China-Africa Medical Cooperation

 Lund University's Global China Pulse most recent edition is devoted to China's global medical cooperation.  It contains the following two articles on medical engagement in Africa:

--The Politics of Care: Unveiling the Dynamics of Chinese Medical Labour in Algeria, 1960s--1980s

--From 'Medical Revolution' to Techno-Politics: The Transformation of Chinese Medical Teams in Zanzibar

Ethiopia: Progress in Tigray, Not So Much in Oromia

 World Politics Review published on 12 June 2023 a commentary titled "The Tigray War Is Over.  Ethiopia's Conflict in Oromia Is Raging On" by Bereket Diriba, researcher in peace building.

Since the formal end of the war in Tigray Region in November 2022, Addis Ababa has determined to resolve the conflict in Oromia with military force.  The conflict between the Oromo Liberation Army and the Ethiopian government is a dispute over power and both sides' competing claims of legitimacy to represent the Oromo people.  Peace talks on Zanzibar failed to reach an understanding on key political matters, although they are expected to resume.  

Historical Review of China-Tanzania Relations

 World Politics Review published on 3 March 2023 an analysis titled "Tanzania and China's Upgraded Relations Aren't as Solid as They Seem" by Alex White, University of Cambridge.

During a visit to Beijing in November 2022, Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan and Xi Jinping announced the formation of a "comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership."  The author suggests the declaration marked an important turning point in relations between China and Tanzania but could also open up new challenges that might further expose the limitations of Beijing's historical personalized diplomacy in the country.

Analysis of Chinese-built Infrastructure Projects in Tanzania and Kenya

 The Washington Post Monkey Cage published on 18 August 2021 an analysis titled "A Chinese Airport Project in Zanzibar Floundered. Here's What the New G-7 Infrastructure Plan Can Learn" by Veda Vaidyanathan.

The analysis looks at 5 Chinese-built infrastructure projects in Tanzania and Kenya--4 financed by the China Export Import Bank and 1 by the World Bank.  The advantages of Chinese projects were high speed, enormous scale, and low costs, although the Zanzibar international airport project experienced major delays and was well over budget.  

China-Africa Historical Documents

 The Washington-based Wilson Center has posted five historical documents titled "Iconic Moments in Foreign Policy: China-Africa Relations."

The translated documents from Chinese archives include:

--Mao Zedong: "Africa's Task Is to Struggle against Imperialism."

--Letter from PRC Ambassador in the Republic of Mali to the Government of the Republic of Mali.

--Record of Premier Zhou Enlai's Conversations with the President of Ghana Kwame Nkrumah.

--Record of Conversation between Premier Zhou and Tanzanian Second Vice President Rashidi Kawawa.

--Conversation between Mao Zedong and the Delegation of the People's Republic of the Congo.

Comprehensive Update on Al-Shabaab

The International Crisis Group (ICG) published on 21 September 2018 a comprehensive report titled "Al-Shabaab Five Years after Westgate: Still a Menace in East Africa."

Five years after an attack on Nairobi's Westgate Mall, al-Shabaab appears committed to striking targets targets across East Africa. The ICG concludes that al-Shabaab will likely remain a formidable force inside Somalia and a menace outside it.

China-Africa Forestry Cooperation

The International Institute for Environment and Development, which works in China, Cameroon, DRC, Mozambique, and Uganda, posted on 20 November 2017 the presentations from its October 2017 fourth international meeting in Mozambique of the China-Africa Forest Governance Learning Platform.

The posting includes the following slide presentations:

--Changes in China's Policy and Actions on China-Africa Forest Products Trade.
--Opportunities and Challenges for Chinese Timber Businesses in the Congo Basin.
--Insights of Chinese Forestry Investment in Zambia - Opportunities and Challenges.
--Zanzibar Declaration on Illegal Trade in Timber and Other Forest Products: Progress Made.
--Mozambique-China Cooperation on Forest and Timber Issues: Progress Made.
--NGOs Work in Cameroon with Companies Exporting Timber to China: Lessons Learned.
--Private Sector View of the Changes in Mozambique.
--Government View of Forest Sector Changes in Mozambique.
--Sustainable Processing of Wood in Uganda and the Chinese Market: Opportunities and Challenges.
--Forest Investment Program Support for the Forest Sector in Mozambique.
--China's Training Aid for African Forestry: Progress, Problems and Prospects.

Islamist Extremism in East Africa

The Africa Center for Strategic Studies published on 9 August 2016 a study titled "Islamic Extremism in East Africa" by Abdisaid M. Ali. The author concludes that militant Islamist ideology has recently expanded throughout the East African region.

Salim Ahmed Salim

The Institute for Security Studies has published a short book titled "Salim Ahmed Salim: Son of Africa" edited by Jakkie Cilliers.  It is a biography of Zanzibari-born and senior Tanzanian government official who became the Secretary General of the Organization of African Unity. 

Salim Ahmed Salim is one of the outstanding leaders of Africa.  I had the honor of working with him when he served as Secretary General of the Organization of African Unity in Addis Ababa.

Constitutional Reform in Tanzania

The Africa Research Institute published on 27 February 2015 a briefing note titled "Party Rules: Consolidating Power through Constitutional Reform in Tanzania."  It summarizes the history of constitutional reform in Tanzania and the repeated failure to address tensions between mainland Tanganyika and the Zanzibar islands.

Zanzibar: A Power Sharing Success Story?

The Washington-based Institute for Defense Analysis (IDA) published in Africa Watch on 7 August 2014 a brief analysis titled "Zanzibar: A Power Sharing Success Story?" by Alexander Noyes, an adjunct research associate at IDA.  According to two recent studies, the author concludes it appears that overall the power-sharing agreement has ushered in a new, relatively peaceful era in Zanzibar's politics.