THOUGHT LEADERSHIP - The African Mirror

Jan

24

2025

Kenya’s youth cannot stop state abductions on their own

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

This story was originally published by The New Humanitarian.By Patrick Gathara Abductions and enforced disappearances of dissidents by the Kenyan state are nothing new but have in recent months become a political lightning rod for the administration of William Ruto, focusing public attention on a highly emotive and consequential issue while keeping many blind to the history that produced it and the systems that perpetuate it. The Gen Z movement whose protests have rocked the country since June last year has threatened to upend the way a tiny wealthy elite has managed the country’s politics and dissent for 60 years.…

Jan

22

2025

By THEO NEETHLING

South Africa in 2025: 8 key factors that will shape the future and test the government

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

SOUTH Africa’s political and economic landscape shifted significantly after the 2024 national elections. The ruling ANC’s dramatic loss of support resulted in a government of national unity – a pivotal moment in the country’s political history. It is still too early to assess the unity government’s success. But it signifies an effort by political parties to agree on the values and principles that should guide behaviour and decision-making in the national government. The unity government presents new possibilities for South Africa. In the words of President Cyril Ramaphosa: to work together as political parties for the good of the country,…

Jan

22

2025

By MANUEL FRANCISCO SAMBO

Mozambique’s cycles of violence won’t end until Frelimo’s grip on power is broken

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

MOZAMBIQUE’S political history has been marred by violence, disputed elections and authoritarian control. The pattern continues. As the 2024 elections have shown, Mozambique remains trapped in a cycle of violence and instability. Mass protests due to widespread allegations of electoral fraud and police violence led to the deaths of dozens of people and widescale destruction. My research on peace and security in East and Southern Africa has focused on Mozambique’s post-independence political history. Based on my work, I argue that Mozambique is at an impasse. It is unable to fully embrace authoritarianism – or to build a functioning democracy. One…

Jan

21

2025

By CYRIL RAMAPHOSA

Partnership is key to South Africa’s growth and progress

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

AS this administration took office last year, we made a commitment to reach out across society to find solutions to the challenges our country faces. Since then, we have placed partnership at the centre of our work. While South Africa has a rich history of dialogue and cooperation, our experience of the COVID-19 pandemic underlined how important collaboration was in saving lives and livelihoods. It showed the value of effective coordination across the state and with other sectors of society. One of the areas where partnerships within the state have had the greatest impact is in Operation Vulindlela. This initiative…

Jan

18

2025

By ABBEY MAKOE

Lame duck president Biden’s deceitful parting shot to Gaza: “Here’s the deal.”

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

THIS week, outgoing US President Joe Biden took to the stage to tell the world about a breakthrough in the elusive truce between Israel and the Palestinian resistance movement, Hamas. Biden has been desperately searching for a deal – any deal, it seems, as he stands at the exit door of the White House – just so that history might look kindly on some of his contentious foreign policy decisions. The Biden administration has been effectively dormant since their Democratic Party was decisively defeated by Donald Trump's Republican Party in the November polls. As US President-elect Trump prepares for his…

Jan

17

2025

By The African Mirror

Final Salute to the General: A Tribute to Major General Keith Mokoape (1947-2025)

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

IN the dawn of 2025, South Africa bids farewell to one of its most distinguished sons, Major General Keith Mokoape – a liberation warrior, intelligence chief, decorated veteran, and tireless servant of his people. Born in Wallmansthal, north of Tshwane, in 1947, his life would become inextricably woven into the fabric of South Africa's struggle for freedom and its journey toward democracy. From Student Leader to Revolutionary Mokoape's journey began in the halls of Hofmeyr High School, leading to Turfloop University where he pursued his BSc degree. At the University of Natal, his leadership qualities emerged fully as he rose…

Jan

15

2025

By MUHAMMAD DAN SULEIMAN

Ghana’s new president faces tough regional security problems: why he’s well-placed to tackle them

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

JOHN Mahama has been sworn in as Ghana’s new president. He inherits a host of security challenges by dint of the country’s position in the west African region, which has become increasingly volatile. The region has seen six successful coups and several attempted ones in the last four years. Examples include Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Niger, Guinea-Bissau, Benin and Sierra Leone. Since 2015, there have been at least 17 coups and attempted coups in the region. Terrorism and insurgencies have become visible security threats. The Sahel has become the epicentre of global terrorism, as both Islamic State (ISIS) and Al…

Jan

14

2025

By JACKSON OKATA

From Agoa to climate change: How Trump’s second term could reshape Africa

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

AS Donald Trump prepares for his second term in office as the US President, African countries are closely reflecting on the lasting consequences of his first term. The Trump administration's policies, marked by isolationism, protectionism and a focus on domestic interests, left a profound impact. Looking ahead, the thought and fear among many African leaders and analysts is that Trump’s second term could exacerbate existing challenges while complicating Africa's efforts to tackle critical issues like economic development, social justice, environmental sustainability, and human rights. Trump's Isolationism and its impact on the African economy One of the key features of Trump’s…

Jan

12

2025

By FEDERICO MANFREDI FIRMIAN

How militia groups capture states and ruin countries: the case of Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

THE rise of Sudan’s most notorious paramilitary group, the Rapid Support Forces, shows how armed groups can infiltrate state institutions – often with disastrous results for society. Sudan’s central government created the Rapid Support Forces in 2013 as dictator Omar al-Bashir’s private protection detail. The group has now become a predator seeking to gain control of Sudan. Sudan’s war broke out in April 2023 when the military tried to subdue the Rapid Support Forces. Since then, fighting has ravaged much of the country, including the capital Khartoum. At least 15,500 people had been killed by June 2024. More than 6…

Jan

11

2025

By ABBEY MAKOE

No power, not even the UN, will stop Trump’s colonial aspirations, you watch

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

I’VE never had any trouble accepting the US President-elect Donald Trump’s “America First” policy agenda. I hold a view that if any US administration chooses an inward-looking agenda, it does so on behalf of the majority that had catapulted it to the White House. Trump’s policy of “Make America Great Again” – a political slogan also known as the MAGA movement hugely popularized by the Trump phenomenon in recent history – appears ready to take a nasty turn after January 20, the day of the much-anticipated Trump inauguration. As the clock ticks rapidly toward the big day, Trump has taken…