Africa
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Africa Day
Today is Africa Day, which commemorates the foundation of the Organization of African Unity (now known as the African Union) on May 25, 1963. Like the better-known European Union, the AU is an ambitious effort to unite an historically fractious continent along political, legal, and economic lines; it includes a founding charter (much like a… Continue reading
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The Outbreaks That Never Happened and the Unseen Success of Global Institutions
Given all the death and dysfunction resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, it is worth appreciating the many potential outbreaks that never happened, thanks to the efforts of Kenya, Mozambique, and Niger, alongside the United Nations and other international partners In December 2019, just months before the COVID-19 pandemic came in full swing, these nations managed… Continue reading
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Lessons from the Suez Saga
My visual rendition of an excellent article in the Washington Post that appeals to all my (obvious) sensibilities and interest in globalization and international relations generally. Continue reading
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A Short and Hasty Guide on the Suez Canal Saga
I know I’m quite a bit late to the party (though I definitely indulged in all the glorious memes), but I think any time is a good time to learn about the otherwise overlooked bit of our global infrastructure that suddenly became a global phenomenon. Continue reading
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World Water Day
Yesterday was World Water Day, launched by the UN in 1993 to raise awareness about the importance of water both environmentally and for humanity as a whole. I think our strictly terrestrial species is ill-equipped to truly grasp the significance of water, from its role in generating most of our oxygen, to the fact that… Continue reading
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The World Food Programme
To many observers, especially in the United States, this year’s winner of the Nobel Peace Prize may seem uninspired, if not unfamiliar. It is an organization, rather than a person, and its work is probably not as widely known and appreciated as it should be. Yet the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is no… Continue reading
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Senegal’s Museum of Black Civilizations
Unfortunately, to many people outside of Africa, the concept of a black or African civilization doesn’t register. Despite being the cradle of humanity, with a history spanning tens of thousands of years, few could name or envision any of its numerous cultures, kingdoms, and empires. The reasons range from the legacy of European colonialism—which downplayed,… Continue reading
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Africa’s Little Known COVID-19 Success Stories
As many of the world’s wealthiest countries continue to battle COVID-19, many countries in Sub-Saharan Africa—considered a looming public health crisis given its poverty and lack of healthcare infrastructure—are actually doing a more than decent job at keeping the worst case scenarios at bay. As the Guardian reports: Senegal is in a good position because… Continue reading
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The Pandemic Success Story No One Has Heard Of
Senegal is the pandemic success story no one has heard of—which actually tells you how successful it has been! The much-maligned WHO, as well as the CDC and UNICEF, played a key role in that. In this country of 16 million known for its peaceful democracy and sense of community, Senegal’s response to the coronavirus… Continue reading
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The Singapore of Africa
It’s amazing how the fate of nations could change in the span of decades. In 1994, the tiny central African nation of Rwanda seemed to suddenly succumb to a level of carnage not seen since the Second World War (notwithstanding other under-the-radar conflicts like the Congo War). Over a period of just 100 days, up… Continue reading
About Me
Humanist | Bibliophile | Writer | Wiki Editor | World Citizen | Esquire (J.D. / LL.M.)