Can Pope Francis Make Change in Africa?
An overview of Pope Francis’ recent tour of Africa, and an analysis of what this shows of the Catholic church’s methods and influence.
Category: Africa
Somalia: A Failed State?
The civil war in Somalia is a conflict that continues to cause millions of deaths and represents trivialized violence rooted in Somali communities.
Somalia is one of the most ethnically homogenous African countries, with 85% of the population belonging to … Continue reading
Through the Looking Glass: A Reflection on the Pre-Colonial Mirage
Nsuo a edo wo na eko w’ahina mu
In the Akan language of Twi, “Only the water that was meant for you, enters your pot.”
The consensus in Africa has been that the allocation of power, resources, and attention has … Continue reading
The Deterioration of Democracy: Reflecting on the String of Military Coups in West Africa
In the last couple of years, a number of West African states have been faced with military takeovers. These coups, aided by internal instability brought about by numerous factors ranging from the COVID-19 pandemic to the interference of foreign powers … Continue reading
The Rwanda Deal: An Outsourcing of Refugees
On April 14, 2022, the then-British home secretary Priti Patel and the Rwandan foreign minister Vincent Biruta signed a deal to send asylum seekers from the UK to Rwanda. Officially known as the UK and Rwanda Migration and Economic Development … Continue reading
Lessons from Botswana’s Misrepresented Development
Investigating Botswana's success with development can reveal its nuanced history and warn us about what lessons to take from it, especially considering that policies which work in certain contexts may fail in others.
We Should Pay Poor Countries to Keep Oil in the Ground
While certain countries are resource-rich in oil and gas, they face a dilemma amidst increasing calls for decarbonization. Developed countries are urging their neighbors, even the poorest, to transition towards a green economy through bold emissions targets aimed at bypassing the climate crisis.
The ANC’s Policy Incoherence Threatens South Africa’s Future
If the country is to solve the legacies of Apartheid, like massive inequality, underdevelopment, weak governance, and insecurity, the ANC must rectify its incoherent cadre deployment lest the country continue on a path of instability and uncertainty.
Africa’s New Trade Agreement: One Year On
By 2021, a broad framework of the agreement had finally been formulated and trade began the same year– the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) was now in force. Now a year into the effective implementation of only some of the key aspects of the deal, the future remains turbulent and uncertain for a complete and harmonious application of the deal’s core principles and general spirit.
The Plight of the Libyan People: Violence and Instability in the Post-Gaddafi Era
Recent developments in Libya indicate a hopeful shift in the tide of the crisis. Although violence between warlords and opposition groups still continues, a tentative ceasefire was signed in 2020.