Sudan's Conflict and the Importance of Social Media

 The Atlantic Council published on 8 August 2023 a study titled "Sudan's Precarious Information Environment and the Fight for Democracy" by Tessa Knight and Lujan Alsedeg.

This report examines the state of digital affairs on Sudan in the lead-up to the current conflict, focusing on the period from the October 2021 coup through December 2022.  Although only one third of the country has internet access, the government imposed constant internet disruptions.  

China's Mediation Efforts in Horn of Africa Cause Confusion

 The Africa Center for Strategic Studies published on 12 October 2022 an analysis titled "China's Diplomacy in the Horn--Conflict Mediation as Power Politics" by Paul Nantulya.

China's most recent initiative to "mediate" conflicts in the Horn of Africa, including the appointment of Xue Bing as its special envoy for the region, has triggered intense speculation and confusion.  China's approach of strengthening ruling governments means it is not viewed as an impartial actor--breaking a core rule of mediation.  Its actions so far raise questions about the goals of its initiative.

Foundation of Sudan's 2018-19 Revolution

 The US Institute of Peace published on 3 May 2022 a report titled "Sowing the Seeds of Nonviolent Action in Sudan" by Marija Marovic and Zahra Hayder.

The report explores the foundations of Sudan's 2018-2019 revolution, tracing the effects of local demand groups, civil society workshops, and professional associations on widespread mass participation, opposition unity and movement leadership, and nonviolent discipline.

How Russia is Pursuing State Capture in Africa

 The London School of Economics and Political Science posted on 21 March 2022 a commentary titled "How Russia Is Pursuing State Capture in Africa" by Joseph Siegle, Africa Center for Strategic Studies.

Russia has increased its influence in Africa by capturing the allegiance of politically isolated leaders in countries such as the Central African Republic, Sudan, and Mali.  State capture is a particularly nefarious form of systemic corruption, which has defined certain countries in recent years.  

Somaliland's Followup after Successful Elections

 The International Crisis Group (ICG) published on 12 August 2021 an analysis titled "Building on Somaliland's Successful Elections." 

Although long delayed, Somaliland held successful elections in May and August.  The ICG argues, however, that there must be renewed efforts to  include under-represented communities going forward.

Chinese Companies Adapt to African Corporate Social Responsibility

 The University of London China Institute posted on 19 January 2021 a blog item titled "China's Adaptive Governance: A Tale of Two BRI Railroad Megaprojects in East Africa" by Maria Adele Carrai, New York University Shanghai. 

Chinese companies involved in construction of major railroad projects in Kenya and Ethiopia faced different civil society and corporate social responsibility expectations in the two countries and adapted to the lowest common denominator in both countries.  

Challenges Facing Ethiopia

The New York Times published on 17 September 2018 an article titled "Can Ethiopia's New Leader, a Political Insider, Change It from the Inside Out?" by Somini Sengupta.

This article reviews the challenges facing Ethiopia's new Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed.

Envisioning a Stable South Sudan

The Africa Center for Strategic Studies in Washington published on 29 May 2018 a series of visions by scholars, security practitioners, and civil society leaders on strategic issues South Sudan must address if it is to make a transition from its current state of disarray to a more stable future.


The series includes the following visions:

--Three Trajectories Facing South Sudan by Luka Kuol.
--Context and the Limits of International Engagement in Realizing Durable Stability in South Sudan by Lauren Hutton.
--Taming the Dominant Gun Class in South Sudan by Majak D'Agoot.
--Durable Stability in South Sudan: What Are the Prerequisites? by Phillip Kasaija Apuuli.
--Security Sector Stabilization: A Prerequisite for Political Stability in South Sudan by Remember Miamingi.
--Confronting the Challenges of South Sudan's Security Sector: A Practitioner Perspective by Kuol Deim Kuol.
--Blurring the Lines: Ethnicity, Governance, and Stability in South Sudan by Lauren Hutton.
--The Rule of Law and the Role of Customary Courts in Stabilizing South Sudan by Godfrey Musila.
--Navigating the Competing Interests of Regional Actors in South Sudan by Luka Kuol.

Kenya's 2017 Election Results in New Activism

The Washington-based Carnegie Endowment for International Peace published on 12 February 2018 an assessment titled "Kenya's 2017 Election and New Wave of Activism" by Adams Oloo, University of Nairobi.

The author argues that the fraught 2017 electoral process intensified tensions between Kenyan civil society and the country's political and state institutions, even as it empowered a new wave of activists determined to keep their leaders in check. New activist groups have ratcheted up the pressure on the Uhuru Kenyatta government and sharpened their criticism of its perceived electoral indiscretions.

Uranium: China, Niger, and Namibia

The China Africa Research Initiative at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies published in March 2017 a paper titled "China and Uranium: Comparative Possibilities for Agency in Statecraft in Niger and Namibia" by Peter Volberding and Jason Warner.

The paper examines how Chinese investment has impacted the uranium sector in Niger and Namibia and what impact investment has had on these states' ability to enact state agency across eight indicators in economic and social domains. It found that the impact has been mixed and uneven. While the investment in Niger was widely regarded as a failure, the opposite was true in Namibia.

A New Constitution for Somalia

The Mogadishu-based The Heritage Institute for Policy Studies published in February 2017 a study titled "Somalia's Parliament Should Produce a Constitution by and for the People."

The paper argues that the new Somali parliament should address the issue of the constitution in consultation with civil society and the Somali public and not leave the process to Somali elites.

Female Genital Mutilation in Ethiopia

Pambazuka News published on 13 January 2016 an analysis titled "Ethiopia Still Far from Eradicating FGM" by Valentina A. Mmaka.  It is an interview with Ethiopian activist Tesfaye Melaku.  In spite of efforts by civil society organizations and the government of Ethiopia to end female genital mutilation (FGM), Ethiopia has one of the highest rates in Africa.