Qatar: Peacemaker in the Horn of Africa?
Aklilu Shiketa

After mediating disputes in Sudan and Djibouti in recent years, Qatar has aimed its diplomacy at making peace between Ethiopia and Eritrea. Chances of success are slim, but the potential rewards for all are significant.

The Pan-African Implications of the ANC Leadership Conference

Though the recent ANC leadership conference in South Africa focused on domestic politics, the implications of Jacob Zuma's continued leadership will extend to the SADC region, the African Union and G20.

Resource Nationalism in Africa and Beyond
Annie Chikwanha

Though much is made of increasing resource protectionism in Africa, the trend is in line with several Western countries which have also adopted anti-competitive policies toward foreign investment in extractive sectors.

Putting an Accurate Price on Africa's Natural Wealth
Romy Chevalier

While resource exploitation has been at the heart of African economic activity for decades, policy makers should also factor 'ecosystem services' into cost/benefit analyses of extraction and conservation projects.

Ethiopia: An Underestimated Regional Power
Catherine Grant-Makokera, Itumeleng Rantao

While Kenya is typically viewed as East Africa's economic powerhouse, Ethiopia is poised to challenge the entire development narrative of the region - but only if managed effectively.

US Must Tread Carefully in Zimbabwe Election
Scott Firsing

Upcoming elections in Zimbabwe create an opportunity for Washington and Pretoria to forge a less contentious partnership that could improve the overall tone of the US-South Africa relationship and strengthen democracy in the region.

Cameroon: Let Them Eat Local Rice

With the cost of imported rice set to increase, Cameroon's distorted food markets — where local staples are shipped out and foreign grains brought in — could again cause social upheaval. Enabling the consumption of domestic products is the policy challenge facing government, according to researcher Adam Sneyd.

At the End of the Transition Period, Somalia is Going Nowhere – Slowly
Lisa Otto

With the end of Somalia's political transition in sight, the country should now find itself on the precipice of democracy. Instead, it is no nearer to functional statehood than it was in 2004 when the Transitional Federal Government was established.

Policy Makers’ Attention Needed to Counter Inter-country Adoption
Elizabeth Willmott Harrop

African countries are quickly becoming the world's leading source for children involved in international adoptions. While many prospective parents mean well, policy makers should focus on domestic family strengthening programs that are more cost-effective and culturally appropriate than inter-country adoptions.

Cameroon: Moving Toward ‘Investment-Grade’ Food Security

With Cameroon still vulnerable to the same type of shocks in world food prices that caused deadly riots in 2008, the government should do more to bolster food security. Attracting the right kind of agricultural investment is a start.