Blogs

Africa in Transition

Michelle Gavin, Ebenezer Obadare, and other experts track political and security developments across sub-Saharan Africa.

Latest Post

Former U.S. president Donald Trump prays with pastors during a campaign visit to the International Church of Las Vegas and the International Christian Academy in Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S., October 5, 2016.
Former U.S. president Donald Trump prays with pastors during a campaign visit to the International Church of Las Vegas and the International Christian Academy in Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S., October 5, 2016. REUTERS/Mike Segar TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

A Second Coming?

Among a cross section of Nigerian Christians, support for former US President Donald Trump remains stubbornly strong.   Read More

South Africa
South Africa’s Landmark Elections
As South Africa concludes a set of historic national elections, questions remain on how its democracy will fare in response to a new set of challenges.
Sudan
The World’s Shameful Neglect of Sudan
The disregard paid to Sudan’s brutal conflict is an indictment on the international community.
Nigeria
The OBJ of Illiberalism
Nigerian statesman Olusegun Obasanjo’s rejection of liberal democracy is heartfelt—and wrong.  
  • Democratic Republic of Congo
    A Puzzling Attempted Coup in the DRC
    A clumsy coup d’état attempt in the Democratic Republic of Congo reveals the underlying fragility of U.S.-DRC relations.  
  • Burkina Faso
    When Civilians Become Targets
    Recurrent deadly encounters between soldiers and civilians across West Africa offer an instructive glimpse into the state of civil-military relations in the region.
  • Kenya
    A Preview of Kenya’s State Visit
    During Kenya’s state visit, the United States should work toward building a more resilient model of U.S.-Africa partnerships.
  • Chad
    An Exercise in Electoral Futility
    The United States should resist a “business as usual” approach to Chad.  
  • Nigeria
    Ethnonationalist Rumblings
    Why seeming democratic progress has failed to staunch agitation for self-determination in Nigeria.
  • South Africa
    Mutual Suspicion Grates U.S.-South Africa Relations
    Tensions in the U.S.-South Africa relationship only heighten as both countries head towards national elections. 
  • Nigeria
    The Record Breakers
    Nigerians’ seemingly coordinated assault on the Guinness World Records offers a didactic lens into the national psyche and the state of the nation.