Africa Up Close

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.

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

Inclusive Governance and Leadership

Counting to 100: What Promises did Buhari Make to Nigerians – Premium Times (Nigeria) September 2
Nigeria’s Buhari just completed his first 100 days in office, and he still hasn’t named a cabinet or achieved many of his major campaign promises. His honeymoon period may be ending.

Hissène Habré: Chad’s Ex-Leader Carried into Court – BBC Africa September 7
The war crimes trial of former Chadian president Habré, accused of torture and the murder of more than 40,000, resumed in Dakar on September 7. This is the first time a former head of state has been tried by an African court.

Scene from Ebola Treatment Center in Port Loko, Sierra Leone
United Nations Photo Creative Commons BY-NC-ND 2.0 via Flickr

Inclusive Governance and Leadership

Hail to the Chiefs: How Local Leaders Helped to Curb an Epidemic – The Economist

August 27

Southeast Sierra Leone received far less attention and foreign aid than the west, yet was able to control the outbreak of Ebola much quicker, thanks to early and aggressive action by doctors to bring religious leaders, chiefs, and local politicians into the fight. Laws and social pressure could be brought to bear through existing power structures to manage the crisis much more quickly.

Photo Courtesy of Wikipedia.

Inclusive Governance and Leadership

South Sudan: John Garang Remembered 10 Years On – African Arguments (All Africa)

August 17, 2015

On July 30th South Sudan celebrated Martyrs’ Day, an official remembrance day for those who died in the national liberation wars. That date was purposely selected because it is the day on which John Garang, South Sudan’s most iconic leader, was killed in a mysterious plane crash.

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 29^th had not been neutral or fair, a claim which the government finds to be false.

Photo Courtesy of U.S. Army Africa via Flickr.

Inclusive Governance and Leadership

The secret to Ethiopia’s counterterrorism success – Al Jazeera

July 31, 2015

Security cooperation is an area of high interest for the US in Africa. Obama has repeatedly expressed his administration’s keen interest in learning from Ethiopia’s counterterrorism (CT) efforts and its counterinsurgency (COIN) strategy, which I call the “Ethiopian Doctrine” on CT and COIN.

Photo Courtesy of Pete Souza via the White House Flickr.

• Inclusive Governance and Leadership

President Obama’s Africa Record: The Hard Road to a Genuine Partnership – Center for American Progress

July 21, 2015

With President Barack Obama about to embark on a trip to Africa that will include stops in Kenya and Ethiopia, it is a good time to review his administration’s track record of engagement with the continent since he took office, a record that is ending up in a far better place than it started.

Photo Courtesy of Nicolas Raymond via Flickr.

• Inclusive Governance and Leadership

Former Chad dictator’s war crimes trial opens in Senegal – The Guardian

July 20, 2015

The former Chadian leader, Hissène Habré, has gone on trial in Senegal accused of crimes against humanity, war crimes, and torture committed during his brutal eight-year rule from 1982 to 1990. This case represents a historic case for African Justice. If convicted, the chambers could impose a sentence of up to life in prison, and order him to pay a fine. The trial is expected to last several months.