Opinion & Analysis

June 20, 2013
The United Nation’s Role in Africa

The United Nation’s Role in Africa

Shortly after Kieran Dwyer, the United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations, gave a presentation about U.N. peacekeeping missions (watch video below), he said that the mission also receives “bad press” for some of its work in Africa. The phrase jumped out at me. Bad press is what happens when a Hollywood movie flops. In Africa,... Read more »

Feb. 12, 2013
In Eritrea, What’s Unsaid Is As Important As What’s Said.

In Eritrea, What’s Unsaid Is As Important As What’s Said.

In 2003, when the government of Eritrea sent out orders to ban Amharic music in public, there was no official announcement made but simply oral orders passed around in public places such as bars and music shops. The owners of such businesses were told to stop playing music. Of course, that didn’t mean that the government... Read more »

Dec. 15, 2012
What Next?: Ambassador Rice's Chanceto Rehabilitate Image

What Next?: Ambassador Rice's Chanceto Rehabilitate Image

It has been quite a week here at Africa Talks. After the Op-Ed titled “Susan Rice and Africa’s Despots” was published on Monday in the New York Times, I have received varied reactions from different sources including journalists in the mainstream media, scholars and diplomats. Many of them came to Ambassador Susan Rice’s defense. But most importantly, the... Read more »

Dec. 12, 2012
Rice: Hitting ‘reset’ on Africa talks

Rice: Hitting ‘reset’ on Africa talks

Michael O’Hanlon, in his Reuters Opinion piece, “In defense of Susan Rice” (Reuters, December 10, 2012), took issue with my New York Times op-ed article, “Susan Rice and Africa’s Despots” (December 9, 2012). Mine were not ad hominem attacks. It is fair to hold a public official accountable for her career and for the roles... Read more »