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Africa

South Africa’s Foreign Policy is failing its people. Part 2
Rwanda has trumped South Africa to become one of Africa’s geopolitical heavyweights whose sphere of influence spans from central to east to southern Africa. But its ascendancy was a long time coming and forged from shrewd policy that foresaw the changing geopolitical climate. In stark contrast to stagnant and outdated South…
South Africa’s Foreign Policy is failing its people Part 1
South Africa seems to have turned a corner recently, with cautious optimism replacing portends of a failed state in recent months. But when it comes to its foreign policy, it appears to be on the same well-trodden path. In particular, if the country doesn’t take action soon to support the AfCFTA –…
Liberia and LISCR – The Shipping and Corporate Registry. A rich and secretive history that lays bare the double-standards of globalisation in the West
A look at the secretive Liberian Corporate and shipping registry that continues to be a tax haven, especially for the shipping industry. And alludes to the ultimate beneficiaries behind the scheme.
Kenya’s General Election: Why, for the good of the country, Raila Odinga must win

There has been a lot of negative coverage about the forthcoming gen elections in Kenya on 9th August 2022.

The Economist's article below a few months back is typical:

https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2022/04/02/kenyan-voters-face-an-invidious-choice-in-august

It fairly cites a lack of a viable choice and focuses on the cynicism of Kenyan politics; Where politicians change allegiances and political parties - usually one-election vehicles for whatever frontrunner is in current fashion - more often than they change their expensive imported Versace and Armani suits; Of which they can easily afford a warehouse-load on a Kenyan politician's ludicrously-inflated salary when compared to even those in the most powerful countries in the west.

Sure, the curse of tribal politics is nowhere more visible than in Kenya on the continent. A curse that always comes at the cost of actual viable social and economic policies that are almost an afterthought and hard to discern between the two current frontrunners - Raila Odinga and William Ruto:

Both candidates aspire to "bottom-up economics", whatever that actually means, and a vague promise of subsidies on fertilisers. Ultimately they both inspire nothing more than apathy in the Kenyan electorate.

But that is missing a trick.

For its own good, SA must take the regional lead against Russia
A focus on Russian interference in the southern African region reveals it is deeper and more ingrained than many might realise. And how the underhanded tactics of disinformation and the targeting of weak undemocratic leaders might pose a problem for South Africa itself – exacerbating an already, increasingly unstable region.