Africa Up Close

Minibuses and cars pause on the road into Bujumbura, Burundi, in more peaceful times. Photo by Dave Proffer, via Flickr. Creative Commons.

Inclusive Governance and Leadership

Burkina Faso Coup Leader Charged Over Sankara Murder
Al-Jazeera – December 7

Burkina Faso’s civilian government, which carried out the country’s first free elections in decades, has charged General Diendere, the military leader behind September’s failed coup, in connection with the murder of Thomas Sankara. The general, who was a close supporter of longtime leader Blaise Compaoré, was linked in the death of legendary socialist hero Sankara before the coup, but these links are much more concrete.

Thousands of people packed Uhura Stadium to be present at President Magufuli’s inauguration.
Photo by GCIS South Africa, via Flickr. Creative Commons.

Inclusive Governance and Leadership

#WhatWouldMagufuliDo Sparks New Bout of Tanzaphilia
Arican Arguments Nov 30

Tanzania has long captivated Westerners and other East Africans eager for a success story, going back to the era of Nyere’s dynamic socialism. Newly-elected president John Magufuli’s bold promises and symbolic decision to cancel lavish independence day spending has reignited a new bout of Tanzaphilia for many, particularly Kenyans fed-up with their own politicians next door.

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari at a discussion at Chatham House, February 26, 2015. Photo by Chatham House. Creative Commons via Flickr.

Inclusive Governance and Leadership

Nigeria’s President Buhari: Ex-Officer Stole Billions in Arms Deals
Christian Science Monitor – November 18

President Buhari’s anti-corruption campaign is setting head’s rolling, as he orders the arrest of his predecessor’s national security advisor for defrauding the state of billions of dollars meant for the fight against Boko Haram. Soldiers in the army of Africa’s largest country regularly found themselves under-equipped and outgunned in firefights with Boko Haram, thanks in part to rampant graft.

Inclusive Governance and Leadership

Are Ghanaians Fed-up with Democracy?
Wilson Center NOW (video) November 5

Southern Voices Network Scholar Isaac Debrah discusses his research on dissatisfaction with democracy in Ghana with the Wilson Center’s John Milewski (video is above).

Zanzibar’s picturesque, well-touristed exterior has contentious, tumultuous politics underneath. Photo by George Pauwels, via Flickr. Creative Commons

Inclusive Governance and Leadership

In Zanzibar, Democracy, Peace, and Unity Are at Stake after Annulled Elections
Washington Post Nov 1

In contrast to the rest of Tanzania’s smoothly executed elections, semi-autonomous Zanzibar’s elections were annulled in a controversial call by the ruling CCM. The opposition claims it was on the verge of winning, and this decision is a way of stealing the election. Talks to find a political solution to the crisis take place on the backdrop of Zanzibar’s thorny history with the mainland, and its citizens increasing desire for autonomy or even independence.

Wits University in Johannesburg saw the birth of the protest movement that is currently roiling South African universities. Photo by Paul Saad, Flickr. Creative Commons.

Protests force South Africa’s president to scrap university fee increases—but this is what he missed
Quartz Africa – Oct 23

South Africa’s student protests, the #feesmustfall movement, has been perhaps the biggest news story of the week. Quartz argues it’s significance lies in the entry of the first post-Apartheid generation into political activism.

Voters line up to vote in Guinea’s 2010 election. Photo by UN Development Programme, Creative Commons.

Inclusive Governance and Leadership

Guinea’s President Alpha Conde Easily Wins Re-election
Al-Jazeera Oct 17

Incumbent Alpha Conde glided to reelection, avoiding a run-off, in Guinea’s election. The opposition has refused to recognize the result and alleged fraud, but independent observers judged the vote generally sound. Observers are worried that protests could escalate into violence in the long-suffering country.

Outgoing Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete speaking at the Wilson Center on April 3, 2015. Photo by Kaveh Sardari for the Wilson Center.

Inclusive Governance and Leadership

What’s In It For Me? Personalities, Enticements, and Party Loyalties in Tanzania’s Election – Africa Research Institute
Oct 1

In what is likely to be Tanzania’s closest election since the return to democracy, neither the opposition nor ruling parties are addressing the country’s pressing issues. Africa Research Institute provides some important background on the election’s major players.

One of Burkina Faso’s famous mud-brick mosques in Bobo-Dioulasso. Photo by qlv on Flickr. Creative Commons.

Inclusive Governance and Leadership

The Evolving Political Crisis in Burkina Faso: Observations from Ouagadougou, Continued – Sahel Blog
Sept 28

The big story of the last week has been, of course, the whirlwind coup in Burkina Faso. As it stands, interim president Michel Kafando has been returned to power and General Diendere and others look to be facing prosecution for their role in the week-long coup that upended the transitional government.

A fully-loaded share taxi speeds down a road. In Kenya these taxis, called matatus, are crucial parts of Nairobi’s transportation network. Photo by crosby_cj on Flickr. Creative Commons.

Inclusive Governance and Leadership

Grounds for Cautious Optimism in Guinea Bissau’s Latest Crisis – Daily Maverick (South Africa) September 14

Guinea Bissau has been hurtling from one crisis to another for the last several decades, and with the news that the president has fired his prime minister, it enters another. That said, there are signs for optimism: the judiciary is showing its teeth, the international community has been able to combat the flow of drug trafficking, and most importantly, the military seems committed to staying out of the crisis, for the moment.