Opinions

On the case for Africa’s permanent seats on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), Sithembile Mbete argues the nature of global threats and the definition of international security have changed dramatically since the creation of the UN in 1945, noting that such threats can only be resolved by a Security Council…

Sara Hamouda asks: what could be Africa’s gains from the Summit of the Future (SOTF) to nurture good governance on the continent? Sara Hamouda, Officer-in-Charge, the Sustainable Development Goals and Agenda 2063 Continental Governance Programme at the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) A bold Pact for the Future will be adopted at…

Mr Raila Odinga argues the desire and enthusiasm for integration in Africa has never waned. However, this is possible if Member States can be persuaded to cede commensurate loyalty to the ideals of supranational authority and the long-term benefits of integration. Raila Odinga, a former Prime Minister of Kenya, is…

Richard Ponzio and Nudhara Yusuf posit the Summit of the Future (SOTF) represents both a milestone and another step in the long journey toward achieving human security for all, noting that the older generation owe this renewed commitment to collective global action to today’s younger generation and all succeeding generations…

Chido Munyati argues to realize the immense potential of the evolving China-Africa economic relations, the duo must prioritize greater coordination between the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and increase investment Africa’s industrialisation and manufacturing to enhance trade connectivity for mutual benefits for…

Nasreen Al-Amin, Founder of Surge Africa Organisation  and Georgia Nicolau, Founder of Instituto Procomum, reflect on their 4-day joint Climate Narratives Lab event in Santos, São Paulo, which focused on the role of the Global South in climate solutions and narrative building. Participants at the 4-day joint Climate Narratives Lab event…

Lennon Monyae argues the upcoming UN Summit of the Future (SOTF) offers Africa a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to push for its demands for the reform of the UN Security Council, particularly permanent seats for Africa on the Council. A cross-section of participants at the recent 11th Ministerial Meeting of the African…

In commemoration of the UN Charter Day 2024 i.e. the day the UN Charter was adopted exactly 79 years ago, today (26 June 1945), Daniel Perell & Heba Aly argue the Charter was always meant to be a living document, hence it’s now time to breathe some new life into…

James Boafo and et al. argue that despite a rapidly growing demand for critical minerals such as lithium, to meet clean energy and de-carbonisation objectives, African countries are not fully exploiting their mineral wealth. Source: Al Jazeera Africa hosts substantial resources of critical minerals. As a result, foreign mining companies are rushing to…

Pungwe River, near Zimbabwe The Pungwe River basin, shared by Zimbabwe and Mozambique, is rich in plant and animal diversity. However, the ecosystem is now under threat from human activities. In 2023, Global Water Partnership Southern Africa (GWPSA) commissioned an Environmental Flow (EFlows) assessment to understand how the Pungwe River…