Digital media shutdowns in Africa will lead to higher economic costs and greater public outrage.
Human rights
Politics and Society The roots of repression and the prospects for democracy in Tanzania
There may be significant limitations to the political reform that can be realised by new president Samia Suluhu Hassan.
Politics and Society Rwanda report says France enabled the 1994 Genocide
A scathing report commissioned by the Rwandan government says France bears “significant” responsibility for “enabling a foreseeable genocide”. The 600-page report says the French government “did nothing to stop” the massacre of at least 800,000 people.
Politics and Society The ideological faultlines of vaccine procurement
Nationalisation and liberalisation are false opposites in the ongoing vaccine rollout. Procurement disparities under both regimes show the need to move beyond the classic coordinates of ideology. In our seamless global order, disease outbreaks, displacement and climate change no longer respect race or class, argues Onai Mushava.
Politics and Society Tanzania’s Magufuli: bold and efficient, with a dangerous penchant for populism
The president leaves behind a legacy of extremes, on the one hand, a leader who wanted to create a better country for his people, and on the other, a ruthless authoritarian.
Politics and Society Vaccine production in South Africa: how an industry in its infancy can be developed
If South Africa is serious about being able to supply anti-pandemic vaccines in future, it needs to rethink the scale of financial, technical and strategic investment into vaccine production.
Politics and Society Social media seized the narrative in Uganda’s election. Why this was good for democracy
Never has a political contest in Uganda’s history been so furiously played out in the media space as the 2021 national elections.
Politics and Society African youths reimagine a second liberation
New struggles are taking shape across the African continent and in the diaspora. Reminiscent of the 60s, a wave of consciousness has been sweeping across the continent with young people pushing for good governance and respect of fundamental human rights. At the core of the struggles is the desire by young Africans to be heard, respected and included in decisions to shape an inclusive Africa we want.
Politics and Society Nigerians got their abusive SARS police force abolished – but elation soon turned to frustration
The story of Nigeria’s #EndSARS movement shows just how durable law enforcement institutions are – and why the road to reform goes straight uphill.