Africa Aware
34 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 2 months ago -Africa Aware is a podcast from the Chatham House Africa Programme bringing together the best international experts to provide original analysis on issues affecting the individual states of Africa, their international relations, and the continent as a whole.
Homepage Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed
Episodes
How Gold Fuels the War in Sudan
March 14, 2024 11:58 - 35 minutes - 49.2 MBAs the devastating war in Sudan nears the one-year mark, it remains fuelled by transnational military business networks, and one such sector funding the military activities in Sudan’s gold sector. In this episode, Ahmed Soliman discusses his upcoming research on the Sudan conflict and its link to the gold sector – from how gold has evolved as a ‘conflict good,’ its connection to the current war and transnational dynamics. Dr Suliman Baldo (Executive Director, Sudan Transparency and Policy...
From Nigeria to Libya: Linked through Migration and Armed Conflict
February 29, 2024 11:22 - 20 minutes - 28.8 MBTim Eaton and Leah de Haan (Chatham House Middle East and North Africa Programme) discuss their research on the transnational links between the movement of people and armed conflict – from Edo State in Nigeria, through Niger, to Libya. This episode was produced with support from the Cross-Border Conflict Evidence, Policy, and Trends (XCEPT) research programme, funded by UK International Development. Follow the Africa Programme on Twitter. Read our research: Stability at what cost? ...
Episode 32: Democratic Resilience Mini-series - Tanzania
August 31, 2023 09:54 - 15 minutes - 21.6 MBPartial reforms in Tanzania’s political and socio-economic environment have been widely lauded since President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s sudden rise to office in March 2021, but progress towards the reconciliation and repair of Tanzania’s democratic system remains incomplete. Criticisms over the limits of the current reform process are increasingly coalescing around demands for a new Tanzanian constitution, with the current framework – and the ruling CCM party – in place since independence despi...
Episode 31: Democratic Resilience Mini-series - The DRC
August 30, 2023 09:44 - 22 minutes - 31.2 MBAs the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) prepares for its upcoming elections, the nation stands at a critical juncture in its democratic trajectory. Against a backdrop of historical challenges and persistent political complexities, the forthcoming elections are of paramount importance to the future of the country and its democratic aspirations. On this episode of Africa Aware, Martin Fayulu, opposition leader and former DRC presidential candidate, outlines the current obstacles to free an...
Episode 30: Countering Coups, Terrorism and Insecurity - Insights from ECOWAS
August 03, 2023 16:56 - 28 minutes - 38.7 MBThe Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has historically had a strong record of regional norm-setting on governance and democracy. Yet ECOWAS now faces significant challenges in how to reorient its role and credibility amid a rise in military and 'constitutional' coups in Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea, and most recently in Niger. On this episode of Africa Aware, Ambassador Abdel-Fatau Musah, ECOWAS's Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, discusses the regional...
Episode 29: IGAD’s evolution with Dr Workneh Gebeyehu
July 21, 2023 13:42 - 26 minutes - 37 MBCountries in the Horn of Africa face several interlinked challenges to their stability, including conflict, resource contestation and cross-border divisions. These complex issues are exacerbated by the impacts of climate change and the competing interests of external actors. On this episode of Africa Aware, the Executive Secretary of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), H.E. Dr Workneh Gebeyehu highlights efforts by the regional body to improve stability and further integ...
Episode 28: Securing the Blue Economy
July 14, 2023 17:29 - 27 minutes - 37.3 MBAfrica’s maritime domain is an essential, yet often underappreciated component of the continent’s stability, trade, and development. The blue economy offers an ocean of untapped potential, presenting African nations with the means to diversify their economies, create sustainable jobs, and alleviate poverty. On this episode of Africa Aware, Yusuf speaks to Amb. Nancy Karigithu, Special Envoy and Advisor to the President of Kenya, and Kenyan Candidate for Secretary General of the Internati...
Episode 27: Reflections on Sierra Leone’s peace process
July 05, 2023 12:16 - 37 minutes - 52 MBThis episode of Africa Aware reflects on Sierra Leone’s peace process as the country concludes its 2023 general elections and marks the 24th anniversary of the Lomé Peace Agreement - which helped to bring an end to its decade-long civil war. Yusuf speaks to Dr Comfort Ero, President and CEO of Crisis Group, who discusses her experience as a researcher in Freetown during the civil war. Dr Ero highlights the challenges and innovations that emerged from the interlinked peace processes in Sie...
Episode 26: The Future of Agriculture in Mozambique with Minister Celso Ismael Correia
June 19, 2023 15:13 - 16 minutes - 22 MBAgriculture accounted for 26 per cent of Mozambique's GDP in 2020 and employs more than 70 per cent of its workforce. The Mozambican government has made agriculture a top priority, and in recent years, the sector has seen significant growth. On this episode, Yusuf speaks to Hon. Celso Ismael Correia, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development of the Republic of Mozambique. The Honourable Minister discussed the challenges facing the agricultural sector, and outlined his ambitions on how...
Episode 25: African Peace and Security
May 24, 2023 14:57 - 20 minutes - 27.5 MBOn this special episode of Africa Aware, Yusuf speaks to H.E. Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, African Union (AU) Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security (PAPS) His Excellency explores the future of the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA), outlines the potential long-term impacts of climate change on peace and security, and discusses the role of the African Union in facilitating greater security, integration and cooperation among its member states.
Episode 24: XCEPT Mini-Series – Human Smuggling and Trafficking in Niger
March 29, 2023 14:50 - 21 minutes - 29.4 MBThe flow of migrants, from East and West Africa to Libya is on a scale much smaller than before, but is increasingly linked to violence along the conflict supply chain of human smuggling and trafficking. While the conditions for migrants in Libya is better documented, migration flows also play a key role in transit hubs like Agadez, Niger. In this episode of Africa Aware, Peter Tinti outlines the state of human smuggling and trafficking in Niger, international responses to these practices ...
Episode 23: XCEPT Mini-Series - Commodities, land contestation and conflict in Ethiopia and Sudan
March 24, 2023 17:48 - 31 minutes - 43.6 MBThe war in northern Ethiopia since November 2020 and subsequent conquest of disputed farmlands in Al-Fashaga by the Sudanese army on the Ethiopia-Sudan border, has brought into focus the importance of agricultural commodities such as sesame as a potential driver of land contestation and conflict. In this episode of Africa Aware, Ahmed Soliman and Abel Abate Demissie discuss the interrelation of commodity and conflict supply chains, land contestation, and boundary disputes in the Horn of ...
Episode 22: Towards Just Transition in Africa
March 01, 2023 11:20 - 25 minutes - 35.6 MBAfrican countries face collective climate and job creation-related challenges. Yet policymaking often remains regionally siloed according to differing political, energy sector and ecological realities. This podcast reflects on the key policy messages from the Africa Programme’s series on Towards just transition: Connecting green financing and sustainable job creation in Africa. This output is part of a stream of work supported by the Chatham House Sustainability Accelerator and the United...
Episode 21: #NigeriaDecides – Delivering Nigeria’s Elections
February 20, 2023 13:07 - 21 minutes - 29.2 MBListen to the second episode of #NigeriaDecides, a special mini-series focused on upcoming elections in Nigeria. Nigeria’s Electoral Act, enacted in February 2022, has contributed to improved hope around the election process: reflected in the addition of 12.29 million new voters in Nigeria’s voter registration exercise – 9.51 million of which were then validated, bringing the total number of registered voters to more than 93 million. We are joined on the episode by Professor Mahmood Yaku...
Episode 20: #NigeriaDecides – Technology and Inclusivity
February 17, 2023 09:27 - 31 minutes - 43.3 MBListen to the first episode of #NigeriaDecides, a special mini-series focused on upcoming elections in Nigeria. Nigeria stands at a critical juncture, having suffered from two recessions in the past six years, unprecedented levels of physical and food insecurity, persistent fuel scarcity and high levels of crude oil theft. Civic fatigue also remains a critical challenge. We are joined on the episode by Dr Nnenna Ifeanyi-Ajufo and Dr Leena Koni Hoffmann, who shared key insights on these e...
Episode 19: The Commonwealth Reimagined
November 28, 2022 11:51 - 24 minutes - 33.8 MBThis episode of Africa Aware discusses the current state of the Commonwealth and the relevance of language-based intergovernmental organizations to African states as they seek to diversify their international relations. We are joined on the episode by HE Professor Robert Dussey, Foreign Minister of the Togolese Republic, and HE Michael Moussa-Adamo, Foreign Minister of the Republic of Gabon, who outline the reasons why both their countries with colonial ties to France joined the Commonweal...
Episode 18: In Conversation with H.E. Dr. Joyce Banda
November 14, 2022 15:04 - 19 minutes - 27.4 MBOn this special episode of Africa Aware, Yusuf speaks to H.E. Dr. Joyce Banda, the former President of the Republic of Malawi [2012 – 2014]. Her Excellency explores the current state of democracy in Africa, outlines what must be done to support the development of female leadership on the continent, and the important role African leaders must play on a global level.
Episode 17: Drought in the Horn of Africa
October 28, 2022 17:25 - 39 minutes - 53.7 MBThis episode of Africa Aware discusses the current drought in the Horn of Africa, where the worst drought in 40 years is affecting more than 20 million people across several countries. Abdirahman Abdishakur, Special Presidential Envoy for Drought Response for the Federal Republic of Somalia, outlined the Somali government’s planning to prevent famine. Parvin Ngala, Regional Director at Oxfam International, highlighted international efforts to respond to the drought, the importance of empo...
Episode 16: In Conversation with H.E. Joaquim Chissano
October 07, 2022 09:46 - 26 minutes - 24.4 MBOn this special episode of Africa Aware, Yusuf speaks to H.E. Joaquim Chissano, the former President of the Republic of Mozambique and the 2006 winner of the Chatham House Prize. Marking the 30th anniversary of the Rome General Peace Accords, signed on 4 October 1992, which brought the Mozambican civil war, President Chissano discussed the lessons from that peace process and the 2019 Maputo Accords that brought an end to intermittent targeted armed violence that resumed in 2013. Based on t...
Episode 15: Building Peace in Mozambique and Angola
August 23, 2022 14:32 - 31 minutes - 29.4 MBThis episode of Africa Aware explores the pathways to peace in Angola and Mozambique in their respective 20th and 30th anniversary years of the cessation of sustained conflict. Dr Alex Vines provides a historic overview of how peace was achieved in these nations and what lessons can be learned for the modern day. Neha Sanghrajka discusses current efforts to sustain peace in Mozambique, the importance of inclusion in peacebuilding, and the unique nature of conflict mediation in Africa.
Episode 14: Kenya’s 2022 Elections
August 02, 2022 14:52 - 51 minutes - 47.6 MBThis episode of Africa Aware explores the elections in Kenya on 9 August 2022, in which Kenyans will select a new president and national lawmakers, as well as the governors and assemblies of the country’s 47 counties. First, Waihiga Mwaura discusses the main political groupings and policy issues that voters will decide on. Then Sylvia Katua examines issues around political inclusivity of marginalized groups, including in the context of Kenya’s devolved system. Finally, Mulle Musau...
Episode 13: Colonial Land Reparations in Kenya
May 17, 2022 11:18 - 27 minutes - 24.9 MBThis episode of Africa Aware examines colonial land reparations, focusing on the Kipsigis and Talai clans of Kericho county in Kenya. Between 1895 and 1963 inhabitants of the county were evicted from their lands to make way for lucrative tea plantations owned by settlers. Governor Paul Chepkwony, Rodney Dixon QC and Maureen Okoth outline their efforts to engage with the UK Government to receive reparations and an apology for human rights violations the victims they represent suffered and c...
Episode 12: Relations between Ethiopia and Sudan
April 08, 2022 11:08 - 44 minutes - 31.1 MBThis episode of Africa Aware examines the relationship between Sudan and Ethiopia. Ahmed Soliman provides an overview of the Africa Programme’s work on cross-border conflict as part of the XCEPT project. First, we speak to Kholood Khair on the steady deterioration in relations between Sudan and Ethiopia. Then Abel Abate Demissie discusses how recent political developments in Ethiopia and Sudan have impacted relations between the two countries.
Episode 11: The Future of Africa-EU Relations
February 14, 2022 11:34 - 39 minutes - 90.4 MBThis episode of Africa Aware examines the status of Africa-EU relations in the lead-up to the sixth African Union-European Union summit on 17-18 February 2022. Yusuf is joined by Faten Aggad to investigate the prospects for enhanced collaboration on several key issues for African states, from vaccine production to trade agreements and climate change. Then Geert Laporte analyses the priorities of the EU and its member states: including security challenges, the EU’s new Global Gateway initiati...
Episode 10: Policy for Recovery in Africa
January 31, 2022 14:01 - 20 minutes - 47.4 MBIn this episode of Africa Aware, Tighisti Amare highlights some of the key messages from the policy for recovery in Africa dialogue series that the Chatham House Africa Programme held in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The dialogue series brought key stakeholders together to engage on issues affecting post-COVID-19 recovery in Africa, presenting a diverse range of opinions and insights focused on what policies are needed for accelerating recovery from the ...
Episode 9: Beijing’s Vision of China-Africa Relations
December 11, 2021 14:04 - 31 minutes - 72 MBIn this episode of Africa Aware, Professor Tang Xiaoyang examines Beijing’s vision of China-Africa relations and its approach to debt relief in the context of post-pandemic domestic economic adjustments. Fergus Kell outlines a new Chatham House project on infrastructure-linked debt sustainability in Africa and discusses the recent Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) summit in Dakar, Senegal.
Episode 8: Kleptocracy in Equatorial Guinea
December 03, 2021 13:06 - 25 minutes - 58 MBIn this episode of Africa Aware, we speak to Executive Director of EG Justice Tutu Alicante. Tutu outlines the current state of kleptocracy in Equatorial Guinea, the western actors that facilitate these corrupt practices, and the role of international partners in supporting efforts to bring about justice.
Episode 7: Climate Change in Africa with Minister Lee White
October 20, 2021 14:41 - 55 minutes - 128 MBOn this special episode of Africa Aware, we speak to Honorable Minister Dr Lee White, The Republic of Gabon’s Minister of Water, Forests, the Sea, and Environment. With COP26 around the corner, we discuss the immediate impacts of climate change in Gabon, how infrastructure development can factor in sustainability, the role of the private sector in conservation and the voice of local populations in the decision-making process around environmental issues.
Episode 6: Mining in Africa
September 07, 2021 13:54 - 28 minutes - 66.2 MBIn this episode of Africa Aware, Christopher Vandome introduces key questions facing decision-makers in response to the challenges facing the mining sector in Africa. While Sheila Khama discusses continent-wide priorities for the mining sector, and the industry’s role in supporting national development ambitions.
Episode 5: Peacebuilding Amidst Elections in Ethiopia
June 15, 2021 10:52 - 39 minutes - 90.7 MBIn this episode of Africa Aware, Ahmed Soliman discusses the context in which the Ethiopian elections are taking place, while Lidet Tadesse emphasizes the importance of peacebuilding and intercommunal dialogue during and after the elections.
Episode 4: Sudan’s Economic Stabilization
April 29, 2021 16:14 - 38 minutes - 88.3 MBIn this episode of Africa Aware, Dame Rosalind Marsden discusses the state of Sudan’s transition, while Dr Adam Elhiraika speaks about the country’s economic reform priorities and international support.
Episode 3: The pivot to East Africa
March 31, 2021 11:33 - 30 minutes - 69.8 MBIn this episode Dr Alex Vines from Chatham House provides his insights on what the UK Government's Integrated Review will mean for its engagement with Africa. Then Shuvai Nyoni from the African Leadership Centre in Nairobi discusses how East Africa can leverage burgeoning interest for the benefit of its citizens and why approaches to tackle widespread insecurity in the region must be reframed. Credits: Speakers: Shuvai Nyoni, Alex Vines Host: Yusuf Hassan Editor: Jamie Reed Produc...
Episode 2: Responding to Crises in the Sahel
March 02, 2021 12:48 - 42 minutes - 97 MBIn this episode of Africa Aware, Gita Honwana Welch highlights historical development challenges in the Sahel, and Marc-Antoine Pérouse de Montclos discusses how responses to Jihadist groups in the Sahel must be rethought. Credits: Speakers: Gita Honwana Welch, Marc-Antoine Pérouse de Montclos Host: Yusuf Hassan Editor: Jamie Reed Producers: Yusuf Hassan, Ben Horton Recorded and produced by Chatham House
Episode 1: The Economic Burden of COVID-19
January 28, 2021 06:00 - 38 minutes - 87.6 MBAs African states find themselves in the midst of severe economic difficulty exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, Yusuf speaks to Professor Carlos Lopes on the topic of debt on the continent, African risk perception and how the current system must be transformed to ensure it delivers for Africa. Read the Chatham House Expert Comment: Africa's Road to Recovery in 2021 is a Fresh Start Credits: Speakers: Tighisti Amare, Alex Vines, Carlos Lopes Host: Yusuf Hassan Editor: ...