How did the president of Tanzania, Dr. John Magufuli, go from a president who many saw as a reformer within and beyond the continent to the type of president who advocates for laws that curtail all freedoms in less than three and half years? This is the story of President
The Fragile State Index (FSI) 2019 showed that most African countries are generally less fragile, with slight improvements since previous years. The FSI, published by Fund for Peace, ranks countries based on how different pressures they face “impact their levels of fragility.” The FSI takes into account variables such as
In the last two weeks, al-Shabaab militants have conducted two attacks in Nairobi, Kenya. The first one happened on January, 15th. It was a horrific Dusit suicide bombing and an armed ambush that took lives of 21 people. It was soon followed by explosions at Odeon Cinema that injured two
The citizens of Gabon woke up on Monday, 7th January to find that the military had staged a coup and ousted President Ali Bongo. According to Lieutenant Kelly Ondo Obiang’s radio and television statements, the military has staged a coup with the intent of “restoring democracy.” He continued to say that
Over the past year, MP Robert Kyagulanyi, commonly referred to as Bobi Wine, has been the face of Uganda’s opposition. He has become a fiery opponent of the oppressive Museveni government. As his local support base increases and international support spreads, the Ugandan government has clearly demonstrated they will intentionally and publicly suppress the opposition in the
On Tuesday, 23 October, more than 100 people were arrested in Tanzania, accused of planning to create radicalization camps in Northern Mozambique. This series of arrests is part of widespread security operations in South and East Tanzania. Two weeks before, 189 suspected Islamist militants, including 42 women, began their trials
Comoros president Azali Assoumani is the latest African president to use a constitutional reform to cling to power with an iron fist. The Comoros National Electoral Commission (CENI) announced on 31 July that an overwhelming majority of the country (92.74%) voted for government-backed constitutional reforms that will allow the president
Soon after the Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed of Ethiopia finished his speech on June 23rd at the Meskel Square, a grenade was denoted causing 10,000 supporters to run in fear of their lives. His supporters were eager to hear about his new reformist agenda. As a result of the attacks,
On December 9th, 2015, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) adopted one of the most ground-breaking resolutions in its history; UNSCR 2250 (2015) recognized the need for youths to play an “important and positive role in the maintenance and promotion of international peace security.” UNSCR resolution 2250 identified five key
At around 10 pm on Monday June 5th, three assailants conducted simultaneous suicide bombing attacks targeting a Koranic school, a Mosque and a shop in Diffa administration in Niger. Conflicting reports are being circulated regarding the identity of the attackers; it was either three women or two women and one
The main opposition in the Republic of Guinea, Union des Forces Démocratures de Guinée (UFDG), resumed protests over the local election held in February 2018. The opposition party called for strikes aimed at crippling activity in the capital city of Conakry. Local elections and the protests that followed The local
On May 7, the Supreme Court of Equatorial Guinea upheld the February 26 decision to dissolve Citizens for Innovation (CI), the country’s main opposition party. The court rulings also maintained the 30-year jail terms handed to 21 of its members. The military coup and the consequences Dissolving CI came less
On Sunday April 22nd, Rwandans woke up to the news that four mass graves were discovered containing thousands of victims of the Rwandan genocide. This discovery of these graves forces the country’s 11.92 million citizens to once again address one of the most horrific events on African soil. The Rwandan
Various armed groups in South Sudan released over 200 child soldiers from its ranks within the last week, according to UNICEF. This latest release is part of an effort from the beginning of the year, orchestrated by UNICEF and supporting NGOs, to get over 700 child soldiers to be released.
On 23rd February 2018, the United Nations Human Rights Commission (UNHRC) in South Sudan announced that they have enough evidence to charge at least 41 senior officers and officials with war crimes and crimes against humanity during the four-year civil war. Background on the conflict in South Sudan South Sudan,
On 29th January 2018, the member States of the African Union (AU) voted in favour of Morocco re-joining the esteemed body after the North African country left the institution in 1984. Morocco’s decision to leave the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), the predecessor of the AU, was based on OAU’s
It has been two and a half months since former President Robert Mugabe resigned from office. This momentous occasion ushered in Emmerson Mnangagwa as the third President of Zimbabwe. The Mnangagwa presidency serves as a transitional government that will prepare the country for the upcoming election. During the World Economic
More than 50 years since the process of independence began in the African continent – at the height of the Cold War – the discussion of democratic peace still looms. Scholars, governments and concerned citizens alike contemplate the implementation of democratization throughout Sub-Saharan Africa, which is heavily influenced by the
When discussing African immigrants seeking greener pastures, most media sources discuss the migrant routes into Europe. Many of these stories focus on trafficking and smuggling routes in the most used route in Libya by gangs and militias who have chosen to exploit vulnerable persons. The recent stories of the slave
On November 22nd, a scenario that seemed impossible to Zimbabweans came true. In a televised address, the Speaker of the Parliament, Jacob Mudenda, read President Robert Mugabe’s resignation letter, effectively ending his 37-year reign in power. The news, as expected, was met with much excitement, leading to streets parties celebrating
