Politics
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Fighting African insurgencies: Are vigilantes the solution?
Turning to non-state armed groups to combat insurgencies is a big risk. But there are ways to limit the dangers. For weak African states ... -
Zambia eroding: Four ongoing trends to be worried about
Many of Zambia’s structures and norms are being gradually undermined. The release of Zambia’s main opposition leader in August was greeted by some observers ... -
Siasa na Kusengenyana (aka When Kenyan politicians switch from English)
Kenya’s political discourse takes place in two very different realms: one conducted in English, one not. The Supreme Court’s ruling on 1 September was ... -
Burundi’s newest, biggest rebel group
Who are the Popular Forces of Burundi? On 27 August, Burundian rebel leader Major General Jérémie Ntiranyibagira announced the reorganisation of the militant group, the ... -
An interview with Olusegun Obasanjo: Up close and a little too personal
Nigeria’s former president on Buhari, Biafra and bloody idiots. As the lift in his luxury London hotel rushes upwards to the 11th floor, Olusegun ... -
Cameroon’s Anglophone crisis is escalating. Here’s how it could be resolved.
Improving decentralisation countrywide would appeal to Anglophone protesters, but without seeming to give them special treatment. On 22 September, massive protests across Cameroon’s Anglophone ... -
Could a former winner of the Ballon d’Or become Liberia’s next president?
George Weah was the presidential runner-up in 2005. Ahead of the October vote, he is drawing huge crowds again and hopes to do one ... -
The real reasons Zambia’s opposition leader was released from jail
The Commonwealth’s intervention did not rescue Hichilema from detention. It rescued President Lungu from political embarrassment. On 16 August, Zambia’s main opposition leader, Hakainde ... -
Runners and riders: Liberia gears up for most unpredictable elections yet
With President Sirleaf set to step down after 12 years in office, 20 candidates are competing to replace her. On 10 October 2017, Liberia ... -
True federalism beckons for Nigeria
Before recess, a bill proposing devolved powers was defeated in the National Assembly. But that hasn’t weakened calls for decentralisation. Against a backdrop of ...











