Reflections On African And Global Affairs

Vice president of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Issa Aremu, has been writing a column in the Daily Trust, Nigeria for several years and has been an occasional contributor to a number of other Nigerian publications. Covered in this volume: politics in Liberia, salutary effects of elections in Ghana, constitutional manipulations in Niger, canons of Kwame Nkrumah to sobering reflections on Nigeria, what he calls the rise and fall of Nigeria's diplomacy, and the import of Hilary Clinton's assessment of state of governance. In East Africa violent elections in Kenya, the complexities of the Zimbabwe situation, and the person of Robert Mugabe himself. South Africa, from the shocking wave of explosive manifestations of xenophobia to bilateral relations with Nigeria. For the African continent attention is given to a variety of events: developments in the European Union, American foreign policy and the dominance of CNN. Present throughout is a concern for proper governance and development that should encourage critical thinking and thus eliminate the poverty of ideas among the African political and bureaucratic policy makers.

Africans need an African voice to tell our African stories and deliver them to the world the way we intended - with our essence, traditions, experiences and thoughts intact. David Monyae is such a voice. A committed anticolonialist and internationalist, Monyae offers insight into the complex and challenging terrain of African international relations. He is acutely aware of the history of the great powers' exploitation of Africa. He is steeped in how states and inter-state organisations and their leaders have struggled for their self-interest and, occasionally, that of the public throughout the continent. Monyae's expertise lies in understanding the ways that realpolitik shapes our world. He recognises the common humanity of our frail and fallible species. He aspires to improve the lot of the voiceless in world affairs by seeking to improve the quality of the policies and strategies of the continent's and the world's most powerful through his commentary. This anthology is a guide through global politics from the unique vantage point of the individuals and communities that those politics affect.

Fifteen men and women have occupied the position of Assistant Secretary for African Affairs. They charted the course of U.S. Africa policy for fifty years that spanned the dawn of African independence to the present era of globalized engagement. In these pages each Assistant Secretary describes his or her stewardship and assesses the state of the U.S – Africa relations during their tenure. Their perspectives are enhanced by the oral histories of six Foreign Service Officers who recall the excitement and challenges of living and working in Africa and associating with such leaders as Kwame Nkrumah, Patrice Lumumba and Nelson Mandela. The courage and dedication of all these men and women illuminate every page.

Fifteen men and women have occupied the position of Assistant Secretary for African Affairs. They charted the course of U.S. Africa policy for fifty years that spanned the dawn of African independence to the present era of globalized engagement. In these pages each Assistant Secretary describes his or her stewardship and assesses the state of the U.S Africa relations during their tenure. Their perspectives are enhanced by the oral histories of six Foreign Service Officers who recall the excitement and challenges of living and working in Africa and associating with such leaders as Kwame Nkrumah, Patrice Lumumba and Nelson Mandela. The courage and dedication of all these men and women illuminate every page.

This book examines key emergent trends related to aspects of power, sovereignty, conflict, peace, development, and changing social dynamics in the African context. It challenges conventional IR precepts of authority, politics and society, which have proven to be so inadequate in explaining African processes. Rather, this edited collection analyses the significance of many of the uncharted dimensions of Africa's international relations, such as the respatialisation of African societies through migration, and the impacts this process has had on state power; the various ways in which both formal and informal authority and economies are practised; and the dynamics and impacts of new transnational social movements on African politics. Finally, attention is paid to Africa's place in a shifting global order, and the implications for African international relations of the emergence of new world powers and/or alliances. This edition includes a new preface by the editors, which brings the findings of the book up-to-date, and analyses the changes that are likely to impact upon global governance and human development in policy and practice in Africa and the wider world post-2015.

This volume describes African cities in transition, and the economic, socio-political, and environmental challenges resulting from rapid post-colonial urbanization. As the African continent continues to transition from urban configurations inherited from colonial influences and history, it faces issues such as urban slum expansion, increased demands for energy and clean water, lack of adequate public transportation, high levels of inequality among different socio-economic population strata, and inadequate urban governance, planning, and policies. African cities in transition need to reconsider current policies and developmental trajectories to facilitate and sustain economic growth and Africa’s strategic repositioning in the world. Written by an international team of scholars and practitioners, this volume uses case studies to focus on key issues and developmental challenges in selected African cities. Topics include but are not limited to, smart cities, changing notions of democracy, the city’s role in attaining the SDGs, local governance, alternative models for governance and management, corruption, urbanisation and future cities.