Into Africa

Youth movements have become a powerful catalyst for demanding change across Africa. Kenya’s #RejectFinanceBill2024 protests emerged in June 2024 as a response to a controversial finance bill that included significant tax hikes. Despite violent police crackdowns resulting in over 60 deaths, the movement successfully pressured President Ruto to withdraw the bill and dismiss several cabinet members. Mvemba is joined by Kenyan youth leaders Hanifa Adan, Journalist and Activist, Kasmuel McOure, Spokesperson for the National Coordination Committee of Peoples' Assemblies, and Mwanase Ahmed, Socio-environmental Activist, to discuss the ongoing dissatisfaction of Kenyan youth. They highlighted the failure of previous regimes to address economic hardship and government corruption that led to a collective awakening among young people. These activists stressed the need for civic education and community engagement to mobilize support across Kenya. Furthermore, the overarching sentiment is that youth will continue to strive for change and seek accountability from Kenyan political leaders, a sign of growing resilience in the face of systems that do not work for them.

Botswana, known for its political stability and diamond-rich economy, has made significant strides since independence in 1966, particularly in education and health. Beneath the surface of political stability and dazzling achievements, a vibrant civil society is actively striving to tackle the nation's most urgent challenges including youth unemployment, issues of identity and representation, pressures faced by the independent media, and youth HIV/AIDS rates. Mvemba discusses Botswana's political landscape and development with Kagiso Molatlhwa, Executive Director of the Botswana Council of Non-Governmental Organizations (BOCONGO). Molatlhwa emphasizes the need for economic diversification, improved service delivery, and a more inclusive constitution.

Mvemba is joined by Kemi Okenyondo, the Founder/Executive Director of the Rule of Law and Empowerment Initiative also known as Partners West Africa Nigeria, to discuss accountability for Nigeria's military and police and security issues in the country.

Since its inception in 2014, the Mandela Washington Fellowship (MWF) brings together an annual cohort of established African youth leaders for an immersive six-week leadership program at U.S. colleges and universities. The fellowship culminates in a summit where participants network and engage in high-level workshops. MWF is the flagship program of the Young African Leaders Initiative, designed to empower and connect the continent’s mst promising leaders. The Mandela Washington Fellows bring their leadership, expertise, and passion to this highly selective fellowship with interests ranging from environmentalism to gender equity to sustainable development and the creative arts. In this episode of Into Africa, Mvemba is joined by three distinguished MWF alumni who share their experiences and insights from the fellowship, as well as their professional journeys. Sarah Funmilayo Kuponiyi, founder and CEO of Alora Reusable Pads in Nigeria, advocates for menstrual hygiene and gender empowerment. Tefetso Nicolus Kele, a lawyer from Lesotho, focuses on sustainable finance, international trade, and investment law. Pape Mamadou Camara, a communications specialist from Senegal, is passionate about the arts and the transformative power of hip hop as well as fighting desertification in Africa through the “Green Wall”.

Engaging with the dynamic and rapidly evolving development landscape in Africa presents a complex challenge. Historically, global powers have treated Africa as a tool for extraction and a pawn in geopolitical struggles, from colonialism to the Cold War. However, with the growth of Africa and the world shifting into a multipolar era, the U.S. finds its policies and engagement with Africa unfit for purpose, having lost touch with the realities and interests on the ground. Often referred to as the "continent of the future" due to its vast resources and rapidly growing population, a critical question the U.S. is asking is: how can the U.S. engage effectively in Africa? Former CSIS Africa Program director and Into Africa’s creator, Judd Devermont, rejoins the podcast to share his insights into the U.S.’s approach to Africa and the role of America in a multipolar world. Drawing on his experience as Special Assistant to President Biden and Senior Director for African Affairs at the National Security Council, Judd offers a deep and informed perspective on these critical issues.

The African continent faces several unique challenges that increase its vulnerability to cyber-attacks: a shortage of cybersecurity professionals, outdated software, lack of digital literacy among individuals, and struggles with personal data protection. While digital accessibility is on the rise in Africa, 60 percent of Africans (about 700 million people) remain unconnected to the internet. Digital literacy is the first step in tackling this challenge as connecting people is essential for improving education, job opportunities, and healthcare, as well as economic growth. However, Africa innovation and solutions show promise in ensuring the continent will overcome these hurdles and actively participate in the “digital revolution”. Fran Katsoudas, Executive Vice President and Chief People, Policy and Purpose Officer at Cisco, joins Mvemba to share findings from Cisco’s recently launched report “Elevating Africa's Cyber Resilience: Unveiling Regional Challenges and Charting AI Solutions.”

In 2019, the U.S. Congress passed the bipartisan Global Fragility Act (GFA), approving up to $200 million annually for prevention and stabilization efforts in target countries and regions, including Mozambique, Benin, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, and Togo. The GFA aims to strengthen fragile states, described by the Department of State as those "where state weakness or failure would magnify threats to the American homeland" and to "empower reform-minded governments, people, and civil society." Collaborating with state governments, civil society actors, and other key stakeholders, 10-year plans were developed for each target country. This initiative comes at a critical time, as conflict-related violence globally is at its highest since the end of the Cold War, with particularly acute effects in Africa, from the Sahel to Sudan to the eastern DRC. Peter Quaranto, Director of the Office of African Affairs in the Department of State Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations (CSO), joins Mvemba to share CSO’s approach to better anticipate, prevent and mitigate violent conflicts. They discuss how CSO’s mission to strengthen U.S.-Africa partnerships for a more peaceful future.

Youth engagement in the Black and African diaspora stands as a foundational pillar in elevating our communities. The Hidden Genius Project was founded in Oakland, California in 2012 with the goal of revealing the true potential of black male youth. The mission is to develop quality, confident, and healthy young people who can lead. The Hidden Genius Project trains and mentors their geniuses in technology creation, entrepreneurship, and leadership skills to transform their lives and their communities at large. Beyond the United States, the Hidden Genius Project has held activations abroad including in Johannesburg, South Africa and Saly and Dakar, Senegal. The CEO and founder of The Hidden Genius Project, Dr. Brandon Nicholson joined Mvemba to dive into what it means to be a hidden genius and how his team curates programs that support their mission.

While African youth make up over 70% of the population on the continent, the institutions present are not fit for their participation and representation in government. This is exemplified by the fact that although African youth rely on the informal sector for employment, institutions cater to the formal sector. The youth, therefore, expend time and energy and work in survivalist modes which limit their participation in civic and political engagement. The institutions inherited from colonial powers did not cater to African demographics. Now, African youth are mobilizing, organizing, and campaigning for institutional reform to serve them. Mvemba is joined by McDonald Lewanika, Southern Africa Regional Director at Accountability Lab, to discuss the importance of adapting to Africa’s fast-changing demographics by ensuring that the majority’s voices are catered for and given the appropriate platform.

Whenever the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) makes the headlines, it appears that the challenges the nation is facing are only multiplying. From the escalating conflict in Eastern DRC to what is being called an attempted coup in Kinshasa the question remains: how will the largest sub-Saharan African nation overcome its complex challenges? Governance. Analysts point to weak and uninspired governance as one of the challenges that perpetuate instability in Africa. In May, six months after his election, President Felix Tshisekedi announced the newly appointed government of the DRC. This government faces the daunting task of confronting the array of conflicts and instability in the country. Fred Bauma, Senior Fellow and Executive Secretary of Ebuteli, joins Mvemba to discuss the reasons this government took so long to form, the state of governance in DRC, and the expectations of Tshisekedi’s second term in office.

After more than three decades of experience as a media entrepreneur, Claude Grunitzky’s passion for telling the authentic stories of Africans has only expanded. While perceptions and narratives of Africa have slightly shifted, the Western gaze on Africa has not. Limitless Africa is “the podcast that asks the questions that matter to Africa” through speaking with strong voices that promote the future of Africa. Mvemba is joined by Claude Grunitzky, Founder of TRACE and friend of the pod, to discuss asking the right questions about Africa, and limitless answers.

Since 2018, senior leaders from land forces across Africa, the United States, and other partner nations have met to strengthen their relationships, exchange information, and encourage cooperation at the Africa Land Forces Summit (ALFS). This marked the 5th anniversary of the summit, which was hosted in Livingstone, Zambia with the theme “Regional Solutions to Transnational Problems”. 25 different countries were represented in the summit- a growth from the initial 9 that attended the first summit in Nigeria in 2018. Mvemba is joined by Command Sergeant Major Reese Teakell, US Army Southern European Task Force, and Command Sergeant Jeremiah E. Inman, US Army Europe and Africa, to discuss the highlights and achievements of the partnerships between African and partner nations in security training. They delve into the education programs for non-commissioned officers and the importance of leadership development.

After attaining independence in 1961, the United Republic of Tanzania became instrumental in liberation movements throughout Africa. Julius Nyerere, Tanzania’s first president, established the ideology of Ujamaa (African socialism) as Tanzania’s political, social, and economic ideology. At the time of independence, the US established diplomatic ties with Tanzania and Nyerere had a close relationship with President John F. Kennedy. Nyerere stepped down from his presidency in 1985 and subsequent presidents opened Tanzania to become more democratic politically and economically while maintaining a socialist philosophy further strengthening relations with the US. However, the presidency of the late President John Magufuli eroded some of the democratic strides that previous presidents had instilled, straining bilateral relations with the US while strengthening ties with China. Nonetheless, the current administration under the leadership of President Samia Suluhu Hassan has beckoned on the United States for an improved relationship and deeper bilateral economic ties. Mvemba is joined by Ambassador Michael Battle, United States Ambassador to Tanzania, to discuss the history and current state of U.S.- Tanzania bilateral relations. Ambassador Battle shares his hopes of transformed US-Tanzania relations from an aid and development assistance model to a trade and investment model.

President Bassirou Diomaye Faye is not only Senegal’s youngest elected president but also the youngest democratically elected president in Africa. At 44- years old there is a lot of expectation resting on Faye and his mentor Ousmane Sonko as they take the reins after an election run-up that was nothing short of dramatic. Since 2021, protests against former president Macky Sall have left more than 60 people dead and hundreds of political activists jailed. Faye is expected to strengthen the eroded democratic institutions in Senegal that allowed Sall to attempt an unconstitutional bid to sustain his party’s hold on the presidency and that built conditions to repress dissent in the country. Hawa Ba, Director of Core Partners in Open Society Foundations, joins Mvemba to share her impressions from the tumultuous election. As the only West African country that has not experienced a coup, Senegal is a beacon of hope that alternative forms of power and governance can be achieved through elections.

Since 2022, the East Africa Community (EAC) has expanded to include two new partner states, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Somalia, bringing its membership up to eight partner states. Each nation admitted to the bloc brings its own set of challenges but also expands the opportunities and avenues for cooperation in the region. The EAC has been strong in providing economic opportunities to its partner states and the inclusion of DRC and Somalia prospects to acquire greater markets for the trading states and allow the two nations to grow. On the other hand, the EAC grapples with political integration problems as mistrust and tension exist across the borders of member states, weaving a complex web of alliances and political clashes. Beverly Ochieng, CSIS Senior Associate (Non-Resident), and Pascal Kambale, Human Rights Lawyer, join Mvemba to untangle the issues and opportunities faced by the EAC. As the EAC faces a transition period with its new member states, how can it solidify its leadership and ensure that each partner is held to account?

“Never deprive someone of hope; it might be all they have.” Project HOPE is a global health and humanitarian aid non-governmental organization founded by Dr. William B. Walsh in 1958. Their first operations in Africa began in the mid-1960s in Guinea; and since then, they have reached 13 countries in Africa. Project Hope began its work in Sierra Leone during the 2014 Ebola Epidemic to help combat the outbreak. During this period, the organization recognized the need to increase capacity to improve the health outcomes of women, newborns, and children, which has now become the primary focus of their work in the country. The organization has collaborated with the responsive leadership at the Ministry of Health to lower the rate of maternal mortality from 1360 per 100,000 live births to the current rate of 443. Furthermore, Sierra Leone have developed a 5-point strategy of reducing the maternal mortality rate to less than 300 per 100,000 live births by 2025. Mvemba is joined by Dr. Uche Ralph-Opara, the Chief Health Officer at Project HOPE to discuss the current situation, work, and progress made by Project Hope in improving maternal health crisis in Sierra Leone.

For a brief moment, it appeared as though all attention had shifted to the 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON), as the tournament gained global attention. The game saw the participation of 24 out of 54 countries in the tournament, hosted by the reigning champions, Côte d’Ivoire, from January to early February 2024. The African Cup of Nations (AFCON) has been hosted in various African nations for over 60 years, with each game surpassing the former. However, AFCON 2023 set a new viewership record of over 2 billion viewers worldwide, making it the most-watched AFCON tournament. Furthermore, the game showcased the abundance of talents present in Africa through the participation of prominent football players such as Victor Osimhen from Nigeria, Achraf Hakimi, from Morocco, Sadio Mane from Senegal, and Mo’ Salah from Egypt, among many others. Join Mvemba and Afolabi Adekaiyaoja, Research Analyst at CDD-West Africa, as they discuss the remarkable achievements of AFCON 2023, its impact on Africa and beyond, and the inextricable links between sports and politics.

Amidst political, economic, and security issues Malians continue to seek justice and reconciliation to restore peace in their country. Since 2012, the Malian government has been engaged in a war against the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MLNA) who intend to secede the Northern region of Mali. Additionally, Mali has experienced 8 attempted coups with 5 of them being successful since its independence in 1960. The turmoil experienced raises questions on how to attain national cohesion and how the Malian government can navigate meeting the plethora of needs that its citizens require. Good governance which is accountable to the people is what Malians are asking for. Moussa Kondo, Executive Director Sahel Institute, joins Mvemba to share perspectives and insights into the political and economic landscape of Mali. Kondo expertly shares the historical context of the insecurity in Mali and some reflections on how Mali can overcome the challenges it is facing today.

More than 80% of African countries have experienced coups since the 1950s. The occurrence of coups can be seen as a reaction to poor governance that is unresponsive to the needs of the people. Regional and international responses to this “unconstitutional” seizure of power belittles and condescends coup leaders hence ostracizing and condemning already fragile nations without addressing the drivers of coups. Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger’s recent coups culminated with harsh sanctions from the regional bloc Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). As a result, the three nations formed a mutual defense pact known as Alliance of Sahel States (AES) on September 16, 2023, then withdrew from ECOWAS on January 28, 2024. ECOWAS is accused of being a hypocritical, distant, and elitist club for privileged diplomats whose hostility to these nations drove them out. What are the failures of ECOWAS? What lessons can ECOWAS and other regional blocs in Africa learn from this? Mvemba is joined by General Saleh Bala, retired Brigadier General from the Nigerian military and CEO White Ink Consult in Abuja, Nigeria, to discuss how to understand the withdrawal of AES and where ECOWAS falls short as a regional bloc.

Youth, technology, and creativity are nurtured and bloom in Africa. These experiences are often diminished in Western media, skewing the understanding of the pace and dynamism of the continent. The youth leverage technology for entrepreneurship, cultural mobilization, political activism, and as a means to share their passions through art. The Roger Muntu Show bridges the gap between Western perspectives and the lived realities of Africans. With an enthusiasm for presenting authentic African stories, Roger Muntu engages Africans across the globe with stories that truly resonate with them. The show bridges connections between politicians, artists, activists, diaspora, and common people to allow for a greater understanding of each other's goals and experiences. Technology is at the forefront of The RM Show’s popularity. Join Mvemba and Roger Muntu, International Broadcast Journalist at Voice of America, as they discuss what it means to be an African journalist. From anecdotes of his experience as a journalist to the impact of his work, Muntu shares why he is passionate about representing Africa authentically.

On the heels of the Africa Climate Summit, the United Nations hosted COP28 in Dubai where world governments discussed how to prepare for and address climate change. The two-week conference culminated with both optimism and pessimism from the participants. Optimism rose from agreements like the Loss and Damage Fund and innovative food systems that tackle food insecurity on the continent. Previous pledges from developed nations in COP15 have not been fulfilled hence the pessimism and skepticism towards the COP28 Declaration. COP28 participant and CSIS Africa Intern, Denis Owiny, joins Mvemba to discuss impressions from the conference, climate financing in Africa, and the future of Africa’s position in the clean energy transition.

On November 17th, 2023, President George Weah gracefully conceded to President-elect Joseph Boakai, who secured victory with a narrow margin of just 1.28% in votes. The electoral process was not only marked by a closely contested run-off but also had a first run of twenty candidates. This concession underscores Liberia's positive democratic trajectory and political stability. Furthermore, President Weah upheld the peaceful transition precedent set by his predecessor, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Africa’s first female president. To delve into the voting trends shaping Liberia's political landscape, Mvemba is joined by Charles Lawrence, Liberian Political Analyst. Together, they discuss the significance of this election, shedding light on the precedent it sets for peaceful and democratic transitions in the country.

Oil and diamonds typically hint towards a strong and robust economy. However, there is a noticeable disconnect between the mineral richness of Angola and the lack of Foreign Direct Investment. This incongruity lingers, although the nation’s civil war ended in 2002, because the reconciliation process has not addressed the core issues that caused the war. Foreign investor and local stakeholder engagement in post-conflict Angola remains timid. This leaves civil society and economic agents unsatisfied with the political and economic landscape of Angola. Sergio Calundungo, Founder of Social Observatory of Angola, and Carlos Rosado de Carvalho, Journalist and Radio Host on MFM Radio, join Mvemba to discuss the “paradox of abundance” that Angola faces.

Although data is a powerful tool in decision-making, data collection and production in Africa have proven to miss the mark in pattern prediction. Afrobarometer is a Pan- African, non-partisan, non-profit research network with headquarters in Ghana that conducts public attitude surveys on democracy, governance, the economy, and society in Africa. Dr. Joseph Asunka, the CEO of Afrobarometer, speaks with Mvemba about the challenges in data collection in Africa as well as the ways Afrobarometer is building data collection methodologies for various contexts in Africa.

Yes, Chef! Mvemba is joined by Pierre Thiam, a renowned chef, author, and social activist. Hailing from Senegal, Chef Thiam is best known for bringing West African cuisine to the global fine-dining world. Chef Thiam and Mvemba discuss making it in the fine dining world in New York City, the stunning diversity of food from the continent, finding inspiration in tradition, the miracle grain "fonio" and bringing Senegalese food to American supermarkets.

Modeled after the Peace Corps, CorpsAfrica empowers African youth to work with local communities, emphasizing local ownership, collaboration, and participatory development. CorpsAfrica founder comments, “We’re creating a second Peace Corps, by and for Africans”. The organization aims to create a lasting impact by addressing community needs through a transformative and scalable model. Volunteers work for one year in high-poverty villages to direct scarce NGO resources to communities that need them. Operating in nine African countries, including Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Morocco, Rwanda, Senegal, and Uganda, CorpsAfrica addresses two of Africa’s pressing challenges: creating opportunities for youth and helping rural communities overcome poverty. Mvemba is joined by Liz Fanning, Founder and CEO of CorpsAfrica, to discuss the ideas, challenges, and successes of CorpsAfrica as well as the ways African youth are engaging with the organization.

For too long Africa’s role in the fight against climate change has been overlooked and underestimated. While world leaders and non-governmental organizations have tried to address the challenge, both sustainable solutions and actions have not been seen on the continent. The inaugural Africa Climate Summit brought together indigenous activists, African youth, and civil society organizations to discuss solutions to challenges felt by the most vulnerable and affected populations in this crisis. These voices highlighted what is often neglected in private sector-driven solutions by centering African voices, contributions, and demands. After attending the summit, Ikal Angelei, an indigenous rights activist in Kenya, and Serah Makka, Africa Executive Director at ONE, shared their reflections with Mvemba. They share insights from the summit as well as propose some steps to increase the autonomy of Africans in the fight against climate change.

Burkina Faso (twice). Chad. Gabon. Guinea. Mali (twice). Niger. Sudan. The recent spate in coups has forced many to pause and ask difficult questions. Has democracy failed? Why do a minority of citizens support or tolerate military rule, and what does this backing say about the ineffectiveness of their previous governments? Kamissa Camara, Senior Advisor for Africa at the U.S. Institute of Peace and former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mali, and Ken Opalo, Associate Professor in the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University join Mvemba. They unpack the structural challenges enabling coups, the failure of the social contract, the very nature of militaries, and regional and international responses to the coups.

Mvemba is joined by Fyneface Dumnamene, the Executive Director of the Youth and Environmental Advocacy Center based in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. They assess President Bola Tinubu's 150 days in office, the economic challenges faced by the Tinubu administration, and Nigeria’s oil economy. They also discuss Nigeria's leadership in ECOWAS and how it has impacted the regional bloc's response to the Niger coup.

Mvemba is joined by Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, commonly known as Bobi Wine, to discuss youth movements' challenges in Africa, reflecting on his journey as a presidential candidate in the 2021 Uganda general elections. They highlight the challenges African youth movements face in pursuing democratic change. Mvemba and Bobi Wine dive into why democracy is crumbling in some African countries. Bobi Wine argues that African youth should participate in active politics to effect democratic change in their countries. They contend that the United States military assistance to African governments is used to subvert democracy and violate human rights. Bobi Wine illustrates social media's important role in mass mobilization amid media suppression from authoritarian African regimes.

Mvemba is joined by Eric Kuikende-Banshona, a Provenance Researcher at the National Museum of the Democratic Republic of Congo. They highlight the importance of restituting African artifacts to move past European colonial history in Africa. They also urge African political leaders to focus on Africa’s cultural richness and collaborate with Western leaders to restore the history and cultures of the African people. They highlight the obligation of Western museums and private art collectors not to hide African artifacts but instead work with African provenance experts to write the authentic narratives of the artwork to preserve the meanings and knowledge they carry.

Mvemba is joined by CSIS’s Catrina Doxsee, Associate Director and Associate Fellow with the Transnational Threats Project, and ICG’s Delaney Simon, Senior Analyst with the U.S. Program to discuss the Wagner Group’s African operations. They highlight the quasi-independent Russian paramilitary group’s atrocious activities and how they have caused social, humanitarian, and economic harm in Africa. Contrary to the widely held belief that the group is all over Africa, the discussants indicate it is active in Mali, Libya, Sudan, and Central African Republic. They illustrate how the private military company’s operations in those African countries have left a trail of instability, allowing Russia to expand its military footprint in Africa without accountability. They argue that it is a mistake for the United States to designate the Wagner Group as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) because the designation would trigger far-reaching and counterproductive reactions that would adversely affect critical facets of U.S. engagement in Africa.

Mvemba is joined by David McNair, Executive Director for Global Policy at The ONE Campaign, W. Gyude Moore, Senior Policy Fellow at the Center for Global Development, and Savior Mwambwa, Senior Advisor at Open Society Foundations to discuss the state of indebtedness in Africa. They review the reasons why some African countries are defaulting on debt repayment and why others have chosen to prioritize debt servicing over the provision of public goods. The discussion highlights the systemic injustice of the excessive cost of debt whereby African countries pay more than their rich counterparts. They propose the restructuring of the international financial system to reduce the cost of borrowing and help mitigate the economic fragility that affects developing nations. They encourage African countries to speak in one voice to increase their leverage as rule-makers.

Mvemba is joined by Major General Michael J. Turley, the Adjutant General of the Utah National Guard. Turley discusses the contribution of the Utah National Guard to the execution of United States foreign security assistance at a much-reduced cost and reduced time expenditure, and the participation of the Guard in African Lion, the largest US military exercise in Africa. He further describes the importance of the Utah National Guard’s 20-year partnership with the Kingdom of Morocco, and how national guards’ units help build strong civil societies to support Africa’s transition from its colonial past and neocolonialism to democratic societies. They delve into the different components of training support the Moroccan Royal Armed Forces have received from the Utah National Guard, including humanitarian mine assistance, special forces capability training, the US Department of Defense’s military sales process, and civil emergency service training. Turley identifies language and religious barriers as the most significant challenges the Utah National Guard has faced in a longstanding partnership with the Moroccan Royal Armed Forces and highlights traditional strong family values as a bridge between the two partners.

Mvemba is joined by Rawan Hamadeh, Program Officer for Mental Health Programs at Project HOPE. Rawan highlights Project HOPE’s mental health and resilience initiatives and how the organization has been able to train over 100,000 health workers across the globe, of which 25,000 are from Africa. They discuss the limited mental health resources available to health workers around the world, and how COVID-19 exacerbated these challenges. They dive deeper into the stigma surrounding mental health and the role of policymakers in prioritizing mental health by allocating more funding to the sector.

Ghana, Africa’s shining black star, is grappling with a spectrum of challenges, from a faltering cedi to public discontent and security threats (both internally and across their borders). Mvemba is joined by Mutaru Mumuni Muqthar (Executive Director of West Africa Centre for Counter-Extremism) for a diagnosis of Ghana’s politics, socioeconomic, and security landscape.

Mvemba is joined by Major General Todd Wasmund, Commanding General of the Southern Europe Taskforce Africa. They discuss the goals and objectives of the 11th ALFS, Africa's security landscape, and the evolving partnerships between the United States military and African armies.

Mvemba is joined by Maria Burnett (Senior Associate, CSIS Africa Program) and Gyude Moore (Senior Policy Fellow, Center for Global Development). They discuss the slate of high-level U.S. government visits to Africa, culminating with Vice President Kamala Harris, and the impact of these visits on U.S.-Africa relations.

Mvemba is joined by Cameron Hudson, Senior Associate with the CSIS Africa Program. They unpack the long-term drivers of tensions between the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), the factors that have triggered the current deadly unrest, and its devastating impact on civilians. They also discuss concerns about the conflict spreading across the region and the fate of Sudan's beleaguered democratic transition and security sector reforms.

Catherine Nzuki, Associate Fellow with the CSIS Africa Program, steps in for Mvemba this week. Catherine is joined by two Ghanaian clerics: Bishop Alfred Agyenta and Sheikh Dr. Hazic Hussein Zakaria. They discuss insecurity and peacebuilding in the Sahel, the drivers of conflict in Ghana, the power of religious peacebuilding and interfaith dialogue, and the long-term solutions to the crisis in the Sahel. Find out more about the Sahel Peace Initiative: https://www.crs.org/media-center/current-issues/sahel-crisis-facts-and-how-help

Africa’s coastline is over 18,900 miles (30,500 km). With 2023 marking the 10-year anniversary of the Yaoundé Code of Conduct and the first ever African Maritime Forces Summit in Cabo Verde, the time to discuss key threats, threat management frameworks, and strategic partnerships to the African maritime space is critical. This week on Into Africa, Mvemba is joined by Rear Admiral Chase Patrick, Director of the U.S. Naval Forces Maritime Headquarters to Europe-Africa and the U.S. Sixth Fleet and Mr. Mark Schapiro, Foreign Policy Advisor of the U.S. Naval Forces to Europe-Africa. They discuss threats faced by key anchor countries for U.S. maritime security engagement such as Djibouti and the Gulf of Guinea, the amplification of multilateral maritime partnerships to combat ‘sea-blindness’, economic challenges posed by maritime security, and more.

Mvemba is joined by Amaka Anku, Practice Head for Africa at the Eurasia Group. They offer their initial reactions to Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s victory, discuss the allegations of voter irregularities, and reflect on one of Nigeria's most competitive and consequential elections since the end of military rule in 1999. This episode was recorded on March 02, 2023.

What’s better than coordinating a two-day virtual conference on pressing challenges to global democracy? Try adding several different time zones! Mvemba is joined by Marti Flacks (Director of the Human Rights Initiative at CSIS), Tiseke Kasambala (Director of Africa Programs at Freedom House) and Kate Hixon (Africa Advocacy Director at Amnesty International USA). They discuss the March 2023 Summit for Democracy (which will be co-hosted by the U.S. and Costa Rica, the Netherlands, Republic of Korea, and Republic of Zambia), the state of democracy and human rights in African countries, disconnects between civil society and governments ahead of key elections taking place in Africa in 2023, and the lingering impacts of the 2022 U.S.-Africa Leaders’ Summit.

Mvemba is joined by Claude Grunitzky, founder of TRACE and TRUE Africa. Mvemba and Claude discuss ways African investors can support Africa's creative future, and the importance of the next generation of young media creators, entrepreneurs, and investors on the continent owning their intellectual property and cultural contributions.

What happened during the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit in December '22? Mvemba is joined by Aloysius Uche Ordu (Senior Fellow and Director of the Africa Growth Initiative at Brookings) and Kehinde Togun (Managing Director for Public Engagement at Humanity United) for a post-mortem of the summit. They identify areas of success and improvement, the commitments made, and how Washington can maintain momentum in repairing its ties with African states.

Mvemba is joined by Succès Masra, a leading Chadian opposition figure and the president of Les Transformateurs, the major opposition party in Chad. They discuss the deadly crackdown on protestors in October 2022, the state of the transition talks, the power of social media for organizing political movements, and Chad’s uncertain future.

Mvemba is joined by Dana Banks, Senior Advisor to the President of the United States and Special Advisor for the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit. With the Summit officially kicking off on December 13, they discuss the challenges and opportunities for strengthening ties between the U.S. and African countries and how to maintain momentum beyond the Summit.

Mvemba is joined by Doussouba Konaté, Country Director and Global Program Manager for Accountability Lab Mali, an organization dedicated to shifting societal norms by working with young people to foster new ideas centered around government accountability, transparency, and openness. They discuss the landscape of life in Mali today, touching on several key people, political and policy factors for consideration.

Mvemba is joined by Ambassador Andrew Young, Deputy to the Commander for Civil-Military Engagement of U.S. Africa Command. They discuss the three dimensions of the department’s engagement in the region (defense, diplomacy, and development) over the past 14 years and unpack future goals of the strategic operation partnership.

Mvemba is joined by Mr. Nicolas Kazadi, Minister of Finance of the Democratic Republic of Congo. They discuss the Millennium Challenge Corporation, tackling corruption in the mining industry and the public sector, conflict in eastern DRC, and the auction of oil blocks and climate pledges.