Addressing the Solution Resistant Islamic Insurgency in Nigeria

The recent abduction of more than 200 school girls in northeastern Nigeria is a clear indication of how the country, despite its vast economic and military potential, lacks the critical ability to ensure the proper security of its citizens. The event sparked a global outcry and motivated the campaign #BringBackOurGirls, which drew attention to the true danger of the Islamic insurgent group Boko Haram.

This tragic event prompted the Nigerian government to openly welcome, for the first time since the beginning of this insurgency, the offer of security assistance from world powers such as the United States, France, and Great Britain. With new support flowing in from major world powers and neighboring countries, the question now is whether Nigeria will indeed be able to effectively address the wider security concern that has now become both messy and solution resistant. Read full blog on the Center for Security Governance page

For Rwanda’s Kagame, critics including foreign nationals have to worry

On 31 December 2013, Patrick Karegeya, a former Rwandan intelligence chief was mysteriously assassinated in his hotel chamber at Michelangelo Hotel in Sandton, Johannesburg. Must it be the finger of Rwanda’s strong man–Paul Kagame? Hard to tell.

South Africa (SA) timidly but painfully launched an investigation whose result never came out.The truth, it seems, was simply buried—deep under the moving sand of realpolitik. No one will ever know why.

No place on earth for regime critics

Soon afterwards however, Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame, who had earlier denied any role in the assassination of the former spy chief, came out from his reserve and warns in no uncertain terms that those who betray him today will perish tomorrow. He then adds he wished he killed the man himself. 

For Kagame, there will be no place on earth for those who criticize his regime. His statement raises eyebrows but little diplomatic outcry.  Read full article on News24

Zille - Ramphele Rift Favors ANC as Elections Near

the Zille-Ramphele break-up ahead of the 2014 elections reminds me of  celebrity  marriages at Hollywood. Hollywood marriages seldom last. Some have lasted as short as55 hours while others lasted longer–as long as 52 days. That is it! If we can learn anything from Hollywood celebrities, it is that anything can become a dramatic film.

Glamorous, dramatic, thoughtless and short-lived, the breakup of the partnership between the Democratic Alliance headed by Helen Zille and Agang SA’s leader Mamphela Ramphele seems to have followed this pattern. That this happens only weeks ahead of the pending elections is ominous.  Who will be the winners and losers from this unexpected divorce? Read full article on News24

Will the African Union silence all guns by 2020?

The African Union’s (AU) move to declare the year 2014 as a “Year of Agriculture and Food Security” reflects its desperate desire to go beyond the complex web of political crises that have long tied its hands.

Embroiled in a series of deadly conflicts, the AU is finding it difficult to maintain law and order on its soil. This perceived lassitude has prompted world powers such as France, Germany and the United States to want to step in—at last. These arrivals should indeed give the AU the much needed support to implement its ambitious project to silence all guns by 2020, but will it? Read full article on Africa Review

Can the ANC redeem its fading glory?

The South African ruling party, the African National Congress (ANC) has been enjoying more than 60% of voters’ support at virtually every election since 1994, the year that marked the beginning of democratic rule in the country.

Chad's unhelpful role in the CAR

With the build-up of sectarian conflict, scores of people killed, women raped, properties burned, villages destroyed, religious leaders calling for a holy war - the Central African Republic (CAR) crisis is feared to be entering into a Rwandan-like genocide.

The urge to avoid the complete descent into genocide has prompted the African Union and the UN to mobilise troops from African countries for peacekeeping purposes.

However, this effort is being fast compromised by the subversive activities of the Chadian army in its role as both peacekeeper and party to the conflict. Read full article on Africa Review