May 17, 2023 /Econonmy/ – If Zambia, Zimbabwe and Malawi became one country again, it would be a major development with far-reaching implications for the region. The new country would have a population of over 70 million people, making it the third most populous country in Africa after Nigeria and Ethiopia. It would also have a land area of over 1 million square kilometers, making it the 13th largest country in Africa. Continue reading
The Mbale family is a royal family from Malawi and Eastern Zambia. They are the descendants of Mbale, a Yao chief who ruled over the area in the 18th century. The Mbale family has a long and rich history, and they have played an important role in the development of Malawi and Eastern Zambia. Continue reading
Paul Jackson, University of Birmingham
A three-day ceasefire to mark the Islamic festival of Eid-al-Fitr in Khartoum appears to be dead in the water as fighting continues in the Sudanese capital. According to the World Health Organization, more than 330 people have been killed over the past week. Now, with reports emerging that arms are being sent from Egypt and Libya, there are growing fears the situation could develop into a civil war that could draw in regional powers.
April 21, 2023 /Conflict and War/ –The discovery of gold in the Sahel has had a significant impact on the region, both positive and negative. On the one hand, it has brought much-needed economic development and opportunity to some of the poorest countries in the world. On the other hand, it has also led to increased conflict and instability. Continue reading
April 17, 2023 /World/ — Violence erupted in Sudan on April 11, 2023, when the country’s military, known as the Transitional Military Council (TMC), dissolved the Sovereign Council, the joint civilian-military body that had been governing the country since the overthrow of Omar al-Bashir in 2019. The TMC also detained several civilian leaders, including Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok.
The violence has been met with widespread international condemnation, and the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union have all imposed sanctions on the TMC. The African Union has also suspended Sudan from its activities.
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Jose Caballero, International Institute for Management Development (IMD)
After over a year of the Ukraine war, efforts at building a global consensus against Russia seem to have stalled, with many countries opting for neutrality.
The number of countries condemning Russia has declined, according to some sources. Botswana has edged towards Russia from its original pro-Ukraine stance, South Africa is moving from neutral to Russia-leaning and Colombia from condemning Russia to a neutral stance. At the same time, a large number of countries have been reluctant to support Ukraine.
David Bach, International Institute for Management Development (IMD)
Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s recent speech to the Communist Party Congress could be one of the most consequential of the decade. He told the audience – and the world – that his economic growth-crushing zero-COVID policy is here to stay, and that Beijing is more determined than ever to reunify with Taiwan, peacefully if possible and by force if necessary.