Mark Bohlund
@mbohlund.bsky.social
Sovereign debt for REDD Intelligence, ex-Africa Economist for Bloomberg, IHS. Interests in Africa, governance, macroeconomics.
"The introduction of the diamond certification scheme significantly reduced armed conflict. Rebel groups were less likely to engage in armed conflict, suggesting that the certification scheme was successful in limiting rebel groups’ ability to finance violent activities." cepr.org/voxeu/column...
Certification schemes may break the link between natural resources and violent conflict
Natural resources, including alluvial minerals such as diamonds, have been at the centre of brutal wars in Africa. This column evaluates one of the first schemes aimed at preventing the illicit exploitation of natural resources to promote peace: the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme. The introduction of the diamond certification scheme significantly reduced armed conflict. Rebel groups were less likely to engage in armed conflict, and their operations became geographically more concentrated. This suggests that the certification scheme was successful in limiting rebel groups’ ability to finance violent activities.
cepr.org
November 14, 2025 at 12:21 PM
"The introduction of the diamond certification scheme significantly reduced armed conflict. Rebel groups were less likely to engage in armed conflict, suggesting that the certification scheme was successful in limiting rebel groups’ ability to finance violent activities." cepr.org/voxeu/column...
So with only USD 314m in new money raised and with the USD 1bn 6.125% 2026 Eurobond maturing in January, Jordan is likely to be active in the Eurobond market again in 1Q26 despite the significant financing commitments secured earlier this year.
Jordan / results of tender offer for $1 billion 2026 Eurobond (with parallel offer of new note): US$386,390,000 in offers accepted. (via regulatory announcement to Irish Stock Exchange).
November 11, 2025 at 5:07 PM
So with only USD 314m in new money raised and with the USD 1bn 6.125% 2026 Eurobond maturing in January, Jordan is likely to be active in the Eurobond market again in 1Q26 despite the significant financing commitments secured earlier this year.
Reposted by Mark Bohlund
Nowhere in the hysterical pile-on against the BBC in the British press has anyone mentioned that BBC News now has 77 million viewers & listeners in the US and has established itself as the second most trusted news source there.
November 11, 2025 at 8:37 AM
Nowhere in the hysterical pile-on against the BBC in the British press has anyone mentioned that BBC News now has 77 million viewers & listeners in the US and has established itself as the second most trusted news source there.
Reposted by Mark Bohlund
“From my younger millennial vantage point, it’s impossible not to scoff.” www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...
Untouchable Baby Boomers Have Europe in a Choke Hold
“If we’re to build the future of Britain together, we’ll all have to contribute.” These stirring words of national esprit de corps came from UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves last week, as ...
www.bloomberg.com
November 10, 2025 at 11:08 AM
“From my younger millennial vantage point, it’s impossible not to scoff.” www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...
Reposted by Mark Bohlund
It’s easy to see why Trump wants to destroy the world’s number one news source. We can’t let him.
The BBC belongs to all of us here in the UK.
The Prime Minister and leaders from across the political spectrum should be united in telling Trump to keep his hands off it.
The BBC belongs to all of us here in the UK.
The Prime Minister and leaders from across the political spectrum should be united in telling Trump to keep his hands off it.
November 9, 2025 at 9:45 PM
It’s easy to see why Trump wants to destroy the world’s number one news source. We can’t let him.
The BBC belongs to all of us here in the UK.
The Prime Minister and leaders from across the political spectrum should be united in telling Trump to keep his hands off it.
The BBC belongs to all of us here in the UK.
The Prime Minister and leaders from across the political spectrum should be united in telling Trump to keep his hands off it.
Reposted by Mark Bohlund
New article out today! It's about John Okello, the Ugandan who led the Zanzibar Revolution of 1964, and how a moment of deep political insecurity redrew the map of East Africa.
www.geeska.com/en/john-okel...
www.geeska.com/en/john-okel...
John Okello and the revolution that made East Africa
In January 1964, a manual labourer from Uganda seized power in Zanzibar. The revolution, and the violence that followed in its wake, would reshape the region
www.geeska.com
November 9, 2025 at 3:57 PM
New article out today! It's about John Okello, the Ugandan who led the Zanzibar Revolution of 1964, and how a moment of deep political insecurity redrew the map of East Africa.
www.geeska.com/en/john-okel...
www.geeska.com/en/john-okel...
Very good column and indictment of English football fans. www.theguardian.com/football/202...
Silence over Sudan: why do Manchester City’s owners get away with so much?
Two midweek matches in England had a backdrop of war and geopolitics, but only one drew large protests
www.theguardian.com
November 8, 2025 at 9:36 PM
Very good column and indictment of English football fans. www.theguardian.com/football/202...
S&P raised its ratings on #Ghana to B- to reflect the gradually strengthening balance of payments and fiscal positions, supported by resilient growth and favorable terms of trade, including prices for gold and cocoa, together accounting for over 60% of goods' exports www.spglobal.com/ratings/en/r...
www.spglobal.com
November 8, 2025 at 9:33 PM
S&P raised its ratings on #Ghana to B- to reflect the gradually strengthening balance of payments and fiscal positions, supported by resilient growth and favorable terms of trade, including prices for gold and cocoa, together accounting for over 60% of goods' exports www.spglobal.com/ratings/en/r...
Reposted by Mark Bohlund
Suriname / $1.6bn bond issuance offering document. The Use of Proceeds statement is convoluted (it's usually two sentences about "general budgetary purposes") -- the feature here being establishment of a Debt Service Prefunding Account.
www.luxse.com/pdf-viewer/1...
www.luxse.com/pdf-viewer/1...
November 7, 2025 at 10:48 PM
Suriname / $1.6bn bond issuance offering document. The Use of Proceeds statement is convoluted (it's usually two sentences about "general budgetary purposes") -- the feature here being establishment of a Debt Service Prefunding Account.
www.luxse.com/pdf-viewer/1...
www.luxse.com/pdf-viewer/1...
S&P revised the outlook on its B- rating on #Uganda to positive to reflect the potential for stronger growth and per capita income than forecast, given key oil projects to commence in the next 12-18 months which could partially offset still elevated fiscal risks. www.spglobal.com/ratings/en/r...
www.spglobal.com
November 8, 2025 at 4:50 PM
S&P revised the outlook on its B- rating on #Uganda to positive to reflect the potential for stronger growth and per capita income than forecast, given key oil projects to commence in the next 12-18 months which could partially offset still elevated fiscal risks. www.spglobal.com/ratings/en/r...
Reposted by Mark Bohlund
on the fragility of peace in Tigray: addisstandard.com/tplf-warns-p...
TPLF warns Pretoria peace agreement “More seriously threatened than ever before” - Addis Standard
TPLF warns Pretoria peace agreement “More seriously threatened than ever before” Addis Standard News -
addisstandard.com
October 31, 2025 at 2:49 PM
on the fragility of peace in Tigray: addisstandard.com/tplf-warns-p...
"The sight of what appeared to be blood has added to growing evidence of atrocities committed by fighters from the RSF have allegedly gone on to slaughter hundreds of people, in some cases filming themselves carrying out executions."
www.ft.com/content/f39c...
www.ft.com/content/f39c...
Satellite images and videos capture atrocities unfolding in Sudan
Paramilitary forces’ takeover of El Fasher after 18-month siege marks a new chapter in country’s ruinous civil war
www.ft.com
October 31, 2025 at 2:58 PM
"The sight of what appeared to be blood has added to growing evidence of atrocities committed by fighters from the RSF have allegedly gone on to slaughter hundreds of people, in some cases filming themselves carrying out executions."
www.ft.com/content/f39c...
www.ft.com/content/f39c...
Reposted by Mark Bohlund
Impressive chart from NBER WP by Rey & Stavrakeva showing the growing multipolarity of international debt flows among 32 advanced & large emerging economies. Lots more interesting analysis of turbulence episodes in international finance in the paper. www.nber.org/papers/w34409
October 29, 2025 at 1:12 AM
Impressive chart from NBER WP by Rey & Stavrakeva showing the growing multipolarity of international debt flows among 32 advanced & large emerging economies. Lots more interesting analysis of turbulence episodes in international finance in the paper. www.nber.org/papers/w34409
Reposted by Mark Bohlund
New essay in Foreign Policy with Abel Abate D. on Eritrea-Ethiopia tensions. It covers the sources of mutual restraint thus far; some of the factors that are eroding this delicate balance; and what can be done to avert another war the Horn of Africa cannot afford.
foreignpolicy.com/2025/10/21/e...
foreignpolicy.com/2025/10/21/e...
The Risk of a New Ethiopian-Eritrean War Is Growing
Changing dynamics in Tigray could erode the current balance of uncertainty.
foreignpolicy.com
October 22, 2025 at 6:16 PM
New essay in Foreign Policy with Abel Abate D. on Eritrea-Ethiopia tensions. It covers the sources of mutual restraint thus far; some of the factors that are eroding this delicate balance; and what can be done to avert another war the Horn of Africa cannot afford.
foreignpolicy.com/2025/10/21/e...
foreignpolicy.com/2025/10/21/e...
Abu Dhabi stepping up its involvement in #Uganda. Would have expected it to be in Western Uganda to boost trade with DRC but possible that those road projects have already been implemented in recent years. @kristoftiteca.bsky.social ICYMI.
www.zawya.com/en/business/...
www.zawya.com/en/business/...
ADFD finances strategic road project to boost connectivity in Eastern Uganda
The project aims to enhance the country’s transport infrastructure
www.zawya.com
October 16, 2025 at 11:16 AM
Abu Dhabi stepping up its involvement in #Uganda. Would have expected it to be in Western Uganda to boost trade with DRC but possible that those road projects have already been implemented in recent years. @kristoftiteca.bsky.social ICYMI.
www.zawya.com/en/business/...
www.zawya.com/en/business/...
Reposted by Mark Bohlund
Fascinating stats from @afrobarometer.bsky.social on which African countries have the most citizens considering emigrating. At the top: The Gambia, Liberia, Ghana, Cabo Verde, Angola, Sierra Leone.
Overall East Africa doing much better than West and Southern Africa.
Overall East Africa doing much better than West and Southern Africa.
October 14, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Fascinating stats from @afrobarometer.bsky.social on which African countries have the most citizens considering emigrating. At the top: The Gambia, Liberia, Ghana, Cabo Verde, Angola, Sierra Leone.
Overall East Africa doing much better than West and Southern Africa.
Overall East Africa doing much better than West and Southern Africa.
"Suddenly I was 15 years old again, lying on my back under a white sheet; a tube running down my throat. For 7 days, I was in a coma. From the outside, I looked to be in a deep sleep. But, inside, my mind was awake, playing a slideshow of recent events." www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
How smoking a bong brought back the trauma of being shot by the Taliban – an exclusive extract from Malala Yousafzai’s memoir
In the activist’s new memoir, she remembers how trying weed at university brought on terrifying flashbacks
www.theguardian.com
October 12, 2025 at 5:35 PM
"Suddenly I was 15 years old again, lying on my back under a white sheet; a tube running down my throat. For 7 days, I was in a coma. From the outside, I looked to be in a deep sleep. But, inside, my mind was awake, playing a slideshow of recent events." www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
Clonkety clonk. Moody's downgrades #Senegal to Caa1 from B3 and maintained the negative outlook to reflect "increased risks to Senegal's debt trajectory and liquidity since our February 2025 rating action.". Would expect Senegal's bond to be rallying next week. www.moodys.com/research/Moo...
Moody's - credit ratings, research, and data for global capital markets
www.moodys.com
October 10, 2025 at 9:19 PM
Clonkety clonk. Moody's downgrades #Senegal to Caa1 from B3 and maintained the negative outlook to reflect "increased risks to Senegal's debt trajectory and liquidity since our February 2025 rating action.". Would expect Senegal's bond to be rallying next week. www.moodys.com/research/Moo...
#Moldova gets third credit rating with the BB- from S&P the highest so far. "Moldova’s largest foreign creditors are the IMF (33%), World Bank (26%), and EU (15%). We understand that the authorities are considering issuing a Eurobond, but the timeframe is not clear."
www.spglobal.com/ratings/en/r...
www.spglobal.com/ratings/en/r...
www.spglobal.com
October 10, 2025 at 8:48 PM
#Moldova gets third credit rating with the BB- from S&P the highest so far. "Moldova’s largest foreign creditors are the IMF (33%), World Bank (26%), and EU (15%). We understand that the authorities are considering issuing a Eurobond, but the timeframe is not clear."
www.spglobal.com/ratings/en/r...
www.spglobal.com/ratings/en/r...
Reposted by Mark Bohlund
BENIN IS ONE GAME AWAY FROM THE WORLD CUP
Allez les écureuils ! (Maintenant les guépards mais toujours les écureuils dans mon cœur)
Allez les écureuils ! (Maintenant les guépards mais toujours les écureuils dans mon cœur)
October 10, 2025 at 6:15 PM
BENIN IS ONE GAME AWAY FROM THE WORLD CUP
Allez les écureuils ! (Maintenant les guépards mais toujours les écureuils dans mon cœur)
Allez les écureuils ! (Maintenant les guépards mais toujours les écureuils dans mon cœur)
The camps had thousands of recruits, mostly children” he said. “These are children who have never held a weapon. We taught them how to handle assault rifles, machine guns, RPGs. After that, they were sent to the front. We were training them to go and get killed.” www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
‘War is a business’: the Colombian mercenaries training Sudan’s child fighters to ‘go and get killed’
A soldier of fortune tells of lucrative contracts, the siege of El Fasher and training child fighters to ‘go and get killed’
www.theguardian.com
October 8, 2025 at 7:20 PM
The camps had thousands of recruits, mostly children” he said. “These are children who have never held a weapon. We taught them how to handle assault rifles, machine guns, RPGs. After that, they were sent to the front. We were training them to go and get killed.” www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
Reposted by Mark Bohlund
IMF policy paper stocktaking of international debt architecture for resolving sovereign debt with private creditors, Box 2, reference to Afreximbank ... www.imf.org/en/Publicati...
October 7, 2025 at 8:38 PM
IMF policy paper stocktaking of international debt architecture for resolving sovereign debt with private creditors, Box 2, reference to Afreximbank ... www.imf.org/en/Publicati...
Great paper with good section on Chad "Due to higher oil prices, Chad’s repayments were accelerated, resulting in negative haircuts."
October 7, 2025 at 7:36 PM
Great paper with good section on Chad "Due to higher oil prices, Chad’s repayments were accelerated, resulting in negative haircuts."
"Madagascar was among the prizes of Europe’s ruthless African land grab. When a US diplomat made plans for his own colonial enterprise, he found that the French had other ideas." The Scramble for Madagascar www.historytoday.com/archive/feat... via @HistoryToday
The Scramble for Madagascar
www.historytoday.com
October 1, 2025 at 1:03 PM
"Madagascar was among the prizes of Europe’s ruthless African land grab. When a US diplomat made plans for his own colonial enterprise, he found that the French had other ideas." The Scramble for Madagascar www.historytoday.com/archive/feat... via @HistoryToday