grey dynamics

Stabilising West Africa Through Football

April 20, 2020

Ana-Maria Baloi

  Why Does This Matter   Football can serve as a diplomatic means to enhance dialogue and cooperation, thus bringing about regional stability West African football clubs are widely popular across the continent; given the increasing turmoil affecting West Africa, football could play a greater role in facilitating cooperation among states Some African players have become very politically influential to the point of winning presidential elections — such as Liberian President George Weah     Overview   Football was introduced…

Luanda Leaks: Africa’s Richest Woman Under Fire

April 15, 2020

Jesutimilehin Akamo

  This article seeks to examine the corruption scandal and allegations against Africa’s richest woman, Isabel dos Santos, the former Chairperson of Sonangol. Her half-brother, José Filomeno dos Santos, also headed Angola’s sovereign wealth fund. They are both children of José Eduardo dos Santos, Angola’s former President. João Lourenço (JLo) took over from their father as President and sacked them. Afterwards, he charged them to court for corruption.   ‘Luanda Leaks’ was revealed by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists…

Libyan Civil War: Shifting Balance of Power

April 7, 2020

Louis Tayler

Key Judgements   The LNA and Haftar wish to tighten their grip on Tripoli, not only to end the civil war but to stop foreign equipment and support arriving. Turkey and the GNA are adapting to LNA counter-drone tactics and diversifying their operating locations. Erdogan wishes to create “a balance of power with the Haftar forces”, or a stalemate, which may then lead to negotiations.   Libya is in the midst of its second bloody Civil War, currently between the…

Mauritius: A Tropical Heaven or Tax Haven?

April 2, 2020

Eren Ersozoglu

  Key Judgments   KJ-1. Despite having a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and religious population, Mauritius is the most peaceful and stable country in Africa, ranking 24th on the Global Peace Index.   KJ-2. There are some tensions and inequalities based on ethnic group lines, and discrimination does exist. Despite some shortcomings, the complex Mauritius social model provides a degree of inclusion that helps to avoid internal conflict and minimises terrorist recruitment as disenfranchisement is low.   KJ-3. Economic stability has been possible…

Gold Rush: Benefits of Tanzania Mining Reforms

March 27, 2020

Eren Ersozoglu

    Key Judgments   The mining reforms initiated by President Magafuli have resulted in an increase in tax revenue and extraction from mining operations. Minerals such as gold have seen a significant increase in extraction and a deal with Barrick Gold is likely to increase revenues as a settlement has been reached.   Despite negative foreign investment ratings by companies such as Moody’s, according to the 2019 World Investment Report of CNUCED, investment has significantly increased from $938 million…

Human Rights was Ignored in Equatorial Guinea: What is Next?

March 26, 2020

Jesutimilehin Akamo

      Key Judgements   (International) Non-Governmental Organisations (INGOs / NGOs) and Civil Society Organisations (CSO) are very limited in their operation because the civic space is closed (A3);   It is almost certain that the media is under total control of the government while the civic space is closed; however   There is a realistic probability that the government of Equatorial Guinea may begin to respond actively to the United Nations warnings of human right violations and abuses…