With elections scheduled in Kenya for August, opposition parties are trying to unify again. Enter the National Super Alliance.
Simon Allison
Politics and Society Think again: Can Burundi bury the ghosts of its troubled past?
The situation in Burundi is still deteriorating, and could lead to genocide, civil war or regional conflict. So where does Burundi go from here? The options are bleak, writes Simon Allison.
Politics and Society Think again: Dos Santos’ retirement changes nothing, and everything, in Angola
It’s hard to imagine the country without him, but dos Santos’ departure could well set change in motion.
Politics and Society THINK AGAIN: As Mugabe fights for his political future, why is China so silent?
As Zimbabwe teeters on the brink of economic and political crisis, there’s one voice that has been conspicuously silent: China. Despite the mutual professions of admiration and everlasting friendship, it seems that President Robert Mugabe has been abandoned by his Chinese counterpart in his hour of need. It wasn’t meant to be this way, writes Simon Allison.
Politics and Society In adversity there is opportunity for the International Criminal Court
On 4 April, the International Criminal Court (ICC) suffered the most significant setback in its nearly 14 years of existence. In a majority decision, judges terminated the case against Kenyan Deputy President William Ruto and Nairobi radio executive Joshua arap Sang.
Politics and Society Yes, targeted sanctions can work in South Sudan
Faced with a problem like South Sudan, which from the outside seems an intractable morass of personal rivalries, ethnic and religious divisions, and senseless brutality, it is tempting to put your hands in the air and say: ‘There is nothing we can do.’
Politics and Society New AU chair has friends in high places
There was a palpable sense of relief at the African Union (AU) as Robert Mugabe’s term as chairperson of the continental body came to an end. It’s not that Mugabe is unpopular – anyone who has witnessed the raucous reception his speeches receive in Addis Ababa will know the opposite is true. His notoriety, however, can make life difficult for the AU officials who have to work with Western countries, who provide more than half of AU funding, to actually get things done.
Politics and Society Civil society in Kenya is down, but not out
Kenyan non-governmental organisations (NGOs) head into 2016 facing a deeply uncertain future as their government intensifies its effort to crack down on an independent civil society. Between administrative harassment, legislative hurdles and a public campaign to tarnish their reputation, many NGOs are finding it harder and harder to perform their core function of holding the government to account.
Politics and Society Who profits from Kenya’s war in Somalia?
It has been more than four years since the Kenyan Defence Force (KDF) crossed the border into Somalia, and Kenyans are entitled to ask what exactly their troops are still doing there.