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February 23, 2024

Maternal and Child Health
Women This Week: Wife of Russian Opposition Leader Vows to Carry on His Work

Welcome to “Women Around the World: This Week,” a series that highlights noteworthy news related to women and U.S. foreign policy. This week’s post covers February 17 to February 23.

A woman takes part in a rally in support of jailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny in Omsk, Russia January 23, 2021.

May 26, 2022

Nigeria
Reaction to “Blasphemy” Killing Illustrates Complicated Role of Religion in Nigeria’s Democratic Transition

Horrendous killing of college sophomore highlights the country’s ethnoreligious fault line, but interdenominational rivalry in the south is of no less moment. All in all, reactions to the murder of Ms. Deborah Yakubu, a 200-level home economics student of the Shehu Shagari College of Education in Sokoto, have exposed Nigeria’s deepest political fractures and lingering questions over citizenship, national identity, and secularity. On May 12, following disagreement over a WhatsApp voice note deemed to have been blasphemous against Islam and Prophet Muhammad, a mob comprising some of the twenty-two-year-old’s schoolmates brutally clubbed and stoned her to death, after which they proceeded to incinerate her body.

Pastor lectures with a microphone and gestures with his arm wearing a formal attire.

January 9, 2023

Nigeria
Abubakar’s Endgame

For Nigeria’s serial presidential candidate, familiarity is both strength and disadvantage.

Former Nigeria Vice President Atiku Abubakar adresses the People's Democratic Party delegates while gesturing with his hands.

May 16, 2022

Nigeria
Gruesome “Blasphemy” Killing Brings Nigeria’s Long-Running Ethno-Religious Divide Into Sharp Focus

Last week’s gruesome murder of Deborah Yakubu, a home economics sophomore at the Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto, comes at a time of escalating social and economic tension in Nigeria, and will most certainly raise the political stakes as the country enters electioneering season in preparation for next year’s presidential election.

A sign that reads "Higher Shariah Court," a child with a bucket in the background, and an old looking building.

May 17, 2012

Sub-Saharan Africa
Guest Post: Mali: ’No Country for Old Men?’

This is a guest post by Jim Sanders, a career, now retired, West Africa watcher for various federal agencies. The views expressed below are his personal views and do not reflect those of his former e…

Coup leader Captain Amadou Sanogo attends a ceremony as former parliament speaker Dioncounda Traore (unseen) is sworn in as Mali's interim president in the captial Bamako, April 12, 2012.