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.

AfricaSource

Dec 10, 2018

Looking for unity in the Sahel

By Matthieu Fernandez

Recognizing the transborder nature of the security, socioeconomic, and environmental challenges facing them – ranging from terrorism to criminal trafficking to a major unemployment crisis – Mauritania, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Chad banded together in 2014 to form the Group of Five for the Sahel (G5 Sahel). While Western donor nations celebrated this initiative as a proof of the nations’ mutual commitment to improving the security situation in the region, in reality, the G5 Sahel remains heavily reliant on France and other international donors for funding and operational and logistic capacity, and exercises little decision-making power.

Africa English

Event Recap

Dec 5, 2018

Somaliland’s foreign minister discusses trade and recognition

By Africa Center

Faratoon discussed Somaliland’s efforts to integrate into the regional economy, touting its partnership with the United Arab Emirates to substantially upgrade the Port of Berbera and develop a free economic zone to attract manufacturing firms and create much-needed jobs.

Africa East Africa

Event Recap

Nov 29, 2018

Energy experts discuss the role of natural gas in Africa’s energy future

By Africa Center and Global Energy Center

In partnership with the Energy Futures Initiative, the Atlantic Council’s Africa and Global Energy Centers hosted a discussion on November 29 on the role of natural gas in Africa’s energy future, occasioned by the release of Africa50’s new report: Investing in Natural Gas for Africans: Doing Good and Doing Well. The event featured welcoming remarks […]

Africa Economy & Business

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
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