African Union
Third-country deportations expose democratic costs of Africa’s deals with the US
US migration deals with African governments are prompting legal, political and human rights concerns across the continent
China benefits most from its relations with Africa: where’s the imbalance?
The eight Focac summits since 2000 have not resulted in mutual gain, particularly in trade and industrialisation for Africa, with China reaping most of the benefits
How green hydrogen can be made to work for Africa
Africa's limited energy infrastructure means that countries can leapfrog fossil fuels and build green economies based on renewable energy and designed to meet their needs
Africa’s escalating peacekeeping crisis
The premature withdrawal of peacekeepers from the DRC, Mali, and Somalia will exacerbate instability in Africa's most volatile regions
EU/Africa: Modesty and realism should drive new partnership
The EU’s objective is to become Africa’s partner of choice, a goal set by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen during our first visit to the AU’s headquarters in Addis Ababa in 2020
Covid-19 pandemic reminds us that Africa must invest in human capital
It is human capital that will provide the strongest cushion in future crises, especially those that overwhelm social safety nets
The case for an African alternative to the ICC
There’s a case to be made for Africa’s withdrawal from the International Criminal Court. This is because there are alternatives.
What’s stopping the African Union from opening up Africa’s borders?
There are major obstacles that need to be cleared before the ambition of free movement across the continent can be achieved, such as concerns raised by the continent’s major economies like South Africa where unemployment rates are high
Presidential term limits: slippery slope back to authoritarianism in Africa
There is mounting concern in Africa about a lack of leadership as well as an increasing trend of hard-won democratic rights being reversed. One way this is being done is through presidential term limits being abandoned, or extended. This in turn is leading to a reemergence of authoritarian politics, and political violenceMore African Union
Why Africa’s free trade area offers so much promise
The free trade area aims to create a single market for goods and services in Africa. By 2030 the market size is expected to include 1.7 billion people with over USD$ 6.7 trillion of cumulative consumer and business spending – that’s if all African countries have joined the free trade area by then
5 things about the African Continental Free Trade Agreement
Forty-four member states of the African Union have signed the African Continental Free Trade Agreement which aims to create a single continental market for goods and services, with free movement of people and capital, paving way for the establishment of a customs union
How Africa can negotiate an effective continental free trade area agreement
African countries are forging ahead to complete negotiations for a continental free trade area between 55 countries by early next year. The idea, adopted by the African Union in 2012, is to create a single market which includes the free movement of goods, services and people
Xenophobia again jeopardises South Africa’s interests in Africa
It is high time South Africans tackle the problem of xenophobia for what it is – if only for the sake of self-interest.
Trump vs Africa: how the continent can counter destructive policies
It’s possible that Trump will opt for an American retreat from the bipartisan development, humanitarian, and security assistance goals of previous administrations.
At last, evidence that African agriculture is powering economic transformation
The evidence is now in and the verdict is that Africa´s agriculture is powering economic transformation in the region. African agriculture - spurred on by public investment - has shown remarkable improvement compared to its precarious state 15 years ago.
