Tag: African Politics
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Slow Poison by Mahmood Mamdani review: Can Idi Amin ever be rehabilitated in historical memory?
Introduction: A provocative lens on power and memory Mahmood Mamdani’s Slow Poison is not a conventional biography or straightforward historical w o rk. It challenges readers to reconsider how political memory is manufactured, and whether a tyrant’s legacy can ever be rehabilitated in the wake of brutal rule. In this sharp, ideas-driven piece, Mamdani reframes…
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No More Excuses: Ruto Pushes AU to Fast-Track Reforms Without Funding
Ruto’s Call to Action: Reform Without the Price Tag President William Ruto has issued a pointed challenge to the African Union (AU): accelerate reform agendas that do not hinge on additional funding. In a stance that blends urgency with pragmatism, Ruto argues that delays rooted in financial concerns are not only avoidable but also detrimental…
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The Making of an Autocrat: Abiy Ahmed’s Authoritarian Playbook for Consolidating Power in Ethiopia
Introduction Since assuming office in April 2018, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed captured global attention with promises of reform, national reconciliation, and liberalizing reforms. Yet as years have passed, questions have intensified about how much reform has truly altered the political landscape. This piece, drawing on the recent scholarly synthesis by Caleb Ta (Dr.)—an independent…
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Hotshot of the Week: Samia Suluhu Hassan—Steady Leadership in Turbulent Times
Introduction: A Historic Presidency in Challenging Times When Samia Suluhu Hassan stepped into the presidency of the United Republic of Tanzania in March 2021, the nation wrestled with a period of sorrow and uncertainty. The sudden passing of her predecessor, John Pombe Magufuli, thrust Suluhu into a role she had long prepared for, yet never…