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Africa in Transition

Michelle Gavin, Ebenezer Obadare, and other experts track political and security developments across sub-Saharan Africa.

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The Congolese Republican Guard and police block a road around the scene of an attempted coup d'etat in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo on May 19, 2024.
The Congolese Republican Guard and police block a road around the scene of an attempted coup d'etat in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo on May 19, 2024. Arsene Mpiana/AFP via Getty Images
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A Puzzling Attempted Coup in the DRC

by Michelle Gavin May 23, 2024

A clumsy coup d’état attempt in the Democratic Republic of Congo reveals the underlying fragility of U.S.-DRC relations.   Read More

Democracy
A Democratic Inquest
Pervasive despondency about democracy in Africa urges the imperative to strengthen democratic institutions and practices.  
Blog Post by Ebenezer Obadare September 18, 2023 Africa in Transition
Zimbabwe
Further Downhill for African Democracy Efforts
Democracy is decidedly worse for wear in Africa following a set of sham elections in Zimbabwe and Gabon, with few bright spots in the upcoming electoral calendar.  
Blog Post by Michelle Gavin September 15, 2023 Africa Program
Nigeria
The Rules of Obeisance
What various forms of bodily deportment can teach us about power and authority in Africa.
Blog Post by Ebenezer Obadare September 11, 2023 Africa in Transition
  • Niger
    The Rise of the Gangsta Militariat
    The latest generation of African coupists offers definitive proof that the armed forces are the greatest victims of military rule.
    Blog Post by Ebenezer Obadare August 28, 2023 Africa in Transition
  • Kenya
    Kenya’s Governance Dilemma
    With no clear end in sight for Kenya’s cost of living crisis, the Ruto administration will struggle to promote calm while managing expectations.
    Blog Post by Michelle Gavin August 22, 2023 Africa in Transition
  • Sub-Saharan Africa
    Democracy in Name Only for Africa
    Three decades after the fight for multiparty democracy in Africa, many on the continent still face sham elections, restrictions of rights, and few improvements.
    Blog Post by Michelle Gavin August 15, 2023 Africa in Transition
  • Sub-Saharan Africa
    Africa’s Multiple Security Crises
    Across the continent, ill-conceived security arrangements are having unintended consequences 
    Blog Post by Michelle Gavin August 7, 2023 Africa in Transition
  • Niger
    The Anti- Anti-Coup
    The apparent success of the military coup in Niger bodes ill for democracy and stability in the Sahel and the rest of the continent.
    Blog Post by Ebenezer Obadare August 7, 2023 Africa in Transition