African leaders have made much progress in stitching up the continent into one free trade zone, a development which will benefit the continent immensely. But greater integration comes with risks. To mitigate these, Danny Bradlow and William N Kring say that African leaders must reinvigorate the establishment of a financial safety net. The African Monetary Fund will fill an important gap, bringing the continent on par with other developing regions.

A year on from the euphoric end to hostilities between Ethiopia and Eritrea, none of the agreements intended to smooth over a history of conflict and war have been implemented. While Ethiopia’s prime minister Abiy Ahmed’s hands are full dealing with internal strife, the Eritrean president Isaias Afwerki is back to his unpredictable ways. Martin Plaut argues that while it’s uncertain what could happen next it’s become clear that the warmth of a year ago has largely gone.