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 […]
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 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 (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. […]
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 & […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Polygamy remains a highly debated issue across East Africa, where traditional practices, religious beliefs, and modern legal frameworks intersect. In countries like Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, and Ethiopia, the practice of taking multiple spouses—predominantly men marrying multiple women—continues to provoke social, legal, and economic discussions. Polygamy has deep roots in many East African communities. Among […]
