This Week in Africa
December 8, 2023
Listen to the GLD Uncovered podcast on the civil war in Sudan. Here is the week in Africa:
Quote of the week
“Like the women of Kenya, India and Argentina, we’re on the verge of losing everything we hold dear — our lives, our heritage, our livelihoods, the future of our children and their children and much of the nonhuman world. This moment calls for the feminist attributes of unity, collaboration, focused action and shared understanding.” – Kenyan activist and environmentalist Wanjira Mathai
Africa, Israel, and Palestine
Asher Lubotzky explains Africa’s divided views on Israel. This piece locates Gaza’s roads to Africa.
Security and instability
Have African coups provoked an identity crisis for the EU? Chad’s constitutional referendum promises a transition without change or stability. Alex de Waal and Abdul Mohammed argue that the fighting in Darfur is the war the world forgot.
Struggle for rights and freedom
Sean Jacobs explains the wretched of the earth and football. Nigeria’s Tinubu calls for an inquiry after military strike kills 85 civilians. Between struggle and national history in Guinea-Bissau. Yepoka Yeebo tells the story of gold, riches, Ghana, and the man who conned the world. The myth of Mansa Musa’s enslaved entourage. Ali Nobil Ahmad outlines pan-African responses to Europe’s restrictive immigration regime. What is the relationship between humor and politics in Africa?
In search of the real Nelson Mandela.
Henry Kissinger and Africa
This is a cool series: Henry Kissinger’s Angola. Henry Kissinger’s South Africa. And Henry Kissinger’s Western Sahara.
Africa’s rapid urbanization
IDOS is right: Africa’s future will be decided in its cities. Learn more about the Dadaab Regeneration Strategy. Here is a playbook for managing smart city governance. Zanzibar aims to be a pan-African tech and education hub. Experts outline what it will take to build African cities with climate shocks.
On the rise of the Meta City.
Research corner
Leonard Wantchekon and Jenny Guardado have a cool new APSR article that examines the effects of town hall meetings in Benin elections. This looks good: “The Concatenating Relationship between Political Clientelism and Citizen Quiescence in Kenya.” Make sure to read Alastair Fraser’s “The limits of governmentality” in Zambia. Why do different cultures persist?
I look forward to using this in class: Erin Hern’s Explaining Successes in Africa. Check out The Infrastructural South by Jon Silver.
The week in development
Listen to Zainab Usman discuss Africa’s energy transition. Learn more about South Africa’s energy transition. Ethiopia’s call for foreign investment in its banking sector comes with strings. Amory Gethin breaks down the economic importance of public goods. These are two IMF fixes that could funnel billions to Africa. Deworm the World is likely generating billions of dollars in economic returns.
Africa and the environment
Women activists are fighting for climate justice in Africa. This policy brief discusses funding opportunities for climate-displaced Africans. Learn more about carbon offsetting and the new scramble for Africa. This post provides a discussion of the number of African delegates to COP28.
And Africa’s message to COP28: Take action on climate change now.
Floods in East Africa
More than 300 people were killed in floods across the east Africa region this week. Floods and landslides kill dozens of people in Tanzania. Climate change makes east Africa’s floods even more deadly (see study here).
Daily life
The public intellectuals of Somalia are the poets. This is a cool endeavor: “Valletta-Accra: A dialogue between mercantile cities.” Angelique Kidjo rocks it with Yo-Yo Ma. If I surfed, I would go to this Ghanaian surfing mecca. Sauti Sol’s state of the Kenyan nation. This is how storytelling can reshape the image of Africa. This post provides an understanding of Africa’s sports economy. RIP Henri Lopes.
Living in America, leaving Nigeria.
All the best,
Jeff and Phil