Blogs

Africa in Transition

Michelle Gavin, Ebenezer Obadare, and other experts track political and security developments across sub-Saharan Africa.

Latest Post

People sit under the Falomo Bridge, where murals depicting the abduction of over two hundred Chibok schoolgirls by Boko Haram are displayed, on the day Nigerians mark the eleventh anniversary of the abduction, in Ikoyi, Lagos, Nigeria, on April 14, 2025.
People sit under the Falomo Bridge, where murals depicting the abduction of over two hundred Chibok schoolgirls by Boko Haram are displayed, on the day Nigerians mark the eleventh anniversary of the abduction, in Ikoyi, Lagos, Nigeria, on April 14, 2025. Sodiq Adelakun/REUTERS

The Government of Nigeria Versus Senator Ted Cruz

The security crisis in Nigeria may be complicated, but that does not make it any less religious.

Read More
Madagascar
Protests Arrive in Madagascar
Poor public service provision, poverty, and inequality have made Rajoelina's government the latest target of Gen Z demonstrations. 
Nigeria
Je Suis Yahaya
The Supreme Court of Nigeria should free Yahaya Sharif-Aminu and declare blasphemy laws in the country unconstitutional.
Nigeria
Lynching in the Name of God
Official inaction is giving free rein to religious lawlessness in Nigeria.
  • Sub-Saharan Africa
    Who Needs Pan-Africanism?
    Africa does not need political unity; it needs to rally round proven ideas.
  • Zambia
    Rising Political Frustration in Zambia
    If Hichilema wants to repeat the coalition that delivered him the last election, he should focus less on the funeral arrangements of his predecessor and more on delivering wins to his young and, for the moment, politically engaged populace.
  • Somalia
    When It Comes to Somalia, It’s Always Complicated
    Pivoting to Somaliland does not mean the U.S. can wash its hands of Somalia.
  • Sub-Saharan Africa
    Diplomacy Without Consequences
    The problem with the Rubio memo is not what it says about American attitude towards Africa, it is what it says about the country’s conception of itself and its historical mission as the world’s leading democracy.
  • Nigeria
    The Limits of Constitutional Engineering
    Nigeria’s problems are unlikely to be solved by well-meaning amendments to its laws.
  • Sub-Saharan Africa
    Fair Elections Are in the U.S. Interest
    Under Trump and Rubio, the U.S. State Department will no longer comment on the integrity of elections. This will prove to be a mistake. 
  • Democratic Republic of Congo
    Another DRC Peace Deal
    Adding M23 to the talks is a positive step, but the agreement's test will be whether it can change circumstances on the ground.