From Kampala to Soviet Kyiv—and back
The Ugandan architect, Stephen Mukiibi, reflects on his studies in Soviet Ukraine and the lessons he learned on equality, environment, race, and friendship.
Russia
The war in Ethiopia
Will Ethiopia’s civil war blow up its dream of a single state, and in the process, blow up Western notions of statebuilding?
Renewable energy’s dark side
As countries expand investment in decentralized renewable energy, its worth keeping an eye on who's profiting.
Guinea’s authoritarian afterlives
The recent election has led to violence and general pandemonium. An explosion of independent journalism offers hope.
The insurgency in Cabo Delgado
The climate crisis, resource extraction, and the insurgency by a group claiming affiliation to ISIL in Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado province.
Solidarity with Sudan begins at home
A guide on how to support the uprising in Sudan.
Are the Russians forging an ’empire’ in Africa?
In contrast to renewed fears in the west over Russian expansionism in Africa, Russia's increased presence on the continent is mostly about pursuing lucrative business opportunities.
John Bolton’s power play in Africa
Africa, for Donald Trump and his National Security Advisor John Bolton, is a place to risk a little and chase some glory. US media just parrots it.
The now neglected history of Soviet anti-colonialism
A brief history of MN Roy, an Indian delegate to the Mexican Communist Party and how the Soviet Union came to support liberation efforts in colonized nations.
Back in the USSR
In 1978, exiled South African writer and leftist Alex La Guma traveled to the Soviet Union and wrote a book about it. A new, critical annotated edition is out now.
Thirty years after Cuito Cuanavale
A series of photos documenting the contemporary state of the site of perhaps the most decisive battle in the liberation of Southern Africa.
What we know about Trump’s policy aims in Africa
The most senior African official in the US State Department gives a peak what Trump thinks of Africa.
‘Africa Rising’ in Retreat
As the commodity super-cycle’s denouement now makes obvious the need for change, at least it is clear to all that Africans are not lying down.
The balkanization of Nigeria?
For those who want Nigeria to balkanize, try being a small, ineffectual African country.
Nelson Mandela’s environmentalism
The first African head of Greenpeace International, Kumi Naidoo, on how the world could best do justice to Mandela.
Lilian Thuram’s burden
Why should black players have the burden of calling out racism, while white players don't feel compelled to do the same?
Meeting Sembène
An Interview with Abderrahmane Sissako, director of films like 'La Vie Sur Terre,' 'Rostov-Luanda,' 'Waiting for Happiness' and 'Bamako.'
Soviet cinema and African filmmaking
Abderrahmane Sissako’s oblique suggestion of what a ‘socialist friendship’ might be in his first film, "October" (1993) set in a then-declining Soviet Union.
Moscow Hair
The Ivorian international and CSKA Moscow footballer, Seydou Doumbia about the hardest thing to secure in the Russian capital: It's hard to get a fade.
The Russian connection
Soviet cinema had a major impact on the narratives, styles, and tone of African filmmakers.