Africa Up Close

Continue reading for a summary of recent news stories relating to some of the most pressing issues on the continent. We draw on a wide range of respected news sources, both from Africa itself and around the world. The themes of today’s In the News post are violence in Northern Nigeria, Darfur, African elections, Police Issues, and developments in the East African Community.

Below is our summary of an article that can be found on African Arguments. Please visit the original source as well.

An article posted on the blog African Arguments and written by Julie Gallagher, a lecturer on international relations at Royal Holloway, University of London, captures excellently not only the undercurrent of confusion and anxiety surrounding Zimbabwe’s upcoming July 31st elections, but profiles the independent citizens who are “holding the line” as election observers. Thus far, things have been peaceful. Amid calls for non-violence, the ZANU-PF of current President Mugabe and rival Tsvangirai’s MDT-C  have instead been taking media swipes at each other and are striving to motivate the populace for support. But that is not to say the buildup has been without event: flows of misinformation are prevalent; Mugabe was walked out on during a lengthy political speech on the 24th; Tsvangirai, meanwhile, was greeted by an empty venue; members of both parties have called for postponement; soldiers participating in early voting may have been forced to vote in front of commanding officers, and much more.

“In partnership with the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development and The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, the International Development Research Centre is pleased to launch a call for research proposals on Growth and Economic Opportunities for Women (GrOW) – generating evidence on women’s economic empowerment, gender equality and growth in low-income countries. With a focus on sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, this research program seeks to develop innovative ways for evidence to promote better policies and outcomes for women and for societies as a whole.”

Keep reading to learn more about this excellent research opportunity…

Continue reading for some of the events this week in D.C. concerning Africa.

Continue reading for a summary of recent news stories relating to some of the most pressing issues on the continent. We draw on a wide range of respected news sources, both from Africa itself and around the world. The themes of today’s In the News post are media coverage in Zimbabwe, struggles in Somalia, rebels in the DRC, violence in Northern Nigeria, and Egypt.

Continue reading for some of the events this week in D.C. concerning Africa.

The Africa Program and the Project on Leadership and Building State Capacity are jointly seeking qualified applicants for two available social media internship positions in Washington, D.C. Interns will assist program staff in its outreach and communications strategies, social media development and web management.

Continue reading for a summary of recent news stories relating to some of the most pressing issues on the continent. We draw on a wide range of respected news sources, both from Africa itself and around the world. The themes of today’s In the News post are African elections, China in Africa, the Sudanese President, and violence in Guinea.

Women’s university photo used under Flickr Creative Commons

Keep reading for a list of some of the scholarships, fellowships and others opportunities we’ve found for Africans or those interested in the continent. For even more, take a look through our sources!

Continue reading for some of the events this week in D.C. concerning Africa.