Africa | IPS Journal

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picture alliance / Reuters | Marvellous Durowaiye

Economy and ecology

Fifty and fractured

Half a century after ECOWAS promised peace and prosperity, three breakaway states are testing West African solidarity, sparking a potential trade war

By Zikora Ibeh

picture alliance / Anadolu | Gerald Anderson

Economy and ecology

An ocean of gold but no water to drink

Privatisation was once heralded as the key to Africa’s economic revitalisation. Decades later, the reality looks very different

By Sefa Ikpa

picture alliance / Matrix Images | Tife Owolabi

Economy and ecology

Fleeing the crime scene

Oil companies are scrambling to leave the Niger Delta, where they have been extracting the black gold for decades — with devastating consequences

By Zikora Ibeh

picture alliance / ASSOCIATED PRESS | Janvier Barhahiga

Foreign and security policy

The war we aren’t watching

Rwanda isn’t in eastern DRC because of an immediate threat — it’s there for the long haul

By Kristof Titeca

picture alliance / AP | Carlos Uqueio

Democracy and society

Two presidents, one divided nation

Mozambique remains in crisis after disputed elections exposed long-standing economic and political struggles. Where does the country go from here?

By Egídio Chaimite

picture alliance / AP | Misper Apawu

Democracy and society

Threatening a hard-won peace

Over 20 years after Sierra Leone’s civil war, polarisation, weak governance and economic challenges threaten the country’s post-conflict recovery

By Zikora Ibeh

picture alliance / Zoonar | Alexander Limbach

Work and digitalisation

The AI revolution is at home in Africa

For too long, African countries have been sidelined from the digital revolution. Now is the time to change that

By Cina Lawson

picture alliance / ASSOCIATED PRESS | Dirk Heinrich

Democracy and society

A questionable victory

Namibia’s historic election ushers in its first female president, but flaws in the process cast a shadow over SWAPO’s victory

By Hajo Lanz

picture alliance/AP Photo | Andrew Harnik

Foreign and security policy

New problems, old problems

Trump’s return to the White House signals a new chapter in US-Africa relations, fraught with both uncertainties but also potential opportunities

By Priyal Singh

picture alliance /Reuters/Thalefang Charles

Democracy and society

Wind of change

In Botswana, the opposition alliance surprisingly wins the election. The peaceful change of government is a signal for the entire region

By Thilo Schöne