Author: Annette Weber

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Heightened security in Somalia following the murder of a French agent (photo: Mohammed Abdiwahab/AFP/Getty Images)

From failed state to fragile state?

Somalia and the rocky road towards greater stability

With elections on the horizon and an altered African Union mission, Somalia was meant to enter a new phase of stabilisation in 2021. But both have been postponed, and the present government seems ill-equipped to shoulder the country's considerable challenges. It is time for external stakeholders to name their terms, says Annette WeberMore

Islamism in eastern Africa: Not immune to terrorGunfire echoes at election delay protest in Somali capitalMigration pact with Africa: The EU′s paper tigerThe Somali Islamist group Al-Shabab: Striking terror in the Horn of Africa
"Straight Voice", Khartoum, Sudan: a young man recites a poem, holding his left hand to his chest. He is surrounded by demonstrators who light him up with their cell phones. The jury chose the picture by the Japanese artist Yasuyoshi Chiba because it provides inspiration to the viewer in uncertain times. It also won the category "General News, Single Image" (photo: AFP/Y. Chiba)

Germany hosts the Sudan Partnership Conference

A historic opportunity to move Sudan's transition along

The Sudan Partnership Conference on 25 June is seeking funding commitments to rebuild Sudan’s desolate economy. As Annette Weber argues, the crucial point will be aligning financial assistance with a successful transition processMore

Horn of Africa: Give Sudan's fledgling democracy the support it deserves!Democracy movements in the Arab world: Look to Sudan, Algeria!Political crisis: Sudanʹs deadly counter-revolutionary militia
"Freedom, peace and justice": Sudanese demonstrators protest against President Omar al-Bashir (photo: Reuters/Khaled Abdullah)

Protests in Sudan

The yellow vests of Khartoum

Tens of thousands of Sudanese have been protesting for weeks against political and economic grievances in the war-wracked nation. The stability of an important partner of the West is also at stake. How will the situation develop? Annette Weber believes that three scenarios are possibleMore

The West′s relations with Sudan: From pariah to partnerCivil society in Africa: Sudan′s young people roll up their sleevesProfile: Sudanese opposition politician Hassan al-Turabi: The grand tactician
Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir during a speech in Khartoum (photo: AFP/Getty Images)

The West′s relations with Sudan

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From pariah to partner

The U.S. and EU should attach to clear conditions a normalisation of relations with Sudan. This is the only way to usefully pursue their own interests – curbing migration and terrorism – in the long-term, says Annette WeberMore

Profile: Sudanese opposition politician Hassan al-Turabi: The grand tacticianSouth Sudan one year after independence: Unresolved conflicting issuesDam treaty between Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan: Who owns the Nile?

In brief

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Most Recent Photo Essay

Yemen's forests are the next casualty of war

More than six years of war has killed tens of thousands of people and left 80% of Yemen's population reliant on aid. With demand for firewood soaring due to fuel shortages, there are now concerns that the country's humanitarian crisis, with millions facing starvation, has compounded the risk of deforestation. By Khaled Abdullah