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 10, 2014

China’s Evolving Ebola Response: Recognizing the Cost of Inaction

By Chris Leins

World leaders arrived in Beijing on November 10 for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit meeting, as China seeks to emphasize its global economic influence and power. Yet, even while China demonstrates its economic might, the country’s slow response to the Ebola crisis in West Africa – where it has a substantial commercial footprint — raised […]

Africa China

Event Recap

Nov 10, 2014

Briefing with Swedish Defense Delegation

By Atlantic Council

The Atlantic Council’s Africa Center hosted a briefing for Swedish regional defense attachés and analysts who focus on Africa. The briefing featured presentations by Africa Center Director J. Peter Pham and Deputy Director Bronwyn Bruton.

Article

Nov 7, 2014

Somalia’s Slumping Fortunes

By Bronwyn Bruton

Bottom Line Up Front: • After almost eight years on the ground, African Union troops have nearly beaten the Qaeda-linked militia al-Shabab—at least militarily • Since 2011, Shabab has steadily lost territory, and on October 5 was pushed out of its last coastal stronghold, the port city of Barawe • The loss of Barawe, and […]

Somalia

AfricaSource

Oct 31, 2014

Burkina Faso update: Missed opportunity?

By J. Peter Pham

The “soft landing” that so many, both in Burkina Faso and abroad, had worked so hard to achieve is not to be. Following violent protests against an effort to lift the constitutional bar on his seeking another term in office, mob actions which brought the landlocked West African country to the edge of the abyss, […]

North & West Africa Politics & Diplomacy

AfricaSource

Oct 31, 2014

Burkina Faso: The consequences of burning down the house

By J. Peter Pham

The events that have followed each other in rapid succession this week in the West African country of Burkina Faso are, at one level, relatively straightforward. What is not so readily apparent—certainly not to the tens of thousands of protesters-turned-rioters, much less to those far-off outsiders who, wittingly or unwittingly, egged them on—are the consequences […]

North & West Africa Politics & Diplomacy

AfricaSource

Oct 26, 2014

Stopping Organized Crime at Sea: J. Peter Pham at the 2014 Atlantic Dialogues

By Africa Center

At the 2014 Atlantic Dialogues in Marrakesh, Morocco, Africa Center Director J. Peter Pham spoke on the “Stopping Organized Crime at Sea” panel.

East Africa

Event Recap

Oct 22, 2014

Luncheon Discussion with Tunisian Presidential Candidate Mondher Zenaidi

By Africa Center

On November 28, nearly four years after the Arab Spring swept across much of North Africa and the Middle East, Tunisians will go to the polls to elect their first president since the adoption of a new constitution.

Africa North Africa

AfricaSource

Oct 21, 2014

Four Questions with US Special Envoy for Sudan and South Sudan Donald Booth

By Africa Center

US Special Envoy for Sudan and South Sudan Donald Booth discusses recent political developments in Sudan and South Sudan, and articulates US policy toward both countries. 

Africa East Africa

New Atlanticist

Oct 9, 2014

Nigeria’s Finance Minister: African Economy is ‘Nearly a Hot Prospect’

By New Atlanticist

Alongside its urgent focus on West Africa’s outbreak of the Ebola virus, the world should stop to notice a bigger, more basic African fact—the explosive growth of its economy and middle class—says one of the continent’s top economists. Two decades after Africa earned a reputation as the world’s economic basket case, accelerating growth has nearly […]

Africa Economy & Business

Event Recap

Oct 9, 2014

Developments in Sudan and South Sudan: Major Policy Address by Special Envoy Donald Booth

By Atlantic Council

On Thursday, October 9, the Atlantic Council’s Africa Center hosted the Honorable Donald Booth, the US special envoy for Sudan and South Sudan. In his remarks, Ambassador Booth addressed the recent political developments in both countries and articulated significant changes in the US policy towards both nations. In his welcoming remarks, Director J. Peter Pham […]

East Africa Sudan