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German colonialism in Africa is not discussed as robustly as the histories of other colonial powers like Britain and France. But it was relentlessly brutal, accounting for genocide in Namibia and massacres in other territories like Tanzania. Today the German government continues to downplay the dire effects of the past by not openly apologising or making meaningful reparations. This history, how it has come to be swept under the rug and its impact on African and German life today is the subject of a fascinating new book by Henning Melber. He tells us why he wrote it.
Underlying recent protests by young people in Kenya and Uganda is anger at a form of corruption that is eating away at their collective present and future: political corruption. Unlike the corruption practised by junior civil servants, for instance, political corruption is difficult to deal with because its perpetrators are powerful state officials and their cronies. Inge Amundsen argues that laudable as the pressure by protesters may be, it is not enough. Corrupt power holders have a strong tendency to fight back.
Young Nigerians are also now galvanising in response to the cost of living crisis in the country. From previously published articles we have selected some that offer insights into the issues troubling Nigeria and Nigerians.
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Henning Melber, University of Pretoria
The Long Shadow of German Colonialism tells of a brutal history, and how this past lives on today.
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Inge Amundsen, Chr. Michelsen Institute
The most detrimental impact of political corruption is that it destroys the power holders’ incentives to curb it.
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Adejuwon Soyinka, The Conversation
Nigeria has been faced with economic despair and social unrest. Scholars explain the issues and possible solutions.
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Alseno Kagiso Mosai, University of Pretoria; Hlanganani Tutu, University of the Witwatersrand
Acid mine drainage, toxic water spilling from mines, ruins the environment and affects people’s health. Plants and bacteria could help clean it up.
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From our international editions
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Ian Parmeter, Australian National University
The killing of the Hamas leader in Iran may provoke a wider regional war.
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Simon H. Lee, University of St Andrews; Hayley J. Fowler, Newcastle University; Paul Davies, Newcastle University
Record heat, storms and floods reveal new extremes made possible by climate change.
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Mireille Rebeiz, Dickinson College
12 children were killed in a strike on the small town of Majdal Shams, in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. Israel has blamed Hezbollah, but the Lebanese militant group denies responsibility.
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Rachel Kyte, University of Oxford
The global call to action aims to protect the most vulnerable, protect workers, boost resilience and limit further warming to stave off an era of ‘global boiling’.
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