Introduction This article is largely derived from the theory of squanderation developed in my recent book, The Failure and Feasibility of Capitalism in Africa (Palgrave Macmillan, 2021), which won the Tana High-Level Forum on Security in Africa Book Award of the Year 2022. In this anthology, I argued that capitalism is largely dysfunctional in contemporary […]
Boko Haram
“Why we joined armed groups”: Engaging former child soldiers of Boko Haram
Introduction Northeastern Nigeria has been of significant interest to the research community for one obvious reason: to study the decade-long insurgency ravaging the region. Scholarly inquiries into the phenomenon have produced useful findings, which border on a multitude of issues including the socio-economic and political origins of the conflict; state and international responses; impacts of […]
Ethiopia
Ethiopia`s Pretoria Peace Agreement and the Fate of the ‘Contested’ Areas
Introduction After two years of devastating war, the Federal government of Ethiopia and the Tigray People`s Liberation Front (TPLF) signed a Permanent Cessation of Hostilities Agreement in November 2022 in Pretoria, South Africa.1 At the core of the agreement is the TPLF recognizing and submitting to the authority of the Federal Government of Ethiopia by […]
Latest posts
interview
An Interview with Recent PhD Graduate and Next Gen Alumna, Titilope F. Ajayi
by Next Generation Social Sciences
Dr. Titilope F. Ajayi is a pracademic and independent research, training, and facilitation consultant with specializations in gender, conflict, peace and security, civil society, and social movements. Her recent work covers women and violent extremism, gender and humanitarianism, and feminist movements and norm change around gender violence. With 18+ years of experience in international development, […]
Boko Haram
“Why we joined armed groups”: Engaging former child soldiers of Boko Haram
by Hakeem Onapajo
Introduction Northeastern Nigeria has been of significant interest to the research community for one obvious reason: to study the decade-long insurgency ravaging the region. Scholarly inquiries into the phenomenon have produced useful findings, which border on a multitude of issues including the socio-economic and political origins of the conflict; state and international responses; impacts of […]
Elections
Xenophobia, politics, and religion as we approach the 2024 elections in South Africa
by Bambo Miti
Introduction This essay explores the linkages between xenophobia, politics and religion, in the run-up to the general elections in South Africa. Despite this year’s general elections coinciding with South Africa’s 30-year anniversary of democracy and freedom, there is very little to celebrate: while there have been gains in the promotion of human rights and democracy […]
Refugees
Between “Go-and-See and Come-and-Tell” Visits: Reflections on the Repatriation Decision-Making Process of Rwandan Refugees in Uganda
by Cleophas Karooma
Introduction Uganda has a long history of refugee protection efforts. This can be traced to the 1940s, when the country hosted 7,000 Polish refugees fleeing the devastation of World War II (1939–1945). Currently, Uganda hosts over 1.5 million refugees due to the tumult in neighboring countries.1 Since October 2002, the Rwandan and Ugandan governments, along […]
Education
The Role of Universities in Fostering Peace in Communities: The Case of Red Sea University in Sudan
Africa
Living around Mole National Park: Grassroots Perspectives on Gendered Experiences of Protected Area Conflicts and Peacebuilding Strategies
by Ophelia Soliku
Introduction Globally, conflicts are intrinsic to protected areas (PAs), given the multiple actors, varying interests, and institutional structures connected with PA management. Some experts argue that participatory approaches to natural resources management—especially when women’s views are incorporated—reduce conflicts, promote equity, and build local capacities.[1] Despite this argument, many policies and practices concerning natural resource conflict […]
Africa
Ethics and Intellectual Harm in Research with Refugees
by Rose Jaji
Introduction The study of refugees has shifted from maintaining the customary homogenization of refugees, including the equation of flight with helplessness, to recognizing their agency. Yet relapses still occur, which perhaps indicates the challenge of balancing the necessarily humanitarian aspect of flight with the intrinsic human qualities of agency and resilience. In this article, I […]
Special Issue: "Zimbabwe’s Democracy at the Crossroads: An Analysis of the 2023 Elections"
Editorial: Special Issue on Zimbabwe’s Democracy at the Crossroads: An Analysis of the 2023 Elections