What do Africans want? Afrobarometer surveys reveal the top concerns. Joseph Asunka, Carolyn Logan, and Brian Howard - December 10, 2022 This week’s U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit will explore collaboration on economic engagement, democracy and climate change. Here’s how Africans see the challenges.
Russia’s using ‘dark’ tankers to evade Western oil sanctions Jan Stockbruegger - December 7, 2022 Sanctions-busting creates a higher risk of accidents and oil spills, if vessels operate outside global regulations
‘Islamic State in Africa’ explores nine militant Islamist groups Dan Eizenga - July 14, 2022 This book takes a comprehensive look at the rise of Islamic State affiliates operating on the continent
What will keep ships — and people — safer in the Gulf of Guinea? Simon Rotzer, Sayed Riyadi, Kayla Marie Reno, Curie Maharani, Brandon Prins, Anup Phayal, and Aaron Gold - June 9, 2022 Here’s an update on piracy incidents
Can Africa ‘leapfrog’ the traditional electricity model? Kangwook Han and Carolyn Logan - April 21, 2022 Slow progress on national power grids leaves many households looking to off-grid sources
Africans across 34 countries see the police as predatory, not protective Carolyn Logan - March 19, 2022 Afrobarometer’s latest surveys indicate poorer citizens are more likely than the wealthy to be pressured to pay bribes
Africa has had eight coup attempts in recent months. What’s behind the ‘coup epidemic’? Kristen A. Harkness - February 8, 2022 How leaders consolidate their power helps explain why soldiers depose governments.
Is Africa losing ground in the battle for water and sanitation? Daniel Armah-Attoh - January 27, 2022 Afrobarometer surveys show citizens expect their governments to do more
When Africans speak out, are their governments listening? Joseph Asunka, E. Gyimah-Boadi, and Carolyn Logan - December 2, 2021 The seventh in Afrobarometer’s special democracy summit series on Africa
Why are Africans dissatisfied with democracy? Think corruption. Robert Mattes and Christiaan Keulder - November 18, 2021 The fifth in Afrobarometer’s special democracy summit series on Africa
Some Africans — but not all — are happy with the quality of their elections Fredline M'Cormack-Hale and Carolyn Logan - November 12, 2021 The fourth in Afrobarometer’s special democracy summit series on Africa.
Long-serving African presidents say the people want them to stay on. Is that true? Boniface Dulani - November 4, 2021 The third in Afrobarometer’s special democracy summit series on Africa.
Can you be a citizen of more than one country? Here’s what to learn from Liberia. Fulya Felicity Turkmen - August 26, 2021 A new book explores national and transnational citizenship in the 21st century
African citizens support their governments’ pandemic responses — mostly. They’re not sure about the vaccines. Josephine Appiah-Nyamekye Sanny - August 26, 2021 The latest Afrobarometer surveys could help government messaging on fighting the delta variant
The E.U. is furious that Belarus allowed more than 4,000 migrants to cross into Europe Gerasimos Tsourapas - August 12, 2021 As countries in the global north outsource refugee management to the global south, expect more poor countries to ‘weaponize’ migration.
Benin’s militant problem may worsen after last month’s election Christina Cottiero - May 3, 2021 The government focused on weeding out political opponents in recent years, rather than combating extremist and criminal groups
Myanmar’s protesters include shirtless bodybuilders and beauty queens in tiaras. Why? Jessica Trisko Darden - February 24, 2021 Young protesters are using gender as a weapon to mock and shame the military dictatorship
How women helped rally mass protests against Nigeria’s police corruption Elor Nkereuwem and Chiedo Nwankwor - November 3, 2020 Too many people ignore African women’s political agency
‘Love Falls on Us’ explores the intersection of African LGBT rights and American activism Kim Yi Dionne - September 18, 2020 Fascinating insights and personal stories make this a compelling read
‘States of Justice’ asks tough questions about the International Criminal Court Kate Cronin-Furman - September 7, 2020 Oumar Ba’s new book illuminates the relationship between African governments and the ICC
What is China up to in Africa? Read this book. Laura Seay - August 27, 2020 Lina Benabdallah walks us through the dynamics of Beijing-style network building.
Nwando Achebe’s new book is a fascinating look at Africa’s queens, past and present Laura Seay - August 13, 2020 From spiritual leaders to parliamentarians and presidents, women are reclaiming leadership roles.
‘Tanzania’s Informal Economy’ offers a rare glimpse at the dynamics of Africa’s street markets Laura Seay - July 30, 2020 This book challenges much of what scholars assume about kinship, social networks, trust and solidarity.
This new book highlights women’s roles in Cameroon’s separatist politics Kim Yi Dionne - July 26, 2020 Everyday activities nurture cultural distinctiveness — and support separatism
China already leads 4 of the 15 U.N. specialized agencies — and is aiming for a 5th Shing-Hon Lam and Courtney J. Fung - March 3, 2020 Beijing is campaigning to lead the global intellectual property agency
Russia wants more influence in Africa. It’s using disinformation to get there. Shelby Grossman - December 2, 2019 Facebook says the oligarch behind the Internet Research Agency is involved.
Trump wants to pull Cameroon’s preferential trade status. Here’s what you need to know. Travis Curtice - November 28, 2019 Are human rights concerns the real reason or just a pretext?
How Huawei could survive Trump Jordan Link - June 9, 2019 In Africa, basic connectivity needs and lower prices may outweigh security concerns.
Cameroon’s citizens are losing hope that their country can remain united Mircea Lazar - March 25, 2019 After years of skirmishing, the English-speaking minority scarcely trusts the government.
Huawei is better positioned to spy on us than we think Jack Hasler - March 12, 2019 The United States shares the blame.
Why are so many African leaders shutting off the Internet in 2019? Chipo Dendere - January 30, 2019 [caption id="attachment_83225" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Protesters gather near a burning tire
The African Union called on Congo to suspend its election’s results. That’s unprecedented. Anna Mwaba - January 21, 2019 After a contentious race, on Jan. 10, 2019, Democratic Republic
Do international observers go easy on African elections? Susan Dodsworth - November 20, 2018 [caption id="attachment_78810" align="aligncenter" width="960"] An electoral official counts ballots at
Cameroon’s election still isn’t decided. What happens next? Landry Signé and Kim Yi Dionne - October 12, 2018 [caption id="attachment_78810" align="aligncenter" width="960"] An electoral official counted ballots at
Cameroon has an election Sunday — and everyone already knows the winner Yonatan Morse - October 6, 2018 [caption id="attachment_78633" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A Cameroonian couple on a scooter
Russia is hosting this year’s World Cup. What could go wrong? Richard Arnold and Andrew Foxall - June 14, 2018 [caption id="attachment_74469" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A souvenir vendor shakes hands with
Locals call Boko Haram ‘slave raiders.’ Here’s what that means, and why it matters. Scott MacEachern - February 20, 2018 [caption id="attachment_69429" align="aligncenter" width="960"] In this undated image taken from
Boko Haram vs. al-Shabab: What do we know about their patterns of violence? Wendy Williams, Roudabeh Kishi, Olivia Russell, Joseph Siegle, and Clionadh Raleigh - October 2, 2017 The United Nations proclaimed Oct. 2 as the International Day
How much have development strategies changed in Africa since independence? It depends. Landry Signé and Kim Yi Dionne - July 28, 2017 [caption id="attachment_61539" align="aligncenter" width="760"] Ibrahim Hassane Mayaki (left), former prime
Cameroon has been in crisis for six months. Here’s what you need to know. Yonatan Morse - June 2, 2017 [caption id="attachment_59202" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Cameroon’s President Paul Biya and wife
Do Africans still want democracy? This new report gives a qualified yes. Robert Mattes and Michael Bratton - November 25, 2016 [caption id="attachment_50077" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A member of the Economic Freedom
Will Turkey’s coup attempt prompt others nearby? Jonathan Powell and Curtis Bell - July 30, 2016 [caption id="attachment_44724" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Riot police secure a police station
‘Sex worker activism has exploded throughout Africa,’ and this new book explores how Kim Yi Dionne and Chi Mgbako - July 8, 2016 What do African sex workers really need? A 33-year-old sex
Want to know how rich your neighbor is? Take a look at a satellite image. Sebastian Schutte and Nils Weidmann - May 30, 2016 [caption id="attachment_41251" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A nighttime view of Europe in
Here’s why so many people join Boko Haram, despite its notorious violence Hilary Matfess - April 26, 2016 Just over two years ago, the extremist Islamist group Boko
Congo’s newly reelected government is arresting the opposition. Here’s why. Elie Smith - April 21, 2016 [caption id="attachment_39420" align="aligncenter" width="908"] President Denis Sassou Nguesso, right, receives
In central Africa, citizens are using social media to build democracy. Here’s how. Elie Smith - April 6, 2016 [caption id="attachment_38607" align="aligncenter" width="908"] Congolese displaced residents from the southern
The U.S. can’t fight terrorists in Africa. So guess what it does instead. Charles Thomas - February 1, 2016 [caption id="attachment_35026" align="aligncenter" width="908"] A crashed MQ-9 Reaper drone seen
Why Obama’s military deployment against Boko Haram is too little, too late Landry Signé - October 28, 2015 [caption id="attachment_31259" align="aligncenter" width="908"] Cameroon's Deputy Prime Minister Amadou Ali
Should we call Africa homophobic? Kim Yi Dionne - July 10, 2015 [caption id="attachment_27234" align="aligncenter" width="908"] Members of the anti-gay caucus chant
Governance, gender and no guarantees in Africa’s oil-rich states Laura Seay and Celeste Hicks - June 19, 2015 [caption id="attachment_26264" align="aligncenter" width="620" class="align center "] Nigerian soldiers of
Governance, gender and no guarantees in Africa's oil-rich states Laura Seay - June 19, 2015 [caption id="attachment_26264" align="aligncenter" width="620" class="align center "] Nigerian soldiers of
The Islamic State, Boko Haram and the evolution of international jihad Nathaniel Allen - March 27, 2015 [caption id="attachment_23098" align="alignnone" width="620"] A wall painted by Boko Haram
Media portrayals of Africa promote paternalism Andy Baker - March 5, 2015 [caption id="attachment_22373" align="aligncenter" width="620"] A family of refugees that fled
What’s next for Nigeria’s democracy? Hilary Matfess - February 18, 2015 [caption id="attachment_21412" align="aligncenter" width="620"] Campaign posters of Nigeria's main opposition presidential
What's next for Nigeria's democracy? Laura Seay - February 18, 2015 [caption id="attachment_21412" align="aligncenter" width="620"] Campaign posters of Nigeria's main opposition presidential
Are efforts to limit presidential power in Africa working? Beatty Riedl - February 16, 2015 [caption id="attachment_21266" align="alignnone" width="620"] A campaign poster for incumbent president Goodluck Jonathan
Burkina Faso: Leading a wave or joining the club? David Stasavage - November 3, 2014 [caption id="attachment_17553" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Burkina Faso's Lt. Col. Yacouba Isaac
The British colonial origins of anti-gay laws Joseph O'Mahoney and Enze Han - October 30, 2014 [caption id="attachment_17460" align="aligncenter" width="620"] People protesting in London in December
The Boko Haram insurgency, by the numbers Peter Lewis, Nathaniel Allen, and Hilary Matfess - October 6, 2014 [caption id="attachment_16524" align="alignnone" width="620"] A screen grab taken on May
Hot pursuit in Syria and in history Lionel Beehner - September 28, 2014 [caption id="attachment_16272" align="aligncenter" width="575"] Pancho Villa (Smithsonian)[/caption] Secretary of State
What ordinary Africans might want prioritized during U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit Kim Yi Dionne - August 4, 2014 [caption id="attachment_13977" align="aligncenter" width="654"] President Obama participates in a joint
Financing Africa’s democratic opposition Leonardo Arriola - July 18, 2014 [caption id="attachment_13122" align="alignnone" width="620"] African Presidents and Head of States
What prompts violence against refugees? Kwamena Onoma - July 1, 2014 [caption id="attachment_12420" align="aligncenter" width="640"] The small towns of Kentzou, Garoua-Boulai
Harvey Milk’s legacy Andrew Reynolds - May 21, 2014 [caption id="attachment_10712" align="aligncenter" width="556"] Zakhele Mbhele, right, before his swearing-in
Harvey Milk's legacy Andrew Reynolds - May 21, 2014 [caption id="attachment_10712" align="aligncenter" width="556"] Zakhele Mbhele, right, before his swearing-in
The Palestine Vote: Who Will Vote How? Erik Voeten - September 16, 2011 The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) is not a legislature.
Call for Writers for Coming Election Reports Joshua Tucker - July 7, 2011 I was very pleased to receive a lot of positive
Random World Cup Observations Erik Voeten - June 9, 2010 I had wanted to organize a true Monkey Cage pool,
The Best Countries for Business - April 22, 2009 Forbes magazine has just released its ranking of the “best