Politics
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40 years of hurt: The never-ending scandal of the Western Sahara
For Africa, the UN and the powers in the Security Council, the ongoing occupation of the Western Sahara is an embarrassment. For Saharwis, it’s a profound injustice. ... -
Trouble on the White Nile: What the barge kidnapping reveals about the UN in South Sudan
When UN peacekeepers were detained crossing the river in a tense area, the response from UNMISS was slow and uncertain. Last Monday, three barges hired by ... -
Lies, damned lies and statistics: Poverty reduction Rwandan-style and how the aid community loves it
Rwanda’s latest survey suggests poverty reduced 6%. A more meaningful comparison using the same data suggests it’s actually increased 6%. Some time ago, I ... -
Sam Pa is detained! Long Live Sam Pa!
The mysterious Chinese tycoon has finally been arrested. But unless the shady global networks he exploited to make his riches are dismantled, other individuals will simply ... -
AAP#3: Nigeria and the Buhari Administration with James Schneider and Lagun Akinloye
Five months after taking office, President Muhammadu Buhari has finally named his cabinet. Journalist James Schneider and analyst Lagun Akinloye join us to discuss ... -
African Political Thought, Part 5: coup artists and the new nationalisms-on-command
In part 5 of our lecture series, we look at the rise of different types of African leaders including those of a military background. Welcome ... -
African Political Thought, Part 4: The Degeneration into ‘Big Men’
In part 4 of our lecture series, we look at Mobutu, Banda and the degeneration into ‘Big Men’. Welcome to Part 4 of our ten-part ... -
Africa: why we need to study economies, not economics
Economists now recognise history and politics matter in understanding African economies. But that should be our starting point, not our conclusion. In the 1990s ... -
Ethiopia: new cabinet, new plan, new direction?
Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn has started his second term and the country is embarking on the next phase of its grand development plan. Has anything ... -
The few known knowns about US drone policy in Africa
The US military says it only has a “small footprint” in Africa, but leaks and investigations reveal a sprawling network of operations and drone bases. ...
