Africa Brief

From Algeria to Zimbabwe and countries in between, a weekly roundup of essential news and analysis from Africa. Delivered Wednesday.

Kenyan youths carry flags during the candle light vigil in memory of dead protesters on June 30, 2024.
Kenyan youths carry flags during the candle light vigil in memory of dead protesters on June 30, 2024.

Can Kenya’s Ruto Survive?

After a deadly crackdown and government backtracking on legislation, young Kenyans are still taking to the streets.

Africa Brief
Nosmot Gbadamosi
Men sit on the railway line near the airport in Kolwezi, a city in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on May 7, 2018.
Men sit on the railway line near the airport in Kolwezi, a city in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on May 7, 2018.

Africa’s Critical Mineral Race Heats Up

Competing railway corridors pit the United States against China; Kenya faces a violent crackdown on tax protests.

Africa Brief
Nosmot Gbadamosi
President Cyril Ramaphosa gestures to colleagues before casting his ballot as members of parliament vote for the President of South Africa during the first sitting of the new South African Parliament in Cape Town on June 14.
President Cyril Ramaphosa gestures to colleagues before casting his ballot as members of parliament vote for the President of South Africa during the first sitting of the new South African Parliament in Cape Town on June 14.

Can South Africa’s Center Hold?

The new coalition government has brought together parties with divergent agendas while keeping radical populists out.

Africa Brief
Nosmot Gbadamosi
The President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame, holds a press conference after the start of 100 days of remembrance, as Rwanda commemorates the 30th anniversary of the Tutsi genocide, on April 8, in Kigali, Rwanda.
The President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame, holds a press conference after the start of 100 days of remembrance, as Rwanda commemorates the 30th anniversary of the Tutsi genocide, on April 8, in Kigali, Rwanda.

Rwanda’s Rigged Election

Paul Kagame has banned all but two opposition candidates, ensuring himself another landslide win.

Africa Brief
Nosmot Gbadamosi
President of the African National Congress (ANC) and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa (C) attends the official announcement of the South African general election results in the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) National Results Center at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand, on June 2.
President of the African National Congress (ANC) and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa (C) attends the official announcement of the South African general election results in the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) National Results Center at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand, on June 2.

South Africa’s Era of ANC Dominance Is Over

After a stinging election setback, the long-ruling party is assessing its coalition options.

Africa Brief
Nosmot Gbadamosi
People wait in line to cast their votes in Alexandra township on May 29 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
People wait in line to cast their votes in Alexandra township on May 29 in Johannesburg, South Africa.

What to Watch in South Africa’s Election

If the ANC doesn’t win a majority, how it chooses to form a coalition will be key.

Africa Brief
Nosmot Gbadamosi
Protesters chant and hold placards against the U.K. deportation flights to Rwanda near Brook House Immigration Removal Centre on June 12, 2022 in London.
Protesters chant and hold placards against the U.K. deportation flights to Rwanda near Brook House Immigration Removal Centre on June 12, 2022 in London.

U.K. Begins Rwanda Deportations

After Parliament overruled the Supreme Court and declared Rwanda safe, Sunak’s government is rounding up asylum-seekers.

Africa Brief
Nosmot Gbadamosi
Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno, transitional president and candidate for the presidential election in Chad, sits after his meeting in the stadium under construction in the Dombao district, in Moundou, on April 25, 2024. (Photo by Joris Bolomey / AFP)
Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno, transitional president and candidate for the presidential election in Chad, sits after his meeting in the stadium under construction in the Dombao district, in Moundou, on April 25, 2024. (Photo by Joris Bolomey / AFP)

Chad’s Great-Power Balancing Act

Chadian leader Mahamat Idriss Déby courts Russia and expels U.S. troops ahead of elections.

Africa Brief
Nosmot Gbadamosi
Ishag Abdullah Khatir, 30 from Geneina in West Sudan whose leg was amputated after he was shot by RSF soldiers, walks through Ambelia refugee camp on April 20 in Adre, Chad.
Ishag Abdullah Khatir, 30 from Geneina in West Sudan whose leg was amputated after he was shot by RSF soldiers, walks through Ambelia refugee camp on April 20 in Adre, Chad.

Will Washington Sanction Sudan’s RSF?

Lawmakers are calling for direct measures against the group’s leader, Hemeti.

Africa Brief
Nosmot Gbadamosi
Protesters hold up a sign demanding that U.S. soldiers leave Niger during a demonstration in Niamey, Niger on April 13.
Protesters hold up a sign demanding that U.S. soldiers leave Niger during a demonstration in Niamey, Niger on April 13.

Anti-American Protests in Niger

Junta leaders and demonstrators seek to replace U.S. presence in the country.

Africa Brief
Nosmot Gbadamosi
Togolese President Faure Gnassingbé is received by the president of the Economic Community of West African States Commission, Omar Touray (left), and Nigerian Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar (right) at the presidential villa in Abuja, Nigeria, on Feb. 24.
Togolese President Faure Gnassingbé is received by the president of the Economic Community of West African States Commission, Omar Touray (left), and Nigerian Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar (right) at the presidential villa in Abuja, Nigeria, on Feb. 24.

Togo Readies for Turmoil

The country’s president has delayed elections indefinitely, but the political opposition is prepared for a fight.

Africa Brief
Nosmot Gbadamosi
Bassirou Diomaye Faye (L) is sworn in as Senegal's president at an exhibition centre in the new town of Diamniadio near the capital Dakar on April 2.
Bassirou Diomaye Faye (L) is sworn in as Senegal's president at an exhibition centre in the new town of Diamniadio near the capital Dakar on April 2.

How Will Senegal’s New President Govern?

Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s agenda has spooked some investors, but power could temper his more radical proposals.

Africa Brief
Nosmot Gbadamosi
Members of the American Federation of Teachers and teachers unions representatives from Uganda and South Africa rally against Bridge Academies at the World Bank Group and International Monetary Fund Spring Meetings on April 21, 2017 in Washington.
Members of the American Federation of Teachers and teachers unions representatives from Uganda and South Africa rally against Bridge Academies at the World Bank Group and International Monetary Fund Spring Meetings on April 21, 2017 in Washington.

Kenya’s Sex Abuse Scandal Puts World Bank in Spotlight

U.S., U.K., and France disagree on compensation for victims at an IFC-funded chain of for-profit schools.

Africa Brief
Nosmot Gbadamosi
A man walks past a Senegalese flag ahead of opposition leader Ousmane Sonko and Bassirou Diomaye Faye's campaign event in Cap Skirring, Senegal on on March 16.
A man walks past a Senegalese flag ahead of opposition leader Ousmane Sonko and Bassirou Diomaye Faye's campaign event in Cap Skirring, Senegal on on March 16.

Senegal’s Existential Election

After a month of chaos, the country is going to the polls with formerly imprisoned opposition candidates on the ballot.

Africa Brief
Nosmot Gbadamosi
A general view of land reclaimed by a Namibian farm worker is seen on November 26, 2019 on the outskirts of Ovitoto settlement in the Okahandja district area, Namibia.
A general view of land reclaimed by a Namibian farm worker is seen on November 26, 2019 on the outskirts of Ovitoto settlement in the Okahandja district area, Namibia.

Namibia Calls for Reparations Talks With Germany

More than a century after the Herero-Nama genocide, Namibian communities are seeking compensation, land redistribution, and a seat at the table.

Africa Brief
Nosmot Gbadamosi
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