United Republic of Tanzania the steady giant
As one of East Africa’s biggest economies, Tanzania is navigating an important moment: the path to upper-middle-income status, infrastructure expansion, tourism growth — but also mounting governance and opposition-space concerns. Governance & Politics President Samia Suluhu Hassan (Chama Cha Mapinduzi, CCM) has served since March 2021 after the death of her predecessor. She is the first female […]
Republic of South Sudan: The youngest state
The world’s youngest nation remains at a critical juncture: vast natural-resource potential, peace-deal hope, but also recurrence of ethnic violence, humanitarian crisis and fragile institutions. Governance & Politics President Salva Kiir Mayardit (SPLM) and long-time rival Riek Machar (SPLM-IO) remain central figures in the country’s politics. The 2018 “Revitalised” peace deal formally ended one phase of the civil […]
Burundi: Republic of Burundi the small giant
Burundi remains one of the smallest and least-resourced members of the EAC, yet its trajectory matters for regional stability, human development and integration. Governance & Politics President Évariste Ndayishimiye (CNDD-FDD) continues in office; his government remains dominant in national institutions. The main organised opposition is the National Congress for Liberty (CNL) led by Agathon Rwasa. Economy & […]
The Democratic Republic of the Congo : a complicated rich nation
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) remains one of Africa’s most paradoxical nations: immense natural-resource riches and strategic location, yet long-running conflict, fragile governance and urgent developmental needs. Governance & Politics President Félix Tshisekedi, who secured a second term in late-2023, continues to lead the country under the umbrella of the “Sacred Union” coalition. […]
Rwanda: The Rising Star of Central East Africa
Kigali, 19 October 2025 — Once ravaged by conflict, the Republic of Rwanda has charted a striking turnaround. With bold state-led development, growing investment inflows, and a tourism boom, Rwanda has become one of the region’s most watched economies. Yet beneath the surface there remain governance and human-rights questions that outsiders must consider. Governance & […]
Kenya: East Africa’s Economic Hub
With its lion-icon safaris, coastal beaches and dynamic cities, the Republic of Kenya remains a magnet for tourists and investors alike. But behind the scenic landscapes lies a complex story of growth, reform and risk. Governance & Politics President William Ruto, leader of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) in the Kenya Kwanza coalition, holds the […]
Mogadishu Votes: Local Elections Seen as Key Test for Somalia’s Leadership
Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu, will head to the polls in a landmark local election scheduled for 30 October 2025. For a country accustomed to indirect power deals and fragile political transitions, this vote carries weight far beyond municipal politics — it’s a critical test of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s leadership, governance reforms, and the country’s ability […]
Tanzania heads to the polls what does the landscape look like?
When Jakaya Kikwete took office in December 2005, he returned CCM to a strong mandate (having won some 80% of the vote in 2005). His presidency began with optimism: a growing economy, elevated donor engagement and relative openness for civil society compared with previous decades. Kikwete presided over relative stability and growth, but he left […]
Baba” Departs — What the Passing of Raila Odinga Means for Kenya and the Region
Nairobi, 18 October 2025 — The death of Kenya’s veteran opposition icon, Raila Odinga, leaves a void that resonates far beyond western Kenya. Known affectionately as “Baba,” Odinga died in India on 15 October 2025 at age 80 after suffering a cardiac arrest. His passing closes a chapter in Kenyan politics characterised by his five […]
