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

May 30, 2018

Congolese opposition unify ahead of presidential elections

By Pierre Englebert

Democratic Republic of the Congo opposition leaders Moïse Katumbi and Felix Tshisekedi are on a US and European tour to lobby for further sanctions against the regime of President Joseph Kabila and for continued Western pressure towards free and fair elections, scheduled for December. They have formed an alliance which, they hope, can unite the […]

Africa Corruption

New Atlanticist

May 23, 2018

Congolese Opposition Leaders Join Forces

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Two prominent Congolese presidential hopefuls, speaking at the Atlantic Council in Washington on May 23, announced that they were joining forces against the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s longtime president Joseph Kabila. Moïse Katumbi, who is tipped to win the election—if one is held and if he is allowed to participate—and Félix Tshisekedi, the president […]

Video

May 23, 2018

RDC: l’avenir Politique Selon Moïse Katumbi & Félix Tshisekedi

Quel avenir pour l’opposition en République démocratique du Congo ? Moïse Katumbi, candidat à la présidentielle du parti Ensemble pour le changement, et son compatriote Félix Tshisekedi du parti l’Union pour la démocratie et le progrès social, s’interrogent sur la situation politique en RDC et l’importance de l’appui international afin que les élections du 23 […]

South & Central Africa

Event Recap

May 23, 2018

Discussion with the Congolese opposition

By Africa Center

On Wednesday, May 23, the Atlantic Council’s Africa Center hosted a discussion with Mr. Moïse Katumbi Chapwe, former governor of Katanga Province and leader of Ensemble pour le changement, a new political movement in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and Mr. Félix Tshisekedi, president of the Union pour la démocratie et le progrès social (UDPS), […]

Africa Democratic Republic of the Congo

AfricaSource

May 16, 2018

Burundi’s flawed constitutional referendum

By Kelsey Lilley

Burundians will go to the polls on Thursday, May 17 to vote in a constitutional referendum set to allow Pierre Nkurunziza, president since the end of the country’s civil war in 2005, an opportunity to stay in power until 2034.  The vote takes place amid a fragile domestic situation, and it is likely to deepen […]

Africa Corruption

Video

May 9, 2018

Bekele Gerba and Eskinder Nega Discuss Ethiopia

In February 2018, Eskinder Nega (left), a prominent Ethiopian journalist and blogger, and Bekele Gerba (right), the deputy chairman of the Oromo Federalist Congress, an Ethiopian opposition party, were released from prison. They were jailed for years under the country’s anti-terrorism laws. During a live conversation at the Atlantic Council, Eskinder and Bekele underscored the […]

East Africa Ethiopia

New Atlanticist

May 8, 2018

The United States Gets Tough With South Sudan

By Ashish Kumar Sen

US President Donald J. Trump’s administration, expressing displeasure with the government in South Sudan, has started a comprehensive review of its aid programs to that country. In a sternly worded statement, the White House said that the leaders of South Sudan had “squandered this partnership [with the United States], pilfered the wealth of South Sudan, […]

East Africa

Event Recap

May 8, 2018

Bekele Gerba and Eskinder Nega discuss political situation in Ethiopia

By Africa Center

On Tuesday, May 8, the Atlantic Council’s Africa Center hosted a roundtable with Mr. Bekele Gerba, deputy chairman of the Oromo Federalist Congress (OFC), and Mr. Eskinder Nega, prominent Ethiopian journalist and blogger. In February, both men were released from prison, having been jailed for years under the country’s anti-terrorism laws. Ms. Bronwyn Bruton, Africa […]

Africa East Africa

New Atlanticist

Apr 26, 2018

Nigeria’s Buhari goes to Washington

By Ashish Kumar Sen

“I think it sends a very good signal that the first African head of state to have an Oval Office meeting will be the democratically elected president of Africa’s most populous country and its largest economy,” said J. Peter Pham, director of the Atlantic Council’s Africa Center.

Economy & Business Nigeria

AfricaSource

Apr 23, 2018

Somalia’s continuing crisis worsens with UAE dispute

By J. Peter Pham

While it is imperative to keep up military pressure on the militants, ultimately insurgencies like Somalia’s can only be defeated by political legitimacy.

Africa Corruption