UN court says Israel may have violated the Genocide Convention Kelebogile Zvobgo - January 30, 2024 South Africa’s case against Israel for suspected violations in Gaza may take years to resolve.
Africa’s message to COP28: Take action now on climate change Alfred Kwadzo Torsu and Matthias Krönke - November 29, 2023 Afrobarometer surveys in 39 countries show citizens want immediate measures to mitigate climate-related threats.
What India is saying about the Israel-Hamas war Christopher Clary and Shubha Kamala Prasad - November 2, 2023 Can India balance support for Israel with its long-standing commitment to Palestine?
What the arrest warrant for Putin really means Kelebogile Zvobgo - October 3, 2023 He may never stand trial, but that’s not all that matters.
African politics in 2022: More than coups and conflict Laura Seay and Kim Yi Dionne - December 29, 2022 The TMC 2022 roundups: African politics
It’s International Migrants Day. These are three must-read books. Laura Seay and Kim Yi Dionne - December 18, 2022 What shapes the policies and approach of host-country governments?
Qatar is taking the heat for FIFA corruption Dan Hough - November 20, 2022 Investigations into FIFA’s actions reveal the global soccer organization has a long history of bribery and money-laundering. Will that change?
How New Zealand and 5 other nations gained majority-female legislatures Jennifer Piscopo - November 3, 2022 New Zealand’s Parliament now has more women than men. The Labour Party’s commitment to gender parity helped to make that happen.
Pakistan has a narrow window to boost climate resilience Erum A. Haider - September 27, 2022 The 2022 floods are only part of Pakistan’s environmental crisis.
Is it time to rethink how we study politics? Lahra Smith and Ankushi Mitra - September 11, 2022 ‘Decolonizing Politics’ and ‘Reconsidering Reparations’ are books that will inspire a wide range of readers.
Queen Elizabeth II was Britain’s lead ambassador Brandy Jolliff Scott - September 9, 2022 She traveled to 117 countries and hosted countless high-level visitors
Two new books take different roads to understand South Africa Carolyn E. Holmes - August 25, 2022 South Africa’s government changed after 1994. So did the social order.
Unemployed South Africans depended on covid relief grants Vayda Megannon - August 18, 2022 But this government assistance wasn’t easy — or cheap — to access
What does it take to build up women’s rights after war? Miriam J. Anderson - August 18, 2022 This nuanced compilation looks at women’s empowerment after Sierra Leone’s civil war, from different perspectives
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.
Nigeria’s harsh police culture grew from colonial abuses Travis B. Curtice - July 28, 2022 Akali Omeni’s new book ‘Policing and Politics in Nigeria: A Comprehensive History’ explains why this culture persists
‘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
Tunisia’s draft constitution solidifies one-man rule Al Ali - July 8, 2022 Will Tunisia still be a democracy if the president controls the courts and legislature?
Apartheid casts a long shadow across South Africa Laura Seay - June 23, 2022 Andrew Harding’s new book, ‘These Are Not Gentle People,’ takes a deep look at community fear and mistrust
Announcing the ninth African Politics Summer Reading Spectacular! Laura Seay and Kim Yi Dionne - June 2, 2022 Join us in reading some of the latest books on African politics
Foreign companies continue to prop up the Kremlin Jura Liaukonyte - April 7, 2022 Some companies are only making vague commitments to get out of Russia
Russia’s allies have been pretty quiet on Ukraine Martin Binder and Autumn Lockwood Payton - March 25, 2022 Here’s what might happen next within the ‘BRICS’ bloc
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
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
Germany convicted a Syrian man of war crimes in Syria. Can national courts prosecute injustices everywhere? Maximo Langer, Margaret E. Peters, and Leslie Johns - January 14, 2022 The landmark case invoked the principle of ‘universal jurisdiction’
Archbishop Tutu’s radical commitment to humanity led him to criticize parties, people and institutions Carolyn E. Holmes - December 27, 2021 The beloved anti-apartheid activist demanded that the African National Congress also meet the standards of ‘ubuntu’
President of Honduras is a former first lady. Expect to see more former first ladies running for office. Ignacio Araya and Carolina Guerrero Valencia - December 9, 2021 Research explores this growing trend in Latin America
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
Phasing out coal plants worldwide won’t be easy. These four approaches could help. Morgan D. Bazilian, Katie Auth, and Brad Handler - December 1, 2021 More than 40 countries say they’ll phase out coal-fired power plants in the next 20 years
Are Africa’s leading democracies in trouble? Carolyn Logan and Brian Howard - November 25, 2021 The sixth in Afrobarometer’s special democracy summit series on Africa
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
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.
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.
Everyone focuses on the U.S. Supreme Court. But state supreme courts affect as many rights and lives. Amanda Hollis-Brusky - September 14, 2021 From Florida to Texas to California, state supreme courts dramatically influence lives and elections as they rule on matters from voting rights to mask mandates
20 years later, America’s ‘War on Terror’ language has gone global Somdeep Sen and John Collins - September 9, 2021 Right-wing governments and movements often use these words to justify authoritarian and racist policies.
‘The Black and White Rainbow’ reveals how hard it is to build a ‘rainbow’ nation Laura Seay - September 2, 2021 Unity in diversity was one of the hopes of post-apartheid South Africa.
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
Mozambique’s Islamist insurgents are on the run. Integrating former rebel fighters could help usher in peace. Kai M. Thaler - August 26, 2021 Bringing ex-insurgents into a government’s security forces can win over locals and improve intelligence — but only if it is done well.
Michela Wrong’s new book explores the 2013 murder of an exiled Rwandan official Laura Seay - August 12, 2021 Extensive interviews reveal more about the country’s campaign against dissidents
Fights over marine boundaries are creating safe zones for pirates Brandon Prins, Anup Phayal, and Aaron Gold - August 4, 2021 New research reveals how contested waters have become maritime hot spots
Olympic officials resisted pressure to ban Iran from the Tokyo Games, but they’ve banned teams before Thandiwe Keet, Andrew Bertoli, and Aleksandra Smajevic - July 27, 2021 In these 9 cases, sporting authorities tried to ban a country from international competition — sometimes for years
South Africa’s turmoil is about more than Jacob Zuma Sibusiso Nkomo and Carolyn Logan - July 22, 2021 Afrobarometer surveys reveal the challenges facing one of the continent’s leading democracies
Why South Africans are protesting the arrest of former president Jacob Zuma Carolyn E. Holmes - July 13, 2021 Zuma’s brand of populism centered on providing opportunities for poor rural residents, but it was clouded by controversy
Voters around the world think their governments are out of touch. They have a point. Zach Warner and Noam Lupu - June 13, 2021 We looked at the data on 52 countries over 33 years
Germany acknowledged colonial atrocities in Namibia as genocide. Victims’ groups want more. Franziska Boehme - June 8, 2021 Descendants of the victims want a presidential apology and further reparations.
South Africa’s Zulu nation is riveted by a royal succession drama. It’s about more than who takes the throne. Sithembiso Gumbi, Janet Bellamy, and Alex Dyzenhaus - May 27, 2021 Here’s why millions of rural residents risk losing their customary land rights.
Africans find it hard to learn what their governments are up to. It’s no surprise many suspect corruption. Joseph Asunka and Carolyn Logan - May 20, 2021 The lack of transparency affects people’s views of government, Afrobarometer surveys find
LGBTQ Pride month is coming. Can Pride events change attitudes in conservative countries? Sam Whitt, Phillip Ayoub, and Douglas Page - May 18, 2021 Conditions have to be just right.
South Africa’s ruling party is going after corrupt leaders. That’s only half the problem. Patrick Pierson - May 5, 2021 Even low-level offices can bring wealth, so people are killing each other to gain election
The Biden administration supports waiving patents on coronavirus vaccines. Big Pharma won’t be happy. Carie Steele - May 5, 2021 Developed countries are joining developing countries to put pharmaceutical companies in a tough position
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.
Senegal’s violent protests reveal that its long-stable democracy is fragile, after all Kamissa Camara - March 31, 2021 Yet again, courts have jailed one of the president’s political rivals.
Africa has started vaccinating against the coronavirus. But do citizens trust their governments on vaccine safety? Aminatou Seydou - March 11, 2021 New Afrobarometer surveys help explain vaccine reluctance in five West African countries
Fewer Africans think taxes are legitimate. That’s a problem. Thomas Isbell and Lulu Olan’g - February 25, 2021 How citizens view taxation could be critical to government responses to emergencies such as the coronavirus
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
Some people want a U.S. truth commission. But truth commissions have limits. Kelebogile Zvobgo and Claire Crawford - October 21, 2020 Our research explains what these commissions can and cannot do
U.S. cities and states are discussing reparations for Black Americans. Here’s what’s key. Peter Dixon - August 23, 2020 One lesson from international efforts: Keep reparations distinct from general social support.
Trump’s efforts to tighten immigration ignore the contributions of foreign-born workers Harvey Lodish and Bruce Peabody - July 16, 2020 Here’s the evidence.
‘Negotiating Public Services in the Congo’ is a smart, compelling read Laura Seay - June 26, 2020 When governments can’t provide services, citizens figure out how to keep essential systems running
Epidemics reveal underlying societal tensions. That was the case in Zimbabwe’s cholera outbreak, too. Emmanuel Balogun - June 12, 2020 “The Political Life of an Epidemic” is a particularly timely read.
Obama is right. The Floyd protests will change public policy. Daniel Q. Gillion - June 9, 2020 Protests from the 1960s civil rights movement to the 1991 Los Angeles riots changed policies, my research finds
Some lawmakers are calling for truth commissions on racial violence. How do these work? Kelebogile Zvobgo and Carla Winston - June 8, 2020 These factors help commissions create effective solutions
South Africa’s strict pandemic response could give criminal gangs an unexpected boost Kieran Mitton - May 29, 2020 Deploying the army to enforce lockdown rules may have deepened local grievances.
The risk of Sweden’s coronavirus strategy? Blind patriotism. Gina Gustavsson - May 3, 2020 Criticism from abroad may trigger a national identity threat for many Swedes
Many Africans distrust their governments. How will that affect their coronavirus response? E. Gyimah-Boadi and Carolyn Logan - May 1, 2020 How governments handle the pandemic — whether with compassion or corruption — will influence attitudes for years to come.
Mozambique’s elections saw violence, vote rigging and a landslide victory for the Frelimo party Anne Pitcher - October 23, 2019 The contested results could jeopardize an August peace deal.
Trump once talked of a ‘beautiful safe zone’ in Syria. But safe zones aren’t actually safe. Lionel Beehner - October 21, 2019 They can escalate conflicts, research shows.
Now that Trump has abandoned the Kurds, will other countries ever trust the U.S.? Marina E. Henke - October 16, 2019 Alliances are based on trust, not just U.S. assistance
China’s conflict with the NBA shows why companies can’t force social change by themselves John E. Katsos, Jason Miklian, and Benedicte Bull - October 13, 2019 A tweet landed a global brand in a clash of politics and cultural demands
What’s behind South Africa’s xenophobic violence in 2019? Carolyn Holmes - September 9, 2019 Violence against immigrants has sparked a diplomatic crisis
In 2011, Egyptians quickly tired of protest. Here’s why that matters for Sudan and Algeria. Thoraya El-Rayyes and Neil Ketchley - September 4, 2019 New research suggests demonstrations eroded popular support for democracy during the Arab Spring
Boris Johnson ‘prorogued’ Parliament — just like a 17th-century king Kara Dimitruk - September 2, 2019 But at least the prime minister probably won’t be chastened by a European invasion
‘Strong NGOs and Weak States’ takes an intriguing look at the path of justice in Congo and South Africa Laura Seay - August 15, 2019 NGOs may wield more power than you think.
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.
Why South Sudan won the war but lost the peace Laura Seay - July 25, 2019 Peter Martell’s book on South Sudan is a must-read.
‘Digital Democracy’ delivers a powerful read on politics and social media in Africa Kim Yi Dionne - July 19, 2019 The Internet makes it possible for citizens to react to unfolding events in real time.
Does public support for democracy defend a country from autocrats? Not necessarily. Christopher Claassen - July 16, 2019 Here’s what decades of survey data from 151 countries can tell us.
Here’s how Madagascar’s leaders could end their country’s long history of civil conflict Velomahanina Tahinjanahary Razakamaharavo - July 3, 2019 My research found which kinds of peace negotiations work — and which lead to more upheaval.
There’s a new way to understand vigilantism in South Africa Kim Yi Dionne - June 28, 2019 ‘Contradictions of Democracy’ is an accessible, compelling read about an important subject.
Dangerous skin bleaching has become a public health crisis. Corporate marketing lies behind it. Ramya Vijaya - June 13, 2019 As a result, when African nations ban bleaching products, the bans will probably backfire
This gripping memoir tells the story of a girl — and South Africa — coming of age Kim Yi Dionne - June 13, 2019 Msimang’s stories teach readers about race and racism, how one’s political ideology shifts, and about contemporary South African political history.
Announcing the 6th annual TMC African Politics Summer Reading Spectacular! Laura Seay and Kim Yi Dionne - May 31, 2019 Here’s the reading schedule. Join us!
How the ANC survived Jacob Zuma — and eked out a win in South Africa’s election Rod Alence and Anne Pitcher - May 15, 2019 Under Zuma, democratic institutions bent but did not break.
Tucker Carlson, those South African white rights activists aren’t telling you the whole truth Carolyn Holmes - May 15, 2019 The data shows that white farmers aren’t being targeted by violence.
Uber issues its IPO this week. Tomorrow its drivers are threatening a worldwide strike. Ashley Nunes - May 7, 2019 Who’s for — and who’s against — regulating its relationship with its workers?
South Africa votes Wednesday. Its urban voters probably won’t turn out the ANC. Noah Nathan - May 6, 2019 Here’s what we can learn from Ghana’s shift to an urban nation.
South Africa’s apartheid regime ended 25 years ago Evan Lieberman - April 26, 2019 Democracy has taken root with substantial success.
Can Macron quiet the ‘yellow vests’ protests with his ‘Great Debate’? Tune in tomorrow. Hélène Landemore - April 24, 2019 This has been the world’s biggest “deliberative democracy” exercise to date.
Trump is again criticizing the Fed. Could that hurt the U.S. credit rating? Raymond Hicks and Cristina Bodea - March 25, 2019 Countries pay an economic cost when politicians interfere with their central banks.
Huawei is better positioned to spy on us than we think Jack Hasler - March 12, 2019 The United States shares the blame.
The Trump administration wants to sell nuclear technology to the Saudis — without a nuclear agreement. That’s alarming. Matthew Fuhrmann - February 21, 2019 Here are the three reasons it’s worrisome.
Guaidó backed an amnesty plan for Venezuela’s military. How might that play out? Mieczysław Boduszyński and Victor Peskin - February 11, 2019 Three weeks into Venezuela’s political standoff, will there be a
Human rights workers are getting killed in Colombia. Here’s what could help save the peace. Shauna Gillooly and Kelebogile Zvobgo - February 11, 2019 Just over two years ago, the Colombian government and the
The U.S. is now negotiating with the Taliban. Would negotiations work with al-Shabab? Peter Mackenzie and Joanne Crouch - February 8, 2019 [caption id="attachment_83536" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Kenya Red Cross personnel help a
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
People used to joke about ‘Democrats in disarray.’ They’re not joking now. Henry Farrell - January 30, 2019 The comedian Will Rogers famously joked: “I am not a
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
The Trump administration downgraded the E.U.’s diplomatic status in Washington. That’s going to hurt. Karen Smith - January 8, 2019 [caption id="attachment_42786" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A European Union flag, with a