Debating Ideas
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The going away of silence: A tribute to Ngugi
One year after his passing, how should we remember Ngugi? 1. The early years At first, it was just enough to write. Because the ... -
The Dangote Refinery and the End of Africa’s Engineered Dependency
For decades, Africa’s place in the global oil economy was not merely subordinate; it was designed to be so. Crude flowed out. Refined fuel ... -
AI and the New Machinery of African Repression
Artificial intelligence is lowering the cost of authoritarian control in Africa. The danger is not only mass surveillance, but a state that can abort ... -
Libya’s Electoral Mirage: The Illusion of American Optimism
As international diplomatic efforts intensify in attempts to overcome Libya’s prolonged political deadlock, a renewed US approach has emerged, marked by a noticeable tone ... -
The Pagak Pivot: South Sudan’s Strategic Realignment and the Transformation of Nile Basin Politics
On May 9, 2026, the Sudanese newspaper Al-Sayha first broke the exclusive report alleging that Juba had issued an ‘urgent’ directive ordering the termination ... -
Rethinking South Sudan’s Unfinished Transition
South Sudan is approaching another decisive moment, but the country is still far from ready for credible elections in December 2026. Nearly two decades ... -
Azawad Never Left: Reading Mali’s 2026 Crisis Through 2012
On 25 April 2026, Mali appeared to enter a new and dramatic phase of crisis. Explosions and gunfire were reported around Bamako and Kati, ... -
They called it historic. Somali women have heard that before.
The first time I heard a Somali female parliamentarian describe her experience of the quota system, she did not use the word “opportunity.” She ... -
In a world of blocs, France and Kenya chose the Middle
Why Nairobi? A lot of ink has already been spilled to explain the choice of Kenya to host the upcoming Africa France summit, the ... -
The Machine Cannot Hold
The old YARID offices, before the move to the current premises, were on a second floor above a hardware stall. By eight in the ...
