Is Russia Prepared to Get Serious about Africa?

 Pan African Visions published on 29 August 2026 an article titled "Beyond Promises: Russia-Africa Summit 2026 Faces a Crucial Investment Test" by Kester Kenn Klomegah.

Russia remains a marginal player in African infrastructure, industry, and agriculture compared with China, the European Union, and the United States.  Many announced projects have stalled, financing instruments are weak, and younger Africans see little contemporary economic impact of Russia beyond anti-Western messaging.

At the Russia-Africa Summit in October, Moscow needs to deliver on existing pledges with real capital and project execution and engage Africa's large youth and middle-class markets if it wishes to develop a sustained, mutually beneficial economic partnership with the continent.

Africa's Geopolitical Realignment

 Global Views World published on 10 August 2026 a commentary titled "Africa's 2026 Geopolitics: China's $282B Pull" by Alonso Reyes.  

The author argues Africa's geopolitical alignment is undergoing significant transformation by moving away from traditional Western allies and towards emerging powers such as China, India, Russia, and the Gulf States.

But this is not a zero-sum game.  African leaders are not choosing sides.  They are diversifying their partnerships to maximize their own national interests.

Africa Youth Survey: Perceptions of China and US

 The Ichikowitz Family Foundation just published its massive African Youth Survey 2026.  It held face-to-face interviews with about 5,000 Africans aged 18-24 from 16 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa.  

It covers many issues, but the focus here is perceptions of China and the United States.  African youth see China (79 percent) and the United States (81 percent) as the most influential foreign actors, although China's influence is seen as somewhat more positive.

The survey looked at the influence of the US, China, Brazil, EU, UK, Germany, France, India, and Russia.  The only country whose influence was seen as less positive than the United States (85 percent) was Russia (83 percent).  

About 3 in 5 youth are optimistic about Africa's future during the Trump administration, especially on military support and security.  Just under half believe the closure of USAID will negatively impact their country, with healthcare and disease prevention seen as the areas most affected.  

China and India are increasingly viewed as more favorable partners than the United States, a sentiment shaped in part by the return of the Trump administration.  

Youth and Social Media Challenge Authority in Ethiopia's Tigray Region

 Ethiopia Insight published on 17 July 2026 a commentary titled "Tigray's Youth Are Breaking the TPLF's Narrative Monopoly" by Asmelash Yohannes Teklu.

The rise of social media in Tigray region of Ethiopia is challenging the Tigray People's Liberation Front's control of information.  Young Tigrayans are rejecting attempts to drag Tigray into another destructive conflict.  They are confronting the TPLF in ways that would have been unimaginable a decade ago.

China Adds Another Cooperative Program with Africa

 Addis Ababa's Capital newspaper published on 26 April 2026 an article titled "Addis Ababa Hosts Inaugural China-Africa Entrepreneurs Summit, with AU Calling for Youth-led Growth" by Groum Abate.

The African Union in Addis Ababa hosted the inaugural China-Africa Entrepreneurs Summit focused on trade, investment, industrial cooperation, and entrepreneurship.  Remarks by Ethiopia's president and the AU Commission Chairperson underscored the importance of yet another formal link between China and Africa.  

Future of the China-Africa Relationship

 The Africa-China Centre for Policy & Advisory, an Accra-based think tank, published in January 2026 a paper titled "Why People Matter: Reimagining the Future of Africa-China Cooperation" by Paul Frimpong.

The Africa-China connection needs to shift from a primarily state-to-state model toward a society-to-society approach.  Governments remain essential, but durable cooperation is built when universities, collaborate, journalists exchange perspectives, businesses form partnerships, and communities interact directly.

A second shift is from delivery-focused engagement to experience and impact-focused cooperation.  Success should be measured not only by outputs--kilometers of road or megawatts of power--but by outcomes such as skills development, technology absorption, and local enterprise growth.

The third shift is from delivery exposure to mutual learning.  People-to-people exchanges are most effective when they are reciprocal, allowing Africans and Chinese alike to learn, adapt, and innovate together.  This mutuality strengthens trust and reinforces the principle of partnership.

Ten African Security Trends in 2025

 The Africa Center for Strategic Studies published in December 2025 an infographic titled "Ten African Security Trends from 2025 in Graphics."

The paper covers the following issues:

--Sudan Fragmentation Strains Region

--Militant Islamist Group Momentum

--Impunity and Abuses of Power

--China and Russia Expand Foothold

--Growing Gulf Actor Competition

--Escalated Fighting in the DRC

--Regional Instability Impacts Nigeria

--Evolving Warfare Technology

--Urbanization and Youth Protests

--Progress toward Agenda 2063

One Person's Prescription for Salvaging Ethiopia's Tigray Region

 Ethiopia Insight published on 9 July 2025 a commentary titled "Daring the Untried: Struggling for a New Path in Ethiopia's Tigray Region" by Getachew Gebrekiros Temare, lawyer and peace activist. 

Tigray is adrift and no longer a unified region following a war with the central government that ended with the Pretoria Agreement in 2022.  The crisis is political, moral, generational, and spiritual.  There is an absence of transformative political vision and external players have become indifferent. 

The author argues for development of a nonviolent civic movement grounded in grassroots legitimacy and detached from party control.  It must promote truth-telling, communal healing, and justice that goes beyond rhetoric.  Tigray's future will not be salvaged by secret deals or new wars.

Ethiopia: Tigray's Hijacked Transition

 Ethiopia Insight published on 14 May 2025 a commentary titled "Tigray's Hijacked Transition" by Weldeslassie Hailai Abera, University of KwaZulu-Natal.  

The author argues that a faction led by Debretsion Gebremichael led an "illegitimate power grab" of the Tigray People's Liberation Front.  He concludes that Tigray's future depends on a fundamental shift: bringing the Tigray Defense Forces under civilian control, dismantling ethnic-based patronage, and empowering youth and the diaspora.  

Podcast on Africa and US Elections

 This is a one hour and 15-minute Beyond Africa podcast with me hosted by Bernard Ngalim.  The major issues discussed are the impact of the upcoming election in the United States on Africa policy, Project 2025 and Africa, trade, aid, investment, and the role of the U.S. private sector.  

Podcast on African Conflict and Development

 The UK-based Centre for African Conflict and Development posted on 22 July 2024 a 44-minute podcast with me titled "Austerity Measures, Right to Protest and Police in Kenya, Africa" hosted by Michael Nwankpa.  

Although focused on Kenya, the host asked questions on a variety of topics ranging across Africa allowing me to offer views on numerous topics based on my association with Africa dating back to the early 1960s.  

Sudanese Youth Groups Make Positive Contribution

 The US Institute of Peace published on 2 May 2023 a commentary titled "Amid Sudan's Chaos, Youth Groups Work for Peace" by Rachel Palermo and Paula Porras Reyes.

In spite of the current violence in Sudan, youth-led groups are combatting misinformation, providing humanitarian aid, and organizing crowd funding to secure food and medicine.  

Young Chinese Seeking Work in Africa

 Sixth Tone published on 22 December 2022 an article titled "With Jobs at Home Scarce, Young Chinese are Heading to Africa" by Li Yijuan.  

As jobs become more scarce in China and trade with Africa is expanding, more young Chinese, especially second tier university graduates, are looking for work in Africa based on social media advertisements.  The author acknowledged it is not clear how many young Chinese are going to Africa to find work.

Panel Discussion on Biden Administration's Africa Strategy

The Philadelphia-based Foreign Policy Research Institute hosted on 20 September 2022 an hour long discussion titled "The Biden Administration's New Africa Strategy" moderated by Charles A. Ray.  The participants were Aurelia Brazeal, retired ambassador, Franklin Moore, former deputy assistant administrator for Africa at USAID, and me.  

The discussion covered most aspects of the Biden administration's policy in Africa, including areas where there needs to be more attention. 

Youth Behind Protests in Sudan

 The Conversation published on 9 February 2022 a commentary titled "Sudan's Protestors Aren't Giving Up Despite Heavy Odds: Here's Why" by Lovise Aalen, Chr. Michelsen Institute, and Mai Azzam, Bayreuth University.

The protests in Sudan are driven by young people who have the energy to keep pushing and little faith that others will make change happen.  

Sudan: A Generational Conflict

 The BBC posted on 22 January 2022 an article titled "Sudan Protesters: Ready to Die for Freedom" by Mohanad Hashim.  

One of the Sudanese protesters describes the protests as a generational conflict with the young wanting a more equitable, peaceful and democratic future.  They want to stop the cycle of military coups and authoritarianism.  

The Power of Sudan's Protest Movement

 The Christian Science Monitor published on 21 January 2022 an article titled "The Power Behind Sudan's Protests."

The article discusses the special spirit behind Sudan's protest movement and especially the role of women, youth, and professionals.  

China and Africa Launch Youth Space Education Program

 Space in Africa published on 7 January 2022 an article titled "China and Africa Are Collaborating on Youth Space Education Programme."

China and African countries launched at the end of 2021 an innovative middle school space education program initiated by the China National Space Administration.  The first training program took place online and engaged students from Egypt and Ethiopia.  

US Strategic Competition with China: Implications for Africa

 Senators Robert Menendez (Democrat of New Jersey) and James Risch (Republican of Idaho) have introduced the "Strategic Competition Act of 2021," which is designed to counter China globally.  

The proposed legislation contains sections (271-276) on Sub-Sahara Africa that call for a series of actions by elements of the US government.  They include:

--A report that assesses the nature and impact of Chinese political, economic, and security sector activity in Africa, and its impact on US strategic interests;

--A report setting forth a multi-year strategy for increasing US economic competitiveness and promoting improvements in the investment climate in Africa, including through support for democratic institutions, the rule of law, improved transparency, anti-corruption, and governance;

--A review of the number of Foreign Commercial Officers and Department of State Economic Officers at US embassies in Sub-Sahara Africa;

--Establishment of an interagency working group to counter Chinese cyber aggression with respect to Africa;

--The commitment of resources to enhance the entrepreneurship and leadership skills of African youth with the objective of enhancing their ability to serve as leaders in the public and private sectors.  This will include the establishment of the Young African Leaders Initiative.  (This is a return to a key component of President Obama's Africa policy); and  

--A report by the US Agency for Global Media on the resources and timeline needed to establish an organization whose mission is to promote democratic values and institutions in Africa.

The Bill contains less detailed sections (281-282) for the Middle East and North Africa.

Comment:  While it is too soon to predict where this Bill is headed, it has bipartisan sponsorship.  It also deals with one of the major omissions of the Trump administration's efforts to counter China in Africa: no new proactive American programs except for the US International Development Finance Corporation.  The reports requested in this Bill are aimed at creating new programs and adding resources.  

Ethiopia's Oromo Youth: Divided and Disaffected?

 Ethiopia Insight posted on 7 April 2021 a commentary titled "Ethiopia's Oromo Youth Are Disaffected--But also Divided, Coopted, and Demoralized" by an anonymous person who lives in Ginchi.  

The author argues that ideological splits among Oromo youth help explain why renewed Oromo discontent is not leading to a resurgent uprising.