This Week in Africa
Join us on July 27 for our GLD Policy Roundtable “Agriculture and Local Adaptation to Climate Change in the MENA Region.” Here is the week in Africa:
Quote of the week
“It’s not so much about inspiring artists, but producing thinkers.” – Ghanaian artist Ibrahim Mahama
Kenya’s election
An economist provides this perspective on Kenya’s election manifestoes. The ethnic factor is losing its luster. Join this webinar to get up to speed on the campaigns.
Ghana’s economic struggles
Ghana’s government averts strike, reaching a deal with unions. Is Ghana heading in the wrong direction?
Struggle for rights and freedom
Riva Levinson discusses the importance of Nigeria, where there is opportunity in crisis. Macky Sall is at a crossroads. Idayat Hassan and Jamie Hitchen examine tackling fake news in West Africa. This is how Uganda’s rural “eyes and ears” help Museveni prolong his presidency. Language is a battleground in the new South Africa. Matthew Page and Abdul Wando analyze halting the kleptocratic capture of local government in Nigeria. Luke Sinwell and Nicholas Rush Smith discuss the violence in Marikana since the massacre in 2012.
This looks like a great panel on xenophobic violence and trade and transformation. Tune in for this webinar on African MPs: Are they out of touch elites or put upon servants?
African international relations
How do US sanctions affect peace in the DR Congo? Somalia’s president wants to help fight Africa’s terrorist groups. This is how Africa can rethink its relationship to the West. Biden announces US-Africa summit for mid-December. Congo’s fight over copper reflects a broader battle.
Africa’s rapid urbanization
Check out the World Cities Report 2022. The IGC is working to enhance the financial position of African cities. Kampala city needs green mass public transportation now. This is an interesting post that reflects on one year after a violent demolition in Agbogbloshie, Ghana. I am looking forward to Chandan Deuskar’s Urban Planning in a World of Informal Politics which puts these types of demolitions in their political and planning contexts.
Research corner
Who governs? This article examines organized violence and drone warfare. Rainfall as an instrumental variable. Learn more about herder-farmer conflicts in Agogo, Ghana. Ethnicity is not public service destiny in South Africa. This is an important article on field experiments in the Global South. Check out this article on Catholic missionary work in Cameroon. Opportuna Kweka examines the effects of natural gas investments on Tanzanian coastal communities.
Cosmopolitanism and Women’s Fashion in Ghana looks great. Zachary Levenson is very critical of Eve Fairbank’s new book The Inheritors: An Intimate Portrait of South Africa’s Racial Reckoning (Atlantic article here).
And a list of 50 influential researchers whose work could help shape 21st century politicians (Congrats Bouka, Asunka, Mbete, Honig and others!).
The week in development
CMOC’s Congo mine suspends copper and cobalt exports. Ghana confirms its second case of the highly infectious Marburg virus. The IMF approves a deal with Tanzania. How to reinvigorate impact evaluation for global development. Joeva Rock explains the GMO regulatory process for cowpea in Ghana. A Philadelphia startup is building homes in Ghana and Guinea for emigres. COVID-19 pandemic fuels largest backslide in vaccinations in three decades. DR Congo struggles to halt its charcoal trade.
Africa and the environment
North Africa’s beaches are disappearing. Africa’s wildlife managers meet to boost conservation. The most fascinating birds will be the first to go extinct.
Daily life
Kojo Anim captures the beauty of twins. Malindi boda boda. Kenyan sprinter Ferdinand Omanyala makes it to track worlds after visa delay. Ibrahim Mahama’s vintage airplanes in his father’s Ghanaian village.
RIP South African poet Don Mattera.
All the best,
Jeff and Phil