John Aerni-Flessner
@lesothojohn.bsky.social
Assoc Prof, African History, MSU, RCAH.
Dreams for Lesotho: http://undpress.nd.edu/9780
Historical Dictionary: tinyurl.com/3tyha6jt
Publications here: https://tinyurl.com/ynvwp6c5
Lesotho, Southern Africa, development, borders, running, Michigan
Dreams for Lesotho: http://undpress.nd.edu/9780
Historical Dictionary: tinyurl.com/3tyha6jt
Publications here: https://tinyurl.com/ynvwp6c5
Lesotho, Southern Africa, development, borders, running, Michigan
Pinned
John Aerni-Flessner
Articles by John Aerni-Flessner.
africasacountry.com
Hello to all my new followers!
As handle suggests, mostly Lesotho/South Africa stuff here.
Academic writing can be found in above links.
Non-Academic Writing:
AIAC: africasacountry.com/author/john-...
M&G: mg.co.za/author/john-...
Daily Maverick: www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/johna...
As handle suggests, mostly Lesotho/South Africa stuff here.
Academic writing can be found in above links.
Non-Academic Writing:
AIAC: africasacountry.com/author/john-...
M&G: mg.co.za/author/john-...
Daily Maverick: www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/johna...
Reposted by John Aerni-Flessner
Whatever else I might say about them, Nigeria, Rwanda, Uganda, and Somalia all have long standing and mostly warm relationships with the United States. Nigeria and Cote D’Ivoire are keystones in West Africa. All of this is incoherent from a strategic standpoint (because this isn’t about strategy).
December 22, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Whatever else I might say about them, Nigeria, Rwanda, Uganda, and Somalia all have long standing and mostly warm relationships with the United States. Nigeria and Cote D’Ivoire are keystones in West Africa. All of this is incoherent from a strategic standpoint (because this isn’t about strategy).
Not sure there is a better feeling than closing down 6 shared docs that you no longer have to work on in a row.
#Liberation
#Liberation
December 19, 2025 at 7:51 PM
Not sure there is a better feeling than closing down 6 shared docs that you no longer have to work on in a row.
#Liberation
#Liberation
This is the goal of those destroying the federal Department of Education: To gut centers that study the rest of the world.
Univ of North Carolina to cut all of its Area Studies Centers (including #AfricanStudies). A sad day.
www.dailytarheel.com/article/a4ee...
Univ of North Carolina to cut all of its Area Studies Centers (including #AfricanStudies). A sad day.
www.dailytarheel.com/article/a4ee...
UNC cuts all six area studies research centers, effective 2026
As part of the University's plan to make $70 million in budget cuts across the institution, Vice Chancellor for Finance and Operations Nate Knuffman projected that cutting 14 centers and institutes in...
www.dailytarheel.com
December 18, 2025 at 1:51 PM
This is the goal of those destroying the federal Department of Education: To gut centers that study the rest of the world.
Univ of North Carolina to cut all of its Area Studies Centers (including #AfricanStudies). A sad day.
www.dailytarheel.com/article/a4ee...
Univ of North Carolina to cut all of its Area Studies Centers (including #AfricanStudies). A sad day.
www.dailytarheel.com/article/a4ee...
Reposted by John Aerni-Flessner
My life's work lies in ruins
The Center for European Studies, the African Studies Center, the Carolina Asia Center, the Center for Middle East and Islamic Studies, the Institute for the Study of the Americas and the Center for Slavic, Eurasian and East European Studies are all slated to close.
The Center for European Studies, the African Studies Center, the Carolina Asia Center, the Center for Middle East and Islamic Studies, the Institute for the Study of the Americas and the Center for Slavic, Eurasian and East European Studies are all slated to close.
America First, at America’s first public university.
UNC cuts all six area studies research centers, effective 2026
As part of the University's plan to make $70 million in budget cuts across the institution, Vice Chancellor for Finance and Operations Nate Knuffman projected that cutting 14 centers and institutes in...
www.dailytarheel.com
December 18, 2025 at 1:45 PM
My life's work lies in ruins
The Center for European Studies, the African Studies Center, the Carolina Asia Center, the Center for Middle East and Islamic Studies, the Institute for the Study of the Americas and the Center for Slavic, Eurasian and East European Studies are all slated to close.
The Center for European Studies, the African Studies Center, the Carolina Asia Center, the Center for Middle East and Islamic Studies, the Institute for the Study of the Americas and the Center for Slavic, Eurasian and East European Studies are all slated to close.
Reposted by John Aerni-Flessner
Lots more useful information in this piece by Carien du Plessis
Is the US using illegal immigrants to process South African ‘refugee’ applications?
Hundreds more Afrikaners from South Africa are set to be on their way to the United States as ‘refugees’, but there are questions over the staff processing their applications.
www.theafricareport.com
December 17, 2025 at 8:50 AM
Lots more useful information in this piece by Carien du Plessis
Movie from #Lesotho: Moso Sematlane's "Molelekoa: The Banished One" streaming for free until Monday. 21 minutes, set and filmed in #Maseru. Enjoy!
pebblesunderground.art/video/the-ba...
pebblesunderground.art/video/the-ba...
MOLELEKOA / THE BANISHED ONE by Moso Sematlane | Lesotho | 2024 – Pebbles Underground
pebblesunderground.art
December 18, 2025 at 1:19 PM
Movie from #Lesotho: Moso Sematlane's "Molelekoa: The Banished One" streaming for free until Monday. 21 minutes, set and filmed in #Maseru. Enjoy!
pebblesunderground.art/video/the-ba...
pebblesunderground.art/video/the-ba...
Reposted by John Aerni-Flessner
Thrilled about this new grant we are offering for under-represented early career scholars. The first cycle is for scholars in history and area studies. Please spread the word widely. @universitypress.cambridge.org
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Read more here: 🔗 cup.org/4pF5xvr
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Read more here: 🔗 cup.org/4pF5xvr
Amplifying voices
New Cambridge grant to help under-represented scholars publish
cup.org
December 17, 2025 at 9:29 PM
Thrilled about this new grant we are offering for under-represented early career scholars. The first cycle is for scholars in history and area studies. Please spread the word widely. @universitypress.cambridge.org
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Read more here: 🔗 cup.org/4pF5xvr
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Read more here: 🔗 cup.org/4pF5xvr
Reposted by John Aerni-Flessner
I am hiring a post-doctoral fellow (2 years) to work on all things political finance in Africa. There are no teaching obligations, and lots of opportunities for fieldwork. A PhD in Political Science is a requirement. Please spread the word! Happy to answer questions - send them to my LSE email.
🚨We're #hiring!
We're looking for a #Research #Fellow to join our team. The successful candidate will be part of the research project "Political #Finance in #Africa" led by Associate Professor @sarahbrierley.bsky.social for 2 years.
🗓️Apply by Monday 12 January 👇🏽
jobs.lse.ac.uk/Vacancies/W/...
We're looking for a #Research #Fellow to join our team. The successful candidate will be part of the research project "Political #Finance in #Africa" led by Associate Professor @sarahbrierley.bsky.social for 2 years.
🗓️Apply by Monday 12 January 👇🏽
jobs.lse.ac.uk/Vacancies/W/...
Research Fellow (Political Finance in Africa (POLFINA))
Research Fellow (Political Finance in Africa (POLFINA)),
,
<p style="background: white; margin: 0cm; text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: #333333;">LSE is committed to building a diverse, equi...
jobs.lse.ac.uk
December 17, 2025 at 11:58 AM
I am hiring a post-doctoral fellow (2 years) to work on all things political finance in Africa. There are no teaching obligations, and lots of opportunities for fieldwork. A PhD in Political Science is a requirement. Please spread the word! Happy to answer questions - send them to my LSE email.
Great reporting here from @carienduplessis on the arrest and deportation of #Kenyan workers from #SouthAfrica who were processing #Afrikaner "refugee" applications for the US Embassy while on tourist visas:
www.theafricareport.com/402668/is-th...
www.theafricareport.com/402668/is-th...
South Africa banishes Kenyans working illegally for US to process Afrikaner ‘refugees’
As hundreds more Afrikaner ‘refugees’ prepare to settle in the US, Home Affairs Department raids processing site employing Kenyans on holiday visas.
www.theafricareport.com
December 17, 2025 at 2:39 PM
Great reporting here from @carienduplessis on the arrest and deportation of #Kenyan workers from #SouthAfrica who were processing #Afrikaner "refugee" applications for the US Embassy while on tourist visas:
www.theafricareport.com/402668/is-th...
www.theafricareport.com/402668/is-th...
Reposted by John Aerni-Flessner
Joe Ely never broke out into the mainstream, but has been a beloved Texas treasure for five decades. His death Monday at age 78 brought tributes from fans and fellow musicians alike.
Joe Ely, who influenced a generation of songwriters with his music, dies at 78
Joe Ely never broke out into the mainstream, but has been a beloved Texas treasure for five decades. His death Monday at age 78 brought tributes from fans and fellow musicians alike.
n.pr
December 16, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Joe Ely never broke out into the mainstream, but has been a beloved Texas treasure for five decades. His death Monday at age 78 brought tributes from fans and fellow musicians alike.
Reposted by John Aerni-Flessner
In DC, Trump officials celebrated the decimation of USAID with a sheet cake.
In South Sudan, USAID budget cuts closed a health clinic in the middle of a cholera outbreak.
Tor Top had to take his sick mother to the hospital, 8 hours away. She died on the way.
www.propublica.org/article/usai...
In South Sudan, USAID budget cuts closed a health clinic in the middle of a cholera outbreak.
Tor Top had to take his sick mother to the hospital, 8 hours away. She died on the way.
www.propublica.org/article/usai...
Trump Officials Celebrated With Cake After Slashing Aid. Then People Died of Cholera.
Behind closed doors in Washington, top advisers made a series of decisions that had devastating repercussions for the poorest country on earth. We went to South Sudan and found people who died as a re...
www.propublica.org
December 15, 2025 at 3:09 PM
In DC, Trump officials celebrated the decimation of USAID with a sheet cake.
In South Sudan, USAID budget cuts closed a health clinic in the middle of a cholera outbreak.
Tor Top had to take his sick mother to the hospital, 8 hours away. She died on the way.
www.propublica.org/article/usai...
In South Sudan, USAID budget cuts closed a health clinic in the middle of a cholera outbreak.
Tor Top had to take his sick mother to the hospital, 8 hours away. She died on the way.
www.propublica.org/article/usai...
Reposted by John Aerni-Flessner
Interesting!
#AGOA may be reborn after an initial congressional vote for its extension passed. The House of Representatives’ Committee on Ways and Means described it as a ‘cornerstone’ of US-#Africa relations. No votes are yet scheduled in either the full House or Senate.
africa-conf.com/agoa-scheme-...
africa-conf.com/agoa-scheme-...
The AGOA trade preference scheme may be revived by Congress
US legislators eyeing extension of trade deal as they fear Russia and China filling the vacuum
africa-conf.com
December 15, 2025 at 12:00 PM
Interesting!
Reposted by John Aerni-Flessner
This -- a model bill to effectively decimate non-STEM research by requiring 3-3 teaching loads outside of "STEM or Americanism and western civilization" -- seems...extremely bad but also quite plausible.
Proposed Model Bill Would Change College Tenure, Teaching, & Research
Three conservative groups have proposed model legislation that would dramatically change faculty tenure paths, teaching loads, research activities and hiring authority
www.forbes.com
December 12, 2025 at 12:45 PM
This -- a model bill to effectively decimate non-STEM research by requiring 3-3 teaching loads outside of "STEM or Americanism and western civilization" -- seems...extremely bad but also quite plausible.
Parliament in #Lesotho blocks debate on report that alleges irregularities in procurement for a private wing of #Tsepong #Hospital in #Maseru. Only 46 of 120 MPs even present for the vote...
groundup.org.za/article/leso...
groundup.org.za/article/leso...
Lesotho’s Parliament blocks debate on explosive hospital report
The wife of the foreign affairs minister features prominently in the report
groundup.org.za
December 10, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Parliament in #Lesotho blocks debate on report that alleges irregularities in procurement for a private wing of #Tsepong #Hospital in #Maseru. Only 46 of 120 MPs even present for the vote...
groundup.org.za/article/leso...
groundup.org.za/article/leso...
Reposted by John Aerni-Flessner
The book includes the work of 80 Native photographers, from the mid-19th century to the present. Is that enough? Of course not. The book is a beginning, not an end, as the editors know. Here's a great conversation with them. Very much worth 15 minutes of your time.
New book highlights work of Indigenous photographers from the past and present | State of Art
"In Light and Shadow" shows the contributions of Indigenous photographers from around the Americas since the dawn of the medium.
alaskapublic.org
December 10, 2025 at 3:05 AM
The book includes the work of 80 Native photographers, from the mid-19th century to the present. Is that enough? Of course not. The book is a beginning, not an end, as the editors know. Here's a great conversation with them. Very much worth 15 minutes of your time.
Reposted by John Aerni-Flessner
It's impossible to pick the best photo book of 2025. But it's easy to identify the most important: "In Light and Shadow: A Photographic History from Indigenous America," edited by Brian Adams & Sarah Stacke. It's a sweeping history of Native photographers in the Americas—an overdue first.
New book highlights work of Indigenous photographers from the past and present | State of Art
"In Light and Shadow" shows the contributions of Indigenous photographers from around the Americas since the dawn of the medium.
alaskapublic.org
December 10, 2025 at 2:58 AM
It's impossible to pick the best photo book of 2025. But it's easy to identify the most important: "In Light and Shadow: A Photographic History from Indigenous America," edited by Brian Adams & Sarah Stacke. It's a sweeping history of Native photographers in the Americas—an overdue first.
Reposted by John Aerni-Flessner
AGOA has gotten a last-minute reprieve, with the House of Rep’s trade-writing panel scheduling a vote on Wednesday. The legislation calls for a simple three-year extension of AGOA, which is more than the 1-year extension endorsed by White House
www.theafricareport.com/401858/congr...
www.theafricareport.com/401858/congr...
US/Africa: Congress announces vote on AGOA renewal
The House trade committee has just released a three-year extension of the duty-free trade scheme.
www.theafricareport.com
December 9, 2025 at 8:55 PM
AGOA has gotten a last-minute reprieve, with the House of Rep’s trade-writing panel scheduling a vote on Wednesday. The legislation calls for a simple three-year extension of AGOA, which is more than the 1-year extension endorsed by White House
www.theafricareport.com/401858/congr...
www.theafricareport.com/401858/congr...
Reposted by John Aerni-Flessner
This is also why they're adopting AI. There's an entire media apparatus telling them this is what students and businesses want--DEGREES in JOBS, what every STUDENT WANTS, except for the fact that they don't really--so this is where the money goes! Because everyone is flailing & the admin are scared.
December 9, 2025 at 4:58 PM
This is also why they're adopting AI. There's an entire media apparatus telling them this is what students and businesses want--DEGREES in JOBS, what every STUDENT WANTS, except for the fact that they don't really--so this is where the money goes! Because everyone is flailing & the admin are scared.
Reposted by John Aerni-Flessner
It's a panic response that has to be dressed up in better language. You have to balance the budget, I get that! But anything truly innovative is scary, and cutting things that the Chronicle tells you are unpopular and irrelevant is the least scary maneuver for admin.
December 9, 2025 at 4:57 PM
It's a panic response that has to be dressed up in better language. You have to balance the budget, I get that! But anything truly innovative is scary, and cutting things that the Chronicle tells you are unpopular and irrelevant is the least scary maneuver for admin.
Reposted by John Aerni-Flessner
If it has EVER WORKED, someone would give the faculty who ask these questions in every single damn meeting right before the next knife goes in an example of a school this saved. Instead, the consultant/administrative/business class insists it does with no examples of how or where and when.
December 9, 2025 at 4:56 PM
If it has EVER WORKED, someone would give the faculty who ask these questions in every single damn meeting right before the next knife goes in an example of a school this saved. Instead, the consultant/administrative/business class insists it does with no examples of how or where and when.
Reposted by John Aerni-Flessner
IT NEVER WORKS. NEVER. EVER. NEVER WORKS. IT HAS NEVER WORKED. AUSTERITY LEADS TO ENROLLMENT COLLAPSE LEAVES TO UNIVERSITY CLOSURE. EVERY TIME. ALWAYS.
December 9, 2025 at 4:55 PM
IT NEVER WORKS. NEVER. EVER. NEVER WORKS. IT HAS NEVER WORKED. AUSTERITY LEADS TO ENROLLMENT COLLAPSE LEAVES TO UNIVERSITY CLOSURE. EVERY TIME. ALWAYS.
Reposted by John Aerni-Flessner
You know why these glowing stories about innovative austerity by university administration pisses off all the faculty? All of them? It's not because it's about firing faculty--you've clearly never been to a faculty meeting if you think there's solidarity internally! It's actually much simpler!
December 9, 2025 at 4:55 PM
You know why these glowing stories about innovative austerity by university administration pisses off all the faculty? All of them? It's not because it's about firing faculty--you've clearly never been to a faculty meeting if you think there's solidarity internally! It's actually much simpler!
Reposted by John Aerni-Flessner
If you’re cutting 9% from your academic budget, while taking a 401,000,000 dollar gift for the athletic department, you’re no longer a university, instead you’re a degree granting athletic academy.
December 5, 2025 at 8:13 PM
If you’re cutting 9% from your academic budget, while taking a 401,000,000 dollar gift for the athletic department, you’re no longer a university, instead you’re a degree granting athletic academy.
An announcement of a $401 million donation today at my institution. Of that, $390 earmarked for #athletics and $11 mil going to the #business school, the #marchingband, and #Sparty (the mascot).
We are in the midst of a capital campaign to support #students, #teaching and #research. #Priorities
We are in the midst of a capital campaign to support #students, #teaching and #research. #Priorities
December 5, 2025 at 5:04 PM
An announcement of a $401 million donation today at my institution. Of that, $390 earmarked for #athletics and $11 mil going to the #business school, the #marchingband, and #Sparty (the mascot).
We are in the midst of a capital campaign to support #students, #teaching and #research. #Priorities
We are in the midst of a capital campaign to support #students, #teaching and #research. #Priorities
Reposted by John Aerni-Flessner
🧵 A dean is abruptly removed. Her account goes viral. At first, it looks like a fight over the humanities. But the more I reported on the University of Tulsa, the clearer it became: this controversy was just the entry point for a far larger institutional unraveling. (1/14)
December 4, 2025 at 3:33 PM
🧵 A dean is abruptly removed. Her account goes viral. At first, it looks like a fight over the humanities. But the more I reported on the University of Tulsa, the clearer it became: this controversy was just the entry point for a far larger institutional unraveling. (1/14)