Chinese Private Security Companies in Africa

The China Africa Research Initiative at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies published in March 2020 a study titled "The Footprint of Chinese Private Security Companies in Africa" by Alessandro Arduino.

Security has become a higher priority for China and Chinese companies in Africa. Chinese private security companies (PSCs) are latecomers to the African security sector. They are evolving from local security enterprises operating in low risk environments in China into international companies that must maneuver in high-risk areas.

Chinese Legal and Investment Issues in Africa (in French)

Thierry Pairault translated from Chinese to French a study titled "Questions de Droit et d'Investissement Chinois en Afrique" written by Han Xiuli, a legal specialist in Africa law at Xiamen University.

The author explains the need to organize a suitable system for the resolution of investment disputes between China and African countries because the International Convention is inappropriate for this purpose.

China-Africa Articles in The China Monitor

The Centre for Chinese Studies at Stellenbosch University published issue 4 of The China Monitor in December 2016. It contains the following articles on China-Africa relations:

--Power and Justice in International Investment Law: China's Rise and Its Extra-territorial Human Rights Obligations vis-à-vis the African Host State Population by Anna Hankings-Evans.

--'With Those Views, You Should Work for the Communist Party of China': Challenging Western Knowledge Production on China-Africa Relations by Liam Michael O'Brien.

--China's Public Diplomacy in Zimbabwe: Perceptions, Opportunities and Challenges by Simon Matingwina.

The Environmental Impact of China's Investment in Africa

The winter 2016 edition of the Cornell International Law Journal includes my study titled "The Environmental Impact of China's Investment in Africa." It is a comprehensive analysis of Chinese and African environmental laws and the impact Chinese foreign direct investment by both state-owned and private companies have had on Africa. While Chinese companies, especially state-owned companies, are improving their environmental practices in Africa, there is still much room for more progress.

China's Investment in Africa: Environmenal Implications and the Law

The Washington and Lee University School of Law in Lexington, Virginia invited me on 23 October 2015 to make remarks on "China's Investment in Africa: Environmental Implications and the Law."  The remarks looked at China's foreign direct investment (FDI) in Africa, the priority given to environmental concerns by China and Africa, China's environmental law, Africa's environmental law, and the impact of China's FDI in Africa on the environment.

The Failure of Land Law Reform in Kenya

The Africa Research Institute published on 1 July 2015 a study titled "Whose Land Is It Anyway? The Failure of Land Law Reform in Kenya" by Ambreena Manji, Cardiff Law School. 

The author concludes that new laws have not been  redistributive or transformative in a positive way.  Longstanding grievances and injustices have not been addressed.  Legislation has failed to curtail predatory bureaucracies which in turn have stymied reform through delaying tactics and sabotage.  After adopting a progressive National Land Policy and new constitution, Kenya missed a real opportunity to enshrine in law its radical principles for land reform. 

Chinese Companies' Perception of Doing Business in Kenya

The Sino Africa Centre of Excellence (SACE) Foundation surveyed 75 Chinese private and state-owned companies in Kenya in 2014.  Drawing on the surveys, it published in January 2015 a major report titled "Business Perception Index Kenya - 2014: Chinese Companies' Perception Survey of Doing Business in Kenya 2014."

SACE said there are more than 40,000 Chinese nationals and about 400 Chinese companies in Kenya.  It defined a Chinese company as an establishment which has formally registered in Kenya and more than 50 percent of its shares are owned by Chinese nationals. 

Of the 75 companies that responded to the survey, the most common obstacle cited to doing business in Kenya was corruption at 68 percent.  Crime, theft and disorder and personal safety followed at 62 percent, and obtaining work permits at 41 percent.  The least serious obstacles to doing business were the court system (23 percent), getting electricity (23 percent), and labor management (21 percent). 

Human Rights Watch Report on Violations of Media Freedoms in Ethiopia

Human Rights Watch published in January 2015 a lengthy, critical report titled "'Journalism Is Not a Crime': Violations of Media Freedoms in Ethiopia."  The report describes the dire state of Ethiopia's media and the resulting impact on freedom of expression and the media.

It concludes that "the ruling party has treated the private media as a threat to its hegemony, and is using various techniques to decimate private media, independent reporting, and critical analysis, with drastic results." 

Somalia: Conflict between Presidents and Prime Ministers

Hiiraan Online published on 25 December 2014 an analysis of long-standing conflict between presidents and prime ministers by Asha-Kin Farah Duale, a London-based human rights lawyer.

Since 2000, ten Somali prime ministers have been removed from office.  The author looks at the legal and constitutional basis for these frequent changes of government.