Africa
156 Articles

As Senate Considers New Ambassador to Burkina Faso, Human Rights Focus Would Strengthen US Policy
As government forces battle armed groups in Burkina Faso, civilians face daily abuses, even death, amid a range of violations of their security and their property. At least 6,201…

Shaming without Naming: The Limits of Anonymous U.S. Visa Sanctions for Accountability
The Biden administration needs to use visa sanctions more transparently if they are to have a serious political impact.

The Democratic Price of Countering Authoritarianism
The US need to contend with China and Russia may obscure the accumulation of risk from many individual tradeoffs.

National Security at the United Nations This Week (Jan. 15-Jan. 19)
This week's developments at the United Nations at the intersection of national security, human rights, and the rule of law.

Counterterrorism in Disguise? Does A Shift Toward `Peace Enforcement’ Spell a Death Knell for UN Peacekeeping?
A Security Council resolution on funding AU missions risks not only peacekeeping but also UN human rights and civilian protection priorities.

The United Nations in Hindsight: UN Security Council Sanctions
Sanctions programs could benefit from certain measures to restore their function as a critical U.N. Security Council tool for peace.

Amid Africa’s Spate of Coups, Improved Election Observation Will be Crucial to Transition
Whether observation missions in upcoming Sahel elections will help or hinder a return to civilian rule depends on a range of factors.

From Darfur to Darfur: The Fall and Rise of Indifference to Mass Atrocities in Africa
This arc reveals both the African Union’s strengths and weaknesses in stopping atrocity crimes, and what it might yet accomplish.

Ethiopia’s Conflict Is Spreading, But UN Human Rights Council May End Expert Investigation Anyway
EU presses to let mandate end despite commission finding that “past and current abuses in these four regions demand further investigation.”

Zimbabwe’s Troubled Election: Might Southern African Leaders Follow the Example of Their Observers?
SADC leaders should follow their monitoring mission's lead with credible support amid the country's tensions.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Unheard Humanitarian Crisis
Since MSF raised the alarm about sexual violence and the crisis in eastern DRC as a whole, a slew of diplomats, U.N. officials, and local authorities have visited and expressed…

Zimbabwe’s Impending Elections: A Challenge for International Observers
Even in the short time left before the Aug. 23 vote, there are steps the government can take to enhance the quality of the elections.