Africa Aware

The uptick in armed conflicts across Africa in recent years has challenged peacebuilding efforts and upset a trajectory towards continental stability. In this episode, HE Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security the AU's goal of silencing the guns by 2030, the evolution of peacekeeping, and his vision for a more peaceful and secure Africa.  Related content: Africa Aware: The future of African peace and security Tensions in Tigray could spark war between Ethiopia and Eritrea – disaster must be avoided Navigating a path beyond regional division is essential for West Africa's security South Sudan's shaky peace is at risk of collapse. Can it be saved?

In this episode, Tim Eaton and Lubna Yousef discuss their latest research on how transnational human smuggling has fuelled conflict in Libya through a systems analysis of three key transit cities – Kufra, Sebha and Zawiya. Using this approach, their research examines the roles played by conflict and social dynamics in the expansion of human smuggling and trafficking – thus helping uncover critical gaps in policies aimed at addressing the rapid rise of migration.  This episode was produced with support from the Cross-Border Conflict Evidence, Policy, and Trends (XCEPT) research programme, funded by UK International Development. Related content: Tackling the Niger–Libya migration route Africa Aware: From Nigeria to Libya: Linked through migration and armed conflict

In this episode, Professor Carlos Lopes discusses what the African Union's G20 membership means for Africa's economic and geopolitical influence on the global stage. 

In this episode, Khalid Omer Yousif discusses how Sudan's broadest anti-war, pro-democracy coalition, Tagadom, aims to bring civilian voices to the fore in a war dictated by military powers, and their plans to the end of Sudan's war despite mounting atrocities engulfing the country.  Related content:  https://www.chathamhouse.org/events/all/open-event/civilian-priorities-ending-war-sudan  https://www.chathamhouse.org/2024/06/strong-civilian-coalition-vital-avert-sudans-disintegration  https://www.chathamhouse.org/2024/09/war-sudan-intensifying-coordinated-pressure-needed-prevent-countrys-fragmentation  https://www.chathamhouse.org/2024/03/africa-aware-how-gold-fuels-war-sudan 

For years now, Somalia has experienced the effects of not only climate change, but also climate extremes – oscillating between devastating droughts and fierce floods. Ranked as the most climate-vulnerable country in the world, Somalia faces lasting environmental and socio-political challenges due to the frequent extreme climate events; furthermore, efforts to secure timely climate financing are hampered due to ongoing conflict in the country.  In this episode, Abdihakim Yusuf Ali Ainte and Maram Ahmed discuss ways to turn Somalia's climate vulnerability to climate resilience. They explore the environmental and socio-political challenges brought by devastating climate events, which exacerbate ongoing conflict and humanitarian challenges such as food security, displacement, and poverty. They also discuss innovative climate financing methods for improved climate adaptation.    Related content: https://www.chathamhouse.org/publications/the-world-today/2024-09/developing-countries-need-cheaper-loans-or-world-will-miss-its https://www.chathamhouse.org/2022/11/africas-maritime-agency-cannot-be-overlooked https://www.chathamhouse.org/2022/10/africa-aware-drought-horn-africa https://www.chathamhouse.org/2022/12/towards-just-transition-africa

There is a deeply entrenched view both within and outside of Nigeria that corruption represents an intrinsic feature of Nigerian society. In reality, however, the issue of corruption is more complex and driven by a range of social and behavioural factors. It is these underlying factors sustaining corruption in Nigeria that the Chatham House Africa Programme's Social Norms and Accountable Governance (SNAG) research project seeks to diagnose and address – posing the central question: ‘why do people do what they do?'  In this episode, Dr Leena Koni Hoffmann and Dr Raj Navanit Patel discuss how and why the SNAG research project came about, explain the social norms methodology that underpins their research, and share key findings from the project for policymakers and Nigerian citizens.  Odeh Friday (Country Director, Accountability Lab Nigeria) discusses Accountability Lab Nigeria's engagement with government officials who have rejected corrupt practices and changing the narrative on corruption in Nigeria.  The Social Norms and Accountable Governance (SNAG) research project is supported by the MacArthur Foundation. Related content: Collective Action on Corruption in Nigeria Pass-mark bribery in Nigerian schools Vote-selling behaviour and democratic dissatisfaction in Nigeria  

In this episode, Wenjie Chen, Deputy Division Chief of the Regional Studies Division at the International Monetary Fund's African Department, discusses the IMF Regional Economic Outlook for Sub-Saharan Africa titled 'A Tepid and Pricey Recovery'. The International Monetary Fund's global economic outlook for 2024, released this January, cites a resilient global economy with positive projections for the year ahead. Africa is expected to be the second fastest-growing economic region in the world in 2024, following Asia. Despite this positive forecast, there are concerns about the rising costs for African countries to meet their debt obligations and a funding squeeze that hinders the region's economic growth potential. In this episode, Wenjie Chen, Deputy Division Chief of the Regional Studies Division at the International Monetary Fund's African Department, discusses the IMF Regional Economic Outlook for Sub-Saharan Africa titled "A Tepid and Pricey Recovery," released in April 2024. She highlights key findings from the report and contextualizes the IMF's recommendations for harnessing Africa's economic growth potential amid inevitable shocks. 

In this special episode, His Excellency Timothy Musa Kabba, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Sierra Leone, shares insights into his country's key priorities during its current tenure on the Security Council. 54 years ago, Sierra Leone was elected to the United Nations Security Council as a non-permanent member for the first time, serving a two-year mandate from 1970 to 1971. Now, Sierra Leone returns to the Security Council for the 2024-2025 term after enduring a decade of civil war and embarking on a 20-year journey of post-war reconstruction. This period included the deployment of the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) peacekeeping force, which played a pivotal role in facilitating the end of the conflict. In this special episode, His Excellency Timothy Musa Kabba, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Sierra Leone, shares insights into his country's key priorities during its current tenure on the Security Council. He explores how these priorities align with broader objectives for the African continent and reflects on the lessons learned from Sierra Leone's own post-conflict reconstruction efforts.  Related content Democracy in Sierra Leone and Liberia Africa Aware: Reflections on Sierra Leone's peace process

As the devastating war in Sudan nears the one-year mark, it remains fuelled by transnational military business networks, and one such sector funding the military activities in Sudan's gold sector. In this episode, Ahmed Soliman discusses his upcoming research on the Sudan conflict and its link to the gold sector – from how gold has evolved as a ‘conflict good,' its connection to the current war and transnational dynamics. Dr Suliman Baldo (Executive Director, Sudan Transparency and Policy Tracker) gives an overview of key political shifts in Sudan's history that have facilitated links with the country's gold sector. Denise Sprimont-Vasquez joins the podcast to discuss the economic activities and the illicit networks of conflict actors that are fuelling the ongoing war in Sudan. This episode was produced with support from the Cross-Border Conflict Evidence, Policy, and Trends (XCEPT) research programme, funded by UK International Development. Related content How a transnational approach can better manage the conflict in Sudan Resolving Sudan's crisis means removing those fighting Independent Thinking: Sudan on the brink

Tim Eaton and Leah de Haan (Chatham House Middle East and North Africa Programme) discuss their research on the transnational links between the movement of people and armed conflict – from Edo State in Nigeria, through Niger, to Libya. This episode was produced with support from the Cross-Border Conflict Evidence, Policy, and Trends (XCEPT) research programme, funded by UK International Development. Follow the Africa Programme on Twitter. Read our research: Stability at what cost? Smuggling-driven development in the Libyan city of Kufra Subscribe to Africa Aware wherever you find your podcasts - please listen, review and subscribe.

Partial reforms in Tanzania's political and socio-economic environment have been widely lauded since President Samia Suluhu Hassan's sudden rise to office in March 2021, but progress towards the reconciliation and repair of Tanzania's democratic system remains incomplete. Criticisms over the limits of the current reform process are increasingly coalescing around demands for a new Tanzanian constitution, with the current framework – and the ruling CCM party – in place since independence despite the shift to multipartyism in 1992. On this episode of Africa Aware, the Rt Hon Freeman Mbowe, leader of Tanzania's largest opposition party Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (CHADEMA), reflects on his country's political outlook. Mbowe shares his insights on CHADEMA's push for a new constitution, the party's balance of ideology with electability and Tanzania's position within broader regional blocs in Eastern and Southern Africa.

As the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) prepares for its upcoming elections, the nation stands at a critical juncture in its democratic trajectory. Against a backdrop of historical challenges and persistent political complexities, the forthcoming elections are of paramount importance to the future of the country and its democratic aspirations. On this episode of Africa Aware, Martin Fayulu, opposition leader and former DRC presidential candidate, outlines the current obstacles to free and fair elections in the country, the impact of the security crisis facing eastern parts of the nation, and his vision for the role the DRC can play continentally.  

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has historically had a strong record of regional norm-setting on governance and democracy. Yet ECOWAS now faces significant challenges in how to reorient its role and credibility amid a rise in military and 'constitutional' coups in Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea, and most recently in Niger. On this episode of Africa Aware, Ambassador Abdel-Fatau Musah, ECOWAS's Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, discusses the regional bloc's immediate response to the coup in Niger, and outlines the organization's strategic vision for tackling the complex peace and security challenges in the Sahel and West Africa.

Countries in the Horn of Africa face several interlinked challenges to their stability, including conflict, resource contestation and cross-border divisions. These complex issues are exacerbated by the impacts of climate change and the competing interests of external actors. On this episode of Africa Aware, the Executive Secretary of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), H.E. Dr Workneh Gebeyehu highlights efforts by the regional body to improve stability and further integration. Dr Workneh provides his insights into reforms within IGAD, following the adoption of a new treaty by the regional bloc, and IGAD-African Union efforts to bring an end to the war in Sudan.

Africa's maritime domain is an essential, yet often underappreciated component of the continent's stability, trade, and development. The blue economy offers an ocean of untapped potential, presenting African nations with the means to diversify their economies, create sustainable jobs, and alleviate poverty.  On this episode of Africa Aware, Yusuf speaks to Amb. Nancy Karigithu, Special Envoy and Advisor to the President of Kenya, and Kenyan Candidate for Secretary General of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).  The Ambassador outlined her thoughts on how regional collaboration can enhance maritime security in the face of transnational threats, and highlighted key policies to enhance maritime infrastructure and connectivity to improve trade.

This episode of Africa Aware reflects on Sierra Leone's peace process as the country concludes its 2023 general elections and marks the 24th anniversary of the Lomé Peace Agreement - which helped to bring an end to its decade-long civil war. Yusuf speaks to Dr Comfort Ero, President and CEO of Crisis Group, who discusses her experience as a researcher in Freetown during the civil war. Dr Ero highlights the challenges and innovations that emerged from the interlinked peace processes in Sierra Leone and Liberia - including the establishment of the landmark Kimberley Process which marks its 20th anniversary this year - and the wider lessons on how durable peace was achieved in the region. This podcast is an output of our project on ‘African peace processes: Lessons learned,' supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Cover image: Simon Davis/DFID

Agriculture accounted for 26 per cent of Mozambique's GDP in 2020 and employs more than 70 per cent of its workforce. The Mozambican government has made agriculture a top priority, and in recent years, the sector has seen significant growth.  On this episode, Yusuf speaks to Hon. Celso Ismael Correia, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development of the Republic of Mozambique. The Honourable Minister discussed the challenges facing the agricultural sector, and outlined his ambitions on how Mozambique can continue to grow this vital sector and improve the lives of its citizens.

On this special episode of Africa Aware, Yusuf speaks to H.E. Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, African Union (AU) Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security (PAPS) His Excellency explores the future of the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA), outlines the potential long-term impacts of climate change on peace and security, and discusses the role of the African Union in facilitating greater security, integration and cooperation among its member states.

The flow of migrants, from East and West Africa to Libya is on a scale much smaller than before, but is increasingly linked to violence along the conflict supply chain of human smuggling and trafficking. While the conditions for migrants in Libya is better documented, migration flows also play a key role in transit hubs like Agadez, Niger. In this episode of Africa Aware, Peter Tinti outlines the state of human smuggling and trafficking in Niger, international responses to these practices and the violence and harms caused by these now-illicit practices. This podcast was produced with support from the Cross-Border Conflict Evidence, Policy and Trends (XCEPT) project, funded by UK Aid from the UK government.

The war in northern Ethiopia since November 2020 and subsequent conquest of disputed farmlands in Al-Fashaga by the Sudanese army on the Ethiopia-Sudan border, has brought into focus the importance of agricultural commodities such as sesame as a potential driver of land contestation and conflict.  In this episode of Africa Aware, Ahmed Soliman and Abel Abate Demissie discuss the interrelation of commodity and conflict supply chains, land contestation, and boundary disputes in the Horn of Africa, with particular focus on the regions of Wolkait/Western Tigray in northwest Ethiopia and Al Fashaga in eastern Sudan. This podcast was produced with support from the Cross-Border Conflict Evidence, Policy and Trends (XCEPT) project, funded by UK Aid from the UK government

African countries face collective climate and job creation-related challenges. Yet policymaking often remains regionally siloed according to differing political, energy sector and ecological realities. This podcast reflects on the key policy messages from the Africa Programme's series on Towards just transition: Connecting green financing and sustainable job creation in Africa.  This output is part of a stream of work supported by the Chatham House Sustainability Accelerator and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Listen to the second episode of #NigeriaDecides, a special mini-series focused on upcoming elections in Nigeria. Nigeria's Electoral Act, enacted in February 2022, has contributed to improved hope around the election process: reflected in the addition of 12.29 million new voters in Nigeria's voter registration exercise – 9.51 million of which were then validated, bringing the total number of registered voters to more than 93 million. We are joined on the episode by Professor Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, who discussed INEC's preparation ahead of the election, the implementation of technology and how electoral security – both physical and cyber – has been prioritized amidst a challenging period for the country.

Listen to the first episode of #NigeriaDecides, a special mini-series focused on upcoming elections in Nigeria. Nigeria stands at a critical juncture, having suffered from two recessions in the past six years, unprecedented levels of physical and food insecurity, persistent fuel scarcity and high levels of crude oil theft. Civic fatigue also remains a critical challenge. We are joined on the episode by Dr Nnenna Ifeanyi-Ajufo and Dr Leena Koni Hoffmann, who shared key insights on these elections, including the prospects for inclusivity and on how the implementation of technology has changed the electoral process.

This episode of Africa Aware discusses the current state of the Commonwealth and the relevance of language-based intergovernmental organizations to African states as they seek to diversify their international relations. We are joined on the episode by HE Professor Robert Dussey, Foreign Minister of the Togolese Republic, and HE Michael Moussa-Adamo, Foreign Minister of the Republic of Gabon, who outline the reasons why both their countries with colonial ties to France joined the Commonwealth in October 2022, and how they seek to contribute to the development of the organisation.

On this special episode of Africa Aware, Yusuf speaks to H.E. Dr. Joyce Banda, the former President of the Republic of Malawi [2012 – 2014]. Her Excellency explores the current state of democracy in Africa, outlines what must be done to support the development of female leadership on the continent, and the important role African leaders must play on a global level.

This episode of Africa Aware discusses the current drought in the Horn of Africa, where the worst drought in 40 years is affecting more than 20 million people across several countries.  Abdirahman Abdishakur, Special Presidential Envoy for Drought Response for the Federal Republic of Somalia, outlined the Somali government's planning to prevent famine. Parvin Ngala, Regional Director at Oxfam International, highlighted international efforts to respond to the drought, the importance of empowering civil society in these circumstances, and what long term mitigation measures are necessary to avoid a return to this situation.

On this special episode of Africa Aware, Yusuf speaks to H.E. Joaquim Chissano, the former President of the Republic of Mozambique and the 2006 winner of the Chatham House Prize. Marking the 30th anniversary of the Rome General Peace Accords, signed on 4 October 1992, which brought the Mozambican civil war, President Chissano discussed the lessons from that peace process and the 2019 Maputo Accords that brought an end to intermittent targeted armed violence that resumed in 2013. Based on these experiences, and his time as a special envoy on behalf of the United Nations and African Union, President Chissano offered his insights on Mozambique's global role as the country prepares to sit on the UN Security Council in 2023.

This episode of Africa Aware explores the pathways to peace in Angola and Mozambique in their respective 20th and 30th anniversary years of the cessation of sustained conflict.   Dr Alex Vines provides a historic overview of how peace was achieved in these nations and what lessons can be learned for the modern day. Neha Sanghrajka discusses current efforts to sustain peace in Mozambique, the importance of inclusion in peacebuilding, and the unique nature of conflict mediation in Africa.

This episode of Africa Aware explores the elections in Kenya on 9 August 2022, in which Kenyans will select a new president and national lawmakers, as well as the governors and assemblies of the country's 47 counties.   First, Waihiga Mwaura discusses the main political groupings and policy issues that voters will decide on. Then Sylvia Katua examines issues around political inclusivity of marginalized groups, including in the context of Kenya's devolved system. Finally, Mulle Musau assesses the status of electoral preparedness and public confidence in the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

This episode of Africa Aware examines colonial land reparations, focusing on the Kipsigis and Talai clans of Kericho county in Kenya. Between 1895 and 1963 inhabitants of the county were evicted from their lands to make way for lucrative tea plantations owned by settlers. Governor Paul Chepkwony, Rodney Dixon QC and Maureen Okoth outline their efforts to engage with the UK Government to receive reparations and an apology for human rights violations the victims they represent suffered and continue to be affected by. In 2021, the UN recommended that the UK Government should at a minimum meet with the victims and then discuss compensation, an apology as well as memorialisation.

This episode of Africa Aware examines the relationship between Sudan and Ethiopia. Ahmed Soliman provides an overview of the Africa Programme's work on cross-border conflict as part of the XCEPT project. First, we speak to Kholood Khair on the steady deterioration in relations between Sudan and Ethiopia. Then Abel Abate Demissie discusses how recent political developments in Ethiopia and Sudan have impacted relations between the two countries.

This episode of Africa Aware examines the status of Africa-EU relations in the lead-up to the sixth African Union-European Union summit on 17-18 February 2022. Yusuf is joined by Faten Aggad to investigate the prospects for enhanced collaboration on several key issues for African states, from vaccine production to trade agreements and climate change. Then Geert Laporte analyses the priorities of the EU and its member states: including security challenges, the EU's new Global Gateway initiative, migration, and cooperation in the global multilateral system.

In this episode of Africa Aware, Tighisti Amare highlights some of the key messages from the policy for recovery in Africa dialogue series that the Chatham House Africa Programme held in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The dialogue series brought key stakeholders together to engage on issues affecting post-COVID-19 recovery in Africa, presenting a diverse range of opinions and insights focused on what policies are needed for accelerating recovery from the pandemic.  

In this episode of Africa Aware, Professor Tang Xiaoyang examines Beijing's vision of China-Africa relations and its approach to debt relief in the context of post-pandemic domestic economic adjustments. Fergus Kell outlines a new Chatham House project on infrastructure-linked debt sustainability in Africa and discusses the recent Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) summit in Dakar, Senegal.

In this episode of Africa Aware, we speak to Executive Director of EG Justice Tutu Alicante. Tutu outlines the current state of kleptocracy in Equatorial Guinea, the western actors that facilitate these corrupt practices, and the role of international partners in supporting efforts to bring about justice.

On this special episode of Africa Aware, we speak to Honorable Minister Dr Lee White, The Republic of Gabon's Minister of Water, Forests, the Sea, and Environment. With COP26 around the corner, we discuss the immediate impacts of climate change in Gabon, how infrastructure development can factor in sustainability, the role of the private sector in conservation and the voice of local populations in the decision-making process around environmental issues.

In this episode of Africa Aware, Christopher Vandome introduces key questions facing decision-makers in response to the challenges facing the mining sector in Africa. While Sheila Khama discusses continent-wide priorities for the mining sector, and the industry's role in supporting national development ambitions.

In this episode of Africa Aware, Ahmed Soliman discusses the context in which the Ethiopian elections are taking place, while Lidet Tadesse emphasizes the importance of peacebuilding and intercommunal dialogue during and after the elections.

In this episode of Africa Aware, Dame Rosalind Marsden discusses the state of Sudan's transition, while Dr Adam Elhiraika speaks about the country's economic reform priorities and international support.

In this episode Dr Alex Vines from Chatham House provides his insights on what the UK Government's Integrated Review will mean for its engagement with Africa. Then Shuvai Nyoni from the African Leadership Centre in Nairobi discusses how East Africa can leverage burgeoning interest for the benefit of its citizens and why approaches to tackle widespread insecurity in the region must be reframed.  Credits: Speakers: Shuvai Nyoni, Alex Vines Host: Yusuf Hassan Editor: Jamie Reed Producers: Yusuf Hassan, Ben Horton Recorded and produced by Chatham House

In this episode of Africa Aware, Gita Honwana Welch highlights historical development challenges in the Sahel, and Marc-Antoine Pérouse de Montclos discusses how responses to Jihadist groups in the Sahel must be rethought. Credits: Speakers: Gita Honwana Welch, Marc-Antoine Pérouse de Montclos Host: Yusuf Hassan Editor: Jamie Reed Producers: Yusuf Hassan, Ben Horton Recorded and produced by Chatham House

As African states find themselves in the midst of severe economic difficulty exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, Yusuf speaks to Professor Carlos Lopes on the topic of debt on the continent, African risk perception and how the current system must be transformed to ensure it delivers for Africa.   Read the Chatham House Expert Comment: Africa's Road to Recovery in 2021 is a Fresh Start   Credits: Speakers: Tighisti Amare, Alex Vines, Carlos Lopes Host: Yusuf Hassan Editor: Jamie Reed Producers: Yusuf Hassan, Ben Horton Recorded and produced by Chatham House