This Week in Africa

October 20, 2023

Quote of the week

“Life has changed. I’m scared that this is the end of the world.” – Gombe resident Juliana Bala on the hunger crisis

Hamas-Israel war

Yinka Adegoke explains how a protracted Israel-Hamas war could affect Africa’s economic prospects. This is how African states have responded to the conflict.

Ethiopia in the world

Ethiopia’s Abiy Ahmed attended the Belt and Road Initiative gathering in China with representatives from 130 countries. Ahmed claims that Ethiopia is becoming a global powerhouse. While the country tries to move forward from its recent conflict, religious, social, and political cleavages remain. Transitional justice could help.

Sudan’s war

This is a helpful thread on the destruction of villages in Darfur using aerial images. The devastation is real. Supplies remain blocked to some hospitals in Khartoum.

African international relations

Kelebogile Zvogbo argues that it is time for the US to join the International Criminal Court. Alex Thurston explains what will happen now that the US has recognized the coup that took place in Niger. Jason Warner explains the Islamic State’s “African Turn.” This piece discusses Islamic activism in the Sahel. Afolabi Adekaiyaoja argues that coups are exposing the shortcomings of African regional organizations. Isaac Samuel provides a brief note on the African exploration of Asia. Where will the next coup in Africa be?

Struggle for rights and freedom

Can Kenya combat gang violence in Haiti? Make sure to read this important investigation into how the World Bank helped cover up sexual abuse at Bridge Academies. Dozens of people were killed in a boating disaster in Western DR Congo. Liberian presidential candidates are tied as the race will go to a runoff. An influx of fake lawyers rattles Kenya. This report analyzes the role of ethnic quotas in Burundi.

Get up-to-date with Rachel Strohm’s “Africa Update.”

Africa’s rapid urbanization

Has Johannesburg really stopped growing? Caroline Wanjiko Kihato leads this cool effort about Johannesburg at the Venice Bienalle called “You will find your people here.” Learn more about flooding in Kampala. Smith Ouma explains the recentralization of power in Nairobi. This is a very cool article: “Global evidence of rapid urban growth in flood zones since 1985.” I can’t wait to learn from this survey project on the urban dream of rural to urban migration in Africa. Lena Gutheil analyzes deepening democracy through public participation in Nakuru, Kenya. This is an interesting article about trade dynamics in the Kenya-Ethiopian border town of Moyale. Peter Lockwood explains the myth of the middle class in Nairobi’s outskirts.

Research corner

This is a cool database: In search of the socio-economic effects of legal status. This article examines presidential activism in six African countries. This article outlines UN Peacekeeping at 75. This essay assesses Africa in world history. This article examines UN peacekeeping and democratization in conflict-affected countries. The new issue of Africa is out.

Check out Kurt Weyland’s Democracy’s Resilience to Populism’s Threat. This is a nice review of the volume Understanding Contemporary Africa. Get your copy of Fighting poverty: Labour markets and inequality in South Africa. Kevin Ochieng Okoth’s Red Africa: Reclaiming Revolutionary Politics is out. So is Michael Wahman’s Controlling Territory, Controlling Voters (or listen to him on the GLD Governance Uncovered podcast).

The week in development

A fertilizer shortage (and its politics!) is spreading desperate hunger. Grieve Chelwa discusses development, development cooperation, and Africa in the twenty-first century. How to create better jobs to end poverty in Africa. Ken Opalo argues that there is an urgent need to unlock labor productivity on the continent.

Nigeria’s president Tinubu launches a conditional cash transfer program for 15 million households. Imraan Valodia outlines the troubling trends of inequality in Africa. Learn more about Africa’s unreported debt to China. This is how Nigeria can revamp its railway network. Ufahamu Africa explains what is going on in Ghana with #OccupyJulorbiHouse. These are the key takeaways from the World Bank annual meetings. Does development aid support peace?

A beautiful map of Ghana.

Africa and the environment

Malawi swelters in record heat. Agricultural innovation and improved nutrition (and a bunch of other things) are necessary for a climate-stressed world. A NASA-funded biodiversity project launches in South Africa. African children bear the brunt of climate change. Gender meets climate activism in this new London exhibit. Countries urge the World Bank and IMF to boost funding for poor countries confronting climate change. Ghana greenlights first lithium mine looking to profit on likely electric vehicle boom.

Daily life

The African Football League is here. Ghana’s funeral troubadours mix reggae, hip-hop, and humor to celebrate the dead.

RIP South African freedom fighter Gladys Nzimande-Tsolo.

All the best,

Jeff and Phil