Africa
177 Articles
Transparency on Civilian Harm in Somalia Matters – Not Just to Americans
"Under the Bush, Obama, and Trump administrations, much of the commentary on the use of lethal force in counterterrorism operations has focused on the importance of transparency…
Beyond Sanctioning Elusive War Criminals, Prosecute the Profiteers
Bidibidi is the world’s second-largest refugee camp. A sea of tents and huts spilling into Uganda from its northern border, the settlement now hosts more than a quarter million…
Breaking the Silence on Civilian Casualties from U.S. Air Strikes in Somalia
A new report by Amnesty International documents 14 civilian deaths and 8 injuries - none acknowledged by AFRICOM - in five U.S. air strikes in Somalia.
DRC’s Presidential Transition: `Peaceful’ Maybe, but Signs of Backsliding
Last week, the new president of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Felix Tshisekedi, entered into a coalition government with the party of his predecessor, Joseph Kabila.…
The ICC Acquittal of Gbagbo: What Next for Crimes against Humanity?
The International Criminal Court dismissed another case this week, ordering the release of two more defendants accused of serious international crimes. The Court's recent record…
The Dangers of Democratic Republic of Congo’s Post-Election Dispute
The announced results of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Dec. 30 presidential elections have thrown the country into confusion. Precedents elsewhere on the continent show…
A Congo War Crimes Decision: What It Means for Universal Jurisdiction Litigation in Germany and Beyond
The German Federal Court of Justice, the country's court of last resort in criminal and private law, recently announced its much-anticipated decision in a Congo War Crimes case.…
U.S. Lethal Operations in Somalia Are On the Rise. But Are They Effective?
A deep-rooted ideology cannot be defeated with bombs dropped from the sky. What is needed is a real shift in strategy.
How Will Nikki Haley’s Resignation Affect U.S. Policy Towards Africa?
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley’s surprise resignation earlier this month led to a handful of predictable questions, including why was she resigning, why now,…
International Law Roundup: Part III
In addition to discussing developments at the international criminal tribunals, addressed in Parts I and II of this series, the IHL Dialogs also offered insights into human rights…
The Unchanging Reality of the UN Sex Abuse Scandal
The UN has not been doing enough to prevent sexual exploitation and abuse by its peacekeepers and there is only so much the UN can do on its own to stop the problem. These are…
Appeals Judges Turn the ICC on its Head with Bemba Decision
Reversing Bemba's conviction turns the ICC's procedures upside down, with extremely negative consequences for the institution.