West Africa’s new regional peacekeeping force, explained Kim Yi Dionne - December 12, 2022 ECOWAS, the Economic Community of West African States, engages in more than just economic activities. How will it implement the new initiative?
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.
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
After Guinea-Bissau’s failed coup attempt, expect the government to reshuffle political elites Josef Woldense - March 3, 2022 It’s not a purge — the likely goal is to dilute the possibility of internal threats
Worried about the state of democracy? Here are some reasons to be optimistic instead. Miguel Angel Lara Otaola - March 2, 2022 These factors help countries return to democracy after an authoritarian spell, our research finds
It’s not just a Putin problem. ‘Personalists’ like him are behind much of the world’s bad behavior. Joseph Wright and Erica Frantz - March 1, 2022 Here’s why this style of autocracy is on the rise.
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.
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.
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
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.
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
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
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.
The U.N.’s top court ordered Myanmar to protect the Rohingya. Here’s how that could matter. John D. Ciorciari - February 9, 2020 The ruling was a significant defeat for Aung San Suu Kyi, Myanmar’s president and a former human rights icon
This tiny African country got the U.N.’s top court to investigate Myanmar for genocide Oumar Ba - January 28, 2020 Why would Gambia step up for the Muslim minority Rohingya thousands of miles away?
This new book teaches you everything you need to know about African elections Kim Yi Dionne - August 1, 2019 Technical and demographic changes make this a timely publication.
New Afrobarometer data shows Africans want elections — especially if they bring change at the top Sadhiska Bhoojedhur and Michael Bratton - July 9, 2019 That’s what Sudan’s protesters are risking their lives for. They’re not alone in their demands.
How will the African Union respond to the military overthrow in Sudan? Emmanuel Balogun and Anna Mwaba - April 24, 2019 It has not responded consistently to unconstitutional changes in government.
The U.S. revoked the visa for the ICC prosecutor. That bodes poorly for international criminal justice. Judith Kelley - April 8, 2019 If the U.S. doesn’t respect international law, why should other nations?
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.
Former U.S. Special Forces were reportedly hired to kill Yemen’s leaders. Did the government know? Deborah Avant - October 19, 2018 [caption id="attachment_79057" align="aligncenter" width="960"] The carcass of a car reportedly
Xi Jinping pledged $60 billion for Africa. Where will the money go? Winslow Robertson and Lina Benabdallah - September 17, 2018 [caption id="attachment_77825" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Chinese President Xi Jinping stands with
The International Criminal Court was established 20 years ago. Here’s how. Heidi Haddad - July 17, 2018 [caption id="attachment_75719" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Congolese warlord Thomas Lubanga hears the
Four things you should know about mutinies Kim Yi Dionne - June 15, 2018 [caption id="attachment_74566" align="aligncenter" width="5028"] Soldiers guard a checkpoint in Gwoza, Nigeria,
Why do some elections in Africa turn violent? Meshack Simati - November 22, 2017 [caption id="attachment_66541" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Jubilee Party supporters cheer Nov. 20
Is democracy in a worldwide decline? Nope. Here’s our data. Mélida Jiménez - November 15, 2017 [caption id="attachment_66295" align="aligncenter" width="1484"] (Haraz N. Ghanbari/AP)[/caption] What is the
The same family has ruled Togo for 50 years. Will widespread protests change that? Joel Amegboh and Alexander Noyes - September 30, 2017 [caption id="attachment_64299" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Protesters call for reforms during an
Where do ousted dictators go? Fewer countries now offer a warm welcome. Daniel Krcmaric and Abel Escribà-Folch - January 30, 2017 [caption id="attachment_53276" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Gambia's defeated president, Yahya Jammeh, left
People like the International Criminal Court — as long as it targets other problems in other countries Terrence Chapman and Stephen Chaudoin - January 20, 2017 [caption id="attachment_52689" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Supporters of former Ivory Coast president
Brexit isn’t all that special. Here’s why nations leave international organizations. Felicity Vabulas - July 1, 2016 [caption id="attachment_43244" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A man waves a Union Jack
Gambia’s president is under pressure to step down. Is it time for a change? Maggie Dwyer and Jeffrey Smith - May 17, 2016 [caption id="attachment_40626" align="aligncenter" width="908"] A giant billboard celebrating the long
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
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
Taking stock of 'good coups' in Africa - May 18, 2015 [caption id="attachment_24939" align="aligncenter" width="660"] Boys walk behind patrolling soldiers in
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
Gambia’s longtime dictator isn’t going anywhere any time soon Jeffrey Smith and Alexander Noyes - February 4, 2015 [caption id="attachment_20875" align="alignnone" width="620"] FILE: Gambian President Yahya Jammeh during
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 Best Countries for Business - April 22, 2009 Forbes magazine has just released its ranking of the “best