The African Union (AU) marks its 20th anniversary this year, marking two decades of searching for African solutions for African problems. The recent COVID-19 pandemic and continuous conflicts in some parts of the region have made the going tough. It is clear that as the African Union prepares to celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2022, it should redouble efforts to address the peace and security challenges on the continent.

• Ruchita Beri |
• January-June 2022 |
• Africa Trends

Algeria is already in a delicate position of maintaining balance between its energy trade with Europe, and close strategic ties with Russia. Europe is looking for stable and secure energy partners in the current crisis and this is a golden opportunity for Algeria to increase its exports and attract European investments in its hydrocarbon and renewable energy sectors.

• Anandita Bhada |
• January-June 2022 |
• Africa Trends

ISBN (hardcover): 978-93-5455-069-0

• Sindhu Dinesh |
• January-June 2022 |
• Africa Trends

The ruling is considered the most detailed decision of the United Nations' top court in war compensation and signifies the occupying powers' reparation duties for damages resulting from its direct and indirect actions that violate international law. The judgement is undoubtedly historic and destined to act as a precedent for future cases. It once again establishes the fact that international law matters in situations of interstate armed conflicts.

• Rajeesh Kumar |
• January-June 2022 |
• Africa Trends

Though the African Union has made significant achievements with gender related policies, national and regional action plans, and establishing numerous WPS networks across the continent, the progress is still gradual. The AU should start incorporating women candidates in their mediation selection processes and be decisive in appointing those women as envoys.

• Bulbul Prakash |
• January-June 2022 |
• Africa Trends

Challenges, such as weak infrastructure and ill-equipped armed forces, corruption, pandemic, and drought, have become intrinsic to Somalia, mutually reinforcing each other. Additionally, they have been exploited by terrorists to advance their Islamist cause. While re-evaluating counter-terrorism strategies to defeat al-Shabaab, the allied partners should carefully consider these factors’ role in sustaining the insurgency and address the security crisis – state and human security – accordingly.

• Saman Ayesha Kidwai |
• January-December 2021 |
• Africa Trends

The latest FOCAC displayed China’s fresh efforts to enhance its soft power, as well as its engagement with the African countries. The meeting underlined some new areas of future cooperation and China’s commitment towards a win-win partnership with Africa.

• Ruchita Beri |
• January-December 2021 |
• Africa Trends

The Air Force of Zimbabwe (AFZ) has an enviable combat record among the air forces of Sub-Saharan Africa. It has a strong professional ethos and, until budgetary cuts and sanctions came into effect, was one of the most effective air forces in the region. It has gone through a period of decline and relative stagnation in strength. However, the last two years point to a revival in its fortunes though this is through the restoring of grounded equipment to service.

• Sanjay Badri-Maharaj |
• January-December 2021 |
• Africa Trends

Blanche Rocha D’Souza, Harnessing the Trade Winds: The Story of the Centuries-Old Indian Trade with East Africa, Using the Monsoon Winds, First published in Kenya in 2008 by Zand Graphics Ltd, Reprinted in India 2021 by Pentagon Press LLP. Pp. 204. INR 995.

ISBN (hardcover): ? 978-93-90095-43-8

• Samir Bhattacharya |
• January-December 2021 |
• Africa Trends

Both AU and the UN have identified clear areas where the capacities for counter-terrorism in Africa have been found wanting. India is in a position to share and build capacities in areas of its competence and comfort. Such help would be along the lines of the Indian policy of building state capacities. Having grappled with terrorism in a democratic set-up, India is also in a position to share its experience of making law enforcement systems respect the fundamental rights of human beings.

• Arpita Anant |
• January-March 2021 |
• Africa Trends