At a time when the country is going through a political transition and the resultant realignment of patronage networks in Niger Delta region, economic woes due to low oil prices, and the revamping of oil industry, the emergence of NDA is a result of the ‘politics of oil’ in Nigeria that has been ongoing for years.

• Nachiket Khadkiwala |
• January-March 2016 |
• Africa Trends

The link between narcotics’ traffickers in Latin America and their allies in West Africa has opened another front in the “war on drugs” and has unfortunately led to West Africa becoming home to what has been described as the “world’s first narco state” namely, Guinea-Bissau. The availability of aircraft, pilots and an expanse of airspace without radar coverage, aided and abetted by poorly or corruptly policed borders has led to a thriving trade between the two continents for the enrichment of some and the detriment of many others.

• Sanjay Badri-Maharaj |
• January-March 2016 |
• Africa Trends

The FOCAC process began in 2000 under the Presidency of Jiang Zemin when the first ministerial meeting was held in Beijing and has come a long way since then as a show of evolving Chinese interests in the African continent. Africa in many ways has been a learning ground for China's international role. What China has been doing in the continent must be watched closely as it showcases the future of Chinese power.

• Avinash Godbole |
• October-December 2015 |
• Africa Trends

Out of 2,900 billion tonnes, the world now has only 1000 giga tonnes of carbon dioxide to be dispersed into the atmosphere by 2100 in order to maintain the 2 degree Celsius commitment. If Africa takes the path of business as usual, it will emit around 50 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide i.e. 5.5% of the remaining carbon budget. It is under these circumstances that Africa hopes to achieve the goals of the first Ten Year Implementation Plan of Agenda 2063.

• Satyam Malaviya |
• October-December 2015 |
• Africa Trends

India hosted the third India Africa Forum Summit from October 26-30, 2015. The summit concluded with an agreement to set up a monitoring mechanism that will evaluate the implementation of the projects planned during the summit. It is hoped that India will work towards delivering all the promises made in New Delhi.

• Ruchita Beri |
• October-December 2015 |
• Africa Trends

In the twenty first century, China ventured into Africa for new markets for goods and services, natural resources especially oil, timber, metals and minerals and for political and economic influence. There is a broad consensus amongst scholars and policy makers that China's foreign policy and diplomacy in Africa is being driven by commercial interests and domestic economic imperatives.

• Rajneesh Verma |
• October-December 2015 |
• Africa Trends

In what some see as a startling change of stance, Egypt has said that it is now willing to reconsider its staunch opposition to the Renaissance Dam that its neighbour, Ethiopia, is in the process of building; and that it will also mull over participating in the construction of the same.

• Sneha Bhura |
• November-December 2015 |
• Africa Trends

On April 2, 2013, the UNGA approved the draft text of the ATT- 154 countries voted for the treaty, three voted against and 23 abstained. It remains to be seen whether the treaty succeeds in fulfilling the goal of curbing violence in Africa.

• Rajiv Nayan |
• November-December 2015 |
• Africa Trends

The emergence of the AU as a player in maintenance of peace and security should
not mean prioritising regionalism over the true spirit of internationalism that the
UN ought to represent. This may need a reform or two on both sides.

• Saurabh Mishra |
• July-September 2015 |
• Africa Trends

At the very least, the decision on text-based negotiations has brought some more
legitimacy to the process of reform. However, there is no guarantee yet that
Security Council reform is any closer or any less complicated.

• Arpita Anant |
• July-September 2015 |
• Africa Trends