Kenya Seeks to Be a Voice for Africa on the World Stage
Three visits to Nairobi this week by major dignitaries is the latest indication of a recognition by global actors of Africa’s increasing importance in international affairs—and Kenya’s aspiration to be...
View ArticleSouth Africa’s ‘Russian Armsgate’ Signals New Tensions with the U.S.
New tensions in South Africa’s relationship with the U.S. emerged last week when Washington’s ambassador to Pretoria accused the country of providing arms to Russia despite Pretoria’s stated...
View ArticleThe G-7’s Embrace of the Global South Was All Talk, No Substance
A major theme of this year’s G-7 summit was the stated efforts by the rich, industrialized nations that make up the group to engage with the Global South. But that did not translate to substantive...
View ArticleAfrican Leadership Is Crucial, for Africans and the World
Earlier this week, South Africa issued immunity to all foreign leaders attending the BRICS summit in August. Pretoria insisted it was a routine measure for international gatherings the country hosts....
View ArticleNiger Was Never the ‘Success Story’ It’s Being Made Out to Be
The coup in Niger caught much of the outside world by surprise, given the country’s image as a relatively stable outlier in a region beset by upheaval. But if foreign observers were stunned by...
View ArticleNigeria’s Tinubu Has Made Plenty of Waves, but Little Progress
One hundred days into his term, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu—who won a disputed presidential contest in February—has mostly lived up to expectations, with few surprises. That might be because, amid a...
View ArticleIsrael Is Jeopardizing Decades of Diplomatic Progress in Africa
As with the war in Ukraine, fault lines in the international system have emerged amid the Israel-Hamas war. The variation in reactions is perhaps most evident among the African Union’s 55 member...
View ArticleIn Post-Coup Gabon, It’s Business as Usual—For Now
In the four months since taking over in a coup, the junta leading Gabon appears to have consolidated power, relying on a multipronged approach intended to secure domestic popularity and the...
View ArticleCongo’s Election Was a Debacle for Everyone but Tshisekedi
Given the high stakes involved in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a wide range of domestic, regional and global actors had an interest in a peaceful outcome to December’s presidential election. This...
View ArticleMali’s Military Junta Is Taking an Authoritarian Turn
Mali’s military junta imposed an indefinite ban last week on political activities, the latest of a series of crackdowns in recent months on freedom of association and other civil liberties. Last week’s...
View ArticleSouth Africa’s Coalition Government Is a Risky Gamble for All Sides
Many believe that a new coalition government will lead to change in South Africa. That hope ignores the scale of the country’s—and coalition’s—problems. The post South Africa’s Coalition Government Is...
View ArticleAfrica’s Customary Leaders Are No Panacea for States’ Shortcomings
As disenchantment with state institutions growing, many people in African countries are looking again to traditional leaders and monarchs. The post Africa’s Customary Leaders Are No Panacea for States’...
View ArticleThe Post-Biya Era Is Already Looming Large in Cameroon
After four decades in power, Cameroonian President Paul Biya’s next term will likely be his last. The international community should be preparing for that. The post The Post-Biya Era Is Already Looming...
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