80 countries just signed a declaration on protecting civilians in war Naomi Egel - November 28, 2022 If it’s not a binding treaty, how can it influence military action? Here’s what research tells us.
Report exposes U.N. camp abuses, but research shows justice is elusive Audrey L. Comstock - September 28, 2022 Analysis of U.N. peacekeeping missions highlights the obstacles to justice facing sexual abuse victims
No, Batman didn’t save the Congo, and other book reviews Laura Seay - August 4, 2022 Three new books set the record straight on the Democratic Republic of Congo.
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.
WHO workers are accused of sexual exploitation and abuse. That hurts everything the U.N. does. Jasmine Westendorf - October 5, 2021 As one official told me: ‘The U.N. is not a superpower. It has only its moral authority, and if you undermine that, you’re finished.’
A Florida security company is entangled in the assassination of Haiti’s president. How is that possible? Deborah Avant - July 19, 2021 An increasing number of clients and providers in the private security market are dodging the rules
What would bring stability after the death of Chad’s president? Daniel Eizenga - June 1, 2021 Neighboring countries have successfully managed political change without the military stepping in
The International Criminal Court just elected a new chief prosecutor. Here’s what you need to know. Nastaran Far, Hailey Robertson, and Kelebogile Zvobgo - February 16, 2021 The ICC’s future will rest on the new prosecutor’s success in opening, trying and closing cases — and being fair
A special Kosovo war crimes court will try its ex-president. So how do ‘hybrid’ courts work? Dennis R. Schmidt - November 22, 2020 Courts that are simultaneously domestic and international can help overcome suspicions about fairness
How Joseph Kony’s notorious Lord’s Resistance Army uses photographs as weapons Kristof Titeca - December 8, 2019 For decades, the Ugandan warlord has evaded capture. These rarely seen pictures have helped.
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.
The weather stations that monitor climate change are at risk. This is why. Kenneth Schultz and Justin Mankin - April 21, 2019 Civil war and other conflicts are costing us valuable data.
Here’s what can undermine peacekeeping missions Allard Duursma - December 18, 2018 [caption id="attachment_53427" align="aligncenter" width="960"] U.N. peacekeeping forces patrol during presidential
Privatizing the U.S. effort in Afghanistan seemed a bad idea. Now it’s even worse. Deborah Avant - September 11, 2018 [caption id="attachment_77550" align="aligncenter" width="960"] U.S. troops wait for their helicopter
Côte d’Ivoire’s president announced an amnesty program. Is this the end of a ‘victor’s peace’? Giulia Piccolino - August 15, 2018 [caption id="attachment_76742" align="alignleft" width="982"] Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara addresses
How can the U.N. restore the rule of law to the Central African Republic? 5 things you need to know. Timothy Meyer, Claire Duguid, and Catherine Kelly - April 3, 2018 [caption id="attachment_71790" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] A general view shows the Central
Should U.N. peacekeepers launch preemptive strikes? The Cruz report seems to think so. Lise Howard - March 16, 2018 [caption id="attachment_70668" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A U.N. peacekeeper stands guard as
Four things you should know about food security in Africa Landry Signé and Eyerusalem Siba - October 30, 2017 [caption id="attachment_65578" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Women and their children, who fled
A controversial article praises colonialism. But colonialism’s real legacy was ugly. Brandon Kendhammer - September 19, 2017 [caption id="attachment_63692" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Women and children prepare to flee
This is what we can learn from Joseph Kony’s bodyguard Laura Seay - July 21, 2017 [caption id="attachment_61206" align="aligncenter" width="192"] (Zed Books)[/caption] Five years after the
The Internet is changing civil wars. Watch out for these five trends. Barbara Walter - June 8, 2017 [caption id="attachment_59494" align="aligncenter" width="960"] South Sudanese refugees shelter from the
There’s little evidence that dictators are toppling democracies Jason Brownlee - June 1, 2017 [caption id="attachment_59157" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Chinese President Xi Jinping, left, shakes
It’s not just a rapper’s arrest that should raise alarms about authoritarianism in Tanzania Constantine Manda - March 29, 2017 [caption id="attachment_55968" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A man in Arusha, Tanzania, reads
Is U.N. peacekeeping under fire? Here’s what you need to know. Anjali Dayal - February 1, 2017 [caption id="attachment_53427" align="aligncenter" width="960"] U.N. peacekeeping forces on patrol during
Where are coups most likely to occur in 2017? Michael Ward and Andreas Beger - January 31, 2017 [caption id="attachment_43902" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Supporters of Tukish President Tayyip Erdogan
The Lord’s Resistance Army is finally weakening in central Africa. This could dismantle it. Paul Ronan and Ledio Cakaj - December 6, 2016 [caption id="attachment_50714" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Children cheer as troops from the
Is this the end of the International Criminal Court? Stephanie Schwartz and Kate Cronin-Furman - October 21, 2016 [caption id="attachment_48238" align="aligncenter" width="960"] South Africa's minister of justice and
Jihadis in Congo? Probably not. Kristof Titeca - September 27, 2016 [caption id="attachment_46830" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A Congolese soldier from the Armed
Here’s how African leaders stage ‘constitutional coups’: They tweak the constitution to stay in power. Kamissa Camara - September 16, 2016 [caption id="attachment_46354" align="aligncenter" width="960"] People wait outside a polling station
South Sudan is fighting again. Can its peacekeeping mission work? Nina McMurry and Laura Bosco - September 1, 2016 [caption id="attachment_45849" align="aligncenter" width="960"] In this July 25 photo, a
The Niger Delta’s oil wealth has made inhabitants’ lives worse Omolade Adunbi and Kim Yi Dionne - August 19, 2016 [caption id="attachment_45407" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Militants with assault rifles and rocket-propelled
Is electoral violence in sub-Saharan Africa overreported? This new book looks at the data. Stephanie Burchard and Kim Yi Dionne - August 12, 2016 [caption id="attachment_45073" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Supporters of President Edgar Lungu gather
This novel illuminates life (and resistance) under repression in Ethiopia Sarah Agatoni and Kim Yi Dionne - August 5, 2016 [caption id="attachment_44814" align="aligncenter" width="960"] People mourn the death of Dinka
How do you forecast a coup? Don’t forget on-the-ground sources. Richard Gowan - July 26, 2016 [caption id="attachment_44462" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Supporters of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan
What do Africans actually think about public health interventions from afar? Kim Yi Dionne - July 22, 2016 [caption id="attachment_44289" align="aligncenter" width="960"] British pop star Elton John signs
Where do African women have more power? Surprise — in countries emerging from war. Aili Tripp - July 15, 2016 [caption id="attachment_43742" align="aligncenter" width="1484"] Catherine Samba-Panza was the acting president
‘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
Is AFRICOM all that bad? Laura Seay - July 1, 2016 [caption id="attachment_43228" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Chadian troops participate in the closing
The opposite of Brexit: African Union launches an all-Africa passport Anne Frugé - July 1, 2016 [caption id="attachment_38201" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Africa, from space. (NASA)[/caption] On June
Women’s rights groups in Niger push forward on gender equality Kim Yi Dionne - June 24, 2016 [caption id="attachment_42685" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A woman prepares to cast her
Yes, Central African Republic is a real country. But it’s a very different kind of country. Tatiana Carayannis and Louisa Lombard - June 17, 2016 [caption id="attachment_42268" align="aligncenter" width="303"] (Courtesy of the authors)[/caption] When ousted
This is what the conviction of Chad’s former dictator means for African human rights Elise Keppler - June 10, 2016 [caption id="attachment_41896" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Chad's former dictator Hissène Habré raises
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
Last week, the International Criminal Court convicted a war criminal. And that revealed one of the ICC’s weaknesses. Scott Straus and Courtney Hillebrecht - March 28, 2016 Last week, the International Criminal Court read its judgment in
Your six questions about Congo’s election, answered Danielle Sanchez - March 25, 2016 [caption id="attachment_37904" align="aligncenter" width="908"] Congo President Denis Sassou-Nguesso at a
A Congolese warlord was just convicted. So why isn’t everyone thrilled about it? Laura Seay and Michael Broache - March 24, 2016 [caption id="attachment_37821" align="alignleft" width="300"] Former Congo vice president Jean-Pierre Bemba.
Free and fair elections attract investment, no matter who’s elected. Here’s why. Mike Touchton - January 8, 2016 [caption id="attachment_32114" align="aligncenter" width="908"] Campaign posters of opposition presidential candidate
Why donors demand immediate elections after unrest in developing countries Haley Swedlund - December 11, 2015 [caption id="attachment_33368" align="aligncenter" width="908"] Supporters of President-elect Roch Marc Kabore
As Pope Francis calls for compassion toward the poor in Africa, what are African churches doing? Beatty Riedl and Gwyneth McClendon - November 28, 2015 [caption id="attachment_32739" align="aligncenter" width="908"] Pope Francis listens to a speech
Gawker got pranked. Kony isn’t looking for peace. Here are the facts. Ledio Cakaj - November 5, 2015 [caption id="attachment_31762" align="aligncenter" width="908"] Lord's Resistance Army leader Joseph Kony
Once a killer, always a killer? Here are 4 lessons about stopping mass violence. Aliza Luft - October 29, 2015 [caption id="attachment_31458" align="aligncenter" width="531"] A picture taken at the Murambi
Ignore the old complaints about U.N. funding. Here are some new ones. Erin Graham - September 30, 2015 [caption id="attachment_30168" align="aligncenter" width="982"] A United Nations logo is seen
Do-gooders, do no harm: What are the best — and worst — ways to help those mired in international conflicts? Laura Seay and de Waal - July 17, 2015 [caption id="attachment_27514" align="aligncenter" width="908"] In this photo taken Friday, June
U.N. peacekeeping and transactional sex Sabrina Karim, Michael Gilligan, Jenny Guardado, and Bernd Beber - June 16, 2015 [caption id="attachment_26164" align="aligncenter" width="372"] United Nations rules addressing sexual exploitation
Taking stock of 'good coups' in Africa - May 18, 2015 [caption id="attachment_24939" align="aligncenter" width="660"] Boys walk behind patrolling soldiers in
Taking stock of ‘good coups’ in Africa Sebastian Elischer - May 18, 2015 [caption id="attachment_24939" align="aligncenter" width="660"] Boys walk behind patrolling soldiers in
Four questions – and answers – about U.S. support of peacekeeping in Africa Paul Williams - May 15, 2015 [caption id="attachment_24812" align="alignnone" width="620" class="center"] A man holding Burundi's flag
What explains Burundi's protests? Laura Seay - April 28, 2015 [caption id="attachment_24042" align="aligncenter" width="620" class="center"] A protester jumps to evade
What explains Burundi’s protests? Stephanie Schwartz and Cara Jones - April 28, 2015 [caption id="attachment_24042" align="aligncenter" width="620" class="center"] A protester jumps to evade
Are African peacekeepers prone to mutiny? Maggie Dwyer - March 25, 2015 [caption id="attachment_23071" align="aligncenter" width="620"] An African Union (AU) peacekeeper walks
The complex story of a child soldier Ledio Cakaj - January 12, 2015 [caption id="attachment_20036" align="aligncenter" width="620"] An undated photo taken from the
Why did Invisible Children dissolve? Matthew Sebastian and Kristof Titeca - December 30, 2014 [caption id="attachment_19165" align="aligncenter" width="908"] The leader of the Lord's Resistance
An ‘LRA for Everyone?’ Constructing knowledge of rebel groups. Kristof Titeca - December 17, 2014 [caption id="attachment_19165" align="aligncenter" width="620"] In this Nov. 12, 2006, photo,
An 'LRA for Everyone?' Constructing knowledge of rebel groups. Laura Seay - December 17, 2014 [caption id="attachment_19165" align="aligncenter" width="620"] In this Nov. 12, 2006, photo,
Is it possible to meet the ‘Responsibility to Protect’? Roland Paris - December 9, 2014 [caption id="attachment_18867" align="aligncenter" width="620"] British warplanes struck a large bunker
Is it possible to meet the 'Responsibility to Protect'? - December 9, 2014 [caption id="attachment_18867" align="aligncenter" width="620"] British warplanes struck a large bunker
Where delaying elections can build peace Landry Signé and Grace Kpohazounde - September 15, 2014 [caption id="attachment_15703" align="alignnone" width="620"] Muslim worshipers from the PK5 district
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
The everyday politics of international intervention Séverine Autesserre - June 27, 2014 [caption id="attachment_12388" align="aligncenter" width="215"] (Courtesy Cambridge University Press)[/caption] The following
What influence do women wield in African governments? Martha Johnson and Leonardo Arriola - May 14, 2014 Kim Yi Dionne: This post is the second in a
Five things you probably didn’t know about African politics today Kim Yi Dionne - March 11, 2014 Though much of the media attention on Africa highlights conflict,
Election Report: Central African Republic Joshua Tucker - January 25, 2011 In our "continuing series of election reports":https://themonkeycage.org/election_reports/, we are pleased