Opinions

Ghadafi Saibu call on international democratic stakeholders, including ECOWAS, to facilitate the institutionalization and deepening of democratic procedures beyond elections, decrying the current approach of accepting African countries’ long-term electoral autocracies (hybrid regimes) that have long packaged themselves as democracies under the guise of elections.     The recent wave…

Fhulu Badugela posits that the entertainment sector provides a unique opportunity to uplift Africa’s people in various ways, i.e., improve lives professionally, financially, and psychologically.     Entertainment is primarily fun and enjoyable, but it also reflects and creates culture, which binds people together. It is created by scores of…

  Akinwumi Ogunranti examines how the rising political instability in Sahelian countries, i.e., Mali, Burkina Faso, Gabon, and Chad, affects the African Union’s effort to implement the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), arguing that although these countries may have signed and ratified the AfCFTA, it is unlikely that they…

In Africa, where development is unequal and some regions face growing conflict, highly skilled labor is likely to migrate. While this is a plus for receiving countries, the flip side is brain drain in the less developed regions, argues Msingathi Sipuka.   Postcolonial Africa has consistently sought to define a…

Hannah Ryder argues the Common Framework for Debt Treatment is based on an outdated theory that distrusts borrowers and places heavy burdens on African countries in debt distress, calling for more economically sound and development-friendly solutions.     Several events this year – from the June 2023 Paris financing pact summit to…

Ebaide Queen Omiunu writes about the impact of climate change on developing countries: its adverse effects, and their being constrained by limited resources, urging developing economies to implement a range of policies that address both mitigation (reducing greenhouse gas emissions) and adaptation (enhancing resilience to climate variability and change).  …

The African Union’s  admission to the G20 provides an opportunity for Africa to be recognized as a true strategic partner in its own development; for the continent to make critical inputs to decisions on its development, including health financing reforms and sustainable domestic financing of health.      Health systems in…

While ECOWAS member states are keen to signal their opposition to unconstitutional changes of government, socio-economic considerations shape their ability to stand in unity; thus, achieving an ‘ECOWAS of peoples: peace and prosperity for all’ requires ensuring visible dividends of good governance since “one cannot eat democracy.”   Niger’s recent…

To address the spate of Unconstitutional Changes of Government in Africa (UCG),  Eddy Maloka recommends strengthening of African Union’s normative framework on UCG and reinforcement of its response to unconstitutional transitions, as stipulated in the Lomé Declaration.     Africa has recently grappled with a resurgence of Unconstitutional Changes of…

Olasupo Abideen argues the Niger situation brings to light the reality that good democratic governance is the only panacea against unconstitutional transitions, urging ECOWAS to put its house in order: clamp down on leaders violating term limits or winning elections through flawed electoral processes.     Last week, just as…