The 2016 Ghanaian elections were considered by commentators as a text-book example of what we hear Africans say they want: free, fair, and credible. Ghana stubbornly remains an exception to the rule in Africa at large – the rule being dysfunctional, pseudo-democracies.
We enable young Africans to immerse themselves in extensive study of Africa’s people’s, politics and economies, as well as the various challenges and opportunities for advancement on the continent.
Our Insights
Aid for Development? Not in Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is one country with abundant aid, poverty, corruption, high rates of unemployment, and food insecurity among a host of issues. The question therefore is why has aid failed to promote development? This article’s key hypothesis is that Zimbabwe’s dependency on aid is not entirely helpful and that there is need to craft alternatives to ensure development.
The Need and Difficulty of Public Service in Africa
On Saturday 19 February, Special Assistant to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on Development Policy, Ibrahim Lawal Ahmed discussed “The Need and Difficulty of Public Service in Africa” as Future Africa Forum’s Guest Speaker. This article written by
Ibrahim Lawal Ahmed expands on the same discussion.
Vital Kamerhe: 20-Year Sentence, A Dead Judge And a Waltz With the Law
When does corruption start? Does it start with the first call to an offshore bank, the first transfer of illicit funds or does it start some time before – during a sleepless night – and in the depths of the mind where no law reaches?
Silencing the Guns in Africa: How Feasible?
The fourth aspiration of the African Union Agenda 2063 highlighted the establishment of a peaceful and secure Africa, characterized by conflict prevention means that are centered on dialogue alongside conflict management and resolution with the end goal of silencing guns. However, there is minimal visibility on member state programs that ensure the effective implementation of efforts towards silencing the gun, on a national and regional scope .
Through My Eyes: Zambia’s Democratic Elections
Zambia is currently experiencing what could be one of its biggest defining moments since the re-introduction of political pluralism in 1990. This is because to many Zambians this change of government feels like freedom, hope and an opportunity for them to raise their standards of living after what felt like decades of suffering under the administration of the Patriotic Front led by former president Edgar Chagwa Lungu.
Royal Gifts or Corruption: Analysing Omar Al-Bashir’s Corruption Scandals
In African politics, it is rare to see a person of high influence come to justice in a legal matter. More than that, for them to stand trial domestically is rare. The case of al-Bashir did give hope to the people of Sudan that justice can be served. Part of the impact of this case, and a strength, is the sheer fact of seeing an ex-president stand for trial and be judged like a normal citizen.
Uganda’s Museveni Settles into Sixth Term with 7 Billion Shillings Inauguration
The issue in question is not the legitimacy of the election results. Why would a struggling economy with nearly 70 trillion Uganda Shillings (UGX) (21 billion U.S dollars) in debt spend 7 billion UGX (2 million dollars) to inaugurate the same president? Doesn’t every penny count?
Future Africa Fellowship: Re-Enacting the 2016/17 Gambian Electoral Crisis
Takunda Ushe reviews the re-enactment of the 2016/17 Gambian electoral crisis through a simulated Commission of Inquiry at the Future Africa Fellowship. He highlights the complexity of “the will of the people”, as a prevailing factor in the actions of political players.
Bring Back Our Boys – A Call to Action
Nteranya Sanginga and Tetsekela Michelle discuss the case of terrorism in Nigeria and the overwhelming need to effectively address the underlying socio-economic shortcomings that continue to motivate young men to opt into armed banditry and insurgency in Nigeria. How do we bring our boys back?
In Ethiopia, Nigeria and Uganda, A Leadership Deficit Is On Full Display
Faith Abiodun discusses the case of political instability in Ethiopia which is at war within its own borders, Uganda which is experiencing its worst unrest in years, and Nigeria where a dishonorable campaign of retaliation against innocent citizens is being implemented.
Street Protests Are Dangerous, But Are They Effective?
Faith Abiodun analyses the effectiveness of street protests in a year that has been weighed down by the scourge of Covid-19. The year 2020 has been marked by an endless global stream of protests. How do we ensure that street protests in Africa are effective and safe?