This Week in Africa

June 21, 2024

I am having a great time in Lagos launching my FORMAS project “Building Sustainable Neighborhoods in African Cities.” And next week is the Lagos Studies Association Conference! Here is the week in Africa:

Quote of the week

“So much of this anger could have been diffused if you'd had a meaningful public participation process, but you hold ordinary people in contempt and govern by violence so you treat any opportunity to meaningfully engage with citizens as a burden and not an opportunity.” – Nanjala Nyabola

Anti-tax protests in Kenya

Kenyans are in the streets protesting a controversial finance bill. Deemed Gen Zs, the protesters are against an increase in taxes that will raise the cost of living and cost of doing business. Rasna Warah explains that the protests are unique because of their leaderless-ness, the use of TikTok and X to mobilize support, and the lack of organized civil society involvement.

The protests have spread across the country, including in Ruto’s own backyard of Eldoret. Police have used teargas to disperse protests, and arrested people as well. They have arrested at least four journalists. There are now reports that protester Rex Masai was killed. Nic Cheeseman wonders if the increase in taxes could strengthen the social contract between citizens and the state. Nanjala Nyabola is impressed.

These videos tell the story of state repression. But, courage. #OccupyStateHouse. #RejectFinanceBill2024.

Sudan’s civil war

This NY Times investigation shows the escalation of violence in Darfur and warns of more to come. Aerial and artillery bombardments killed at least 18 people in North Darfur this week. The attacks are part of an unlawful campaign of violence against civilians and destruction of infrastructure. Alex de Waal argues that the US and Gulf states are enabling mass starvation.

Stay up-to-date with the state of the war with Sudan War Monitor.

South Africa’s unity government

The ANC formed a unity government with the Democratic Alliance. A remarkable new era begins. Cyril Ramaphosa was sworn in for a new term as president. Can the unity government deliver a better life to South Africans? The market sure was happy with the news. What will it take to move the country forward?

Ethiopia’s Abiy Ahmed

Simon Allison provides this helpful summary of Tom Gardner’s new biography of Abiy Ahmed. You can read sections of the book here. The prime minister is building a sprawling new palace – what he says is part of a bigger satellite city – to display his massive ambitions. Check out these photos of the survivors of Abiy’s war.

Death of Malawi’s Vice President

Malawi’s Vice President died last week in a plane crash. He was “the best president Malawi never had.”

Migration and displacement

A new report finds that a record 120 million people were forced to flee their homes last year. Sudan had the highest number of IDPs. Empathy motivates people to host refugees. Check out GLD’s special issue for Refugee Day 2024.

African international relations

Biden searches for a New American Strategy. As Ben Rhodes writes, “The US has appeared unable or unwilling to see itself through the eyes of most of the world’s population, particularly people in the global South.” It is time to reconsider the response to coups in West Africa. The US should refocus energy on human rights and democracy in its partnership with Niger. Learn more about the Sahel’s new geopolitics. Senegal’s president visits France for his first international visit. Why is Kenya helping to fight Kenya’s gangs?

Struggle for rights and freedom

Angolans will take to the streets to protest economic decline and political repression. An army depot blast in Chad kills at least nine people. Learn more about extrajudicial policing in South Africa. This policy brief outline the politics of food and the myth of the self-reliant refugee in Uganda. Vincent Foucher explains the franchises of the Islamic State in the Lake Chad region. Maya Misikir breaks down constitutional encroachments in Ethiopia.

Learn more about the economic and geopolitical history of Burkina Faso. There is some good stuff in the “Democracy Delivered” bulletin. Check out this discussion on the lack of leftist politics in Africa. This piece explains the crackdown of LGBTQ rights in Africa.

I am excited for this: DemoCreatives and the struggle for democracy.

Africa’s rapid urbanization

Victoria Okoye explains how Nima residents in Ghana use stories to shape a “black sense of place.” This volume on Africa and Urban Anthropology looks great. Learn more about Freetown. Join this working group on urbanization and development. Stephen Marr and Patience Mususa discuss their new book DIY Urbanism in Africa on this podcast. This working paper outlines the skewed and regressive taxation in Accra’s informal sector. Get ready for Nairobi’s Twin Towers. Rwanda’s smart city is a step closer to becoming reality.

Research corner

Check it out: The Queens of Afrobeat: Women, Play, and Fela Kuti’s Music Rebellion. The Review of African Political Economy is looking back to move forward. William Mosely’s Decolonizing African Agriculture is out soon. I can’t wait for Africonomics: A History of Western Ignorance. Read it: The Global Fight Against LGBTQI Rights.

This is a cool part special issue on the history of protest in South Africa.

The week in development

Ken Opalo asks (and answers): Why are international firms leaving Nigeria? Learn more about how China’s economic transition is affecting relations with Africa. Sierra Leone bets $150 million on digital hub strategy. This is how green industrialization can push Africa’s economies up the global value chains. Pritish Behuria examines Mauritius’ next growth phase. Ghana braces for three weeks of power cuts. What is it like to work in an Ethiopian factory?

Africa and the environment

This is how South Africa can better use its oceans. There is a high cost to conservation in the DR Congo. This is how a Kenyan farmer became a champion of climate change denial. Camels replace cows in Kenya due to climate change. The poorest areas of the world have no harvests left. Climate change places Mali’s fishing traditions in danger and is contributing to tensions in Nigeria. South Africa considers a $21 billion solar park. Foreign investment in solar energy boosts sustainability.

And Olúfẹ́mi O. Táíwò is on it: Climate, State, and Utopia.

Daily life

The songs of Jos. Beautiful Senegal. The NBA sees its future in Africa. Yum: Iya Eba’s culinary legacy. Leaving Freetown.

“We are way more than jollof.”

All the best,

Jeff and Phil