R. Maxwell Bone
@maxbone55.bsky.social
Eyes on all things Africa, Human Rights and Democracy. Recovering Democracy & Governance Practitioner. MPhil from the University of Cambridge. Words in @foreignpolicy.com @wpr.bsky.social @newhumanitarian.bsky.social & elsewhere
Pinned
R. Maxwell Bone
@maxbone55.bsky.social
· Jun 19
The Perfect Storm Pushing Zimbabwe Toward Crisis
Simmering tensions and an ambitious president could mean wider unrest.
foreignpolicy.com
Over the past few months, a confluence of crises has been simmering in #Zimbabwe: a heated succession battle within ZANU-PF, the most divided opposition in two decades, intensified repression of civil society & a worsening economic crisis. In @foreignpolicy.com , I examine the implications.
Reposted by R. Maxwell Bone
At nearly 93, Paul Biya is all but guaranteed a victory—but has no successor. foreignpolicy.com/2025/10/07/b...
Cameroon’s Predictable Election Will Produce Unpredictable Chaos
At nearly 93, Paul Biya is all but guaranteed a victory—but has no successor.
foreignpolicy.com
October 8, 2025 at 2:05 AM
At nearly 93, Paul Biya is all but guaranteed a victory—but has no successor. foreignpolicy.com/2025/10/07/b...
Reposted by R. Maxwell Bone
this is a good article about the politics of a country you probably don't know anything about but also this photo of the 93-year-old president and his wife is mildly insane. his daughter has also just condemned him and renounced her family wealth on social media.
foreignpolicy.com/2025/10/07/b...
foreignpolicy.com/2025/10/07/b...
Cameroon’s Predictable Election Will Produce Unpredictable Chaos
At nearly 93, Paul Biya is all but guaranteed a victory—but has no successor.
foreignpolicy.com
October 8, 2025 at 7:11 AM
this is a good article about the politics of a country you probably don't know anything about but also this photo of the 93-year-old president and his wife is mildly insane. his daughter has also just condemned him and renounced her family wealth on social media.
foreignpolicy.com/2025/10/07/b...
foreignpolicy.com/2025/10/07/b...
Reposted by R. Maxwell Bone
Cameroon’s upcoming election will likely produce a victory for incumbent Paul Biya. But at 92 years old, there are concerns about his ability to govern, @maxbone55.bsky.social writes.
Cameroon’s Predictable Election Will Produce Unpredictable Chaos
At nearly 93, Paul Biya is all but guaranteed a victory—but has no successor.
foreignpolicy.com
October 9, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Cameroon’s upcoming election will likely produce a victory for incumbent Paul Biya. But at 92 years old, there are concerns about his ability to govern, @maxbone55.bsky.social writes.
On Sunday, #Cameroon will hold an election that will certainly return #PaulBiya to power. For @foreignpolicy.com , I examine how the succession battle and election have unearthed societial fissures that will make the post-Biya transition dangerously unstable.
Cameroon’s Predictable Election Will Produce Unpredictable Chaos
At nearly 93, Paul Biya is all but guaranteed a victory—but has no successor.
foreignpolicy.com
October 7, 2025 at 10:41 PM
On Sunday, #Cameroon will hold an election that will certainly return #PaulBiya to power. For @foreignpolicy.com , I examine how the succession battle and election have unearthed societial fissures that will make the post-Biya transition dangerously unstable.
Reposted by R. Maxwell Bone
When I served as President Biden’s Senior Director for African Affairs at the National Security Council, I had more than a few difficult meetings over whether, and how, to cut foreign assistance. My reflections here: poststrategy.substack.com/p/on-foreign...
July 30, 2025 at 5:17 PM
When I served as President Biden’s Senior Director for African Affairs at the National Security Council, I had more than a few difficult meetings over whether, and how, to cut foreign assistance. My reflections here: poststrategy.substack.com/p/on-foreign...
Reposted by R. Maxwell Bone
"What’s striking is that many of the most troubling voter suppression tactics that the U.S. will no longer condemn overseas — strict proof of citizenship and residency requirements, as well as purges of the voter rolls, all targeting disfavored groups — are being kicked into high gear here at home."
Trump’s Voter Suppression Tactics Align U.S. With Overseas Dictators
Read more here.
www.democracydocket.com
July 24, 2025 at 7:09 PM
"What’s striking is that many of the most troubling voter suppression tactics that the U.S. will no longer condemn overseas — strict proof of citizenship and residency requirements, as well as purges of the voter rolls, all targeting disfavored groups — are being kicked into high gear here at home."
Reposted by R. Maxwell Bone
NEW: GOP attacks on U.S. elections have clashed with America’s pro-democracy stance abroad. Rubio’s move to silence diplomats on fair elections removes that tension, potentially aiding Trump’s efforts to rig upcoming elections, @maxbone55.bsky.social writes.
Trump’s Voter Suppression Tactics Align U.S. With Overseas Dictators
Read more here.
www.democracydocket.com
July 24, 2025 at 6:34 PM
NEW: GOP attacks on U.S. elections have clashed with America’s pro-democracy stance abroad. Rubio’s move to silence diplomats on fair elections removes that tension, potentially aiding Trump’s efforts to rig upcoming elections, @maxbone55.bsky.social writes.
I've been reflecting on how voter suppression in the U.S. mirrors tactics I’ve analyzed & worked w/ civil society combat abroad. In my first @democracydocket.com article, I examine how these tactics are being used to exclude marginalized voters here at home. The fight for democracy is universal.
Trump’s Voter Suppression Tactics Align U.S. With Overseas Dictators
Read more here.
www.democracydocket.com
July 24, 2025 at 6:49 PM
I've been reflecting on how voter suppression in the U.S. mirrors tactics I’ve analyzed & worked w/ civil society combat abroad. In my first @democracydocket.com article, I examine how these tactics are being used to exclude marginalized voters here at home. The fight for democracy is universal.
I was genuinely pleased to see the leaders of #GuineaBissau, #Mauritania, #Liberia, #Senegal & #Gabon at the White House yesterday. High-level engagement and a focus on commerce have long been lacking from US- #Africa policy, and I will applaud any President who takes action to change that.
July 10, 2025 at 3:28 PM
I was genuinely pleased to see the leaders of #GuineaBissau, #Mauritania, #Liberia, #Senegal & #Gabon at the White House yesterday. High-level engagement and a focus on commerce have long been lacking from US- #Africa policy, and I will applaud any President who takes action to change that.
Reposted by R. Maxwell Bone
Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s efforts to bypass constitutional term limits and extend his term in office until 2030 has spurred calls for a public uprising, writes @maxbone55.bsky.social.
The Perfect Storm Pushing Zimbabwe Toward Crisis
Simmering tensions and an ambitious president could mean wider unrest.
foreignpolicy.com
June 22, 2025 at 11:30 AM
Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s efforts to bypass constitutional term limits and extend his term in office until 2030 has spurred calls for a public uprising, writes @maxbone55.bsky.social.
Reposted by R. Maxwell Bone
The Perfect Storm Pushing Zimbabwe Toward Crisis foreignpolicy.com/2025/06/19/z...
The Perfect Storm Pushing Zimbabwe Toward Crisis
Simmering tensions and an ambitious president could mean wider unrest.
foreignpolicy.com
June 19, 2025 at 11:55 PM
The Perfect Storm Pushing Zimbabwe Toward Crisis foreignpolicy.com/2025/06/19/z...
Over the past few months, a confluence of crises has been simmering in #Zimbabwe: a heated succession battle within ZANU-PF, the most divided opposition in two decades, intensified repression of civil society & a worsening economic crisis. In @foreignpolicy.com , I examine the implications.
The Perfect Storm Pushing Zimbabwe Toward Crisis
Simmering tensions and an ambitious president could mean wider unrest.
foreignpolicy.com
June 19, 2025 at 5:34 PM
Over the past few months, a confluence of crises has been simmering in #Zimbabwe: a heated succession battle within ZANU-PF, the most divided opposition in two decades, intensified repression of civil society & a worsening economic crisis. In @foreignpolicy.com , I examine the implications.
Reposted by R. Maxwell Bone
A 249-strong contingent of SANDF soldiers serving with the now-terminated Southern African Development Community Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo have arrived back in South Africa, with the remainder set to return by month-end.
www.defenceweb.co.za/featured/fir...
www.defenceweb.co.za/featured/fir...
First batch of South African SAMIDRC troops return home in chaotic repatriation - defenceWeb
A 249-strong contingent of South African National Defence Force (SANDF) soldiers serving with the now-terminated Southern African Development Community Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (SAM...
www.defenceweb.co.za
June 14, 2025 at 5:47 PM
A 249-strong contingent of SANDF soldiers serving with the now-terminated Southern African Development Community Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo have arrived back in South Africa, with the remainder set to return by month-end.
www.defenceweb.co.za/featured/fir...
www.defenceweb.co.za/featured/fir...
Reposted by R. Maxwell Bone
Netanyahu wanted to strike Iran when Obama was president. Obama said no and he didn’t.
Netanyahu wanted to strike Iran when Biden was president. Biden said no and he didn’t.
Netanyahu wanted to strike Iran when Trump is president. Trump said no and he did.
Netanyahu wanted to strike Iran when Biden was president. Biden said no and he didn’t.
Netanyahu wanted to strike Iran when Trump is president. Trump said no and he did.
June 13, 2025 at 2:09 AM
Netanyahu wanted to strike Iran when Obama was president. Obama said no and he didn’t.
Netanyahu wanted to strike Iran when Biden was president. Biden said no and he didn’t.
Netanyahu wanted to strike Iran when Trump is president. Trump said no and he did.
Netanyahu wanted to strike Iran when Biden was president. Biden said no and he didn’t.
Netanyahu wanted to strike Iran when Trump is president. Trump said no and he did.
Reposted by R. Maxwell Bone
W.E.B. Du Bois on Robert E. Lee:
“Either he knew what slavery meant when he helped maim and murder thousands in its defense, or he did not. If he did not he was a fool. If he did, Robert Lee was a traitor and a rebel–not indeed to his country, but to humanity and humanity’s God.”
“Either he knew what slavery meant when he helped maim and murder thousands in its defense, or he did not. If he did not he was a fool. If he did, Robert Lee was a traitor and a rebel–not indeed to his country, but to humanity and humanity’s God.”
June 11, 2025 at 12:42 PM
W.E.B. Du Bois on Robert E. Lee:
“Either he knew what slavery meant when he helped maim and murder thousands in its defense, or he did not. If he did not he was a fool. If he did, Robert Lee was a traitor and a rebel–not indeed to his country, but to humanity and humanity’s God.”
“Either he knew what slavery meant when he helped maim and murder thousands in its defense, or he did not. If he did not he was a fool. If he did, Robert Lee was a traitor and a rebel–not indeed to his country, but to humanity and humanity’s God.”
Reposted by R. Maxwell Bone
The real enemy of this administration is cosmopolitanism. Whether in Los Angeles or South Africa, multiracial pluralistic democracy is a threat to them because it means their “us or them” model of the world is wrong. So they stir up trouble on purpose and gleefully lie.
Kristi Noem calls Los Angeles a “city of criminals”
“They are not city of immigrants, they are a city of criminals”
“They are not city of immigrants, they are a city of criminals”
June 10, 2025 at 1:28 AM
The real enemy of this administration is cosmopolitanism. Whether in Los Angeles or South Africa, multiracial pluralistic democracy is a threat to them because it means their “us or them” model of the world is wrong. So they stir up trouble on purpose and gleefully lie.
I have admittedly not been following the New York Mayoral race closely, but I just realized that one of the main candidates is Mahmood Mamdani’s son! If it means anything for NY-Africa relations is another question, but still very neat!
pix11.com/news/politic...
pix11.com/news/politic...
Cuomo’s lead narrows as Mamdani gains ground in NYC mayoral race: poll
NEW YORK (PIX11) — An internal poll from Zohran Mamdani’s campaign obtained by PIX11 News shows he is gaining on former Gov. Andrew Cuomo in the race for mayor, although Cuomo remains t…
pix11.com
May 28, 2025 at 10:52 PM
I have admittedly not been following the New York Mayoral race closely, but I just realized that one of the main candidates is Mahmood Mamdani’s son! If it means anything for NY-Africa relations is another question, but still very neat!
pix11.com/news/politic...
pix11.com/news/politic...
This is a five-alarm fire not getting sufficient attention. #PEPFAR funding in #SouthAfrica funded small clinics for key populations. If the figures are this high in RSA, where the public health system is more robust, they are likely much higher elsewhere. www.reuters.com/business/hea...
Exclusive: HIV patient testing falls in South Africa after US aid cuts, data shows
South Africa has the world's highest burden of HIV, with about 8 million people living with the virus.
www.reuters.com
May 23, 2025 at 8:00 PM
This is a five-alarm fire not getting sufficient attention. #PEPFAR funding in #SouthAfrica funded small clinics for key populations. If the figures are this high in RSA, where the public health system is more robust, they are likely much higher elsewhere. www.reuters.com/business/hea...
My phone was buzzing nonstop with messages from Abidjan about a coup- which was bogus. It is imaginable to see such messages leading to ppl pouring into the streets & subsequent unrest. This raises real questions of how to address information integrity in real time businessday.ng/africa/artic...
Coup rumours debunked as Côte d'Ivoire's President chairs cabinet meeting - Businessday NG
President Alassane Ouattara of Côte d'Ivoire on Wednesday presided over a council of ministers meeting at the presidential palace in Abidjan, the Ivorian capital.
businessday.ng
May 23, 2025 at 2:57 PM
My phone was buzzing nonstop with messages from Abidjan about a coup- which was bogus. It is imaginable to see such messages leading to ppl pouring into the streets & subsequent unrest. This raises real questions of how to address information integrity in real time businessday.ng/africa/artic...
Reposted by R. Maxwell Bone
IMHO: stop calling the meeting an ambush. Ramaphosa had a plan:
- staffing his delegation (golfers, a billionaire, and a white minister of ag.)
- asking a few Trojan Horse Q’s (where is the video from?)
- letting POTUS spew without interruption
- letting the press ask the hard Q’s, rather than him
- staffing his delegation (golfers, a billionaire, and a white minister of ag.)
- asking a few Trojan Horse Q’s (where is the video from?)
- letting POTUS spew without interruption
- letting the press ask the hard Q’s, rather than him
May 22, 2025 at 1:05 AM
IMHO: stop calling the meeting an ambush. Ramaphosa had a plan:
- staffing his delegation (golfers, a billionaire, and a white minister of ag.)
- asking a few Trojan Horse Q’s (where is the video from?)
- letting POTUS spew without interruption
- letting the press ask the hard Q’s, rather than him
- staffing his delegation (golfers, a billionaire, and a white minister of ag.)
- asking a few Trojan Horse Q’s (where is the video from?)
- letting POTUS spew without interruption
- letting the press ask the hard Q’s, rather than him
Reposted by R. Maxwell Bone
Last week I posted my first substack on U.S. strategies toward Africa. What worked and what didn’t — including the one I wrote for President Biden.
open.substack.com/pub/poststra...
open.substack.com/pub/poststra...
On Strategies
I wrote President Biden's Africa Strategy. What went wrong?
open.substack.com
May 9, 2025 at 11:04 AM
Last week I posted my first substack on U.S. strategies toward Africa. What worked and what didn’t — including the one I wrote for President Biden.
open.substack.com/pub/poststra...
open.substack.com/pub/poststra...
Reposted by R. Maxwell Bone
Some rare positive news for the global order from @edwardluce.bsky.social and @financialtimes.com, reinforced in #Canada and #Australia: "America’s 47th president plays unwitting ally to democracy everywhere except at home." www.ft.com/content/f063...
Mark Carney: democracy’s unTrump
America’s 47th president plays unwitting ally to non-populists everywhere except at home
www.ft.com
May 5, 2025 at 12:54 PM
Some rare positive news for the global order from @edwardluce.bsky.social and @financialtimes.com, reinforced in #Canada and #Australia: "America’s 47th president plays unwitting ally to democracy everywhere except at home." www.ft.com/content/f063...
Reposted by R. Maxwell Bone
This is two global elections in ONE WEEK where the conservative candidate trying to become prime minister not only led his party to a big loss but lost their own seat in parliament (!) in huge upsets. We are global pariahs unseen since the end of the Cold War and need stronger domestic opposition.
Australia re-elects Anthony Albanese as Labor rides anti-Trump wave to seal crushing win
Opposition leader Peter Dutton fails to dissociate himself from Trump-like rhetoric and policies – and loses his seat
www.theguardian.com
May 3, 2025 at 6:11 PM
This is two global elections in ONE WEEK where the conservative candidate trying to become prime minister not only led his party to a big loss but lost their own seat in parliament (!) in huge upsets. We are global pariahs unseen since the end of the Cold War and need stronger domestic opposition.
Reposted by R. Maxwell Bone
Potential protests on Thursday in Cote D’Ivoire
😯#IvoryCoast Lawyer of opposition politician Tidjian Thiam says he's been struck off the electoral list.
April 24, 2025 at 4:23 AM
Potential protests on Thursday in Cote D’Ivoire
Reposted by R. Maxwell Bone
Military drone acquisitions have surged in Africa, but any decisive advantage drones provide may be further negated by the dynamics of proxy warfare. africacenter.org/spo...
Military Drone Proliferation Marks Destabilizing Shift in Africa’s Armed Conflicts – Africa Center
A revolution in unmanned drone systems is reshaping the dynamics of Africa’s conflicts, providing militaries tactical advantages but also risks.
africacenter.org
April 23, 2025 at 12:10 PM
Military drone acquisitions have surged in Africa, but any decisive advantage drones provide may be further negated by the dynamics of proxy warfare. africacenter.org/spo...