This Week in Africa

December 22, 2023

Africa is changing the world order. Here is the week in Africa:

Quote of the week

“Now, as then, the central government is dysfunctional and cannot exert control over the country’s entire territory. Now, as then, U.N. peacekeepers have been sent in to provide security, and Congolese leaders wish to kick them out.” – Analyst Stuart Reid

DR Congo’s presidential election

Congolese went to the polls this week to vote for president. There are more than a dozen candidates vying for the position, including Martin Fayulu who refuses to give up. Incumbent Felix Tshisekedi is likely to be proclaimed winner, but not without a cost. The opposition is already calling for a rerun. This piece examines how the election will impact the country’s integration into the East African Community. There is a high risk of more violence in the coming weeks, as North Kivu residents and others face high insecurity and uncertainty. The election takes place in a broader context of war. Simon Allison argues that the world is brutally indifferent to the country’s democracy.

ISPI provides this excellent overview of the election. Semafor outlines what to expect. Murithi Mutiga provides this informative thread on the months leading up to the polls. Congolese activist Bienvenu Matumo discusses the struggle for change in the country. Phil Clark discusses what is at stake. Ben Radley provides his take. And Fr. Alain Nzadi-a-Nzadi explains the prospects for peace.

Sudan’s civil war

Sudan’s army faces major scrutiny after rebel forces captured Wad Madani, a major strategic city. This signals a major expansion of the war. A RSF victory might be in sight. Washington calls for a fresh approach to the conflict. Ordinary people are stepping up to care for one another. The Sudan conflict continues to disregard the lives of Africans, as another 300,000 Sudanese are displaced.

Gaza and Africa

Riva Levenson argues that the coups in Africa help reveal the smoking gun in Gaza. Yahya Sseremba asks: What does Palestine have to do with Africa?

Africa in 2023

Coups, climate and the cost of living are major themes in 2023. Nic Cheeseman highlights debt, despondency, and democracy. The IRC says that conflict and coups are rising at an alarming rate on the continent. Stay tuned for our year-in-review.

Struggle for rights and freedom

Tom Hickman explains the situation behind the UK trying to send refugees to Rwanda. The ANC is divided over Jacob Zuma. Labor is at a crossroads in Nigeria. A strike in Somalia is said to kill mastermind behind attacks on Americans and Kenyans.

Africa’s rapid urbanization

Wow, Mogadishu is really rebuilding. This is a neat piece on the street names of Lagos. Check out what Cities Alliance is up to at the Global Refugee Forum. Learn more about key youth actors in Uganda. This is why cooking matters to the development of sustainable cities. The World Bank’s report on gender and forced displacement in cities is out. Citizen assemblies are important.

This study assesses armed conflict and urbanization in Cabo Delgado, Mozambique. Wangui Kimari conceptualizes the police as infrastructure and managers in Nairobi. This study explains urban growth modeling in Africa. This is an interesting article on flooding in the urban fringes of Nairobi.

Research corner

Very cool to see Noah Nathan’s The Scarce State on Foreign Affairs’ Best Books of 2023. Check out Macartan Humphreys and Alan Jacobs’ Integrated Inferences. Dan Paget’s article examines anti-authoritarian populisms in Tanzania and Zimbabwe.

The week in development

Read this distributional analysis of Ghana’s tax system. Zambia is amidst a foreign debt tragedy. The Dignity Report 2023 is out.

Africa and the environment

Building climate resilience requires less emergency aid, not more. This piece examines whether Africa is to gain from new World Trade Organization policy tools to combat climate change.

Daily life

This art exhibit traces Nigeria’s visual history. This new cocktail festival puts the spotlight on Africa.

And, Yum.

All the best,

Jeff and Phil