African Studies
Utafiti: Journal of African Perspectives
Call for Papers: Utafiti is inviting you to submit your manuscript – any topic in the humanities - for consideration in the next issues.
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This journal promotes critical and worldly debates with Africa at the centre.
New Series: Africa Futures / Afrique Futurs
Published in association with the Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA), Africa Futures features cutting-edge research that critically reflects on some of the big questions relevant to imagining Africa’s future as a place.
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Robin Attfield talks about how Africa finds itself vulnerable to drought but also the flooding of its coastline, among other untoward environmental effects of climate change and civil war.
In the run-up to the 2019 presidential election, the atmosphere was clouded by tension, suspicion, and fear. Macky Sall and the ruling ‘Benno Bokk Yaakaar’ (bby) coalition of political parties had engineered changes in the electoral system essentially to sideline political opponents and secure a second term in office. Disqualifying the country’s two popular rivals – Khalifa Sall, a popular ex-mayor of Dakar (who is no relation to Macky Sall), and Karim Wade, the son of former president Abdoulaye Wade – on corruption allegations provoked reactions and responses among critics. Thus, tension associated with electioneering dominated Senegalese domestic politics. The national economy recorded over 6% growth, driven partly by ambitious infrastructure projects, including a railway project, power generation, and the futuristic new city of Diamniadio on the outskirts of Dakar. While some supporters and foreign backers praised Sall for boosting economic growth, frustration was widely reported among workers, notably teachers and the educated youth population. In the international arena, Senegal pursued an active foreign policy and aspired to maintain its positive reputation among international partners while continuing to prioritise cooperation with African states and foreign countries, as well as international institutions.