This Week in Africa
February 14, 2025
Quote of the week
“The situation is tense: the authorities are telling us to stay calm. We’ve learned that the rebels are advancing towards Kavumu airport, a place not far from our town of Bukavu.” -- Abigaelle Sabiti
War in the DR Congo
M23 rebels continue their advance, seizing Bukavu airport. Bukavu might be the next city to fall. The M23 has displaced people from refugee camps. Rwanda keeps getting away with sowing chaos as Kagame tightens his grip. The war could reshape the entire region. The UN Rights Council initiated an inquiry into the atrocities. Conflict minerals don’t solely explain the activity of M23. DR Congo asks the NBA, F1, and soccer teams to end their Rwanda deals. PSG will reconsider its partnership.
For some good background, read Zachariah Mampilly’s articles on Goma.
South Africa in global politics
South Africa is in the middle of a geopolitical tug of war with the United States, which has cut off foreign aid due to a land expropriation bill. The bill attempts to bridge the stark land divide in the country, but the US says it discriminates against the ethnic minority Afrikaners. Johan Fourie argues that South Africa has simply lost its economic relevance. Sean Jacobs explains the emerging rhetorical war.
Trump 2.0
Zainab Usman outlines six of Trump’s executive orders that African countries should pay attention to. These are the seven African countries that are hit hardest by USAID cuts. The Trump administration is effectively destroying foreign aid. Charles Kenny argues that the fight is far from over. Joshua Meservey argues that US-Africa policy should be driven by trade, not aid.
Sudan’s civil war
Sudan army plans new government as it advances in Khartoum. This is a good summary of the current state of the war. Ending the war is one of eight priorities for the African Union in 2025. Sudan’s war exposes the limits of American power.
Struggle for rights and freedom
AI biometric fraud surges in Africa. Ben Nyabira examines state actions, narratives, and ethnicity in Kenya. Prosecutors in Ghana name former finance minister Ken Ofori Atta a fugitive. John Osae-Kwapong examines Ghanaians’ views toward elections. Ngala Chome explains the rising influence of Gulf and Middle Eastern powers in the Horn of Africa. Maya Misikir looks out for women’s rights in the media. Tim Glawion explains how listening to people’s stories in the Central African Republic could help bring peace. Samar Al-Bulishi discusses Kenya and the war on terror. How do Somalis see the “Black Hawk Down” battle three decades on?
The museum of stolen history: part III.
Africa’s rapid urbanization
Check out this feature on the future of cities. Urban protests spread across the continent as the youth are disillusioned with their economic prospects. This report examines urban innovation for just and sustainable cities. It is important to build infrastructure for people.
Johannesburg confronts a water crisis. Lagos looks to demolish illegal structures. Ghana’s urban strategies neglect the needs of street vendors. Alex Thurston reflects on the construction boom in Dakar. Cairo’s “Garbage City” provides lessons in recycling and job creation for other cities.
The streetlights of Addis Ababa.
Research corner
Natalie Letsa’s article “Partisanship and political socialization in electoral autocracies” is out. This looks great (and open access!): Socialism, Internationalism, and Development in the Third World: Envisioning Modernity in the Era of Decolonization.
The week in development
Grieve Chelwa suggests that it is time for a Lusaka club of borrowers. Lee Crawfurd explains why the US should keep funding global education. This piece examines cash transfers in Lesotho. Is Rwanda really an African success story? Can Angola’s banking privatisation drive deliver real reform?
On the myth of conflict-free diamonds. And Foresight Africa outlines these top priorities for the continent 2025-2030.
Public health
A church-backed anti-vaccination movement threatens public health in Zimbabwe. This photo essay goes on the vaccine frontline in Nigeria. Cameroon’s historic malaria vaccine drive shows signs of success one year on. A new study confirms the genetic cause of kidney disease. This is how Guinea eliminated sleeping sickness. Botswana undertakes a health vulnerability and adaptation assessment.
Africa and the environment
This is why 2025 could be a turning point in Africa’s debt emergency. Uche Igwe argues that African countries can strengthen their position on the climate negotiation table by adding value to their enormous critical mineral endowment. Climate change is heating up West Africa’s cocoa belt. It is threatening cacao crops. This is how the Seychelles is cleaning up its waste and energy sectors. The African Development Bank and Germany announce major initiatives in energy access.
Daily life
These are the songs you need to hear this week. Check out the 50 best restaurants in the Middle East and North Africa.
All the best,
Jeff and Phil