Editor's note

An independent review has recommended that the UN peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo withdraw by 2022. The mission, established 20 years ago, is the UN’s largest field operation. Its remit has been to protect civilians and strengthen state institutions. Although it has brought some stability, violence and internal displacement continue, particularly in Eastern DRC, where over 100 armed groups are still active. Mats Berdal argues that if the withdrawal is rushed it will result in further instability and a recurring crisis.

Moina Spooner

Commissioning Editor: East and Francophone Africa

Top Story

Peacekeeper with the UN Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the DRC MONUSCO/Sylvain Liechti

Is the Democratic Republic of Congo ready for peacekeepers to leave by 2022?

Mats Berdal, King's College London

The independent strategic review, now before the Security Council, recognises many of the challenges ahead. But it appears overly sanguine about what can be achieved within a three-year period.

Politics + Society

The city of Akure is developing fast. But citizens aren’t having their say

Fakere Alexander Adeyemi, Federal University of Technology, Akure; Ayoola Hezekiah Adedayo, Federal University of Technology, Akure

Communities are always at the receiving end of infrastructure projects. They must also be at the centre of the decision making processes.

Sex education raises questions about the role of the state in South Africa

Nicola de Jager, Stellenbosch University

Objections raised about the school syllabus by parents, schools and civil society point to a bigger problem with the state.

Health + Medicine

How better information will reduce maternal and child deaths

Cheikh Mbacke Faye, African Population and Health Research Center

When governments have evidence, they are better placed to develop health policies and programmes.

Treating HIV in the tiniest babies could have huge positive implications for their future

Roger L. Shapiro, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health; Gbolahan Ajibola, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

Babies born with the HIV virus in their blood are at a turning point in the infection. With immediate treatment these children can develop much stronger immune systems to fight the virus.

From our international editions

Climate refugees: why we can’t yet predict where millions of displaced people will go

Derek Groen, Brunel University London; Diana Suleimenova, Brunel University London

Beware those who say it is a solved problem.

The five corrupt pillars of climate change denial

Mark Maslin, UCL

How to identify and understand different types of denial: scientific, economic, humanitarian, political and crisis.

En français

Dans le cinéma antillais, la plage fait écho au passé colonial

Guillaume Robillard, Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne

Les scènes représentant la mort et le deuil sont nombreuses dans le cinéma antillais, à l’opposé des clichés associés au tourisme dont l’Occident est pourtant friand.

Immunothérapie : 100 ans après son prix Nobel, l’héritage de Jules Bordet

Michel Goldman, Université Libre de Bruxelles

Considéré comme l’un des pères fondateurs de l’immunologie, le Belge Jules Bordet, est à l’origine de nombreuses avancées thérapeutiques par la découverte qui lui a valu le Prix Nobel en 1919.

 
 
 
 

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