In January 2019, the Democratic Republic of Congo had its first peaceful transition of power. Outgoing President Joseph Kabila was succeeded by opposition leader Félix Tshisekedi but, four months later, the two leaders remain in political competition. Recent events suggest the struggle for control over the country’s crucial security apparatus and economic resources will continue.
Since the Democratic Republic of […]
The stigma attached to widows in Kenya is overlooked in the country’s strive for gender equality. Traditions used to ‘purify’ the widow further violate women’s freedom while exacerbating health crises in the region. Education and grassroots initiatives, argues Roseline Orwa, are integral to any transformative policies that promote widows’ social and economic inclusion.
In parts of Kenya, particularly rural […]
In April 2019 researchers at LSE held a blog training workshop where only one person out of 25 attended. The empty chairs were for African nationals invited to attend a range of academic events, all failing to receive their visas from the UK Home Office. The workshop organisers describe the visa system’s global asymmetries, and the damage it causes.
Esther […]
Despite South Africa’s re-election of Cyril Ramaphosa, a reduced majority and low voter turn-out signal growing disenfranchisement among the population. Amid dissent in the ruling ANC, Ramaphosa must now make a choice to tackle the country’s economic challenges – should he seek political alliances which risk his party’s collapse?
There is an old Dutch story of a little boy named […]
As northern Uganda continues to recover gradually from the LRA war, peace and youth interventions using sports are playing a vital role. Francis Aloh, a former Ugandan football star and LSE researcher working with the Centre for Public Authority and International Development, has been studying a charity’s efforts in the region, exploring whether the game really can meet its aims […]
The latest peace agreement in the Central African Republic creates space for rebel warlords to participate in the country’s future. But with accusations that the agreement has downplayed justice, argues Gino Vlavonou, a mix of doubt and excitement allows the potential for renewed anger and grievances towards the state.
After ten years in power, in 2013, Séléka rebels ousted the […]
To bolster a struggling economy, President Mnangagwa is launching a new programme to address the socio-economic consequences of Robert Mugabe’s land reform programme in the early 2000s. Despite limited investment, argues Wandile Sihlobo, the Zimbabwean government’s approach is critical for building credibility in its reform agenda at home and internationally.
When Emmerson Mnangagwa assumed office as President of Zimbabwe in […]
Is ‘patrimonial politics’ bad for Africa? Or might distributing cash actually be an integral part of good governance? LSE’s Portia Roelofs draws on her recent publications on Nigerian politics to tackle one of the most important debates in democracy and development: should politicians give money to the poor?
All politics involves distribution. Indeed, many would claim that politics is at […]
Digital rights in Uganda have become a battleground between President Museveni and his high profile critics. But the more the regime pushes back, the more admired these critics have become. Amid deepening concern for Uganda’s freedom of speech, can the regime sustain its attacks?
Two prominent critics of Uganda’s President, Yoweri Museveni, have recently been held in detention on charges […]
Diasporas are often treated as foreigners in their adopted homes and as traitors in their place of birth, despite often hidden cultural and economic contributions. Now is the time to overturn outdated perceptions, writes Behailu Shiferaw Mihirete, and for Africa to utilise its diaspora’s potential.
On 5 November 2018, Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed appointed Billene Seyoum as the Press […]
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