BROKEN CONTRACT Zimbabwe: A new political settlement, not elections, can fix the desperate crises Two years ago, we argued that the socio-economic and political crisis in Zimbabwe required a credible national dialogue, backed by a regional ... initiative and international scaffolding, and galvanising financial support to break the logjam on debt and raising capital. Things have worsened considerably since then.
grip on power Sudan: The Wagner-RSF ties that block the path to democratisation On 26 January 2023, the US Department of Treasury sanctioned entities connected to the Russian Wagner group. The list includes entities in CAR ... and UAE. However, it ignored all subsidiaries of Wagner’s main interlocutor in the region: Sudan’s Rapid Support Force (RSF) and its leader Mohamed Hamdan Daglo AKA Hemeti.
market navigation Ethiopia wants to open its banking sector, but it won’t be walk in the park for new entrants Ethiopia is on the cusp. Since Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed came into office in April 2018, Ethiopia has laid down a series of reforms, most notably ... softening its stranglehold of key sectors of the economy, namely aviation, logistics, telecoms and energy. But there is a prelude to all this.
freedom in peril Cameroon, Eswatini, Rwanda: Three devastating days that shook Africa In consecutive days this month, from 20-22 January, a trio of Africa’s brightest lights for freedom and accountability were violently extinguished. ... In just 72 hours, three of the continent’s most intrepid and well-respected leaders had been silenced.
value chain Putting Africa at the heart of the global energy transition, thanks to its ‘critical minerals’ Shinkolobwe means nothing to most people, despite the fact this city of Katanga has changed the course of history. It was from a mine located ... near this city that the uranium for the American Manhattan atomic programme came. At a time when the global energy transition is accelerating, Shinkolobwe, DRC, and more broadly Africa, have the opportunity to participate again in changing the world, in a peaceful way, thanks to their resources in “critical minerals”. Article 1/11 of "Africa in 2023"
letter to the editor Zimbabwe: A reply to Nic Cheeseman’s column on democracy This letter is a response to a recent opinion column entitled: "When Zimbabwe stops pretending to be a democracy" published on 23 January 2023. ...
defining moment Africa’s agriculture potential can contribute to end world hunger Africa can feed today’s hungry and be the world’s breadbasket. It has that potential. Unfortunately, one can’t eat potential. ...
tenuous trajectory Tanzania: Magufuli-era fiscal discipline slowly slipping away In Tanzania, much of the fiscal discipline that was instilled by the late President John Magufuli is slowly slipping away under current President ... Samia Suluhu Hassan.
same script When Zimbabwe stops pretending to be a democracy On Saturday 14 January, Harare based lawyer Kudzai Kadzere was beaten by members of the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), leaving him with a fractured ... hand that required surgery. Article 28/29 of "Political Capital"
alternative truths Nigeria 2023: How corrupt influencers are spurred on A 'BBC' investigation has revealed that Nigerian politicians in the middle of a campaign are using the digital services of whistleblowers, sometimes ... resorting to disinformation.