Africa in the News 8/10/15

Photo Courtesy of Stephen Geyer via Flickr.

Inclusive Governance and Leadership

Kenya's rampant corruption is eating away at the very fabric of democracy – The Guardian

August 6, 2015

The Burundi government rejected a second UN diplomat on Sunday after allegations that the mediator was biased against the government. This was in response to a critical report newly released that stated the elections on June 29th had not been neutral or fair, a claim which the government finds to be false.

Legitimacy Of Senate Leadership And Nigeria's Stability – Leadership Magazine

August 10, 2015

The popular support which the current Senate leadership enjoys from Senators, Nigerians and the international community is evidentially paving way for peace, good governance, democracy dividends, growth, and development to triumph in the country. When the people believe that the leadership has moral and legal authority to rule, surely the policies and programs of the government will receive maximum support from the people; conversely, when the leadership is perceived to be illegitimate, the society will become ungovernable, the polity over heated and the government distracted.

Conflict Prevention and Peacebuilding

Why the crisis in Burundi is tying the African Union in knots – The Guardian

August 6, 2015

Two nights in Bujumbura, two assassination attempts on high-profile figures from opposite ends of the political spectrum. One succeeded, the other failed. Together these add up to bad news for a country reeling from weeks of street violence, as hopes for a peaceful resolution dim and the international community runs out of ideas.

South Sudan's dream of peace is still within reach - Archbishop Desmond Tutu – Al Jazeera

August 4, 2015

With the world's media squarely focused on conflict in the Holy Land and Ukraine, the ghastly suffering of the people of South Sudan goes virtually unreported. Ten thousand people killed over the past seven months. One-and-a-half million forced to flee their homes. A country on the brink of famine. This week the people of South Sudan will wait simply for a conversation to begin again, one that may lead their country out of months of extreme suffering - or maybe not.

Trade, Investment, and Sustainable Development

Agriculture could be the new oil- four problems President Buhari must tackle to develop Nigeria's agricultural sector - Ventures Africa

August 10, 2015

President Buhari has affirmed that he intends to keep his campaign promise of expanding the country's Agricultural sector, while stating that petroleum will no longer be sufficient for major revenue generation. "It's time to go back to the land. We must face the reality that the petroleum we had depended on for so long will no longer suffice … We campaigned heavily on agriculture, and we are ready to assist as many as want to go into agricultural ventures," the President said.

Africa Investments are a Top Priority for MCC – VOA Africa

August 10, 2015

The Millennium Challenge Corporation, MCC, recently announced a $70-million commitment to bring one billion dollars in public-private investments to developing countries over the next five years. A large portion of the grant money will go to Africa and is expected to generate $750 million in investments in Africa from the private sector.

Africa's Strategic Role in the Global Arena 

In the game of maritime power politicking, is Africa the biggest loser? - Africa ISS

August 4, 2015

Diminutive Djibouti seems set to become dangerously overcrowded: not with immigrants, or a harmful animal species, but rather with foreign military bases. Already home to Camp Lemonnier, the United States of America's (USA's) only African base, it was widely reported earlier this year that China intends to join the USA, France, and Japan in establishing a permanent military presence there.

Arms Trade: US to remove Nigeria from Leahy Law Restriction – The Africa Report

August 4, 2015

The United States has agreed to review a proposal to relax or completely lift restrictions on military assistance to Nigeria, under provisions of the 'Leahy Law'. The Leahy amendment prohibits the U.S. Department of State and Department of Defense from providing military assistance to foreign military units that violate human rights with impunity.

The Africa Program seeks to develop weekly updates and information to underpin each of its four programmatic pillars.

1. Inclusive Governance and Leadership
2. Conflict Prevention and Peacebuilding
3. Trade, Investment, and Sustainable Development
4. Africa's Strategic Role in the Global Arena 

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