Three Takeaways from the Kenya Supreme Court Ruling
The decision by the Court to nullify the results of the presidential election reflects the importance of independent institutions to legitimacy and stability in Africa.
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The Impact of Social Media and Digital Technology on Electoral Violence in Kenya
Social media was first used extensively in the run up to the 2007 elections in Kenya and has been used ever since. Digital platforms have been used to incite violence and hatred as well as to fight such messages and promote a peaceful electoral process. But the Kenyan government, civil society and citizens, need to do more to make social media and digital technology a tool for peace. In particular, they should promote mechanisms to limit hate speech, improve accountability among internet service providers so they can curb hate and fear mongering, and train law enforcement to more effectively investigate and prosecute such speech, all while protecting the constitutional right to free speech.
Legal Reforms Aim to Prevent Electoral Violence in Kenya
Soul searching triggered by Kenya’s 2007–08 electoral violence galvanized legal reforms aimed at mitigating future violence. Would they be effective in the August elections?
Storm Clouds Gather in Kenya: Five Threats to Peaceful Elections
As the Kenyan electoral campaign headed into the homestretch, prospects for violence were mixed. The Africa Center’s Dorina Bekoe offers an assessment.
Past as Prologue in Kenya’s Elections? A Discussion with Peter Kagwanja
How well was Kenya prepared for its August 8 elections? In an interview with the Africa Center, Kenyan academic and commentator Dr. Peter Kagwanja discussed the political dynamics and prospects for violence.
Rentier Peacekeeping in Neo-Patrimonial Systems: The Examples of Burundi and Kenya
African countries contribute the most peacekeepers to missions on the continent. However, many troop-contributing countries are hybrid democratic/autocratic political systems—characterized as neopatrimonial—and some are accused of using peacekeeping missions as a means to generate rents for their regimes to retain control at home. Others send their troops only to find them partaking in the recipient country’s neo-patrimonial system—their troops exploiting the system to extract economic rents. In both cases, the purpose of peacekeeping has been undermined and the conflict perhaps prolonged.
Elections and Violent Conflict in Kenya: Making Prevention Stick
Kenya experienced widespread violence in the 2007-08 elections, which shaped society’s views on electoral security. Unemployment, ethnopolitics and inequality triggered violence in 2008, making people doubtful of peace in 2013. Kenya made institutional reforms with a new constitution, fought impunity, decentralized executive power and improved minority rights, promoting trust amongst voters in 2013. However, many... Continue Reading
The Many Drivers Enabling Violent Extremism in Northern Mozambique
The violent extremist threat in northern Mozambique exploits underlying societal vulnerabilities of inequity, insecure land rights, and distrust of authorities.
Enhancing Maritime Security in Africa: Whole-of-Africa Maritime Dialogue 2019
Program materials for the Africa Center's 2019 program, “National Security Strategy Development Workshop: Central and Southern Africa.” Click here for syllabus, readings, and presentation slides.
Five Things to Watch in Sudan’s Transition
Transforming the protests into genuine democratic change in Sudan will require maintaining an organized reform coalition and reaching an understanding with military leaders.
Implications for Africa from China’s One Belt One Road Strategy
China's Belt and Road Initiative forges intertwining economic, political, and security ties between Africa and China, advancing Beijing’s geopolitical interests.
Chinese Hard Power Supports Its Growing Strategic Interests in Africa
China’s growing military engagement in Africa is aimed at advancing Beijing’s economic and strategic interests, in particular its Belt and Road Initiative.