Danielle Resnick

1 month ago | democracyinafrica.org | Noah Mutai |Johann Kirsten |Wandile Sihlobo |Danielle Resnick

China’s financial engagement with Africa has increased significantly over the past few decades, making it one of the continent’s most influential economic partners. This relationship, characterized by extensive loans and investments, has fuelled infrastructure development across Africa but has also sparked intense debate over the risks associated with rising debt levels.

2 months ago | cgiar.org | Danielle Resnick

On January 28, theEconomic Community of West African States(ECOWAS) will lose three of its founding members—Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger—comprising16%of its population of 424 million and7%of its GDP. Labeled“Sahelexit”by some commentators, the decision to leave ECOWAS was first announced a year ago by the three countries’ trio of military leaders and is now poised to legally take effect.

Nov 12, 2024 | brookings.edu | Danielle Resnick |Landry Signé

Before the end of 2024, 22 African countries will have held some form of electoral contest, either for president, national legislators, or local leaders. As of November, this record year for elections across countries with vastly different levels of political pluralism has resulted in some outcomes that were already foregone conclusions, such as Kais Saied’s landslide victory in Tunisia.

Feb 8, 2024 | brookings.edu | Danielle Resnick

Editor's note: This viewpoint is part of Foresight Africa 2024. Democratic backsliding via military takeovers, electoral rigging, and unlawful constitutional amendments has notably increased in Africa over the last decade.

Dec 21, 2023 | nairobilawmonthly.com | Danielle Resnick

By Danielle ResnickGabon’s elections on August 26 attracted minimal global attention, largely because interest was focused on massive voting irregularities in Zimbabwe’s elections, which were held the same week. Just as with Emmerson Mnangagwa in Zimbabwe, there was little expectation that Gabon’s Ali Bongo Ondimba would lose the presidency. He and his father, Omar Bongo, jointly ruled Gabon as a dynastic fiefdom for more than 50 years.