Can General al-Burhan Bring Stability to Sudan?

 African Arguments published on 18 August 2026 a commentary titled "Sudan: Burhan's Dialogue Is Not a Path to Stability" by Ezzat Khairi, Sudanese political analyst.

While not making an argument for the rival paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, the author argues that any credible transition in Sudan must start with the departure from sovereign political authority of General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan.  He has broken too many promises.  Sudan's stability begins where al-Burhan's rule ends.

China's Development First Approach Hits Setbacks in South Sudan

 The China-Africa Security Radar posted on 30 June 2025 an analysis titled "Strategic Illusions: How China's Development-first Approach Undermines Its Security Aims in South Sudan" by Felix Brender. 

South Sudan tests the boundaries of Beijing's doctrine that development is the key to peace and political stability.  South Sudan demonstrates why development and security cannot be separated.

Comparing Chinese and Western Commercial Engagement in Africa Based on Governance Quality

The China Africa Research Initiative at Johns Hopkins School of Advance International Studies published in July 2019 a study titled "Comparing the Determinants of Western and Chinese Commercial Ties with Africa" by David G. Landry.

The paper compares the determinants of Chinese and Western commercial activities through quantitative modeling. It finds that governance quality among African countries plays a positive role in predicting their commercial activity, in terms of their foreign direct investment inflows, exports, and imports with both Western countries and China. It also finds that governance outcomes among African countries does not impact their commercial ties with China and the West differently. Of the four indicators investigated, only corruption systematically impacts Chinese commercial activity differently than that of Western activity.

Security Sector Assistance in Africa

The Rand Corporation published in 2015 a report titled "Identifying and  Mitigating Risks in Security Sector Assistance for Africa's Fragile States" by Stephen Watts. He looks at the risks of security sector assistance and makes recommendations for improving U.S. security sector assistance in Africa.

Eritrea: Scenarios for Future Transition

Flickr/Steve Rhodes

The International Crisis Group (ICG) released a report on 28 March 2013 titled "Eritrea: Scenarios for Future Transition."

It examines Eritrea's vulnerabilities, maps out six possible scenarios for a post-Isaias Eritrea and identifies the main risks and opportunities the country and the region would face.

The report urges a broad coalition of international actors take precautionary moves, including immediate and decisive efforts to promote dialogue on avoidance of internal power struggles and mediation of a peaceful transition.