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March 12, 2010 | A Renewed Commitment to the MDGs

Much progress has been made in the last decade in the area of international development, yet right now the developed world needs to re-affirm and strengthen its commitment to the Millenium Development Goals. ++ With enough effort, millions of people …More

March 8, 2010 | The World Should Not Give Up on Somalia

Somalia is typically associated with war, displacement, terrorism, and piracy, but the country is not the failed state it’s portrayed as. ++ “Somalis are resilient and committed to peace, and sickened by the nihilistic violence of the …More

February 24, 2010 | Post Apartheid South Africa Turns 20

For its 20th birthday, post-apartheid South Africa has little to celebrate. ++ SA is doing better than anticipated, but expectations were very low. ++ The country has some of the highest murder and AIDS rates in the world as well as one of the …More

February 18, 2010 | Avoiding Another Disaster in Sudan

Enver Ferhatović: As Sudan prepares for general elections this year and a secession referendum next year, the international community needs to help form a plan to avoid post-election violence. Sudan will over the next couple of years remain one of the major test-cases of the effectiveness of an EU common foreign and security policy. …More

January 27, 2010 | Southern and Northern Sudan Likely to Divorce in 2011

Southern Sudan is projected to vote for secession from the North in 2011 elections to be held under the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA). ++ This “failed marriage” of the North and South is unlikely to have an …More

December 8, 2009 | When Climate Change Takes Over

Although climate activists have been successful at attracting the world’s attention to the receding ice on Mount Kilimanjaro, with an influx of tourists as a direct result, they fail to bring attention to the people of Tanzania. ++ Although scientists …More

October 21, 2009 | Obama Should Engage Sudan Carefully

Washington is set to “replace a punishment-heavy approach with one that is more balanced” toward Sudan. ++ President Obama has cited fears of a new terrorist safe haven as the reason for offering talks with President Omar Hassan …More

October 6, 2009 | Facts on Africa Needed

The launch of the Ibrahim Index of African Governance 2009 highlights the continued lack of comprehensive data with which to assess the continent. ++ Poverty data for large parts of Saharan Africa is non-existent or inadequate and consequently important …More

September 7, 2009 | A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing

Ivan Kalburov: For the last 40 years Libya’s Muammar Gaddafi has been tantalizing the world. Although he appears to have changed his ways in the past decade, he uses the same old despotic tricks, only dressing as a sheep when necessary. This has been most obvious in the way foreign prisoners have been treated. …More

August 26, 2009 | Hillaryland Under an African Sun

Hillary Clinton’s recent trip to Africa is a huge signal to the continent that it is a priority for US foreign policy. ++ The US Secretary of State has redefined Washington’s diplomacy given the verve with which she has approached the …More

August 14, 2009 | Why Does the US Play Risky in Africa?

The “moral capital” of the US remains high in Africa and yet Secretary of State Hillary Clinton did little more than berate African leaders. ++ This visit was supposed to demonstrate the US aim to increase bilateral collaboration …More

July 20, 2009 | The World Cannot Keep Ignoring Somalia

The world cannot ignore the renewed violence in Somalia, which is not a classic civil war but an external attempt to overthrow a legitimate, recognized government. ++ “While the world focuses elsewhere, groups of foreign extremists are trying …More

June 30, 2009 | Africa is a Role Model for Climate Catastrophes

In the face of uncertainty as to when the impacts of climate change will begin to hit harder, developed societies must improve their ability to adapt to the crisis. ++ Poor southern countries are expected to be the first struck, yet …More

June 18, 2009 | Can Zimbabwean Dictator be Used for Peace Process?

Zimbabwean Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai is holding fast to a power-sharing agreement with tyrant president Robert Mugabe, despite such an arrangement having little history of success. ++ He “calculates that Mugabe is part of …More

June 13, 2009 | Climatic Factors Are Making Poverty Worse for Poor Countries

Nikolina-Romana Milunovic: One reason why many least developed countries are locked in poverty is climate. Combined with other factors, climatic factors are resulting in a dramatic global injustice which is presently being ignored. …More

June 12, 2009 | Africa Needs a Bold Leadership to Deal with Crises

The economic crisis affects Africa disproportionably - with climate change - it imperils hard-won progress. ++ Bold, focused leadership is the solution. ++ Africa’s leaders need to work with local farmers and international partners …More

June 1, 2009 | Aid Should be Spent on Creating EU of Africa

In order to achieve the best returns for donor taxpayers and aid recipients, African aid should focus on infrastructure, regional integration, education and health. ++ Regional integration would help African countries compete in the …More

May 13, 2009 | Somalia: Prosecuting Pirates and Ensuring a Viable Economy

Memo 16: Combating piracy requires judicial and technical avenues to manage the situation. Conducting effective prosecutions will deter further acts of piracy and regional partnerships with the African Union and Arab League can bring stability and economic development to Somalia. …More

May 6, 2009 | Stability in North Africa: Appearances Can Be Deceiving

Unlike
the countries on the Horn or in Central Africa, countries in North
Africa radiate stability. The rate of economic growth is on
average 5-6%. Abounding energy supplies and cooperation in the war on terror
have led …More

May 5, 2009 | Land Ahoy! Fight Piracy on Somali Coastline

Juliette Dixon: The international military deployment in the Aden Gulf reveals a shortsighted strategy. Piracy is better addressed on land than on sea. This can be achieved with a coordinated international effort building on the support of regional partners. …More

April 28, 2009 | Piracy Requires a Concerted International Response

Abukar Arman: Make no mistake: proliferation of piracy off the Somali coast is a serious problem — not only for the international community but for Somalia, and especially, the current Islamist-led government of national unity. After all, Islamic law has zero tolerance for banditry, whether sea-based or land-based …More

April 21, 2009 | Darfur: Policy Recommendations for the United States

Nadia Claudine Boegli: The question underlying this report is how should the United States deal with Darfur? In order to answer such a normative question it is necessary to have a closer look at the obstacles that the United States must handle when deciding on a policy concerning Darfur. …More

April 20, 2009 | South Africa Needs Viable Opposition

As South Africa prepares to go to the polls this week, it is clear if the country is going to turn into a mature, liberal democracy, it needs a strong opposition rooted in the nation’s black majority. ++ Although still small, new opposition …More

April 16, 2009 | Africa Calls for More Than Just Police Action

The recent Somali pirates success of holding a US captain hostage reinforces the strategic importance of Africa and the need to recognize and constructively approach the volatility of the region. ++ The US must engage regional …More

April 10, 2009 | Help Africa to Continue Its Development

The economic crisis threatens to undo the progress made across Africa. ++ It has been achieved as a result of stronger leadership, more accountable governments and effective development aid. ++ Funds from the IMF and World Bank are still …More

March 31, 2009 | Still Not Ideal But Better Than Before

Despite Mugabe still being in power after losing the election last year, there are some reformers holding ministerial offices. ++ It is vital that the US and Europe provide aid to such reform figures while at the same time keeping in check …More

March 24, 2009 | Stubborn Authoritarianism: Lessons for Central Asia

Afton Køren Briones Knox: There is an assumption that liberal democracy is the result of all political systems, despite detours they have taken along the way. However, the creation of regime types do not necessarily follow a simple trajectory …More

March 20, 2009 | The Pope Causes Controversy with Latest Comments

Half of the world has condemned the Pope’s words on his African trip stating that condoms not only fail to resolve the AIDS problem but aggravate it. ++ This goes beyond the classical position of the church. ++ By proclaiming that …More

March 6, 2009 | Stop "Show Justice" in Sudan

Mr. Bashir should undoubtedly be arrested. ++ As the President of Sudan, he cannot ignore the atrocities being committed in Darfur. ++ Whether the arrest warrant issued by the ICC will have a real impact on stopping the hostilities is another …More

March 3, 2009 | US - Africa Relations: Agenda 2009

Obama fever has also not escaped Africa.
The African population has been greatly anticipating the new US administration. However the
challenges are big: armed conflict, humanitarian crises, escalating food
prices, enormous problems in the …More

January 30, 2009 | Somali Pirates and Rising Naval Powers

Last year
125 vessels were attacked by Somali pirates in the Gulf of
Aden, one third of which were successfully boarded. Among them was
a hijacked Saudi super tanker laden with oil and a Ukrainian ship carrying 33
Russian armoured …More

January 28, 2009 | "Obama the Imperialist"

Barack Obama is revealing himself to be a foreign policy hawk. ++ After just one week, his stance on Sudan, Pakistan and Gaza shows bellicosity. ++ To pursue such a stance, he will need the support of the pro-war left, “voracious defenders” …More

January 22, 2009 | "Middle Powers" Must Make Mugabe Go

The EU and US are engaging in robust diplomacy to isolate Mugabe and alleviate the horrific humanitarian crisis in Zimbabwe. ++ Australian PM Kevin Rudd, on the other hand, has failed to honor his country’s strong record in …More

January 9, 2009 | Colonialism Reloaded: China Is Conquering Namibia

Christiane Doerner: China has arrived in Namibia and with it a new form of colonialism has unfolded. Its effect on Namibia’s domestic industry as well as its employment rate is discernibly negative. …More

January 8, 2009 | Zimbabwe, a Country Murdered by Its Leader

Cholera re-entered the stage in Zimbabwe in August, since killing 1600 people and sickening 33 000. ++ Alarming is the fact that this is only one of the country’s long list of flaws; every sector of civil society is near to …More

December 16, 2008 | EU Must Intervene to Stop Mass Rapes in DR Congo

Last week Ban Ki-Moon asked European leaders to intervene in DR Congo, admitting the failure of the peacekeeping mission. ++ The collapse of the Congolese army has led to mass killings and rapes. ++ The EU must take action in …More

December 16, 2008 | What Strategy to Tackle Somali Piracy? Vote Here

Editorial Team: The escalation of pirate attacks off the coast of Somalia has brought about widespread discussion as to how to deal with this increasingly prevalent problem. We are inviting you to tell us what you think is the most viable way forward through our interactive poll.

…More

December 4, 2008 | A New Strategy to Fight Piracy

A new strategy to tackle Somali piracy has become imperative. ++ A blockade with patrolling naval ships at each major port has the best hope of counteracting the pirates’ wealth and anonymity ++ Customary international law can be exercised to allow …More

November 24, 2008 | Human Rights Watch Praises Bush on Darfur Stance

Despite opposition to the ICC, President Bush is backing its prosecution of President Omar al-Bashir for genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity in Darfur. ++ Sudan is trying to both charm and blackmail members of the …More

November 21, 2008 | Pirates of the Arabian - Sort of

Pirates – that ancient breed of scoundrel, romanticized and glorified, yet wretched and rotten – have made a name for themselves off Somali coasts. ++ Many, it turns out, are simply trying to make a living for themselves. ++ While their …More

November 17, 2008 | The Security Council's Congo Shame

Congo’s civil war has rendered the eastern region of the nation a “humanitarian catastrophe.” ++ Over 250,000 people are displaced in a conflict that finds its roots in the Rwandan genocide of 1994. ++ Of the 17,000 UN …More

November 13, 2008 | The Legacy of Rwanda

The situation in Eastern Congo is becoming untenable; without the assistance of the 3,000 more peacekeepers being called for by United Nations officials, the situation will become even more desperate. ++ The 17,000 international peacekeepers already in place …More

November 4, 2008 | Stopping Genocide in Congo

Tens of thousands of Congonese civilians have fled their homes, finding themselves surrounded by Rwandan-backed rebels. ++ The financial crisis seems to be distracting global leaders from the genocide that is taking place in Congo. ++ Since Rwanda invaded …More

October 16, 2008 | Mugabe Must Share Power

President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe is bucking the power-sharing deal with Morgan Tsvangirai, the opposition leader. ++ Mugabe wants to fill the security ministries with his loyalists, including those controlling the army and police. ++ Tsvangirai has called …More

October 13, 2008 | American-Chinese Scramble for Africa

China’s demand for raw materials and new markets boosts its appetite for economic and military involvement in Africa. ++ The African continent is increasingly serving as a proxy battleground for Beijing and Washington. ++ China exports …More

September 18, 2008 | A Deal for Zimbabwe, but Not Ideal

The new political agreement in Zimbabwe is a boon to President Robert Mugabe; he will retain the presidency, command the armed forces, and head the cabinet. ++ His opponent – and victor in the March elections – Morgan Tsvangirai, …More

September 17, 2008 | Zimbabwe's Agreement Signals Economic Work Ahead

The signing of the power-sharing agreement marks the start of a new era in Zimbabwe. ++ The nation can finally start reconstruction. ++ The agreement is “an affirmation of the supremacy of African solutions to African …More

September 4, 2008 | Aid to Africa: Too Much of a Good Thing?

Many countries in Africa suffer from a stifling dependence on foreign aid and actually receive more money in aid than they do collecting taxes. ++ This imbalance is detrimental to the citizens as the government is more concerned with the …More

August 1, 2008 | Is International Justice the Enemy of Peace?

The key reproach that critics raise against international courts is that “in their effort to do justice, they are obstructing achievement of a more important goal, peace. ” ++ These complaints are expressed especially when heads of …More

July 31, 2008 | Bashir's Prosecution Will Not Ruin the Chances for Peace in Darfur

Ariela Blätter: Many fear that the International Criminal Court’s charges against the Sudanese president Omar al-Bashir will have “disastrous consequences” for the peace process in Darfur. This, however, could only be true if there was evidence of a real and substantive peace process in the first place. …More

July 23, 2008 | We Are Failing Zimbabwe

Mugabe’s bloody rule will continue for another term unless Russia, China, and South Africa help impose tougher sanctions and an arms embargo on Zimbabwe. ++ Moscow and Beijing’s vetoes against tougher measures in the Security Coucil are to blame …More

July 21, 2008 | The EU's Africa Policy After the Lisbon Summit

Marco Overhaus: The second EU-Africa summit in 2007 in Lisbon endorsed a “Strategic Partnership.” This perspective challenges both actors: the EU to pursue a coherent policy and Africa to develop long-term self-interests and institutions to implement them. …More

July 16, 2008 | Meaningless Indictment of the Sudanese President

The International Criminal Court’s resolution to seek an arrest warrant for Sudanese president Omar Bashir was hailed as a step towards stopping the bloodshed in Darfur. ++ In fact, this decision will not change anything and is …More

July 16, 2008 | Somali Peace Requires Constructive International Engagement

Abukar Arman: Lasting peace in Somalia requires a holistic approach and constructive engagement on behalf of the international community. The peace accord needs to be adapted to recognize that the precondition “cessation of violence” cannot be fulfilled before Ethiopian occupation troops have left. …More

July 9, 2008 | Financial Aid is Not the Answer to Africa's Problems

Financial aid will not solve the problem of food security in Africa. ++ Western succor is the main source of revenue for corrupt sub-Saharan African governments. ++ An effective way to help the Africans is to remove the trade …More

July 7, 2008 | Zimbabwe is Afloat Because of China

The annual inflation rate in Zimbabwe has reached 9 million percent. ++ The only reason why the country is still afloat are huge Chinese investments. ++ Zimbabwean critics contend that Beijing will continue to support Harare unconditionally, …More

July 3, 2008 | "Sanctions Are a Coward's War"

Since the first use of sanctions against Italy in 1935, suspending trade with corrupt regimes has proven to make the poor poorer and the evil richer. ++ Even with supposed success, sanctions were either accompanied by other internal problems …More

July 3, 2008 | The Rise of Private Equity in Africa

Though Africa still accounts for only a fraction of the global private equity market, the spread of stable democracy and rapid economic evolution make it increasingly attractive for US and European investors. ++ Private capital flow into …More

June 27, 2008 | Zimbabwe's Opposition Had No Choice

Zimbabwe’s opposition leader was right to withdraw from the runoff presidential “election”. ++ Thousands of his supporters have been kidnapped and tortured, thousands more would probably have suffered, and it would all have been for …More

June 25, 2008 | Zimbabwe is Not Just Another African Tragedy

Something can still be done to save the political and economic situation in Zimbabwe. ++ For this, the US, the UK, and the EU need to cut Mugabe’s access to foreign financial goods and services, and the African Union and Zimbabwe’s …More

June 17, 2008 | Sudan Flouts its International Obligations

If the international community remains inactive regarding Sudan, its outrage could end up being regarded as hollow. ++ With the help of the International Criminal Court, France, Britain, and the US should pursue a strategy for concomitant …More

June 2, 2008 | An African Future for the Private Military

While the private military industry has benefited enormously from contracting opportunities in Iraq, these opportunities will at some point draw to a close and the industry will need new contracts. ++ Firms will likely return to Africa …More

May 16, 2008 | The Return of the Rwanda conflict

Brought up by their fathers - the men responsible for the mass killings back in Rwanda - or by extremist Hutu rebels, the second generation of Hutu child soldiers has grown up.++ They are imbued with the same mind-altering ideology of …More

May 16, 2008 | UN Intervention in Darfur is Imperative

Next month the US will assume the presidency of the UN Security Council. ++ In hopes of preserving its currently vulnerable legacy as an architect of peace, the US plans to move forward in deploying peacekeeping troops to the Darfur region. …More

May 8, 2008 | Freedom and Democracy No Longer on the March

With high oil prices allowing authoritarian regimes to consolidate power, and US influence and moral authority in decline, the global trend towards democratization appears to be reversing. ++ This is particularly apparent in Zimbabwe, …More

May 7, 2008 | Pan-Africanism is the Voice of African Sovereignty

African leaders are less reluctant to grant China access to their markets and resources because its aid is not conditional on good governance, democracy, or human rights. ++ The West and the UN’s attempts to tackle conflict, …More

April 25, 2008 | UN Calls for Mobilization Against a "Relentless Killer"

Means to end malaria – a preventable and treatable disease – are today’s focus for the international community on the first ever World Malaria Day. ++ Malaria kills over a million people a year, costs …More

April 14, 2008 | Africa's Fragile Triumph Over Global Financial Turmoil

The rise of American philanthropy and foreign investment, as well as the need for raw materials are protecting Africa’s frontier economies from international economic volatility. ++ Yet a slowdown in the US and EU could lead …More

March 7, 2008 | The Ravages of World Bank Aid in Kenya

World Bank lending to Kenya has more than doubled since 2005, yet ever more funds seem to be diverted from the activities’ objectives. ++ The Bank and its country director in Nairobi are contributing to a culture of corruption of which …More

February 14, 2008 | Time to Renew EU Trade Agreements with Africa

The African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) group of states have enjoyed a privileged access to the European market and benefited from Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) with the EU since the 1960s. However, these trade agreements have …More

December 19, 2007 | EU-Africa Summit is a Failure

At the recent EU-Africa two day summit in Lisbon, the EU not only failed in securing formal trade agreements with Africa but also in combating China’s growing influence in Africa according to Andrew Grice of the Independent.

Only 15 of the 76 …More

December 14, 2007 | EU-Africa Summit: Trade Disagreements Hinder Better Partnership

Ana Santana: The EU’s positive spin on the Africa-EU Strategic Partnership signed at the Lisbon summit should not disguise the fallout over the trade disagreements. …More

December 12, 2007 | The US Trails Behind on Humanitarian Aid

A new rating of 22 developed countries (and the EC) puts the United States at 16th on Humanitarian Aid. The new Humanitarian Response Index (HRI), carried out by a Spain-based NGO called DARA, focuses less on total funding and more on how …More

August 14, 2007 | How US Investors Could Stop The Darfur Genocide

Mia Farrow and Jody Williams provide possible explanations in Opinion Journal for the ongoing violence in Darfur. According to Ms. Farrow and Ms. Williams, one of the primary reasons is the investment of US-based investment funds …More

August 6, 2007 | Amnesty Prevents Darfur Violence When Governments Can't

Ariela Blätter: I chide the transatlantic partners for their continuing failure to stop the attacks in Sudan. The Eyes On Darfur initiative uses commercial innovation to achieve what governments have not, preventing further bloodshed by broadcasting satellite images of the most vulnerable areas. …More

July 26, 2007 | The Economist: Progress Towards UN Millennium Development Goals Varies Widely

The UN has declared July 2007 the halfway point towards its Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), agreed upon in 2000 and scheduled to be achieved in 2015. The Economist magazine takes a close look at …More

July 6, 2007 | Connors and Blumenthal Report on How Solar Flashlights Light the Way in Africa

Mark Bent, a former foreign service officer and Texas oilman, joined forces with international organisations, NGOs and corporate benefactors to develop and distribute over 30,000 solar-powered …More

July 4, 2007 | Are They For Real? - Chinese Troop Deployment to Darfur

Edward Cody of the Washington Post comments on Chinese plans to deploy military engineering troops in Darfur. As part of the UN peacekeeping mission, this is mainly seen as a measure of goodwill towards the EU and USA, where …More

June 20, 2007 | Where Our Interests Lie: Vying for West Africa's Oil

International disputes over West African oil — which represents about 10% of the world’s reserves — have been intensified by its easy accessibility, reports Stephanie Hanson of the Council of Foreign Relations. …More

June 20, 2007 | Portugal Plans Africa Focus During EU Presidency

Ana Gomes: I detail the Portuguese agenda for EU external relations over the next six months. While the Constitution will be an obvious priority, the flagship event for the presidency will be the EU-Africa Summit in December 2007. Portugal wants to strengthen the transatlantic alliance and organize the inaugural EU summit with Brazil. Renewed emphasis on the Euromed process and European Neighbourhood Policy is also planned. …More

June 18, 2007 | CFR Debates US Policy Options in Post-Conflict Somalia

In May 2007, the Council of Foreign Relations featured an online debate on America’s role in Somalia. The discussion was lead by moderators Terrence Lyons, associate professor at the Institute for conflict Analysis and …More

June 8, 2007 | Africom - A New Era in America's Africa Policy

By autumn 2007, US Africa Command (Africom) headquarters in Stuttgart, Germany should be ready for initial operations, reports the International Herald Tribune. Africom is an administrative body that will coordinate US peacekeeping …More

May 22, 2007 | Congo: Grassroots Groups Are Key Partners

Guenther von Billerbeck: I advise that civil society organizations, and not just the new DRC government, may be the best partners to bring stability and peace to the Congo. The international community, particularly the UN, EU, and bilateral partners of the Congolese government, should partner with non-governmental actors to turn the country toward sustainable democracy and prosperity. …More

May 18, 2007 | ISN Looks At Nigeria After the Elections

Although elections for the Senate and the President were held in April, Nigeria’s (democratic) future remains uncertain, writes Dulue Mbachu of ISN Security Watch. According to the Transition Monitoring Group (TMG), the first vote was …More

May 15, 2007 | Drima of Sudan: No UN Troops in Darfur Without Consensus

In this letter Drima, a young blogger, voices concern about the calls for immediate UN intervention in Darfur by The Save Darfur Coaltition, 2007 . Although Drima, an Afro-Arab …More

May 3, 2007 | Darfur: Conflict History and Options for Resolution

Maximilian Müngersdorff: The Darfur conflict continues to pose enormous challenges for the international community. …More

May 3, 2007 | Darfur: Germans Should Get Involved

Daniel Fallenstein: Germans should learn from the strong American reaction to the Sudan genocide. The black-and-white US worldview is the only one that matters in such a clear-cut case of good vs. evil. …More

April 25, 2007 | Andrew C. Revkin on the "loser-regions" of Climate Change

The world’s richest countries and greatest contributors to global warming are investing billions of dollars to limit the worst consequences, reports journalist Andrew C. Revkin. These same countries are spending …More

April 20, 2007 | Daniel Allot on Western Impotence in Darfur

Efforts to solve the Darfur conflict continually follow the same fruitless pattern, writes Daniel Allot of The Weekly Standard:

1. The West pressures the Sudanese government to stop violations, while threatening sanctions.
2. Sudanese …More

April 2, 2007 | Crisis Group Calls For Continued Engagement After Congo Elections

After the first democratic elections in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in forty years, International Crisis Group writes that it is now up to President Kabila and the international community to lead …More