This Week in Africa

November 17, 2023

Is the African dream still alive? Here is the week in Africa:

Quote of the week

“A costume designer is, first and foremost, a storyteller.” – Ruth E. Carter, Black Panther’s costume designer

Floods in Somalia

Somalia is facing a “once-in-a-century event” as massive floods displace more than 1.6 million people. The floods completely destroyed bridges and roads. It is the country’s worst flood in decades.

Sudan’s civil war

The RSF has killed more than 1300 people in Darfur. The militia group is gaining ground and territory. Cameron Hudson outlines how to avoid a situation like Libya in Sudan. Learn more about Sudan’s collapse and the demise of peacemaking on this podcast. Willow Burbridge’s article sheds light on the political context: “Western Sudanese marginalization, coups in Khartoum and the structural legacies of colonial military divide and rule.”

Africa’s upcoming elections

The Kabila family legacy looms over elections in DR Congo. Danielle Resnick outlines Madagascar’s presidential election. Gabon plans for post-Bongo elections in 2025. George Weah and Joseph Boakai are neck-and-neck in the Liberian election.

Rebuilding Ethiopia after war

The Afrobarometer survey finds that Ethiopians prefer federalism, but are split over the delineation of boundaries. A rising number of Tigray youth are fleeing toward the Arabian peninsula amidst food insecurity and limited job prospects. Is impunity for war crimes and crimes against humanity looming in Ethiopia?

Struggle for rights and freedom

This is an interesting thread about whether the EU is losing African support. Sishuwa Sishuwa explains the rise of political detentions in Zambia. Cameroonians see police falling short of professionalism and respect for rights. Ken Opalo explains how and why the Museveni succession could plunge the nation into constitutional crisis. Ghadafi Saibu outlines what stakeholders of democracy should think about.

And this is just so cruel: Bristol lecturer and Kenyan expert in world literature Dr. Doseline Kiguru was denied a UK Visa for her six-year-old daughter. An outpouring of support helped reunite the mother and daughter.

Africa’s rapid urbanization

This is a fascinating investigation into the recent fire in Johannesburg. Doula and Dakar-Plateau are two pioneering cities for ecosystem restoration. An action plan for Douala. The African Development Bank and leaders commit to catalyse investment in cities as engines of the continent’s economic growth. Lola Akande’s new book explores tragedy and resilience in Lagos. This is an important new article: “Urban-Rural Geographies of Political Violence in North and West Africa.” Check it out: “Towards climate change resilience and informal workers’ health in Zimbabwe.”

This is helpful: the 20 best documentaries and films for urban planners and designers.

Research corner

This article provides a framework for researching and countering misinformation in the Global South. A new database aims to give African literature more visibility. Heidi Brooks examines democratic deficit, inequality, and indignity in protests across the global south. Check out the new data-in-brief “GLD-SAIPAR Covid-19 survey in Zambia dataset.” Make sure to read Jesper Bjarnesen’s article on social unbecoming and African masculinities. This looks neat: contemporary art from the global south in the international art market. Check out this important special issue on states, citizens, and social protection in Africa.

I hope to use this in class one day: The Politics of Development. Elizabeth Perego’s Humor and Power in Algeria looks great. Deborah Pellow and Suzanne Scheld’s volume Africa and Urban Anthropology looks great. Check it out: China’s Relations with Africa: A New Era of Strategic Engagement. Driving Digital Transformation is out. Check out Sakiru Adebayo’s Continuous Pasts: Frictions of Memory in Postcolonial Africa.

I can’t wait to read Achille Mbembe’s Brutalism.

The week in development

Is our food system really broken? This is important: School reform in Liberia improved test scores but lost votes by antagonizing teachers (great thread, too). A new study finds that projects funded by the World Bank Group’s private sector arm fuels violent conflict. Ben Radley explains how African resource sovereignty was ceded to foreign mining corporations (check out his new book!).

Ethiopian Airlines goes on a plane spending spree as it grows. Ethiopia signs 17 agreements with United Arab Emirates. Listen to Happy Kayuni address ways to advance public sector reform in Africa. A record number of Ghanaians are attending colleges in the US. This is bleak: the infuriating and humiliating search for a job in South Africa. Yes, philanthropy should focus on jobs.

Lithium mining

China is winning Africa’s “white-gold rush” for lithium. Atlantic Lithium signs a new deal in Ghana. Lithium mining in Africa reveals the dark side of green energy.

Africa and the environment

This is how Sierra Leone’s first heat officer is protecting women. Informal transport systems could be an untapped climate change solution. Residents can use the constitution as a key tool for water and environmental justice. Predicting climate extremes in Africa. These are five myths about climate and displacement on the continent. Climate change undermines poverty alleviation and exacerbates inequalities. Kenya declares a public holiday to plant 15 billion trees.

NBA in Africa

This is a cool interview with Victor Williams, CEO of NBA Africa. Check out my chapter with Michael Goldman about Africa and the NBA in The Geopolitical Economy of Sport.

Daily life

Meet the African artists driving a cultural renaissance. The great mosque of Djenne. Ghana’s most stylish guys. Run for Your Life documents the violence facing star runners in Kenya. Isaac Samuel provides a brief note on the history of music in Africa. Meet Amoako Boafo, the Ghanaian artist exhibiting in space. US-based Ethiopian Julie Mehretu has once again broken the record for the highest sale price of any work by an African-born artist at auction.

Check it out: Voices: Ghana’s Artists in their Own Words.

All the best,

Jeff and Phil