In The News

South Africa Election: BBC

May 10, 2019
South African voters headed to the polls. The governing African National Congress leads with about half the votes counted. “Analysts say that if the ANC vote remains above 55%, it will enable President Ramaphosa to strengthen his grip on the party,” reports BBC News. “Votes are cast for parties, with seats in the 400-member National Assembly allocated according to the share of the vote gained by...

Ethiopia’s Media, Ethnic Tensions: Washington Post

Paul Schemm April 28, 2019
Ethiopia is undergoing tremendous transformation as the newly installed Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed pushes for broad free speech rights. This has led to a resurgence of a free press and outspoken journalists. The country, only recently embarking on its journey to mend ethnic conflicts and land disputes, faces a dilemma between social stability and free speech protection. Ethiopia will hold an...

Algerian Protests Continue: Washington Post

Massinissa Benlakehal and Sudarsan Raghavan April 26, 2019
In the weeks since Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika’s resignation, the country continues to witness widespread upheaval in pursuit of democracy. Algerians expect more than a change in top leadership. “Protesters are more emboldened in seeking a dismissal of the remaining vestiges of the political order that has governed the country since it won independence from France in 1962 – and that...

Growing Protests in Sudan: The Economist

April 25, 2019
What began with tens of thousands of protestors mobilizing against rising food prices in Sudan swelled into a national upheaval calling for the resignation of President Omar al-Bashir. Moreover, in the face of security repression, the civilian protestors may have the support and protection of rank-and-file soldiers, “many of whom count family members among the protesters.” In March, Bashir agreed...

Lesson of Rwanda Genocide: Amnesty International

Joan Nyanyuki April 17, 2019
Rwanda’s genocide began in April 1994, triggered by a plane crash carrying then-President Juvenal Habyarimana. Soldiers set up roadblocks, and open calls went out over the radio for neighbors to attack neighbors. “Between the start of the genocide on 7 April 1994 and the end of the massacres in July the same year, around 800,000 people were killed,” explains Joan Nyanyuki of Amnesty International...

In Sudan, a Transition to Democracy? Foreign Policy

Robbie Gramer, Justin Lynch, Colum Lynch, Jefcoate O’Donnell April 14, 2019
After four months of nationwide protests, the Sudanese military ousted President Omar al-Bashir, ending three decades of dictatorial rule. The dethronement of al-Bashir, under house arrest due to his 2009 indictment by the International Criminal Court for the Darfur genocide, leaves a power vacuum. Defense Minister Ahmed Awad Ibn Auf, under US sanctions for his role in the Darfur genocide, failed...

Algerian Leader Resigns: BBC

April 4, 2019
Algeria's President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, in power since 1999, has resigned following weeks of massive street protests, reports BBC News. The president had already promised not to run for a fifth term, with the current term ending April 28, but the army said he was no longer fit for the position. Protesters want sweeping reforms and an end to corruption. “The demonstrations have also called...