CFR.org - Africa

South Africa's Economic Fault Lines

Council on Foreign Relations — Fri, 17 May 2013 11:48:59 -0400

South Africa in the post-apartheid period has registered steady growth, but mounting problems over inequality threaten the continent's economic engine, explains this Backgrounder.

Escaping Nigeria's Cycle of Violence

Council on Foreign Relations — Wed, 15 May 2013 15:44:13 -0400

A state of emergency in Nigeria's northeast signals that Islamist violence and the government's brutal response have rendered the region ungovernable, says CFR's John Campbell.

Egypt, Turkey, and Tunisia Are All Slowly Islamizing

Council on Foreign Relations — Mon, 13 May 2013 14:59:50 -0400

Steven Cook inspects the role of Islam in Egyptian, Turkish, and Tunisian society and culture.

In Defense of Leading from Behind

Council on Foreign Relations — Wed, 08 May 2013 14:14:39 -0400

"Going forward, the United States has no choice but to embrace the sound underpinnings of leading from behind," writes Leslie H. Gelb.

Hearing at the U.S. House of Representatives: "Benghazi: Exposing Failure and Recognizing Courage," May 2013

Council on Foreign Relations — Wed, 08 May 2013 11:50:44 -0400

Three State Department officials testified at the Committee for Oversight and Government Reform on May 8, 2013.

Benghazi Truths vs. Washington Politics

Council on Foreign Relations — Wed, 08 May 2013 10:01:55 -0400

Elliott Abrams discusses the latest House hearing on the Benghazi embassy attack of September 11, 2012.

Realizing Democracy: Lessons from South Africa and Nigeria

Council on Foreign Relations — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 08:02:37 -0400

Isobel Coleman hosts John Campbell, former U.S. ambassador to Nigeria, for a discussion about the political and economic transitions of South Africa and Nigeria as part of a Civil Society, Markets, and Democracy Initiative series on Realizing Democracy: Lessons from Transitioning Countries.

Africa's Economic Boom

Council on Foreign Relations — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 16:04:29 -0400

Sub-Saharan Africa's GDP has grown five percent a year since 2000 and is expected to grow even faster in the future. Although pessimists are quick to point out that this growth has followed increases in commodities prices, the success of recent political reforms and the increased openness of African societies give the region a good chance of sustaining its boom for years to come.

Why aren't the United States and other western countries more involved in Zimbabwe?

Council on Foreign Relations — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 09:54:09 -0400

U.S. and Western influence in Zimbabwe is limited compared to the region's powerhouse, South Africa. South Africa is Zimbabwe's largest trading partner, and South Africa's ruling party, the African National Congress, has wide-ranging contacts in Zimbabwean political circles.

The World Next Week: April 11, 2013

Council on Foreign Relations — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 10:04:26 -0400

A preview of world events in the coming week from CFR.org: Britain honors the late Margaret Thatcher; Venezuelans select the successor to Hugo Chavez; and the World Bank and IMF spring meetings begin in Washington.

Ten Questions for the New BRICS Bank

Council on Foreign Relations — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 10:43:08 -0400

The recent announcement of a BRICS development bank raised many questions. Isobel Coleman writes about the potential structure and purpose of the BRICS development bank and its implications for international development and the global economy.

Remarks by President Obama after Meeting with African Leaders, March 2013

Council on Foreign Relations — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 15:37:33 -0400

President Obama met with President Sall from Senegal, President Banda from Malawi, President Koroma from Sierra Leone, and Prime Minister Neves from Cape Verde on March 28, 2013. The four presidents discussed the progress their countries have made in democracy and economic development.

CTC: AQIM’s Playbook in Mali

Council on Foreign Relations — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 16:57:08 -0400

As the French-led military forces retake northern Mali, [AQIM emir Abdelmalek] Droukdel's eight month old letter should resonate as an ominous warning as it points to a long-term strategic plan to outlive the intervention and sets the stage for a potentially successful return. Clearly, under Droukdel's leadership, AQIM has no intention of relinquishing northern Mali.

When will AFRICOM headquarters move to Africa?

Council on Foreign Relations — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 09:59:48 -0400

While there was some early discussion on where to base the command (continental United States, Africa, or Germany), its current location in Germany has the existing infrastructure, transportation links, housing, schools, and health facilities to support its personnel, employees, and family members. Any future rebasing discussions will need to take into account a cost-benefit analysis—and in a time of fiscal uncertainty, the cost might be prohibitive.

Obama in Jerusalem

Council on Foreign Relations — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 17:55:30 -0400

Elliott Abrams analyzes President Obama's speech in Jerusalem.

Congo Update

Council on Foreign Relations — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 16:28:20 -0400

Mvemba Dizolele, Tony Gambino, and Ben Rawlence discuss the long history of the Congo, the roadblocks to a sustainable framework agreement, and recommendations for the United States and regional players moving forward.

Congo Update

Council on Foreign Relations — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 10:09:25 -0400

Congo Update

Council on Foreign Relations — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 09:45:05 -0400

Often referred to as one of the deadliest and most forgotten wars, the Democratic Republic of the Congo has yet to see a lasting peace in over a decade. Mvemba Dizolele, Tony Gambino, and Ben Rawlence discuss the long history of the Congo, the roadblocks to a sustainable framework agreement, and recommendations for the United States and regional players moving forward.

Scarcity and Security in Africa

Council on Foreign Relations — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 11:45:17 -0400

Jendayi Frazer, Juergen Voegele, and Gary Weir flesh out the drivers of scarcity and security challenges related to natural resources in Africa, focusing on natural resource management. This meeting is part of the Global Resources, the U.S. Economy, and National Security symposium, sponsored by the Council on Foreign Relations and Conservation International.

Scarcity and Security in Africa

Council on Foreign Relations — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 11:45:15 -0400

Did the Iraq War Give Birth to the Arab Spring?

Council on Foreign Relations — Sun, 17 Mar 2013 10:12:43 -0400

Ed Husain writes that the ongoing Arab revolutions were inspired by "other, more direct developments," not the war in Iraq.

Remarks by Secretary Kerry and Libyan Prime Minister Zeidan, March 2013

Council on Foreign Relations — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 13:39:51 -0400

Secretary of State John Kerry and Libyan Prime Minister Ali Zeidan gave these remarks on March 13, 2013. They discussed Libya's revolution and recently appointed government, U. S. and Libyan coordination regarding the embassy attack at Benghazi, and the new Ambassador to Libya Deborah Jones.

Have U.S. relations with Somalia improved since stronger maritime security measures have decreased piracy?

Council on Foreign Relations — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 09:35:16 -0400

The United States restored official relations with Somalia in January 2013 after years of civil unrest there, reflecting an increasingly stable Somali political environment. Better relations with Somalia, however, have little to do with the decrease in piracy, and the drop in offshore piracy cannot be attributed to Somali government efforts.

Meet the Ruthless New Islamist Group Terrorizing Nigeria

Council on Foreign Relations — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 15:38:45 -0400

"Ansaru's new salience represents another, serious challenge to Nigeria's stability," writes John Campbell.

Film Screening: "Girl Rising"

Council on Foreign Relations — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 11:55:01 -0400

Writer Maaza Mengiste and executive producer Tom Yellin discuss their new film, Girl Rising.

Film Screening: "Girl Rising"

Council on Foreign Relations — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 11:47:12 -0400

Writer Maaza Mengiste and executive producer Tom Yellin discuss their new film, Girl Rising.

Challenges to Women’s Security in the MENA Region

Council on Foreign Relations — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 10:43:45 -0400

In response to systemic sexual assaults on women in Egypt, activists have initiated well-organized campaigns to protect women's right to participate in the political sphere and to move in public spaces without fear for their personal safety. Isobel Coleman warns that politically motivated violence against women has still not crested.

Media Conference Call: Kenya's Elections

Council on Foreign Relations — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 12:49:24 -0500

Jendayi Frazer, former assistant secretary of state for African affairs and current CFR adjunct senior fellow, and Joel D. Barkan, Center for Strategic and International Studies Africa scholar, discuss the elections in Kenya and how they could affect U.S. security interests.

Democracy's Decline and the Case of Kenya

Council on Foreign Relations — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 12:38:05 -0500

Will Kenya's elections produce a representative government or deepen its democratic decline? CFR's Joshua Kurlantzick offers a prescription for reversing the retreat of emerging states like Kenya.

What will it take for the United States and others to address the crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo?

Council on Foreign Relations — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 09:50:02 -0500

The exploitation of Congo's vast resources by competing elites and militaries for personal enrichment promotes insecurity and stymies development. Only very strong Western and African public outcry and a change in China's nonintervention approach might open the possibilities for change.