Don’t call it a “coup epidemic” in Africa 🎧 Erik Voeten, Kim Yi Dionne, and Ken Opalo - April 29, 2024 Experts unpack Africa's recent coups and democratic resilience.
In citizens’ assessments, most African police forces come up short Matthias Krönke, Thomas Isbell, and Makanga Ronald Kakumba - March 22, 2024 From protests to traffic stops, negative experiences often mark the public’s views of police professionalism.
Why are people in West Africa waving Russian flags? Aoife McCullough - October 28, 2022 Russian propaganda has a wide reach. Here’s what else is boosting pro-Russian sentiment.
Can ECOWAS convince Burkina Faso to return to civilian rule? Madeline Fleishman and Jori Breslawski - October 14, 2022 Afrobarometer polls show strong support for the regional economic bloc. But protesters in Burkina Faso pushed back against ECOWAS diplomacy efforts.
‘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
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
How this wave of African coups differs from previous ones Maggie Dwyer and Erica De Bruin - February 25, 2022 To maintain power, military leaders are likely to turn to elections
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.
Burkina Faso’s coup makers capitalized on wider grievances within the ranks Maggie Dwyer - January 28, 2022 But the new military leadership may find it difficult to meet soldiers’ demands for more support in the fight against Islamist militants
Would Americans ever support a coup? 40 percent now say yes. Noam Lupu, Luke Plutowski, and Elizabeth Zechmeister - January 3, 2022 That percentage jumped significantly since 2017 and includes more than half the Republicans we surveyed.
Are coups really contagious? Salah Ben Hammou and Jonathan Powell - November 21, 2021 The international reaction to a coup attempt may matter more than you think
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
Do Africans want democracy — and do they think they’re getting it? Joseph Asunka and E. Gyimah-Boadi - October 21, 2021 The first in Afrobarometer’s special African democracy summit series.
Guinea’s citizens don’t want a corrupt government. They don’t want military rule either. Josephine Appiah-Nyamekye Sanny, Carolyn Logan, and Aliou Barry - September 12, 2021 Many Guineans felt their country was heading the wrong direction, Afrobarometer surveys show
Don’t expect regional organizations to rein in coups Emmanuel Balogun and Aarie Glas - July 13, 2021 Here’s why ASEAN and ECOWAS stumbled after recent coups in Mali and Myanmar.
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
Another coup in Mali? Here’s what you need to know. Susanna D. Wing - May 27, 2021 For the past decade, military officers and political leaders have been elbowing each other for political control and access to the spoils of power
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
China’s Belt and Road Initiative invests in African infrastructure — and African military and police forces Natalie Herbert - April 29, 2021 China is looking to protect its economic investments and build its reputation as a world power
Africans have a strong message for their traditional chiefs: Don’t tell us how to vote Luyando Mutale Katenda and Carolyn Logan - April 22, 2021 Surveys show how Africans reconcile their preference for democracy with trust for traditional leaders.
Biden reversed Trump’s sanctions on International Criminal Court officials. What happens now? Kyle Rapp and Kelebogile Zvobgo - April 4, 2021 Past U.S. administrations supported the court’s work — when it aligned with U.S. interests
Africa launched its free trade zone in January. Here’s what Africans think about economic integration. Josephine Appiah-Nyamekye Sanny and Jaynisha Patel - March 25, 2021 Protectionism ranks high with many Africans, new survey results show
Something’s happening in Armenia. But is it a coup? Adam E. Casey - March 2, 2021 In fact, coups are rare in post-Soviet countries
Biden called climate change an ‘existential threat.’ Can the U.N. Security Council help? Morgan Bazilian, Joshua Busby, and Florian Krampe - March 1, 2021 The U.S. presides over the council this month
Africans want elections, but fewer believe they work Mavis Zupork Dome and Fredline M'Cormack-Hale - February 11, 2021 Faith in electoral accountability has declined in the past decade
Africans think their governments aren’t fighting corruption hard enough Christiaan Keulder - January 28, 2021 But they fear punishment if they speak up against it
U.S.-China competition may be a win-win for Africa Naunihal Singh, Josephine Appiah-Nyamekye Sanny, and E. Gyimah-Boadi - November 19, 2020 Afrobarometer surveys find many Africans approve of U.S. and Chinese investment in the continent.
Nigerians are protesting police abuses. How do citizens of other African countries view the police? Josephine Appiah-Nyamekye Sanny and Brian Howard - November 5, 2020 Afrobarometer surveys reveal where people are less likely to trust the police
Guinea’s president claims he won reelection. Thousands of Guineans disagree. Lisa Mueller - October 30, 2020 Electoral protests in Africa rarely end up ousting an incumbent who defies term limits
A closer look at Congo’s Islamist rebels Judith Verweijen and Daniel Fahey - September 28, 2020 Claims about links to the Islamic State may hamper civilian protection
U.N. resolutions may seem like cheap talk. But they might actually work. Matthew Hauenstein and Madhav Joshi - September 21, 2020 The Security Council will discuss peace after the pandemic. Here’s what our analysis of 350 of its resolutions found.
Many Malians welcomed last week’s coup, but most still prefer democracy over military rule Massa Coulibaly, E. Gyimah-Boadi, and Carolyn Logan - August 28, 2020 The 2020 Afrobarometer survey gives important insights.
The military has ousted Mali’s president. That raises questions about the country’s ongoing security challenges. William G. Nomikos, Rob Williams, Patrick Hunnicutt, and Melanie Sauter - August 25, 2020 How will the new government and U.N. peacekeepers work together?
Why was Mali hit with another coup? Joe Gazeley - August 20, 2020 A bloated military makes the country particularly vulnerable
Malians have been protesting for weeks. Here’s what you need to know. Susanna D. Wing - July 20, 2020 Economic and security concerns have led to political upheaval.
In West Africa, trafficking brings human suffering. But removing it can set off instability. Hannah Armstrong - April 10, 2020 This complicates policymaking.
African women have less access to the Internet than African men do. That’s a problem. Dominique Dryding, Carmen Alpin Lardies, and Carolyn Logan - March 5, 2020 On International Women’s Day, let’s consider whether all women are advancing equally.
African countries are opening their borders. What does this mean for security, identity and trade? Lisa Mueller and Abhit Bhandari - August 12, 2019 People support free trade, but there are other bonds.
How did the Catholic Church respond to Africa’s decolonization? This new book explains. Laura Seay - August 7, 2019 “African Catholic” investigates the transformation of both church and politics.
‘Foreign Intervention in Africa After the Cold War’ looks at new players and old powers in Africa’s conflicts Anna Mwaba - July 11, 2019 Author Elizabeth Schmidt tackles important questions on foreign intervention in one accessible text.
Mali’s government collapsed. Here’s what that tells us about parliamentary coalitions in Africa. Molly Ariotti - June 13, 2019 Our findings will surprise many who follow African politics.
What’s behind the escalating ethnic violence in Mali? Here’s what you need to know. Susanna D. Wing - June 12, 2019 The prime minister and his government resigned in April, signaling that official Mali has no effective response.
How Huawei could survive Trump Jordan Link - June 9, 2019 In Africa, basic connectivity needs and lower prices may outweigh security concerns.
In Liberia, the U.N. mission helped restore confidence in the rule of law Robert A. Blair - April 30, 2019 When civil war ended in 2003, few Liberians trusted the government to protect them.
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
Mali’s elections saw some Islamist militant violence. Here’s what these patterns suggest. Alexander Thurston - September 7, 2018 [caption id="attachment_77454" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Mali President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta stands
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
Mali has an important election on Sunday. Will it be peaceful? Arsène Bado - July 28, 2018 [caption id="attachment_76136" align="aligncenter" width="960"] People look for their names on
The U.S. isn’t being very neighborly. Here’s what it means for Canada’s foreign policy. Stephanie Carvin - July 1, 2018 [caption id="attachment_75194" align="aligncenter" width="960"] President Trump meets with Canadian Prime
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
Could U.N. peacekeepers help end the war in Ukraine? Richard Gowan - March 1, 2018 [caption id="attachment_69959" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Ukrainian troops fire a howitzer close
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
The odds of a military coup in Venezuela are going up. But coups can sometimes lead to democracy Ozan Varol - November 15, 2017 [caption id="attachment_66271" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A man holds the new 100,000-bolivar
How states can wield ‘official Islam’ to limit radical extremism Michael Robbins and Lawrence Rubin - November 3, 2017 [caption id="attachment_65731" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Worshipers arrive for Friday prayers at
Will the International Criminal Court’s latest target in Libya be brought to justice? Mark Kersten - August 31, 2017 [caption id="attachment_63104" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Armed Libyan men wave their national
Islamic State’s next move could be underground criminal networks Aisha Ahmad - August 8, 2017 After months of fierce ground war, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider
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
Half of Zambians aren’t happy with their democracy — and that’s a big change Michael Bratton and Boniface Dulani - July 20, 2017 [caption id="attachment_46353" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Incumbent Edgar Lungu prepares to be
Duterte has put part of the Philippines under martial law. Here’s how dangerous that can be. Jessica Trisko Darden and Christopher Fariss - June 14, 2017 [caption id="attachment_59804" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Filipino residents walk past an armored
How the London attacks reveal a gateway to terrorism Assaf Moghadam - June 13, 2017 [caption id="attachment_59777" align="aligncenter" width="960"] People look on as a police close
This book documents bias against African Muslims in France Kim Yi Dionne and Claire Adida - June 9, 2017 [caption id="attachment_59248" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Malian Lassana Bathily, a Muslim employee,
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
The Trump administration wants to send more military advisers to Afghanistan. Good luck with that. Stephen Biddle, Ryan Baker, and Julia Macdonald - May 15, 2017 [caption id="attachment_58268" align="alignleft" width="960"] Marines salute during a handover ceremony
The effects of climate change will force millions to migrate Kelly McFarland and Vanessa Lide - April 23, 2017 Here's what this means for human security.
Trump wants to cut U.N. funding — but peacekeeping saves money, as well as lives Lise Howard - March 31, 2017 [caption id="attachment_56002" align="aligncenter" width="960"] U.N. peacekeepers from Senegal on an
Why do countries relapse into war? Here are three good predictors. George Willcoxon - March 29, 2017 [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="960"] United Nations peacekeepers from Senegal make
Three flawed ideas are hurting international peacebuilding Séverine Autesserre - March 15, 2017 [caption id="attachment_55314" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Members of former rebel groups wait
Middle East regimes are using ‘moderate’ Islam to stay in power Annelle Sheline - March 1, 2017 [caption id="attachment_54789" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A day before Pope Francis celebrated
60 years later, are colonial-era laws holding Africa back? Ryan Briggs and Maya Berinzon - January 20, 2017 [caption id="attachment_52661" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Ghana's President Nana Akufo-Addo, left, takes
Kidnapping for ransom works like a market. How it is organized is surprising. Anja Shortland - December 13, 2016 [caption id="attachment_51200" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A member of the Libyan security
What is inspiring homegrown terror in the U.S.? It’s not just the Islamic State. Sarah Gilkes and Alexander Meleagrou-Hitchens - December 6, 2016 [caption id="attachment_50780" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Crime scene investigators collect evidence as
What Africans think about China’s influence in their countries Kim Yi Dionne - October 28, 2016 It's mostly good.
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
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
It’s been 15 years since 9/11. How has al-Qaeda changed? Barak Mendelsohn - September 10, 2016 [caption id="attachment_46093" align="aligncenter" width="960"] In this Sept. 11, 2001 file
Africa’s largest public-opinion survey is under threat, but here’s what you can do about it E. Gyimah-Boadi and Carolyn Logan - September 9, 2016 [caption id="attachment_46038" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] An Afrobarometer interviewer conducts a survey
Boko Haram’s internal rift probably isn’t good news. Here’s why. Hilary Matfess - August 24, 2016 [caption id="attachment_45643" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A Nigerian woman who escaped her
Violent protests have erupted in Mali. Here’s what is driving them. Kamissa Camara - August 15, 2016 [caption id="attachment_45253" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Young people protest in Bamako in
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
‘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
4 things you should know about Niger’s recent elections Lisa Mueller and Lukas Matthews - April 17, 2016 [caption id="attachment_39161" align="aligncenter" width="908"] A banner of Niger's newly elected
Why Turkey’s authoritarian descent shakes up democratic theory Jason Brownlee - March 23, 2016 [caption id="attachment_37754" align="aligncenter" width="908"] Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan delivers
It’s a #SuperSunday in Africa, with elections being held in Benin, Cape Verde, Congo, Niger, Senegal and Zanzibar Kim Yi Dionne - March 20, 2016 [caption id="attachment_37537" align="aligncenter" width="908"] A woman looks at the list
6 things you need to know about Côte d’Ivoire in the wake of Sunday’s attack Justine Davis and Carrie Reiling - March 15, 2016 [caption id="attachment_37196" align="aligncenter" width="908"] A soldier comforts an injured boy
Are coups good for democracy? Joseph Wright, George Derpanopoulos, Erica Frantz, and Barbara Geddes - February 22, 2016 [caption id="attachment_36170" align="aligncenter" width="908"] Egyptians marked the fifth anniversary of
Daniel Drezner says Donald Trump is the champion of foreign policy ‘realism.’ He’s wrong. It’s Barack Obama. Joshua Rovner - February 11, 2016 [caption id="attachment_35605" align="aligncenter" width="908"] An American bald eagle prepares to
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
As Niger prepares for elections, it’s concerned about security. Should it be? Lisa Mueller - January 28, 2016 [caption id="attachment_34824" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Terrace at Hotel le Sahel, Niamey,
Taking stock of Burkina Faso’s democracy after al-Qaeda attack Leonardo Villalón and Daniel Eizenga - January 21, 2016 [caption id="attachment_34600" align="aligncenter" width="908"] French and Burkinabe officers inspect burned
After this month’s attack in Bamako, what do we know about fundamentalist Islam in Mali? Sebastian Elischer - November 30, 2015 [caption id="attachment_32796" align="aligncenter" width="908"] Malian security officials show an extremist
This is what citizens say is needed to end Mali’s insecurity Jaimie Bleck, Guindo Sidiki, and Abdoulaye Dembele - November 27, 2015 [caption id="attachment_32660" align="aligncenter" width="908"] People stand near the Radisson hotel
Can we compare the recent terrorist attacks in Paris and Bamako? Gregory Mann and Andrew Lebovich - November 22, 2015 [caption id="attachment_32540" align="aligncenter" width="908"] French police outside the Radisson Blu
Five things you should know about Friday’s terrorist attack in Mali Susanna Wing - November 22, 2015 [caption id="attachment_32522" align="aligncenter" width="908"] A painting showing the peace sign
Extremists stormed the Radisson hotel in Mali’s capital, and at least 20 people are dead. These resources can help you learn more. Laura Seay and Kim Yi Dionne - November 20, 2015 [caption id="attachment_32509" align="aligncenter" width="908"] Malian security officials show a jihadist
Why France is so deeply entangled in Syria Samuel Ramani - November 19, 2015 On Nov. 14, Syrian president Bashar al-Assad declared that French
What do the Paris attacks tell us about foreign fighters? Daniel Byman - November 16, 2015 [caption id="attachment_32232" align="aligncenter" width="908"] French armed police officers stand guard
Why quotas are needed to achieve gender equality Lindsay Benstead - November 10, 2015 [caption id="attachment_31947" align="aligncenter" width="908"] Prime Minister designate Justin Trudeau leads
This is what you need to know about xenophobia and this Sunday’s elections in Côte d’Ivoire. Koffi Yao-Kouamé and Beth Whitake - October 19, 2015 [caption id="attachment_30820" align="aligncenter" width="982"] This photo taken on October 27,