Africa Archives - Page 50 of 164 - Foreign Policy In Focus

Malawi Makes, Africa Takes?

by Simone D'Abreu | Aug 11, 2011

In 2005, President Bingu Wu Mutharika of Malawi embarked on an innovative five-year solution to promote Malawi’s agriculture sector by increasing farm subsidies and allocating 10 percent of the national budget to the agriculture sector to help promote infrastructure and farm training. Despite concerns from the World Bank and the UN, President Mutharika promoted Malawi’s agriculture sector and decreased poverty from 52 percent to 40 percent while turning Malawi into a food basket not only for its people but also for export.

Doha Peace Agreement: Khartoum and the Rebel Groups’ Moment of Truth

by Adam Cohen | Aug 4, 2011

If the Doha Peace Agreement fails, regional conflict and suffering would be sure to deepen, as would the Bashir regime’s isolation.

Women’s Exclusion Worsens Somali Crises

by Khadija O. Ali | Aug 4, 2011

On July 22, 2011 the newly appointed Somali Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohamed Ali, a Harvard-trained professor of economics, announced his 49-member cabinet. There are only two women in it: one minister and one vice minister. Yet, Somali women and children are the primary victims of ongoing conflict and deepening drought and famine in Somalia. According to UNICEF, a child dies every six minutes in the areas hard hit by drought in the Horn of Africa. In addition, all international studies show that women and children are the most vulnerable groups in societies under stress.

South Sudan’s New Democracy

by Terah Edun | Jul 26, 2011

During the Cold War, Americans wondered if newborn African and Eastern European countries would become democracies. Now we assess how new democracies will live up to their professed democratic values. The world’s newest country, South Sudan, is in the unique position of being able to learn from and construct its constitution from countries that have already gone through the risky process of declaring freedom.

Land ‘investment’ deals in Africa: Say ‘no way!’

by Jeff Furman, Anuradha Mittal, Frederic Mousseau | Jul 12, 2011

The real question at the heart of the matter is for whom are Africa’s resources and who do they benefit? Africa’s resources – land, water, minerals… are for the people of Africa. Despite its rich resources, African nations are reeling from widespread hunger and poverty. In that context, to talk about who should have strategic investor status, or export guarantees, is the wrong question to ask.

Oil Transparency Would Start South Sudan Off on Right Foot

by Simone D'Abreu | Jul 3, 2011

The South Sudan government has been pressured to make its oil industry transparent. But will that ensure its oil assets will be used for the good of Sudan?

Apple: Crown Jewel of Technology or Human-Rights Abuser and Tax Cheat?

by Peter Certo | Jun 30, 2011

The path an ore for Apple’s batteries takes to the marketplace is roughly analogous to that of “Blood Diamonds.”

Genuine Partnership or a Marriage of Convenience?

by Fantu Cheru, Cyril Obi | Jun 24, 2011

Despite official Indian denial that there is no competition between the two Asian giants (The Economic Times 2010) in Africa, India’s foreign policy swings between attempting to catch up with the Chinese, who have made major inroads in Africa over the past decade, and accommodating the aspirations of China, India and the western world in the context of India’s enduring relations with the continent. This competition centres on three major issues: energy security, access to Africa’s untapped markets and diplomatic influence.

Saving Uganda from Its Oil

by Jason Hickel | Jun 16, 2011

In 2006, Uganda confirmed the presence of enormous commercial petroleum reserves around Lake Albert along the country’s western border. Since then, geologists have proven at least 2 billion barrels. With only about 25 percent of the region explored, some reports indicate that there could be as much as three times that amount – enough to make Uganda a major player in the African oil industry. The oil is set to begin flowing later this year, or perhaps in early 2012, with production targeted at around 200,000 barrels per day.

Game Changers in Global AIDS Fight

by William Minter | Jun 7, 2011

This week marks the 30th anniversary of the first reported case of AIDS, and world leaders are meeting at the United Nations to review progress in the fight against the epidemic. The battle is far from won. But new game-changing research, as well as documented successes in recent years, makes it possible to chart a clear course for significant victories in the years ahead.