Publications

Mining in Tanzania: Status and Challenges

Tanzania’s mining sector has grown rapidly in recent years. This study provides background information on the industry, its impacts, and the legal and political environment of its operation. It argues for a joint effort of all stakeholders to overcome typical challenges of the extractive resource industry in Africa, in order to make Tanzania the “best performer in her class”.

In Quest for a Culture of Peace in the IGAD Region

A culture of violence has emerged in the Horn of Africa, based on traditions of origin, a fixation with territory, a feudal vision of the exercise of power and an "absolutist" concept of conflict. "In Quest for a Culture of Peace" proposes a holistic approach in addressing the region's conflicts.

Discourses on Civil Society in Kenya

Civil society has become a critical player in African politics. In Kenya, civil society underwent many changes after the transition from KANU to NARC in 2002, and it was severely affected by crisis after the December 2007 elections.

Beyond CDF: Making Kenya’s Sub-Sovereign Finance Work for the Socially-Excluded

Kenya has embraced a variety of sub-sovereign financing schemes; the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) is only the most well-known among them. Beyond CDF explores innovative ideas about how to employ the CDF and other sub-sovereign financing instruments to provide solutions to the various manifestations of social exclusion, poverty and inequality.

Perspectives on Gender Discourse: Enhancing Women’s Political Participation, 6/08

Despite much rhetoric about gender equity, the role of women in Kenyan electoral politics remains dismally low – even by standards of the East African region. The sixth edition of "Perspectives on Gender Discourse", emerging from discussions held at HBS Nairobi's "Gender Forum" in the run-up to the last general elections, takes a closer look at women’s political practice in Kenya from diverse perspectives.

In the Shadow of Death: My Trauma, My Experience

In the Shadow of Death: My Trauma, My Experience is a public testimony of what numerous women went through during the post-election violence that engulfed Kenya immediately after the Electoral Commission of Kenya announced the results of the hotly-contested presidential polls of the December 2007 General Election.

APPEAL: Africa speaks up on Climate Change

"Africa speaks up on Climate Change" is an appeal to political actors worldwide to care about the threat climate change poses to Africa. Already, droughts, floods, desertification and other effects of climate change are threatening both nature and livelihoods. The appeal addresses the African public as well: Only the people can apply the necessary pressure to make the necessary changes.

The Politics of Transition in Kenya: From KANU to NARC

The peaceful transfer of power in Kenya in 2002 still provides a remarkable example of democratic transition in Africa – especially compared to the outbreak of large-scale violence Kenya experienced after the disputed December 2007 general elections.