Special Report: Engaging Africa’s Many Narratives

Special Report: Engaging Africa’s Many Narratives

Spanning only three countries, U.S. President Barack Obama’s recently concluded trip to Africa was revealing for the number of issues and countries it did not touch on. From growing subregional economic integration, to security and postconflict reconciliation, to deeply problematic governance challenges, this WPR special report reviews a broad range of Africa’s many policy challenges.

U.S. and Africa


For U.S. in Africa, Benign Neglect No Longer an Option

By Richard Downie
January 8, 2013

U.S. Shouldn’t Overcommit to African Security

By Steven Metz
May 1, 2013

U.S. Must Strike Difficult Balance on West Africa’s Terrorist Threat
By Alex Thurston
June 17, 2013

Walking the Line: U.S. Security Policy in East Africa and the Horn
By David H. Shinn
February 20, 2013

Politics, Development and Governance

To Maintain Growth, Africa Must Improve Governance
By Scott B. MacDonald
April 11, 2013

For EAC, Trade Still Out Ahead of Political Integration
By Richard Downie
June 6, 2013

The EAC: Regional Engine, African Model
By Pearl Thandrayan
February 20, 2013

Uganda’s Museveni Moves to Consolidate Grip Over a Tense Country
By Gaaki Kigambo
June 20, 2013

Generational Shift May Shake Up Ethiopian Politics After Meles Zenawi
By Terrence Lyons
April 25, 2013

The Next Phase of U.N. Engagement in Somalia
By Megan Gleason-Roberts and Alischa Kugel
May 20, 2013

Djibouti’s Guelleh Attempts a Managed Opening
By Catherine Cheney
February 26, 2013

With Elections Looming, Zimbabwe Not Yet Open for Business
By Richard Downie
June 27, 2013

Zimbabwe’s New Constitution Unlikely to Prevent Election Violence
By Alexander Noyes
February 19, 2013

Two Years After Independence, South Sudan Struggles to Build a Viable State
By Stefan Wolff
June 24, 2013

Guinea Inches Toward Stability
By Dane F. Smith
May 13, 2013

Cote d’Ivoire’s Ouattara Puts Economic Recovery Ahead of Political Reconciliation
By Arthur Boutellis
March 19, 2013

African Union’s Complicated Record Belies Continent-Spanning Narratives
By James Hamill
February 26, 2013

Security and Conflict

Nigeria’s Fault Lines Threaten Jonathan’s Presidency
By Alex Thurston
April 2, 2013

Any Boko Haram Deal Must Address Nigeria’s Structural Instability
Interview with Jennifer Giroux
April 29, 2013

Better International Coordination Needed to Combat Rising West African Piracy
By James M. Bridger
April 2, 2013

Security Sector Reform Stalling in Cote d’Ivoire
Interview with Arthur Boutellis
May 17, 2013

Post-Intervention Prospects for Mali’s Tuareg: Part I
By Peter Dörrie
May 1, 2013

Post-Intervention Prospects for Mali’s Tuareg: Part II
By Peter Dörrie
May 2, 2013

For Chad, Opportunity and Challenge in Regional Crises
By Alex Thurston
April 16, 2013

Security Vacuum Threatens Central African Republic’s Political Transition
By Alex Thurston
May 22, 2013

Old is New: M23, Rwanda and Conflict in the Eastern DRC
By Laura Seay
February 20, 2013

U.N.’s ‘Intervention Brigade’ Raises Cost of Interference in DRC
By Richard Gowan
April 8, 2013