Into Africa - CSIS | Center for Strategic and International Studies

Latest Episodes:

Africa’s Literary Scene Aug 19, 2021

Show notes

African creatives are using online literary magazines to publish their work directly to the web—resulting in more visibility, wider audiences, and richer conversation. Judd Devermont is joined by Abdi Latif Dahir (New York Times), Ambassador Makila James, and content creator Derick Matsengarwodzi to discuss this trend. Guests also cover the unilateral ceasefire in Tigray and pro-democracy protests in eSwatini.

eSwatini with Cebelihle Mbuyisa - Cebelihle Mbuyisa, Judd Devermont, Nicole Wilett
The New Magazines and Journals Shaping Africa’s Literary Scene – Abdi Latif Dahir
“What this generation wants”: African authors publishing direct to the web - Derick Matsengarwodzi

China, the U.S., and African Security Chiefs Aug 05, 2021

Show notes

Judd Devermont is joined by Paul Nantulya (Africa Center for Strategic Studies), ret. Vice Admiral Michael Franken (AFRICOM), and Bonny Lin (Center for Strategic and International Studies) to discuss U.S. and Chinese government engagement with African security chiefs. Guests also cover the deployment of Rwandan and SADC troops in Mozambique and Burundian politics.

Background Readings:

Personal Ties: Measuring Chinese and U.S. Engagement with African Security Chiefs – Judd Devermont, Marielle Harris, & Alison Albelda
Centering Civilian Protection in Northern Mozambique – Emilia Columbo and Kelly Moss
Testimony Before the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission Hearing on: “China’s Military Power Projection and U.S. National Interests” – Paul Nantulya
War in Resource-Rich Northern Mozambique—Six Scenarios – Francisco Almeida dos Santos

Franchising Terrorism Jul 22, 2021

Show notes

Judd Devermont is joined by Anouar Boukhars (African Center for Strategic Studies), Jason Warner (United States Military Academy in West Point), and Emily Estelle (American Enterprise Institute) to discuss the dangers of overemphasizing or underselling the ties between regional groups and global Jihadi networks. Guests also cover French President Macron's decision to draw down Operation Barkhane in the Sahel and the ADF's links to the Islamic state in Eastern Congo.

Background Readings:

A Course Correction for the Sahel Stabilisation Strategy - International Crisis Group
The Islamic State in Africa: The Emergence, Evolution, and Future of the Next Jihadist Battlefront - Jason Warner, Ryan Cummings, and Ryan O'Farrell
The Islamic State has ‘provinces’ in Africa. That doesn’t mean what you might think - Jason Warner
Swapping jerseys: What changes when African extremists join the Islamic State? - Emily Estelle
DRC: Designating the ADF - Jason Warner
False Choices: U.S. Policy toward Coastal West Africa and the Sahel - Judd Devermont
Déby’s Dead. What’s Next for Chad and the Sahel? - Judd Devermont
Rethinking Crisis Responses in the Sahel - Judd Devermont and Marielle Harris
Centering Civilian Protection in Northern Mozambique - Emilia Columbo and Kelly Moss
The Logic of Violence in Africa’s Extremist Insurgencies - Anouar Boukhars
Keeping Terrorism at Bay in Mauritania - Anouar Boukhars

49 Trailer Jul 13, 2021

Show notes

Introducing 49, CSIS Africa Program's newest podcast, about the past, present, and future of U.S. policy toward sub-Saharan Africa. Hosts Judd Devermont, director of CSIS's Africa Program, and Nicole Wilett, Chief of Staff at the Open Society Foundations, discuss past U.S. successes and failures; offer policy recommendations for the Biden Administration; and share the best of the region's music, movies, food, and culture. One country at a time. The first episodes drop on Thursday, 15 July 2021.

The Dos and Don'ts of U.S. Strategies Toward Sub-Saharan Africa Jul 08, 2021

Show notes

What does a consequential U.S. strategy towards sub-Saharan Africa look like? Judd Devermont is joined by Zainab Usman (Carnegie Endowment for International Peace), Nicole Wilett (Open Society Foundation), and former Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Chester Crocker (Georgetown University), to discuss a focused and pragmatic U.S. approach to the region. Guests also cover Angolan President Joao Lourenco’s leadership and the standoff between Twitter and the Nigerian government.

Background Readings:

Social Media Censorship Tracker - Surfshark
False Choices: U.S. Policy toward Coastal West Africa and the Sahel - Judd Devermont

Presidential Offspring Jun 24, 2021

Show notes

Several African leaders are setting the stage to hand over power to their sons. Judd Devermont is joined by Brett Carter (University of Southern California), Regina Sondo (Journalist), and Paul Melly (Africa Program at Chatham House) to discuss the implications of familial succession across sub-Saharan African. Guests also cover Republic of Congo President Denis Sassou Nguesso's latest contested election win and the worsening Anglophone crisis in Cameroon.

Background Readings:

Biden’s Diplomats Should Boycott Discredited African Elections - Judd Devermont and Idayat Hassan.
Africa's Political Dynasties: How Presidents Groom Their Sons for Power - Paul Melly.
Cameroon’s Democratic Repositioning: Is the Republic Now a De Facto Monarchy? - Regina Sondo.
Congo: Sassou Nguesso Wins Another Term but Still Faces Two Big Threats. - Brett Carter.

Grave Narratives Jun 10, 2021

Show notes

How can international actors achieve the balance between recognizing strides in economic performance and development while holding governments accountable for human rights abuses and regional interference? Judd Devermont is joined by Adotei Akwei (Amnesty International), Ida Sawyer (Human Rights Watch), and Michela Wrong (Author) to discuss how the Biden Administration, with its focus on democracy and human rights, should respond to these challenges. Guests also cover alleged crimes against humanity by Eritrean troops in Ethiopia’s Tigray Region and Paul Rusesabagina’s forced disappearance and arrest.

Background Readings

Ethiopia: The Massacre in Axum – Amnesty International Report
Ethiopia: Eritrean Forces Massacre Tigray Civilians – Human Rights Watch
The Dark Side of Rwanda’s Rebirth – Mvemba Phezo Dizolele
Do Not Disturb: The Story of a Political Murder and an African Regime Gone Bad – Michela Wrong

Democracy Doesn't Come from the Sky May 27, 2021

Show notes

President Biden's upcoming Summit for Democracy is one of the administration's flagship efforts aiming to renew its commitment to democracy at home and abroad. What are the key themes of the Summit and how do we ensure that African voices are not treated as sideshows? Judd Devermont sits down with Frances Brown (Carnegie Endowment for International Peace), Moussa Kondo (Accountability Lab), and Thandekile Moyo (Writer) to share recommendations for impactful deliverables. Other topics include Chad's military takeover following the death of President Idriss Déby and ZANU-PF's problematic amendments to Zimbabwe's constitution.

Background Readings:

Who will defend and protect Zimbabwe’s human rights defenders? – Thandekile Moyo
The Global Expansion of AI Surveillance – Steven Feldstein
America Needs a Democracy Summit More Than Ever – Frances Z. Brown et. al.
Africa and the Biden Administration’s Summit for Democracy – Judd Devermont

The Gangs of Africa May 13, 2021

Show notes

In several countries, gangs, militias, and self-defense forces have become part of the security landscape. What’s behind this trend and what are the consequences? Judd Devermont sits down with Comfort Ero (International Crisis Group), Leanne Erdberg Steadman (U.S. Institute of Peace), and David Africa (former South African intelligence officer) to discuss the benefits and drawbacks of “dirty deals” and the challenge of accountability involved in dealing with these groups. Guests also cover President Farmajo’s failed term extension bid in Somalia and the insurgency in Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado region.

Background Readings

Double-edged Sword: Vigilantes in African Counter-insurgencies- International Crisis Group
A Savage Order: How the World’s Deadliest Countries Can Forge a Path to Security- Dr. Rachel Kleinfeld
From Self Defense to Vigilantism: A Typology Framework of Community-Based Armed Groups- Dr. Lauren Van Metre (Resolve Network)
Disengagement and Reconciliation in Conflict-Affected Settings- Leanne Erdberg Steadman

Deciphering Disinformation in Africa Apr 29, 2021

Show notes

Disinformation operations in Africa are hidden in discretely coordinated social media campaigns. How can activists across the globe detect fake news and tackle these issues more coherently? In our 11th episode in partnership with African Arguments, Judd Devermont is joined by Elsie Eyakuze (The Mikocheni Report), Shelby Grossman (Stanford Internet Observatory), and Rose Jackson (Atlantic Council) to discuss the importance of people-to-people engagement in responding to disinformation. Guests also explore Covid-19 lockdowns in Nigeria and Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu's deviation from her predecessor's policies.

Background Readings: