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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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President Joe Biden meets with Angola's President Joao Lourenco in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, DC, on November 30, 2023
President Joe Biden meets with Angola's President Joao Lourenco in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, DC, on November 30, 2023 Evelyn Hockstein/REUTERS
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Washington Woos Angola

by Michelle Gavin September 18, 2024

Reports of an upcoming presidential visit to Angola raise thorny policy questions.   Read More

South Africa
South Africa’s Landmark Elections
As South Africa concludes a set of historic national elections, questions remain on how its democracy will fare in response to a new set of challenges.
Blog Post by Michelle Gavin June 3, 2024 Africa in Transition
Sudan
The World’s Shameful Neglect of Sudan
The disregard paid to Sudan’s brutal conflict is an indictment on the international community.
Blog Post by Michelle Gavin May 31, 2024 Africa in Transition
Nigeria
The OBJ of Illiberalism
Nigerian statesman Olusegun Obasanjo’s rejection of liberal democracy is heartfelt—and wrong.  
Blog Post by Ebenezer Obadare May 29, 2024 Africa in Transition
  • Democratic Republic of Congo
    A Puzzling Attempted Coup in the DRC
    A clumsy coup d’état attempt in the Democratic Republic of Congo reveals the underlying fragility of U.S.-DRC relations.  
    Blog Post by Michelle Gavin May 23, 2024 Africa Program
  • Burkina Faso
    When Civilians Become Targets
    Recurrent deadly encounters between soldiers and civilians across West Africa offer an instructive glimpse into the state of civil-military relations in the region.
    Blog Post by Ebenezer Obadare May 22, 2024 Africa in Transition
  • Kenya
    A Preview of Kenya’s State Visit
    During Kenya’s state visit, the United States should work toward building a more resilient model of U.S.-Africa partnerships.
    Blog Post by Michelle Gavin May 21, 2024 Africa in Transition
  • Chad
    An Exercise in Electoral Futility
    The United States should resist a “business as usual” approach to Chad.  
    Blog Post by Michelle Gavin May 13, 2024 Africa in Transition
  • Nigeria
    Ethnonationalist Rumblings
    Why seeming democratic progress has failed to staunch agitation for self-determination in Nigeria.
    Blog Post by Ebenezer Obadare May 9, 2024 Africa in Transition
  • South Africa
    Mutual Suspicion Grates U.S.-South Africa Relations
    Tensions in the U.S.-South Africa relationship only heighten as both countries head towards national elections. 
    Blog Post by Michelle Gavin May 3, 2024 Africa in Transition
  • Nigeria
    The Record Breakers
    Nigerians’ seemingly coordinated assault on the Guinness World Records offers a didactic lens into the national psyche and the state of the nation.
    Blog Post by Ebenezer Obadare April 22, 2024 Africa in Transition