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Africa Program

Conducting sustained, timely research and analysis on the major elements of U.S. policy toward Africa.

4 Focus Areas

Security and Governance. Africa’s security and governance landscape is constantly in flux, from military coups to civil war to violent non-state actors. The CSIS Africa Program anticipates how these factors underpin leadership transitions, public protests, and insurgencies, with implications for sub-Saharan African and international stakeholders. In particular, the program provides analysis on security trends including defense forces, reform programs, and bi- and multilateral cooperation. It also contextualizes constitutional and military coups against the backdrop of closing political and civic spaces across the region.

Climate Change and Conflict. Researchers have extensively studied climate change and its impact on the environment. With regard to Africa, however, more research is needed on the relationship between climate change, conflict, and security. How do droughts, flooding, desertification, and rising sea levels impact tensions between communities, e.g., herdsmen versus farmers in Nigeria, and water disputes between countries in the Horn of Africa? In Ethiopia, for example, the National Defense Forces launched their offensive on Tigray just as farmers were preparing for the teff planting season—disrupting the farming cycle and exacerbating food insecurity across the region. The CSIS Africa Program will deepen existing research by examining this fragile nexus.

Youth. Nearly 50 percent of Africa’s population is under the age of 18. In the long run, this youth bulge represents unlimited potential for economic and human development and leadership. In the short run, however, the demographic pressures exacerbate governance challenges and overwhelm public services. Consequently, Africa is experiencing a rise in public discontent, political contestation, and repression. Strong youth movements, such as Y’en a Marre (Senegal), Balai Citoyen (Burkina Faso), and LUCHA (DRC) have been at the forefront of the struggle for democratic change and better service delivery. The CSIS Africa Program is committed to analyzing youths’ role in African societies—from democratization to economic development to security— and investigating pathways for youths to gain greater access to policymaking.

The Strength of the Judiciary. In recent years, African judicial institutions have begun to counterbalance executive powers through processes like judicial reviews—spurring tension across the continent. Cases vary widely, from Malawi (where the Constitutional Court annulled results of the presidential election and ordered a run-off) to Benin (where long-independent courts are now facing challenges from the president). The CSIS Africa Program researches these trends, noting their impact on the rule of law and governance, and recommending potential solutions.
 

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Tel: (202) 457-8738
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Upcoming Event
Unpacking the New U.S. Strategy Toward Sub-Saharan Africa
August 24, 2022
On Demand Event
Kenya Elections 2022: What's Next?
August 19, 2022
Podcast Episode
Addressing Forced Migration in the Horn
By Mvemba Phezo Dizolele
In Into Africa
August 18, 2022
Commentary
The Potential and Limits of the New U.S. Strategy for Sub-Saharan Africa
By Catherine Nzuki, Mvemba Phezo Dizolele
August 17, 2022
Commentary
Stability, Security, and Uganda’s Ever-Elusive Leadership Transition
By Maria E. Burnett
August 12, 2022
Report
Finding a Path through Quagmire
By Will Brown
August 12, 2022
Podcast Episode
Digital Tools Increasing Food Resiliency in East Africa
By Mvemba Phezo Dizolele, Caitlin Welsh
In Into Africa
August 4, 2022
Transcript
Panel 4: Humanitarian Innovation in Responses to Displacement
July 26, 2022
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Featured

Commentary
The Potential and Limits of the New U.S. Strategy for Sub-Saharan Africa
By Catherine Nzuki, Mvemba Phezo Dizolele
August 17, 2022
Commentary
The U.S. Toolkit to Address the Military Coup in Sudan
By Cameron Hudson
May 27, 2022
Commentary
Sizing Up: Growing Fast Food Consumption in Urban Africa
By Mvemba Phezo Dizolele, Emmy Simmons
May 10, 2022
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