Enter the exclusion zone – what is at stake in Chornobyl*?
Barely a day into Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Russian troops captured Chornobyl, the site of the infamous 1986 nuclear disaster. The move to take control of Chornobyl raises two important questions: what does Russia want with the site of the failed nuclear reactor, and should the world be concerned about the use of nuclear weapons in this war?
The Macroeconomic Policy Response to COVID-19 in Benin
This policy brief outlines the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in Benin. We focus on
the monetary and fiscal policy implemented by the government of Benin and the Central Bank of
West African States.
Russia hedging all bets amid uncertainty and turmoil in Libya after elections postponed
By hedging its bets, Russia is leveraging the instability to grow its influence in Libya – it wants to show support for leaders favourable to Russian interests, erode Western influence in the region and reinforce its own stature on the global stage.
The EU-AU Summit: Considering Africa’s climate priorities
The EU-AU Summit takes place this year as Africa looks ahead to Egypt’s hosting of the twenty-seventh session of the Conference of the Parties (COP27) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in November 2022.
Bid to blast nuclear weapons into illegality
The entry into force of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (the Ban Treaty) was a big milestone for nuclear disarmament.
Cabo Delgado threat identified a decade ago – Did government listen?
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) launched a military initiative in July 2021 in response to violent extremism and terrorist activity in Mozambique, marking the second time in its history that the regional bloc opted for military intervention, and the first time such an operation has been launched in response to the threat of terrorism.
Africa: Key issues to track in 2022
Africa enters 2022 with a long and urgent to-do list. Below, experts outline key political, economic, security and health issues the continent must contend with as it maps its COVID-19 recovery and post-pandemic reality.
African States at the UN Human Rights Council in 2019
This report examines the records of the 13 African members of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) during 2019, and assesses their commitment to international human rights.
China-Driven Rail Development: Lessons from Kenya and Indonesia
China’s considerable success in expanding its domestic railway network, especially its high-speed rail capacity, has drawn the attention of Global South governments.
Ensuring a Just Energy Transition through Hydrogen: How the G20 can Support Africa
Africa is well positioned to become a major hub in the global production of green hydrogen. This policy insight explores G20 members’ recognition of green hydrogen as a
key technology in decarbonising hard-to-abate carbon-intensive industries.