As 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 Tracker) gives an overview of key political shifts in Sudan’s history that have facilitated links wit ..read more

Tim 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? Smuggling-driven development in the Libyan city of Kufra Subscribe to Africa Aware wherever you find your podcasts ..read more

Partial 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 despite the shift to multipartyism in 1992. On this episode of Africa Aware, the Rt Hon Freeman Mbowe, leader ..read more

The 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 bloc’s immediate response to the coup in Niger, and outlines the organization's strategic vision for ..read more

Countries 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 integration. Dr Workneh provides his insights into reforms within IGAD, following the adoption of a new treaty ..read more

Africa’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 International Maritime Organisation (IMO).  The Ambassador outlined her thoughts on how regional collabora ..read more

This 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 Sierra Leone and Liberia - including the establishment of the landmark Kimberley Process which marks its 20th ..read more

Agriculture 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 Mozambique can continue to grow this vital sector and improve the lives of its citizens ..read more

On 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 ..read more

The 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 and the violence and harms caused by these now-illicit practices. This podcast was produced with support f ..read more