On Africa

This episode of the On Africa podcast examines the West's historical and contemporary uses of photography and photojournalism to shape narratives of Africa and African peoples. Our discussion ranges from the New York Times' controversial coverage of the January 2019 Al-Shabab attacks in Nairobi, Kenya; to the historic role of National Geographic's imagery; and the standard tropes related to Africa that permeate Western Media - exploring their racist implications, double standards and harmful impacts. We are joined by photojournalist Kainaz Amaria, who serves as the Visuals Editor for Vox News and is an outspoken voice on these issues. Please tune in, rate, review and enjoy!  

This episode of the On Africa podcast explores political developments in Tanzania. Specifically, we examine reports of democratic backsliding in the nation as evidenced by the annulment of polls in Zanzibar in 2015, the ban on opposition party protests, and the arbitrary arrests of politicians and journalists. To help navigate these issues, we're joined by Mr. Tundu Lissu, a Member of the Tanzanian Parliament and representative of the country's leading opposition party CHADEMA (Party for Democracy & Progress). Please tune in, rate, review and enjoy!    

This episode of the On Africa podcast examines the emergence of new economic and military investments by Gulf states in the Horn of Africa, as well as the geopolitical and strategic competition it entails.  To help us unpack these rivalries within and between Gulf states and nations in the Horn of Africa, I spoke with Zach Vertin of the Brookings Institution's Doha Center - who published the article "Red Sea Rivalries" in the January 2019 edition of Foreign Affairs magazine. Zach is also the author of the recently released "A Rope from the Sky: The Making and Unmaking of the World's Newest State" which focuses on political developments in South Sudan. Please tune in, rate, review and enjoy!   

This episode of the On Africa podcast features Sudanese scholar and activist Nisrin Elamin (Stanford University) and Dr. Zachariah Mampilly, Professor of Political Science (Vassar College) in an in-depth discussion on the current civilian protests in Sudan. While the latest spate of protests was sparked by rising bread prices, the underlying grievances of Sudanese citizens revolve around decades of political and economic marginalization.  Please tune in and enjoy!  

This episode is the third and final installment of our in-depth conversation with Ambassador Susan D. Page, who made history at the first U.S. Ambassador to the newly independent nation of South Sudan in 2011. In this closing segment, we explore her arrival to South Sudan as ambassador, the greatest lessons and challenges of her tenure, and her thoughts on the prospects for peace in the nation's current conflict. Please tune in and enjoy!

This is the second of a three-part episode featuring Amb. Susan D. Page, who made history by serving as the first U.S. ambassador to the newly independent nation of South Sudan in 2011. This segment of our fascinating discussion examines her role in the negotiations that led to the separation of Sudan & South Sudan, as well as her ascent to ambassador. Please check out Episode 1 if you missed it, and enjoy this latest installment!

This is the first of a three-part episode featuring Amb. Susan D. Page. Amb. Page made history by serving as the first U.S. ambassador to the newly independent nation of South Sudan in 2011. Our fascinating discussion explores her deep involvement in governance and rule of law efforts in Sudan; her critical role in the negotiations which led to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement; and her perspectives on the challenges currently facing South Sudan. Please tune in and enjoy! 

For this episode, we sat down with Dr. Anita Plummer of the African Studies Department of Howard University, for an in-depth discussion on China-Africa relations. We unpack the popular understanding of the notion of "China in Africa", the long history of relations between the two regions, and the perspectives of African governments in their relations to China. I hope you will listen and enjoy!

This episode of the On Africa podcast features Dr. Christopher Fomunyoh, Regional Director for West & Central Africa with the National Democratic Institute. We discuss the colonial history of Cameroon; its implications for the present day conflict between the Biya regime and Anglophone separatists; and the nation's recent Presidential elections.

This inaugural episode of "On Africa" features Ambassador Johnnie Carson, former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs under President Obama and three-time Ambassador to African nations including Zimbabwe, Kenya and Uganda. We discuss the recent Presidential elections in Zimbabwe, their aftermath and the broader implications for the Southern Africa region. Enjoy!