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.
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.
What do Africans think about the proposed East African Federation? Mercy Kaburu and Carolyn Logan - September 9, 2022 An Afrobarometer survey suggests citizens aren’t aware of the plans for regional integration
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
It’s International Women’s Day. How much power do women have around the globe? Farida Jalalzai - March 7, 2022 When women take political leadership positions, beware the backlash
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
Why Somalia won its claim to a disputed maritime zone in the Indian Ocean Bridget Coggins - October 19, 2021 Kenya also claimed this area, and had parceled out oil and gas exploration rights
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
A Chinese airport project in Zanzibar floundered. Here’s what the new G-7 infrastructure plan can learn. Veda Vaidyanathan - August 18, 2021 Our analysis of megaprojects reveals where Chinese companies enjoy advantages — and where they fall short
On World No Tobacco Day, the WHO wants to help 100 million global citizens kick the tobacco habit Amy Patterson - May 30, 2021 Recasting tobacco control efforts in line with local priorities in Africa could help, this research shows.
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
Chinese investment in Africa involves more than megaprojects. Private enterprises also are making their mark. Yoon Jung Park - April 16, 2021 We looked at the impact of private Chinese investments in seven countries
Chinese firms — and African labor — are building Africa’s infrastructure Frangton Chiyemura - April 1, 2021 The research shows Chinese companies hire large numbers of local employees
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.
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
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.
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.
Announcing the 7th Annual TMC African Politics Summer Reading Spectacular! Laura Seay and Kim Yi Dionne - May 28, 2020 It’s summer, and that means we’re reading the latest and greatest books on African politics. Join us!
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.
Millions of Africans lack access to clean water. This makes coronavirus a bigger threat. Kangwook Han and Brian Howard - March 21, 2020 Today is World Water Day. Here’s what we learned.
The coronavirus is about to hit Africa. Here are the big challenges. Amy Patterson - February 18, 2020 Many Africans don’t trust the health system. That complicates the response.
Amílcar Cabral’s life as a Pan-Africanist, anti-colonial revolutionary still inspires Kim Yi Dionne - June 20, 2019 He was a prolific scholar — and also masterminded the end of Portuguese rule in two African nations
African governments are cracking down on the news media. Their citizens might be okay with that. Jeffrey Conroy-Krutz - May 12, 2019 When Africans think of “the media,” often they think of the hatemongers and fake-news peddlers.
South Africa’s apartheid regime ended 25 years ago Evan Lieberman - April 26, 2019 Democracy has taken root with substantial success.
4 in 10 Africans are deeply committed to democracy. That’s the good news. Robert Mattes - March 5, 2019 Afrobarometer finds that the level of commitment varies dramatically by country. Here’s the breakdown.
On World AIDS Day, why the politics of AIDS is so important Mark Daku and Amy Patterson - December 1, 2018 [caption id="attachment_80908" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A large AIDS ribbon hangs from
Why is once-peaceful Tanzania detaining journalists, arresting schoolgirls and killing opposition leaders? Rachael McLellan - November 30, 2018 [caption id="attachment_80871" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Tanzanian President John Magufuli holds up
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
Ebola is back — and a threat to people in Congo. Are African public health systems ready? Emmanuel Balogun and Amy Patterson - September 27, 2018 [caption id="attachment_78280" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A health worker in protective gear
This new history of Uganda is a must-read Laura Seay - August 17, 2018 [caption id="attachment_76401" align="aligncenter" width="180"] Cambridge University Press[/caption] Every January, I
African governments are far from powerless in global health initiatives like those against AIDS Kim Yi Dionne - August 11, 2018 [caption id="attachment_76624" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Kenya's first lady, Margaret Kenyatta, talks
Burundi votes tomorrow on controversial constitutional amendments. A lot is at stake. Yolande Bouka and Sarah Jackson - May 16, 2018 [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Burundi soldiers and police in the
Cape Town still has water — for now. This may take political solutions as well as technical fixes. Lauren MacLean, Jennifer Brass, Elizabeth Baldwin, and Christopher Gore - April 23, 2018 [caption id="attachment_72563" align="aligncenter" width="960"] People refill water bottles at the
What ‘Black Panther’s’ Wakanda can teach us about Africa’s history — and its future Naunihal Singh - February 28, 2018 [caption id="attachment_69877" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Chadwick Boseman in “Black Panther.” (Marvel
U.N. peacekeepers were killed in Congo. Here’s what we know. Christoph Vogel - December 8, 2017 [caption id="attachment_67135" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Armed groups on Thursday attacked this
This chart shows the best and worst countries for women in the world today. Jeni Klugman - November 7, 2017 [caption id="attachment_65845" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Women shout slogans as they take
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
Trump singled out India to do more in Afghanistan. That could easily backfire. Christopher Clary - August 24, 2017 In the middle of Monday night’s fairly orthodox speech on
The key to Kenya’s close election: the power of partisanship Victor Rateng, Leonardo Arriola, and Donghyun Choi - August 7, 2017 [caption id="attachment_61985" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Supporters chant during a campaign rally
Learning from three African presidents Laura Seay - August 4, 2017 [caption id="attachment_61871" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] (Laura Seay)[/caption] Full disclosure: I am
There’s another big reason U.S. foreign aid is important: It helps the U.S. get what it wants. Haley Swedlund - July 19, 2017 [caption id="attachment_61084" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Foreign governments don't passively receive financial
Rwanda’s gacaca courts are hailed as a post-genocide success. The reality is more complicated. Laura Seay - June 2, 2017 [caption id="attachment_59341" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Men walking in the Gacaca court's
A Navy SEAL was killed in Somalia. Here’s what you need to know about U.S. operations there. Paul Williams - May 8, 2017 [caption id="attachment_57959" align="aligncenter" width="960"] In this Oct. 30, 2009, file
Wealthier nations can learn from how tiny Djibouti welcomes refugees Lauren Carruth and Lahra Smith - March 30, 2017 [caption id="attachment_56099" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Children play on April 13, 2015,
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
We examined more than 1,300 journalist killings between 2002 and 2013. Here’s what we learned. Sabine Carey and Anita Gohdes - March 28, 2017 [caption id="attachment_55987" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A journalist from the Balochistan Union
When the U.S. funds global health, other countries do too Amy Patterson - March 21, 2017 [caption id="attachment_12934" align="aligncenter" width="908"] Health workers take blood samples for
Morocco just joined the African Union. Here’s why that matters. Hannah Armstrong - February 20, 2017 [caption id="attachment_54370" align="aligncenter" width="960"] The king of Morocco, Mohammed VI,
Did Congo’s crisis just get a lot worse? Philip Roessler and Harry Verhoeven - February 3, 2017 [caption id="attachment_53587" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Congo police forces clash with civilians
Jihadis in Congo? Probably not. Kristof Titeca - September 27, 2016 [caption id="attachment_46830" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A Congolese soldier from the Armed
Is Rwanda’s authoritarian state sustainable? Laura Seay - June 3, 2016 [caption id="attachment_41324" align="aligncenter" width="960"] From left: Tony Blair, former British
Why Kenya’s threat to close its refugee camps is even worse than you think Stephanie Schwartz - May 11, 2016 [caption id="attachment_40399" align="aligncenter" width="908"] Somali refugee girls attend Koran classes
How to understand the complicated history of ‘go back to Africa’ Fodei Batty - April 26, 2016 [caption id="attachment_38201" align="aligncenter" width="4868"] Africa, from space. (NASA)[/caption] The pejorative
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
What new evidence from Somalia tells us about when civilians decided to flee war zones Justin Schon - February 23, 2016 [caption id="attachment_36166" align="aligncenter" width="908"] Women walk in Dadaab refugee camp
Tanzania loves its new anti-corruption president. Why is he shutting down media outlets? Ruth Carlitz and Constantine Manda - January 25, 2016 [caption id="attachment_34693" align="aligncenter" width="908"] Tanzania's new President Magufuli has been
In Zanzibar, democracy, peace and unity are at stake after annulled elections Keith Weghorst - November 1, 2015 [caption id="attachment_31576" align="aligncenter" width="908"] Tanzanian riot police stand guard as
Will elections steer Tanzania in a new direction? Sterling Roop and Keith Weghorst - October 24, 2015 [caption id="attachment_30919" align="aligncenter" width="908"] A bajaji driver waits in traffic
Here are five lessons for writing a constitution that can help prevent violence Nic Cheeseman and Alexander Noyes - October 7, 2015 [caption id="attachment_30393" align="aligncenter" width="908"] Former Tanzanian prime minister and presidential
Economists getting Africa wrong are a warning for the rest of us Laura Seay and Kim Yi Dionne - September 11, 2015 In the conclusion to his excellent new book, “Africa: Why
What can you learn from a book about a historical policy in Tanzania? Kim Yi Dionne - August 21, 2015 [caption id="attachment_28805" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Statue of Julius Nyerere, Tanzania's first
Why the experts are worried about Burundi Cara Jones - July 21, 2015 Burundi holds presidential elections today after nearly three months of increasingly
Data poverty makes it harder to fix real poverty. That’s why the UN should push countries to gather and share data. Rohini Pande and Florian Blum - July 20, 2015 [caption id="attachment_27593" align="aligncenter" width="1484"] Students in Satya Bharti School, state
Data poverty makes it harder to fix real poverty. That's why the UN should push countries to gather and share data. - July 20, 2015 [caption id="attachment_27593" align="aligncenter" width="1484"] Students in Satya Bharti School, state
Should South Africa have arrested Sudan’s president? Mark Kersten - June 15, 2015 [caption id="attachment_26086" align="aligncenter" width="620" class="center"] Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir (C),
Should South Africa have arrested Sudan's president? - June 15, 2015 [caption id="attachment_26086" align="aligncenter" width="620" class="center"] Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir (C),
'Protest is always hopeful': Examining the third wave of popular protest in Africa - June 12, 2015 [caption id="attachment_25936" align="alignnone" width="620" class="align center"] People waving branches celebrate
‘Protest is always hopeful’: Examining the third wave of popular protest in Africa Zachariah Mampilly, Kim Yi Dionne, and Adam Branch - June 12, 2015 [caption id="attachment_25936" align="alignnone" width="620" class="align center"] People waving branches celebrate
We predicted Burundi's crisis. Is the response working? Laura Seay - June 11, 2015 [caption id="attachment_25909" align="aligncenter" width="5760"] Soldiers clear a roadblock set by
We predicted Burundi’s crisis. Is the response working? Cameron Hudson - June 11, 2015 [caption id="attachment_25909" align="aligncenter" width="5760"] Soldiers clear a roadblock set by
Burundi Faso? Coups, revolutions and what’s next for Burundi Stephanie Schwartz, Cara Jones, and Alies Rijper - May 13, 2015 [caption id="attachment_24792" align="alignnone" width="620" class="center"] People waving branches celebrate in
Burundi Faso? Coups, revolutions and what's next for Burundi Laura Seay - May 13, 2015 [caption id="attachment_24792" align="alignnone" width="620" class="center"] People waving branches celebrate in
Executive election rules in dictatorships matter. Here’s why. Tyson Roberts - May 12, 2015 [caption id="attachment_24680" align="aligncenter" width="640"] President Ali Bongo Ondimba of Gabon
Five things you should know about the political crisis in Burundi Ken Opalo - May 3, 2015 Just under two months before a general election, Burundi has
Why is the Tanzanian government making information illegal? Ruth Carlitz and Keith Weghorst - April 15, 2015 [caption id="attachment_23759" align="aligncenter" width="575"] The Parliament of Tanzania in Dodoma,
Five charts that may soon be illegal in Tanzania Justin Sandefur - April 8, 2015 [caption id="attachment_23507" align="aligncenter" width="620"] A man walks past a large
How public deliberation helps economic stability Siddhart Chandra and Nita Rudra - April 1, 2015 [caption id="attachment_23274" align="aligncenter" width="5017"] (iStock, Getty Images)[/caption] Partisan gridlock, union
Why extremism thrives in the Middle East today Barbara Walter - February 12, 2015 [caption id="attachment_21183" align="aligncenter" width="620"] Members of al Nusra Front drive
South Sudan’s warring parties agree to agree on a peace agreement Lesley Warner - February 5, 2015 [caption id="attachment_20932" align="aligncenter" width="620"] South Sudanese President Salva Kiir (L)
South Sudan's warring parties agree to agree on a peace agreement Laura Seay - February 5, 2015 [caption id="attachment_20932" align="aligncenter" width="620"] South Sudanese President Salva Kiir (L)
It’s Columbus Day. Let’s talk about geography (and Ebola). Laura Seay and Kim Yi Dionne - October 14, 2014 [caption id="attachment_16722" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Map created by SafariBookings.com to show
It's Columbus Day. Let's talk about geography (and Ebola). - October 14, 2014 [caption id="attachment_16722" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Map created by SafariBookings.com to show
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,
Why it’s hard for the U.S. to fight terrorism and promote democracy in East Africa John Sides - October 8, 2013 [caption id="attachment_1172" align="aligncenter" width="538" special=""] (Mohamed Sheikh Nor, File/Associated Press)[/caption]
Social Networks and Democracy Joshua Tucker - May 17, 2013 The following guest post is from political scientists Ora John
2013 Kenyan Pre-Election Report: The Heat is On Joshua Tucker - November 20, 2012 Continuing our series of election reports, we are pleased to
Can Peace Be Engineered? Institutions, Political Inclusion, and Ethnic Conflict Joshua Tucker - July 6, 2012 Continuing our on going partnership with the Comparative Democratization Section of
Thanks to Catie Bailard (and Paper Links) John Sides - May 12, 2011 We're very grateful to Catie Bailard for her posts on
Will the Internet Make Citizens Love Democracy? Catie Bailard - May 12, 2011 Protests across the Middle East and Northern Africa have reinvigorated
Internet Cynics and Enthusiasts Both Have it Right Catie Bailard - May 11, 2011 Despite featuring the most competitive electoral race in years—including a
The Political Relevance of the Internet in Developing Countries Catie Bailard - May 10, 2011 More often than not, the number one skepticism I hear