Africa Up Close

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.

U.N. Peacekeepers in Juba, South Sudan. Photo Courtesy of UN Photo/ JC McIlwaine via Flickr.

Inclusive Governance and Leadership

South Sudan is Becoming a Failed State – Aljazeera

July 9, 2015

Four years after independence, the future of the newest African nation is bleaker than ever. There has been a grim calculation, made by the government and rebel forces, that they can win and beat their opponents into submission or death.

Photo Courtesy of Brice Blondel via Flickr

Inclusive Governance and Leadership

Burundi rejects U.N. mediator after critical report about elections – Reuters

July 5, 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.

President Buhari of Nigeria Arrives at the AU Summit Meeting in South Africa. Photo courtesy of Siyasanga Mbambani/GCIS via the Government of South Africa Flickr.

Inclusive Governance and Leadership

Nigeria: Buhari – We Must Separate Politics from Governance – All Africa

June 29, 2015

President Muhammadu Buhari has declared that the leadership of the country must separate politics from governance. Buhari spoke at the Council Chamber of the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja while inaugurating the National Economic Council (NEC). He covered topics ranging from environmental sustainability, security, Boko Haram and economic development. Only a month into his position, he is setting the stage for the rest of his terms in office.