Stephanie Burchard
@smburchard.bsky.social
Covered in toddlers at the moment (probably), otherwise occupied by questions about elections, violence, security, WPS, and Africa. Adjunct prof at GWU.
Reposted by Stephanie Burchard
Prominent Afrikaners are pushing back after President Trump announced no U.S. officials will attend the G20 in Johannesburg, rejecting his claims of "white persecution" in South Africa as false and politically driven.
Prominent Afrikaners refuse to be 'pawns,' and hit back at Trump's claims about South Africa
Prominent Afrikaners are pushing back after President Trump announced no U.S. officials will attend the G20 in Johannesburg, rejecting his claims of "white persecution" in South Africa as false and politically driven.
n.pr
November 11, 2025 at 2:09 AM
Prominent Afrikaners are pushing back after President Trump announced no U.S. officials will attend the G20 in Johannesburg, rejecting his claims of "white persecution" in South Africa as false and politically driven.
Reposted by Stephanie Burchard
Africa’s drone wars are growing – but they rarely deliver victory
Brendon J. Cannon on The Conversation
theconversation.com/africas-dron...
Brendon J. Cannon on The Conversation
theconversation.com/africas-dron...
Africa’s drone wars are growing – but they rarely deliver victory
Armed drones are increasingly being seen as a solution to security challenges in African conflicts.
theconversation.com
November 11, 2025 at 10:20 AM
Africa’s drone wars are growing – but they rarely deliver victory
Brendon J. Cannon on The Conversation
theconversation.com/africas-dron...
Brendon J. Cannon on The Conversation
theconversation.com/africas-dron...
Reposted by Stephanie Burchard
“We fought as fighters, not as women”: women’s participation in ethnonational armed groups in #Ethiopia
By Hilina Berhanu Degefa
www.xcept-research.org/publication/...
By Hilina Berhanu Degefa
www.xcept-research.org/publication/...
"We fought as fighters, not as women": women's participation in ethnonational armed groups in Ethiopia - XCEPT
Ethnonational mobilisations — characterised by a strong sense of national and political identification, whether organised along ethnic, religious, or regional political identifications — tend to…
www.xcept-research.org
November 10, 2025 at 7:15 PM
“We fought as fighters, not as women”: women’s participation in ethnonational armed groups in #Ethiopia
By Hilina Berhanu Degefa
www.xcept-research.org/publication/...
By Hilina Berhanu Degefa
www.xcept-research.org/publication/...
Reposted by Stephanie Burchard
“One of those familiar said AFRICOM also communicated that striking a region with limited U.S. presence and intelligence was unlikely to make a difference.”
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Trump’s ‘guns-a-blazing’ threat to Nigeria shocked key players, aides
President Trump’s threat to go “guns-a-blazing” into Nigeria concerned U.S. military officials in Africa and surprised even those who had been pushing the issue.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 9, 2025 at 1:05 PM
“One of those familiar said AFRICOM also communicated that striking a region with limited U.S. presence and intelligence was unlikely to make a difference.”
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Stephanie Burchard
1/ The US Government has quietly removed a memorial to Black soldiers who died in World War II from the Netherlands American Cemetery in Margraten, South Limburg. The move follows a complaint from the right-wing Heritage Foundation to the American Battle Monuments Commission. ⬇️
November 9, 2025 at 9:23 AM
1/ The US Government has quietly removed a memorial to Black soldiers who died in World War II from the Netherlands American Cemetery in Margraten, South Limburg. The move follows a complaint from the right-wing Heritage Foundation to the American Battle Monuments Commission. ⬇️
Huge story in TZ right now that isn't getting nearly enough attention. Thousand(s?) dead and hundreds arrested after a "stunning" 98% victory for the incumbent.
All Protocol Observed
Welcome to Issue 219 of The Continent
Protests, an internet blackout, and deadly force marked Tanzania’s Election Day. Once online again, 37 readers shared what they witnessed.
Read their stories: bit.ly/219_TC
Welcome to Issue 219 of The Continent
Protests, an internet blackout, and deadly force marked Tanzania’s Election Day. Once online again, 37 readers shared what they witnessed.
Read their stories: bit.ly/219_TC
November 7, 2025 at 8:19 PM
Huge story in TZ right now that isn't getting nearly enough attention. Thousand(s?) dead and hundreds arrested after a "stunning" 98% victory for the incumbent.
Reposted by Stephanie Burchard
The Kenya Human Rights Commission (an independent nonprofit, not the statutory body) now estimates that up to 3,000 people might have been killed by the police and armed forces in post election violence in Tanzania.
The situation in Tanzania is worse than we realised. Some journalists have managed to smuggle information out of the country. Current death toll is close to 1,000 by some reports. A harshly enforced curfew is in place.
November 7, 2025 at 8:15 PM
The Kenya Human Rights Commission (an independent nonprofit, not the statutory body) now estimates that up to 3,000 people might have been killed by the police and armed forces in post election violence in Tanzania.
Reposted by Stephanie Burchard
NEW Q&A | Why is Trump Threatening a Humanitarian Intervention in Nigeria?
Relations between the countries have soured amid the Trump administration’s allegations that Nigerian Christians are being slaughtered en masse. We explain the implications.
www.crisisgroup.org/africa/niger...
Relations between the countries have soured amid the Trump administration’s allegations that Nigerian Christians are being slaughtered en masse. We explain the implications.
www.crisisgroup.org/africa/niger...
Why is President Trump Threatening a Humanitarian Intervention in Nigeria? | International Crisis Group
Relations between the U.S. and Nigeria have soured dramatically amid the Trump administration’s allegations that Nigerian Christians are being slaughtered en masse. In this Q&A, Crisis Group expert Nn...
www.crisisgroup.org
November 7, 2025 at 4:49 PM
NEW Q&A | Why is Trump Threatening a Humanitarian Intervention in Nigeria?
Relations between the countries have soured amid the Trump administration’s allegations that Nigerian Christians are being slaughtered en masse. We explain the implications.
www.crisisgroup.org/africa/niger...
Relations between the countries have soured amid the Trump administration’s allegations that Nigerian Christians are being slaughtered en masse. We explain the implications.
www.crisisgroup.org/africa/niger...
Reposted by Stephanie Burchard
Africa's journalists in peril, as an increasing number are being kidnapped, killed or silenced across the continent🧵
Kidnapped, killed or silenced: Africa's journalists increasingly under threat
Across Africa, journalists are being kidnapped, tortured and killed – often by people whose identities are known but who face no punishment. Reports gathered by RFI and press freedom groups show these...
www.rfi.fr
November 7, 2025 at 12:34 PM
Africa's journalists in peril, as an increasing number are being kidnapped, killed or silenced across the continent🧵
Reposted by Stephanie Burchard
A List of Things Said to Have Been Ruined by Women
🧵
🧵
November 6, 2025 at 8:43 PM
A List of Things Said to Have Been Ruined by Women
🧵
🧵
Reposted by Stephanie Burchard
Tigray was the centre of a devastating two-year war that pitted the TPLF against Ethiopia’s federal army.
Tigray fighters enter Ethiopia’s Afar region, stoking fears of new conflict
Tigray was the centre of a devastating two-year war that pitted the TPLF against Ethiopia’s federal army.
bit.ly
November 6, 2025 at 11:30 AM
Tigray was the centre of a devastating two-year war that pitted the TPLF against Ethiopia’s federal army.
Reposted by Stephanie Burchard
Reposted by Stephanie Burchard
Some reckon Françafrique’s just old news, but its influence still colours how France and its former African colonies see each other today. 🤔
theconversation.com/what-is-fran...
#Politics
theconversation.com/what-is-fran...
#Politics
What is Françafrique? The taboo word that reveals the shifting influence of France in Africa
There’s a deep-seated interdependence between France and its former African colonies.
theconversation.com
November 3, 2025 at 7:22 PM
Some reckon Françafrique’s just old news, but its influence still colours how France and its former African colonies see each other today. 🤔
theconversation.com/what-is-fran...
#Politics
theconversation.com/what-is-fran...
#Politics
Reposted by Stephanie Burchard
As France and the U.S. have gradually withdrawn engagement with the Sahel states in West Africa, other actors have filled the vacuum.
Lately, one of the most prominent actors has been Turkey, Emil Avdaliani writes.
Lately, one of the most prominent actors has been Turkey, Emil Avdaliani writes.
As Western States Withdraw, Turkey Aims to Fill a Vacuum in the Sahel
Following a series of coups in Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso, Ankara has stepped up its engagement in the region.
www.worldpoliticsreview.com
November 3, 2025 at 7:00 PM
As France and the U.S. have gradually withdrawn engagement with the Sahel states in West Africa, other actors have filled the vacuum.
Lately, one of the most prominent actors has been Turkey, Emil Avdaliani writes.
Lately, one of the most prominent actors has been Turkey, Emil Avdaliani writes.
Reposted by Stephanie Burchard
#Trump has threatened military action in #Nigeria, claiming the government is allowing jihadists to kill Christians. President #Tinubu says the US view does not reflect reality, officials in Abuja are angered by alleged influences in Washington of Nigerian activists.
africa-conf.com/tinubu-pushe...
africa-conf.com/tinubu-pushe...
Tinubu pushes back as Trump threatens military action over ‘killing of Christians’
US President says any attack would be ‘fast, vicious and sweet’ after Abuja officials claim separatist lobbyists are misleading Washington
africa-conf.com
November 3, 2025 at 11:35 AM
#Trump has threatened military action in #Nigeria, claiming the government is allowing jihadists to kill Christians. President #Tinubu says the US view does not reflect reality, officials in Abuja are angered by alleged influences in Washington of Nigerian activists.
africa-conf.com/tinubu-pushe...
africa-conf.com/tinubu-pushe...
Reposted by Stephanie Burchard
The election on Wednesday was supposed to cement President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s legitimacy as president of the United Republic. According to the story told by the country’s electoral authority, and state-run media outlets, it did exactly that. The story on Tanzania’s streets is very different.
Hundreds reportedly killed in post-polls violence
Unified Tanzania has never experienced unrest on this scale before.
continent.substack.com
November 2, 2025 at 10:09 AM
The election on Wednesday was supposed to cement President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s legitimacy as president of the United Republic. According to the story told by the country’s electoral authority, and state-run media outlets, it did exactly that. The story on Tanzania’s streets is very different.
Reposted by Stephanie Burchard
The Rapid Support Forces seized El Fasher this week after besieging the city for more than 500 days. The Sudanese Armed Forces withdrew on Monday. The RSF now controls all five states in the Darfur region.
Sudan’s split in two (again) is now more concrete
‘Hemedti’ now controls all of Darfur, continuing the genocide that began with the Janjaweed.
continent.substack.com
November 1, 2025 at 8:17 AM
The Rapid Support Forces seized El Fasher this week after besieging the city for more than 500 days. The Sudanese Armed Forces withdrew on Monday. The RSF now controls all five states in the Darfur region.
Reposted by Stephanie Burchard
“Individuals on the ground sent a message that reached us Monday morning that 1,200 were dead,” Nathaniel Raymond, the lab’s executive director, said. “By that evening, they said 10,000. By Tuesday, we couldn’t reach them anymore. We assume our ground contacts are dead.”
Yale lab reports mass killings in Sudan, calls for student activism
The Humanitarian Research Lab was told this week that over 10,000 people in Sudan were killed within three days.
yaledailynews.com
October 31, 2025 at 8:02 PM
“Individuals on the ground sent a message that reached us Monday morning that 1,200 were dead,” Nathaniel Raymond, the lab’s executive director, said. “By that evening, they said 10,000. By Tuesday, we couldn’t reach them anymore. We assume our ground contacts are dead.”
Reposted by Stephanie Burchard
Great analysis of the situation in Tanzania by Dan Paget
Has Tanzania Reached Its Breaking Point? | Journal of Democracy
President Hassan promised Tanzanians freedom, transparency, and reform. Instead, she has delivered repression, violence, and arrests as she bars anyone who dares challenge her.
www.journalofdemocracy.org
October 31, 2025 at 5:38 PM
Great analysis of the situation in Tanzania by Dan Paget
WOW. Not saying this is or is not true, bc of internet blackout hard to say for sure. But if true, this would make TZ's election one of the most deadly in many years.
At least 700 dead in Tanzania's post-election protests, opposition says f24.my/BX7n.BS
At least 700 dead in Tanzania's post-election protests, opposition says f24.my/BX7n.BS
At least 700 dead in Tanzania's post-election protests, opposition says
Hundreds of people have reportedly been killed in Tanzania after taking to the streets to protest this week’s presidential election, which saw the increasingly authoritarian incumbent, President Samia...
f24.my
October 31, 2025 at 2:41 PM
WOW. Not saying this is or is not true, bc of internet blackout hard to say for sure. But if true, this would make TZ's election one of the most deadly in many years.
At least 700 dead in Tanzania's post-election protests, opposition says f24.my/BX7n.BS
At least 700 dead in Tanzania's post-election protests, opposition says f24.my/BX7n.BS
Reposted by Stephanie Burchard
At least 20 people confirmed killed during post election violence in Tanzania.
October 30, 2025 at 4:34 PM
At least 20 people confirmed killed during post election violence in Tanzania.
Reposted by Stephanie Burchard
As I see some people continuing to make the mistake of thinking that the repression we are seeing today in Tanzania is something new, I wanted to re-up this argument. The abstract could have been written about Samia ...
www.journalofdemocracy.org/articles/tan...
www.journalofdemocracy.org/articles/tan...
Tanzania: The Roots of Repression | Journal of Democracy
While many blamed President John Magufuli for throwing the country off its democratizing track, the truth is that the party that has ruled Tanzania for six decades has always been authoritarian.
www.journalofdemocracy.org
October 30, 2025 at 1:34 PM
As I see some people continuing to make the mistake of thinking that the repression we are seeing today in Tanzania is something new, I wanted to re-up this argument. The abstract could have been written about Samia ...
www.journalofdemocracy.org/articles/tan...
www.journalofdemocracy.org/articles/tan...
Reposted by Stephanie Burchard
Interested in news from #Africa and/or #SouthAfrica, check out this interview with @siphok.bsky.social of The Continent ( @thecontinent.org ) and The Friday Paper ( @thefridaypaper.bsky.social ).
And then subscribe!
reutersinstitute.politics.ox.ac.uk/news/pan-afr...
And then subscribe!
reutersinstitute.politics.ox.ac.uk/news/pan-afr...
From pan-African to South African: The team behind 'The Continent' launches a second WhatsApp newspaper
The Friday Paper’s first edition opens with the story of a theft: the theft of the newspaper. Or, more accurately, of the laptop on which the final version of the pilot edition was stored. Fortunately...
reutersinstitute.politics.ox.ac.uk
October 30, 2025 at 1:44 PM
Interested in news from #Africa and/or #SouthAfrica, check out this interview with @siphok.bsky.social of The Continent ( @thecontinent.org ) and The Friday Paper ( @thefridaypaper.bsky.social ).
And then subscribe!
reutersinstitute.politics.ox.ac.uk/news/pan-afr...
And then subscribe!
reutersinstitute.politics.ox.ac.uk/news/pan-afr...
Reposted by Stephanie Burchard
Tanzania deploys army as election protests spread. The Samia Suluhu Hassan govt also shut down the internet, and imposed a curfew.
Tanzania deploys army as election protests spread | Africanews
The electoral body on Thursday announced through state television that President Hassan had taken an early lead, garnering 96.99% of the votes in 8 out of 272 constituencies tallied early Thursday
www.africanews.com
October 30, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Tanzania deploys army as election protests spread. The Samia Suluhu Hassan govt also shut down the internet, and imposed a curfew.
Reposted by Stephanie Burchard
BREAKING: Over 460 people were reportedly killed at a hospital in western Darfur that was taken by Sudanese paramilitary forces, the WHO chief says.
Sudan's paramilitary killed hundreds including hospital patients in Darfur, residents say
Sudan's paramilitary forces have killed hundreds, including patients in a hospital, after seizing el-Fasher city in Darfur.
bit.ly
October 29, 2025 at 3:11 PM
BREAKING: Over 460 people were reportedly killed at a hospital in western Darfur that was taken by Sudanese paramilitary forces, the WHO chief says.