Africa Center Commentary & Analysis

Through high-level relationships and a track record of well-respected analysis, the Africa Center speaks directly to the stakeholders who matter, shaping policy on the foremost issues of this dynamic continent.

New Atlanticist

Nov 7, 2018

How will the outcome of the Midterms affect Trump’s policy options?

By Ashish Kumar Sen

“Expect louder voices defending democracy in America and around the world, expect a unified bipartisan cry on behalf of human rights. Expect greater pressure on the White House to end senseless wars like the one in Yemen and the Syrian civil war," said Evelyn Farkas, nonresident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council.

Elections Politics & Diplomacy

Event Recap

Nov 7, 2018

Roundtable with Sudan’s minister of foreign affairs

By Africa Center

On November 7, the Atlantic Council’s Africa Center hosted a roundtable discussion featuring H.E. Dr. ElDirdiri Mohamed Ahmed, minister of foreign affairs of the Republic of Sudan, on the state of US-Sudan relations, as well as recent efforts by his government to mediate peace in South Sudan and the Central African Republic. In his remarks, […]

Africa Conflict

New Atlanticist

Nov 5, 2018

Will missionary’s death Be a tipping point for US position on Cameroon crisis?

By Jonathan Gass

For decades, Cameroon enjoyed much praise from the international community for its self-styled portrayal as an “island of peace” in a volatile region, and the United States has long considered Cameroon a strategic partner.

Conflict Elections

Event Recap

Oct 31, 2018

The future of development finance

By Africa Center

On October 31, the Atlantic Council’s Africa Center hosted a roundtable discussion on the new United States International Development Finance Corporation (USDFC), in preparation for the launch of Senior Fellow Aubrey Hruby’s new issue brief on the subject. Africa Center Director of Programs and Studies and Deputy Director Bronwyn Bruton introduced Hruby’s paper and welcomed […]

Africa Economy & Business

New Atlanticist

Oct 26, 2018

‘Conflict gold’ fueling war in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

By David A. Wemer

Militias and warlords are selling gold to fund their military activities and political control in eastern Congo and their illicit trade is not just flowing to the black market, but “may be coming here to the United States as well as Europe,” Sasha Lezhnev, deputy director of policy for the Enough Project, explained.

Conflict Democratic Republic of the Congo

Event Recap

Oct 24, 2018

Congo’s conflict gold trade: recent findings and recommendations for the future

By Africa Center

On October 24, the Atlantic Council’s Africa Center partnered with The Sentry at the Enough Project to host a discussion on the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)’s conflict gold trade, occasioned by the release of the group’s new report: The Golden Laundromat. Atlantic Council Vice President and Africa Center Director Dr. J. Peter Pham […]

Africa Democratic Republic of the Congo

AfricaSource

Oct 4, 2018

Notes for understanding African migration

By J. Peter Pham

This article appeared originally in French in the current print edition of the magazine Pouvoirs d’Afrique. This past summer, one could not help but wonder as the leaders of Europe and Africa, in separate meetings, seemed to talk past one another as they sought to deal with what has become one of the most significant—if […]

Africa English

New Atlanticist

Oct 3, 2018

South Sudan’s first vice president optimistic about peace, but no one is buying It

By Ashish Kumar Sen

The almost 400,000 people killed over the past five years “is a higher mortality rate vis-à-vis population than the civil war in Syria,” said J. Peter Pham, director of the Atlantic Council’s Africa Center.

Conflict Crisis Management

Event Recap

Oct 2, 2018

High-level roundtable with South Sudan’s First Vice President Taban Deng Gai

By Africa Center

On October 2, the Atlantic Council’s Africa Center hosted a roundtable with Taban Deng Gai, currently first vice president of the Republic of South Sudan, on the situation in his country following the signing of the most recent peace agreement between President Salva Kiir and former First Vice President Riek Machar last month. Dr. J. […]

Africa Conflict

Event Recap

Sep 25, 2018

New energy opportunities in Africa

By Africa Center and Global Energy Center

On the margins of the 73rd ordinary session of the United Nations General Assembly, the Atlantic Council’s Africa Center and Global Energy Center hosted a half-day conference focusing on new opportunities for development across Africa’s energy sector. The event featured welcoming and introductory remarks by Dr. J. Peter Pham, Atlantic Council vice president and Africa […]

Africa Economy & Business