Africa

List of Africa articles

Sudanese refugees walk along a dirt path next to a metal fence topped with barbed wire beneath hazy clouds against a blue sky. Many carry belongings with them, including a woman at the front of the pack balancing a large sack on her head as she carries others in her arms. Leaning against the fence are tents and cloths draped to create shade.
Sudanese refugees walk along a dirt path next to a metal fence topped with barbed wire beneath hazy clouds against a blue sky. Many carry belongings with them, including a woman at the front of the pack balancing a large sack on her head as she carries others in her arms. Leaning against the fence are tents and cloths draped to create shade.

U.S. Works to Revamp Peace Process for War-Torn Sudan

The Biden administration is arranging high-level talks next month aimed at ending the deadly war.

Exclusive
Robbie Gramer
A supporter of same-sex marriage waves an LGBTQI+ pride flag in front of the U.S. Supreme Court Building in Washington on June 26, 2023.
A supporter of same-sex marriage waves an LGBTQI+ pride flag in front of the U.S. Supreme Court Building in Washington on June 26, 2023.

Protecting LGBTQI+ Rights Is Good Foreign Policy

The United States has both a moral and strategic imperative to fight for equality globally.

Argument
Jessica Stern, Suzanne B. Goldberg
Protesters are arrested by the riot police during a demonstration against a proposed finance bill on June 27 in Nairobi, Kenya.
Protesters are arrested by the riot police during a demonstration against a proposed finance bill on June 27 in Nairobi, Kenya.

How Kenya’s President Broke the Social Contract

Faced with economic crisis and mass protests, Washington’s newest non-NATO ally has turned to brutal repression at home.

Analysis
Binaifer Nowrojee
U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. C. Q. Brown, Jr. speak during a press briefing at the Pentagon in Washington on April 26.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. C. Q. Brown, Jr. speak during a press briefing at the Pentagon in Washington on April 26.

U.S. Military Courts New Partners in Africa After Major Setbacks

Top military chief visits Africa to reassess U.S. presence.

Situation Report
Robbie Gramer, Jack Detsch
A group of protesters hold their arms up above their heads, crossed at the wrists, as they protest a finance law on the streets of Nairobi.
A group of protesters hold their arms up above their heads, crossed at the wrists, as they protest a finance law on the streets of Nairobi.

The Deep Roots of Kenya’s Unrest

A tax bill sparked deadly protests. But a broken financial system has plagued the country for years.

Analysis
Nina Berman
Protesters hold banners and chant anti-government slogans in front of Kenyan police during a demonstration against tax hikes in Nairobi.
Protesters hold banners and chant anti-government slogans in front of Kenyan police during a demonstration against tax hikes in Nairobi.

Washington Fails to ‘Read the Room’ in Kenya

President Ruto is valued by the White House but much less popular at home.

Analysis
Robbie Gramer
Three fishermen in a traditional vote ride the top of a wave as they had out to see. The lights of a gas terminal are seen on the horizon.
Three fishermen in a traditional vote ride the top of a wave as they had out to see. The lights of a gas terminal are seen on the horizon.

The Empty Promise of Africa’s Oil and Gas Boom

The continent is awash in fossil fuel discoveries. But relying on them for development will be disastrous.

Analysis
Howard W. French
Mourners carry crosses bearing the names of victims of the Mugunga Camp bombing attack as they attend a funeral ceremony in Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo, on May 15.
Mourners carry crosses bearing the names of victims of the Mugunga Camp bombing attack as they attend a funeral ceremony in Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo, on May 15.

How Africa’s War on Disinformation Can Save Democracies Everywhere

African leaders can’t afford to wait for Big Tech. By taking action, the continent could spare future generations from the scourge of adversarial AI.

Analysis
Abdullahi Alim
Sudanese refugees and South Sudanese returnees who have fled from the war in Sudan arrive at a transit camp in Renk on Feb. 14.
Sudanese refugees and South Sudanese returnees who have fled from the war in Sudan arrive at a transit camp in Renk on Feb. 14.

How to Solve the World’s Refugee Crisis

UNHCR’s Filippo Grandi on Sudan, Gaza, Ukraine, and more.

Q&A
Ravi Agrawal
A general view of the Paleisheuwel solar plant, which was established by Italy-based Enel Green Power, in partnership with South African electricity public utility Eskom, in Paleisheuwel, South Afrcia on June 5. This solar plant can produce 82MW of electricity, which can power 48000 households.
A general view of the Paleisheuwel solar plant, which was established by Italy-based Enel Green Power, in partnership with South African electricity public utility Eskom, in Paleisheuwel, South Afrcia on June 5. This solar plant can produce 82MW of electricity, which can power 48000 households.

Why South Africa Won’t Be Going Green

Clean energy was not a priority for voters—and a weakened ANC will make climate-friendly policies even less likely.

Analysis
Sam Matthews Boehmer
People walk past a train on a platform with their luggage.
People walk past a train on a platform with their luggage.

What Africa Can Learn From China’s Rise

The continent’s human capital is its greatest resource.

Analysis
Howard W. French
South Africa’s former president Jacob Zuma addresses his supporters outside the Johannesburg High Court in Johannesburg on June 3.
South Africa’s former president Jacob Zuma addresses his supporters outside the Johannesburg High Court in Johannesburg on June 3.

South Africa Should Take Zuma’s Threats Seriously

The ex-president’s party is openly hostile to democracy, but excluding it after a strong election showing could lead to violence.

Argument
Richard Pithouse
Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sergei Lavrov (L) and South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Naledi Pandor (R) speak during a press conference in Pretoria on Jan. 23, 2023.
Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sergei Lavrov (L) and South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Naledi Pandor (R) speak during a press conference in Pretoria on Jan. 23, 2023.

Why South Africa’s Nonalignment Is Here to Stay

The end of ANC majority rule is unlikely to signal a dramatic shift in the country’s foreign policy.

Analysis
Nontobeko Hlela
A man holds a sign reading: "Down with France down with ECOWAS," using the bloc's French acronym CEDEAO, as supporters of Niger's National Council for Safeguard of the Homeland gather in Niamey on Aug. 26, 2023.
A man holds a sign reading: "Down with France down with ECOWAS," using the bloc's French acronym CEDEAO, as supporters of Niger's National Council for Safeguard of the Homeland gather in Niamey on Aug. 26, 2023.

How ECOWAS Lost Its Way

An inability to stand up to constitutional coups—most recently in Togo—has undermined the bloc’s credibility.

Analysis
Jessica Moody
Fighters of the Sudan Liberation Movement, a rebel group active in Darfur, attend a graduation ceremony in Sudan's southeastern Gedaref state.
Fighters of the Sudan Liberation Movement, a rebel group active in Darfur, attend a graduation ceremony in Sudan's southeastern Gedaref state.

‘Somalia on Steroids’: Sudan Conflict Escalates

The U.S. special envoy for Sudan warns that the geopolitical fallout from the spiraling civil war could be immense.

Report
Robbie Gramer
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