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

Feb 2, 2015

South Sudan Deal Buys Time for Warring Sides, Diplomats, Says Pham

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Atlantic Council analyst says track record of past ceasefires does not inspire confidence A new deal between South Sudanese President Salva Kiir and rebel commander Riek Machar to end the fighting that has devastated the world’s newest nation over the past year is likely just a delaying tactic that allows the two warring sides to […]

East Africa

Event Recap

Jan 29, 2015

Ethiopia: Press Restrictions and the 2015 Elections

By Africa Center

Ethiopia, Africa’s second most populous country, will go to the polls in May. The election will be the country’s first since the death of longtime Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, and has brought into focus the state of independent media and citizens’ access to information in the East African country.

East Africa Ethiopia

New Atlanticist

Jan 28, 2015

Conditions Ripe for Electoral Violence in Nigeria

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Atlantic Council analysts see threat from Boko Haram, sore losers The fact that the militant group Boko Haram controls vast swaths of territory in northeastern Nigeria will likely disenfranchise voters and has elevated the danger of post-election violence, according to Atlantic Council analysts. “Because of insecurity in the northeast, one party may believe that its […]

Nigeria Politics & Diplomacy

Event Recap

Jan 27, 2015

Conversation with Former Guinean Prime Minister H.E. Cellou Dalein Diallo

By Africa Center

Amid a number of important African elections slated to take place in 2015, the Republic of Guinea is preparing for both presidential and local elections—the latter repeatedly postponed despite being overdue three years ago. Current President Alpha Condé has announced his intention to seek reelection after ascending to power during the controversial 2010 polls.

North & West Africa

In the News

Jan 27, 2015

Pham Testifies on Boko Haram, Nigerian Elections

By Africa Center

J. Peter Pham, Director of the Atlantic Council’s Africa Center, testified at a House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs hearing on “Nigeria on the Brink?”

Economy & Business Nigeria

Article

Jan 20, 2015

Boko Haram Continues to Stun Northern Nigeria

By J. Peter Pham

Bottom Line Up Front: • Boko Haram continues to terrorize northeastern Nigeria; the group has been responsible for the deaths of more than 10,000 Nigerians last year, and according to some Nigerian officials, the group currently controls as much as 70 percent of Borno as well as parts of neighboring states—an area close to the size of […]

Africa Nigeria

AfricaSource

Jan 14, 2015

What Next for Captured LRA Commander?

On January 7, US forces took into custody Dominic Ongwen, a commander in the notorious Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), after his capture in the Central African Republic (CAR) by rebel forces.

Africa East Africa

New Atlanticist

Jan 12, 2015

Massacre in Nigeria: Boko Haram Once Again Bigger, More Brutal

By Ashish Kumar Sen

A Violent Militia Moves Toward Its Goal: an ‘Islamic Caliphate’ in Africa’s Sahel Region As world attention fixes on the terrorist attacks in Paris, Africa’s most prominent Islamist militant group has massacred as many as 2,000 people in northeastern Nigeria. This new violence by Boko Haram—a movement described as “Africa’s ISIS”—is the latest in its […]

Africa Nigeria
20140904 jmeservey book review

Article

Jan 6, 2015

J. Peter Pham on US AFRICOM’s Development and Role in US Africa Policy

By Africa Center

Atlantic Council Africa Center Director J. Peter Pham authored an essay entitled “The Development of the United States Africa Command and Its Role in America’s Africa Policy under George W. Bush and Barack Obama” for the forthcoming issue of the Journal of the Middle East and Africa.

New Atlanticist

Dec 23, 2014

Nigeria’s Finance Minister on How Falling Oil Prices Impact on Africa’s Biggest Economy

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Nigeria is surprised by a US decision to slash oil imports from Africa’s top petroleum producer, but is eager to deepen its economic relationship with the US in other areas, according to Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Nigeria’s finance and economy minister.

Economy & Business Energy & Environment