Uncategorized

Ever since Zimbabwe’s Transitional Inclusive Government’s (TIG) constitution was finally agreed in the middle of March, the country’s political discourse had been in overdrive. Primarily it has been debating the date of the election that could end two eras –

Read the rest of Waiting for Elections in 2013: 11 Theses (with Appropriate Apologies) on Zimbabwe’s Moment of Magical Realism — By David Moore »

At the World Economic Forum two weeks ago, Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta said that Kenya will meet its obligations under the Rome Statute even as he seeks to clear his name at the ICC. But a recent not-so-confidential letter to the UN Security Council suggests

Read the rest of Politicizing the ICC Process in Kenya will not let ICC suspects off the hook – By Stephen Lamony & Sunil Pal »

As Rwanda day 2013 comes to London for the first time, let me take this opportunity to talk about the role that the Rwandan business community in the diaspora can  playing by embracing  the creation of Rwanda startup culture and

Read the rest of The Diaspora can help fuel Rwanda’s Technology and Digital Ambitions – By Sean Obedih »

The International Crisis Group issued on 6 May a very helpful report entitled Zimbabwe: Elections Scenarios. Prepared by Piers Pigou, the ICG’s Southern Africa projects director and his team, this report should be required reading for those outside of Zimbabwe

Read the rest of Zimbabwe Elections Scenarios: New ICG Report Cuts Through the Political Posturing »

    On March 16th, Zimbabweans voted on a new Constitution in a national referendum. The voting was largely peaceful, and the turnout higher than expected, with over 3 million people voting. With all major parties supporting it, the result was

Read the rest of Zimbabwe has a new Constitution, but disputes over the land provisions continue — by Ian Scoones »

This past weekend’s referendum in Zimbabwe marks an important transition away from the 2009 Government of National Unity (GNU) formed in the aftermath of the violent 2008 elections.  The low-key referendum, where nearly 3 million people voted “Yes” for the

Read the rest of Zimbabwe: The end of power sharing, the return of brute power – By Timothy Scarnecchia »

Since independence in 1980, there appears to have been an ingrained political psyche peculiar to Zimbabwe’s Matebeleland region, where the political landscape has been painted in ethnic colours.  Historians say today’s tribal politics date back to the 1960s and 70s when nationalists

Read the rest of Ethnic politics on the Zimbabwean campaign trail: do voters really care? – By Marko Phiri »

A new paper in the Journal of Agrarian Change by the team that wrote the Zimbabwe’s Land Reform book examines the processes of rural differentiation that have occurred following land reform in 2000, and their political and economic consequences. The

Read the rest of Class and rural differentiation after land reform in Zimbabwe and Two New Land Reform books– by Ian Scoones »

So I had dinner with an African country chief of one of the world’s top 5 most recognised brands. And in the course of conversation he confided in me that his relationship-building efforts in the country are being hampered. He can’t take

Read the rest of African Business Culture Tips: Part 5 – Courtesy Should be a Line Item »

It is not always a sign of rudeness for someone to barge in without an appointment. Sometimes it is a simple sign of affection. It is fine to come out shake their hands, smile, and explain that there are a

Read the rest of African Business Culture Tips: Part 4 – Sentiment Matters »