Politics
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France, Russia, and shifting sands in the Sahel
The withdrawal of French troops from Mali comes after nine years of fighting the Islamist insurgency. On 17 February, France and its European allies ... -
The (surprisingly political) cost of a goat in Burundi
Critics say state-backed farming cooperatives have become a tool for recruiting people into the ruling party and are sowing division. When Jean Niyangabo, 33, ... -
Ethiopia’s forgotten minority: Who will be the voice for Karrayyu?
Zoom out from Tigray and there are many more groups facing abuses who are rarely talked about by the media or advocacy groups. On ... -
Ethiopia’s “humanitarian truce” and its cycle of empty promises
Addis Ababa has promised, and failed, to end the blockade before in moments of rising international pressure. On the 24 March, the Ethiopian federal ... -
Ethiopia: Why PM Abiy’s National Dialogue is dead on arrival
Critics see the proposed talks as a cynical one-sided ploy. Genuinely representative dialogue would likely threaten Abiy’s grip on power. Over a year into ... -
Zimbabwe elections: A rebranded opposition, same state violence
Both the opposition and ruling party hope the upcoming by-elections will lay the groundwork for 2023, but in very different ways. On 26 March, ... -
Zambia’s democracy is still under attack
But now by President Hichilema, the man who vowed to rescue it. When Hakainde Hichilema won Zambia’s August 2021 election, many hoped the assault ... -
It’s time to shine a light on Congo’s Sassou-Nguesso and his abuses
Congo-Brazzaville’s autocratic regime has long been able to fly below the radar, in part thanks to China’s protection. Over 38 years in power, spread ... -
“They’re all the same”: Ethiopia’s sad descent into a war between brothers
Abuses by armed forces, retaliatory killings, and a long-simmering land dispute have raised the tensions and stakes for Tigray and Amhara. Despite being an ...
