Africa Watch A Tax on Twitter Is Sending Ugandans Into the Streets Robbie Corey-Boulet Friday, July 13, 2018 Hundreds of Ugandans took to the streets of Kampala this week to protest a tax on the use of social media that human rights activists said reflects a desire by President Yoweri Museveni to exert control over dissent. Read up on that and other stories from across the continent in our weekly roundup of Africa news.
Trend Lines Podcast Will the Acclaimed Film ‘Rafiki’ Advance Freedom of Expression in Kenya? The Editors Friday, July 13, 2018 In this week’s podcast, WPR’s Judah Grunstein and Frederick Deknatel discuss the NATO summit. For the Report, Nanjala Nyabola talks with WPR’s Robbie Corey-Boulet about the social and legal implications of Kenyan filmmaker Wanuri Kahiu’s struggle to get her acclaimed film, “Rafiki,” screened in her native country.
Autocratic Togo Is Out of Step With West Africa. Will Its Neighbors Take Action? Robbie Corey-Boulet Thursday, July 12, 2018 Ever since protests against Togo’s president, Faure Gnassingbe, broke out 11 months ago, international engagement—including from ECOWAS, the West African regional body—has been ineffective. But the stalemate may not last forever, and the coming weeks and months could bring opportunities for ECOWAS to redeem itself.
Q&A Can a New Prosecutor Add Bite to Honduras’ Anti-Corruption Mission? The Editors Monday, July 9, 2018 On Friday, Luiz Antonio Guimaraes, Sao Paolo’s attorney general from 1996 to 2004, was sworn in as the head of the Mission Against Corruption and Impunity in Honduras, known as MACCIH. In an email interview, Eric Olson discusses MACCIH’s track record and the obstacles to anti-corruption efforts in Honduras.
Africa Watch Security and Diplomatic Challenges Abound for West African Counterterror Force Robbie Corey-Boulet Friday, July 6, 2018 A series of recent setbacks have highlighted the many difficulties facing the G5 Sahel Joint Force, a counterterrorism initiative involving five West African countries that launched its first deployments last November. Read up on that and other stories from across the continent in our weekly roundup of Africa news.
Q&A Alexis Tsipras Is Wearing a Tie Again, but Is Greece’s Debt Crisis Really Over? The Editors Monday, July 2, 2018 On June 22, Greece reached an agreement with its eurozone partners to formally exit the bailout programs that provided an economic lifeline to Athens throughout its debt crisis. In an email interview, Angelos Chryssogelos and Angelos Angelou discuss the latest deal and its implications for Greece’s budget and politics.
Africa Watch Verdict Against Moroccan Protest Leaders Sparks Outcry in Rif and Beyond Robbie Corey-Boulet Friday, June 29, 2018 A Moroccan court this week sentenced Nasser Zefzafi, the leader of the protest movement in the northern Rif region, and three other activists to 20 years in prison, sparking a fresh round of anti-government demonstrations. Read up on that and other stories from across the continent in our weekly roundup of Africa news.
As Graft Goes Unchecked in Malawi, Mutharika’s Rivals Are Starting to Circle Robbie Corey-Boulet Thursday, June 28, 2018 Malawi’s next presidential election is still nearly a year away, yet the incumbent, Peter Mutharika, is already facing potential challenges from unlikely corners. This does not mean, however, that Malawians can expect genuine reforms addressing their country’s most vexing governance problems, notably corruption.
Q&A German-Russian Relations in the Spotlight as EU Prepares to Renew Sanctions The Editors Wednesday, June 27, 2018 European leaders are widely expected to maintain Ukraine-related sanctions against Russia at this week’s EU summit in Brussels, despite disagreement among some member states. In an email interview, Susan Stewart discusses the impact of sanctions on German-Russian relations and how they are playing out in Germany.
Q&A The Two ‘Red Lines’ Restricting Pakistan’s Brave and Pugnacious Press The Editors Monday, June 25, 2018 Last week, the Pakistani daily Dawn reported that its distributors and vendors were being harassed and intimidated to prevent them from delivering the paper to subscribers. In an email interview, Michael Kugelman discusses the Pakistani press’ historical role, the challenges it faces and its main allies and supporters.
Africa Watch It Will Take More Than a Face-to-Face Meeting to Bring Peace to South Sudan Robbie Corey-Boulet Friday, June 22, 2018 South Sudanese President Salva Kiir and Riek Machar, the former vice president who is now a rebel leader, met in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, this week for the first time in nearly two years, but it didn’t go well. Read up on that and other stories from across the continent in our weekly roundup of Africa news.
Africa Watch Failed World Cup Bid Shows the Limits of Morocco’s African Charm Offensive Robbie Corey-Boulet Friday, June 15, 2018 This week’s vote to determine who would host the World Cup in 2026 was a major letdown for Morocco, which had hoped to become just the second country in Africa to secure hosting rights, after South Africa in 2010. Read up on that and other stories from across the continent in our weekly roundup of Africa news.
