Politics
Malema Time
South African elites and their political parties and trade unions cannot claim to represent the masses anymore. This has created space for Julius Malema's brand of populist politics.
What Ugandans think of Obama’s “Special Forces”
For Ugandans the Americans are basically aiding a military infrastructure that will mostly terrorize local people and strengthen an unpopular dictator.
Uganda’s Guantánamo
If you're accused of 'terrorism' in Uganda, you end up at Luzira Prison, known for torture and its 5,000 prisoners in a place with a capacity of 500.
Ghanaians like sex too much to be homophobic
Kwame Anthony Appiah, the Ghanaian philosopher, talks about coming out as gay.
Gaddafi’s white African mercenaries
Muammar Gaddafi relied extensively on mercenaries from elsewhere in Africa to secure his rule. It is usually assumed they're black Africans. It turns out a lot of them come from South Africa. And they're white.
The Assault on Patriarchy in Tunisia
Women participated in all parties, and prominently so, including the party of the undecided and the party of those boycotting the election.
Revisiting the “Gay Marriage Map”
Homophobia in Africa often gets discussed as a one-size-fits-all, with little room for nuance.
Gandhi in Somalia
A mild mannered historian and anthropologist takes over as President of an autonomous Somali republic.
The Sudan Report
Omar al-Bashir has a bigger problem than the ICC: Ordinary citizens, including the middle classes, taking to the streets against the effects of austerity on their lives.
You need Nicholas Kristof
Sierra Leone is a tough place for women and girls, maybe among the worst. But that doesn't mean they’re waiting for Nicholas Kristof to save them.
Who is Leymah Gbowee
Gbowee, an activist, is one of three Liberian women to jointly be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2011. Most Western media, though, didn't do right by her.
The Emperor Needs New Clothes
Equatorial Guinea's longtime head of state, Teodoro Obiang, wants to buy legitimacy internationally. Will he succeed?