In 2019 Sudan's long-serving dictator Omar el Bashir was overthrown in a coup driven in part by widespread unrest with his autocratic rule, corruption, economic crisis and social dysfunction. Aly Verjee a political analyst and researcher with expertise in governance, election/political transition processes and who lived in Khartoum for seven years until 2011 analyses the Sudanese transition. Aly is also a visiting expert at the U.S Institute of Peace and a fellow of the Rift Valley Institute.
Atsango Chesoni, lawyer, renowned human rights advocate, former deputy chairperson of the Committee of Experts (COE) that finalised the current constitution, former Bomas delegate in the constitution-making process and former Executive Director of the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) describes the constitution-making process that led to the 2010 constitution. Via a participatory process, the Kenyan people imposed a constitution on their elite. Much as been achieved but the fightback has begun in earnest ten years since its promulgation.
Hon. Martha Karua, former presidential candidate, NARC Kenya leader, former Gichugu MP and a stalwart of the struggle for a new constitution in Kenya reflects on political developments in Kenya, BBI, the Kenyatta succession and the fate of the 2010 constitution.
Renown PanAfricanist academic and constitutional lawyer, Prof. Issa G Shivji reflects on the trajectory of constitution-making in Africa. He makes the compelling argument that while we need constitutions, they don’t make revolutions. Revolutions make constitutions. No constitution envisages its own death for that is what a revolution entails. But constitutions matter. Some of the finest constitutions have been erected on ugly socio-economic formations wrought with extreme inequalities and inequities. South Africa and Kenya are examples. He further explains that radical lawyers must recognise the limits of bourgeois law and constitutions because, by its very nature, law individualises collective demands thus...
Kenya is prosecuting a protracted struggle against the terrorist group Al Shabaab. A range of nations are involved in the effort alongside Kenya. With foreign actors deeply engaged and Kenyan institutions sometimes working at apparent cross purposes, innocent Kenyans are caught in the crossfire of a secret war on their territory. Namir Shabibi (@nshabibi) is a British investigative journalist who has written and produced documentaries for the BBC, VICE News and The Bureau of Investigative Journalism, among others. He previously worked as a delegate for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Darfur and Guantanamo Bay. Namir’s previous...
Prof. Makau Mutua explores the political, economic and social forces behind attempts to change the constitution; the charade of anti-corruption; and grand disillusionment of the Kenyan people and their preparedness for a non-politician president after the trauma of Jubilee.
Alan Boswell, Senior Analyst, International Crisis Group explores South Sudan’s current crisis and political prospects.
DiEM25 co-founder Yanis Varoufakis on capitalism in crisis, and what should come next. Video by Double Down News. Support DDN: http://www.patreon.com/DoubleDownNews
Ayana Ayantu unpackages recent events in Ethiopia and explores the history and prospects for Ethiopia under PM Abiy Ahmed. She discusses the history of internal colonisation in Ethiopia that continues to be worked out to this day.
The Corona Café 3 reimagines the Kenyan education system. Reflecting on local and continental lessons learned and experiences, and factoring in global drivers that influence our education system, the discussion looks at disrupting educational practices by exploring how COVID-19 has influenced and enriched our thinking on critical issues such as the purpose of education, virtual learning and the education divide.
