Read more »

Southern Africa: Can Tanzania Bring East and Southern Africa Together On East DRC?

Tanzania's geographical location and conflict mediation experience make it well placed to bridge the region's various peace efforts. Read more »

Africa: Brics Summit 2024 - Everything, Everywhere, All At Once?

Ushering in a multipolar order requires a streamlined and coherent political agenda - not unfocused expansion. Read more »

Kenya: Kenya On the UN Human Rights Council - a Chance for Redemption?

Kenya should seize the opportunity of its council membership to improve its human rights record at home. Read more »

Africa: Can SAMIDRC Be Spared the Fate of Previous Peace Missions?

SADC member states must ensure that the operation in eastern DRC can overcome the challenges faced by its predecessors. Read more »

Botswana: Masisi and Khama Square Off Again

Botswana's President Masisi confronts his arch-rival at next week's election, but the real enemy may be elsewhere. Read more »

East Africa: Customary Courts in East Africa - More Than a Means to Lighten Caseloads

The relevance of traditional justice should be assessed by factors other than its potential to reduce formal court backlogs. Read more »

Zimbabwe: ZIG's Devaluation Reflects Zimbabwe's State of Perpetual Crisis

A vicious cycle of currency failure, policy inconsistency and short-term fixes has battered investor and citizen confidence. Read more »

Mozambique: Latest Elections Widen Mozambique's Democratic Deficit

SADC remains silent as electoral fraud, post-election violence and the murder of opposition figures undermine democracy. Read more »

Africa: The Revived Luanda Process - Inching Towards Peace in East DRC?

Rwanda-DRC talks have resumed, but whether they can shift the fundamental barriers to peace remains to be seen. Read more »

Africa: Africa Gets Its Chance to Lead the Commonwealth

Africa takes the reins for the first time in 20 years, but will the new secretary-general adopt a more assertive stance? Read more »

Africa: Nile River Basin Commission - Regional Strife Could Make a Difficult Task Impossible

Disputes over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam intersect with conflicts sparked by Ethiopia's Red Sea ambitions. Read more »

Ethiopia: Tigray Must Avert Another Cycle of War

As tensions between two TPLF factions rise, urgent measures are needed to prevent another crisis in Ethiopia's Tigray region. Read more »

South Africa: Focused Police Patrols Could Curb South Africa's Crime Wave

An ISS pilot study of hotspot policing shows that targeted, evidence-based operations can reduce crime. Read more »

Africa: Brics - a Fairer Global Order - or a Bigger Russian Support Group?

This month's BRICS Summit should indicate the club's future direction, which could see the three original democracies distancing themselves. Read more »

Africa: Cementing US-Angola Ties - the Significance of Biden's Visit

Although there are benefits for both countries, the US is clearly challenging the dominance of China and Russia in Southern Africa. Read more »

South Africa: Can South Africa's Prosecution Finally Achieve Independence Under the GNU?

Efforts to secure the NPA's operational and financial independence have stalled, exposing the justice system to bureaucratic bottlenecks and executive interference. Read more »

Africa: The AU Takes Aim At Africa's New Brand of Mercenaries

A draft convention against mercenarism is a welcome step, but must include a strong oversight committee and clear reporting lines. Read more »

Mauritius: Big Step, Small Win As Chagos Islands Restored to Mauritius

The bitter wrangle with the UK has come to an end, but the devil will be in the treaty's details. Read more »

Africa: South Africa's GNU Faces an Uphill Battle On Migration Policy

Can the Government of National Unity reconcile its members' competing interests and achieve a pragmatic, unified approach? Read more »

Kenya: Trophy Hunting Is Decimating Super Tuskers On the Kenya-Tanzania Border

Despite an agreement between Kenya and Tanzania prohibiting borderland hunting, Tanzania has allowed the hunting of bull elephants to expand. Read more »

Tunisia: Saïed Drives the Last Nail in the Coffin of Tunisian Democracy

To ensure he wins Sunday's election, Tunisia's president has effectively eliminated his opponents before the first vote is cast. Read more »

Guinea Bissau: Guinea-Bissau Must Restore Institutional Legitimacy for Credible Elections

Achieving some consensus on the functionality and legitimacy of electoral institutions is key to promoting political stability. Read more »