This Week in Africa
December 6, 2024
Quote of the week
“I’ve been able to win the hearts and minds of the youth who are up and coming. I’ve been able to inspire and motivate them, I’ve been able to awaken their spirit.” – Ghanaian longshot presidential challenger Nana Kwame Bediako
Ghana’s election
Ghanaians go to the polls tomorrow to elect a new president. The economy is the biggest issue in the election. This does not bode well for Mahamudu Bawumia, the candidate for the ruling party NPP. Nic Cheeseman argues that it has not been a good year for African incumbents (or incumbents anywhere, really). The winner of Ghana’s election will face a $2 billion puzzle. The winner will have to win the margins. The election will test the pulse of the country’s democracy.
Make sure to check out our Ghana elections guide.
Biden visits Angola
In his first visit to the continent during his presidency, Joe Biden was in Angola this week. He focused on history and economic hope. The visit should have come much earlier. Biden has been a pragmatist in his dealings with the continent. He is trying to counter China by a massive investment in the Lobito corridor. Learn more about the railways driving the visit. His policies represent a mismatch between talk and action.
US foreign policy to Africa
Ken Opalo asks whether Trump’s foreign policy could reshape Africa-US relations for the better? The transactional White House could provide new opportunities. Many human rights activists and organizations are frustrated that Biden hasn’t done more to pressure United Arab Emirates for its role in Sudan’s civil war. Is it time for the US to ditch “terrorism” designations all together?
Protests in Mozambique
Mozambique faced another week of post-election protests. Selling whistles is a roaring trade at the protests. Hubris among the elites, chaos on the streets.
Migration and displacement
Africa’s migration governance structure is built bloc by bloc. Learn more about the Moroccan towns on the path to Europe.
Struggle for rights and freedom
A prominent Archbishop argues that democracy in Cameroon exists only in name. The Thiaroye massacre in Senegal represents 80 years of government lies. This is what we know about Kizza Besigye’s detention. An opposition leader in Tanzania has also been abducted. Learn more about Senegal’s remarkable win for democracy.
From Beirut to Khartoum, the Arab world is changing beyond our recognition. Black Americans searching for their roots should look to Angola. This post explains how colonialists turned a caste system into race in Rwanda. A stampede at a football stadium killed 56 people in Guinea.
On the intellectual history of east Africa.
Africa’s rapid urbanization
Make sure to listen to Astrid Haas discuss African urbanization on the Century of Cities podcast. This article examines the fiscal burden and inequality in Accra. Ben Bradlow explains what drives successful cities.
Research corner
Learn more about Russia’s state capture strategy from Wagner to Africa Corps. Check out the new issue of Ghana Studies.
The week in development
What is the impact of NGOs on development? Africa spends more on servicing debt than on health care. McKinsey & Company will pay over $122 million in connection with bribery of South African officials. Kenya tries to raise billions from a diaspora bond. An unknown disease has killed 79 people in DR Congo. Ian Scoones outlines a new tenure regime for Zimbabwe’s land reform areas. Rose Mutiso explains what the Global South needs for energy independence. These are some good global development Substacks. Go inside Uganda’s coffee wars.
We can all learn a lot from The Dignity Report 2024.
Africa and the environment
Who will clean up Shell’s mess in Nigeria? Big polluters and small island states clash on climate change. UNESCO says education about climate change is essential in southern Africa. South Africa sets climate finance and debt relief. Top UN court to rule on key climate questions. Google introduces AI agent that aces 15-day weather forecasts. Nations fail to reach an agreement on plastic pollution.
Daily life
Meet Lesotho’s chef Ska Moteane who is taking on the agro-industrial complex. Lagos has lost its famous nightlife energy. Dakar’s Biennale draws a young crowd—taking a lot of selfies. Learn more about the event. The art is in Accra. The great Barbra Banda.
All the best,
Jeff and Phil