Simon Allison
Wednesday, July 6, 2016 - 06:35
By general consensus, the African Union peacekeeping mission in Somalia is about the only thing keeping that country from falling apart. Except that the mission is struggling to keep itself together, with internal tensions threatening to explode ahead of September’s make or break presidential election.
Friday, February 5, 2016 - 06:45
Officially, the United States has one military base in Africa. Unofficially, the story is a little different, according to investigative journalist Nick Turse. Turse has uncovered a massive network of secret U.S. military locations that span the length and breadth of the continent, an unmistakeable clue that indicates that Africa is where the U.S. is planning to fight its future wars.
Wednesday, January 27, 2016 - 09:21
Due to a scheduling quirk, all the terms of all 15 members of the A.U.’s Peace and Security Council (PSC) expire this year. At this summit, a new PSC must be elected. There will be some familiar names, most obviously Nigeria, which has de facto permanent member status (each region selects three countries to represent it, and Nigeria’s influence in West Africa is such that its selection is guaranteed).
Monday, December 7, 2015 - 06:59
The report examines the illegal trade in sugar and charcoal, and finds that senior KDF figures are involved in both. Even worse, in doing so they are collaborating with al-Shabaab, and providing the militant group with a vital source of revenue.
Friday, September 25, 2015 - 06:44
With arrested leaders reinstated and elections back on track, analysts say the negotiated deal is a victory for democracy.
Friday, September 11, 2015 - 06:58
There are nowhere near enough female peacekeepers serving in United Nations peacekeeping missions. Obviously, this is a problem, but it’s not just about representation. It’s also because female peacekeepers are often more effective than their male counterparts.
Friday, August 7, 2015 - 05:56
The outcome was unexpected, but extraordinary: the World Bank agreed to extend a US$2.1 billion low-interest loan to Nigeria, for the specific purpose of rebuilding the areas in the north-east that have been worst affected by Boko Haram.
Friday, July 24, 2015 - 06:31
Election day came and went in Burundi, over the protestations of just about everybody except President Pierre Nkurunziza and his ruling CNDD-FDD party. The question now is not about the result, which is a foregone conclusion, but about what comes next.
Tuesday, June 2, 2015 - 07:03
Amidst a fuel crisis and an ongoing Islamist insurgency, Nigeria’s new administration faces many pressing concerns.
Friday, May 15, 2015 - 07:09
While President Pierre Nkurunziza was stuck in Dar es Salaam tweeting up a storm, his former intelligence chief was busy taking over the country. Many welcomed the coup, celebrating in the streets of Bujumbura, but it’s far from clear who (if anyone) actually controls Burundi – or what it means for the country’s fragile democracy.