Gabon’s Lopé National Park has a rich diversity of wildlife, including forest elephants, chimpanzees, gorillas and mandrills. Many of these species rely on wild forest fruits for food. However, between 1986 and 2018 there was a massive collapse in the amount of fruit produced by the trees in the area. Emma Bush, Katharine Abernethy and Robin Whytock set out their findings based on 32 years of data about tree behaviour in the forest and what it means for the remaining forest elephants.

Public opinion and media coverage in the West shifted dramatically against Uganda’s Yoweri Museveni in the country’s recent election as evidence mounted that his regime had become increasingly repressive. Many pro-democracy advocates and activists in Africa threw their weight behind Museveni’s main challenger for the presidency, the pop star and member of parliament Robert Kyagulanyi, more popularly known as Bobi Wine. Moses Khisa explains why the externally-driven obsession with Bobi Wine is problematic and could potentially prove unproductive. To advance the cause of genuine democracy and freedom, the forces and fuel for reform must necessarily evolve and emerge from Uganda and among Ugandans.

The African Union made some significant appointments at its summit that has just ended. These included electing six commissioners to the AU’s secretariat, which is a vital cog in the organisation, as well as the chair and the deputy chair. Linda Darkwa explains why the decisions were important and what they signal.

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Moina Spooner

Commissioning Editor: East and Francophone Africa

Forest elephants in Gabon. zahorec/Shutterstock

Fruit famine is causing elephants to go hungry in Gabon

Emma Bush, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE); Katharine Abernethy, University of Stirling; Robin Whytock, University of Stirling

In Gabon's Lopé National Park, between 1986 and 2018, there's been a massive collapse in tree fruiting events.

Defeating Museveni can’t be achieved through international pressure alone

Moses Khisa, North Carolina State University

For those keen to advance democracy and freedom in Uganda, the starting point is to take in the lessons of history.

Why the African Union’s decision on a top post is being seen as a litmus test

Linda Darkwa, University of Ghana

The election of commissioners is a key step in the reform process of the African Union Commission.

Politics

Ethiopia’s next poll could be more competitive. But big challenges remain

Girmachew Alemu, Addis Ababa University

Ethiopia’s party system is extremely volatile due to the prevalence of weakly institutionalised and fragmented political parties.

Simeon Nyachae: the larger-than-life civil servant who made his mark on Kenya

David K. Leonard, University of California, Berkeley

Nyachae always served at the intersection of politics and administration. Nevertheless, he was more of a firm manager than a politician.

Arts, Culture & Society

Young fathers in Ghana are expanding the meaning of manhood

Gloria Abena Ampim, University of Bergen

Men are increasingly expected to share housework and spend time with their partners and children.

The deep humanity of Sibongile Khumalo, South Africa’s iconic vocalist – and mentor

Nomfundo Xaluva, University of Cape Town

She was the glue that bound younger artists together, helping them navigate the volatile terrain of the music industry.

From our international editions

Mars missions from China and UAE are set to go into orbit – here’s what they could discover

Daniel Brown, Nottingham Trent University

If China succeeds, it will be the first country ever to visit and land on Mars on its first try.

Tim Berners-Lee’s plan to save the internet: give us back control of our data

Pieter Verdegem, University of Westminster

The web's inventor believes the liberation of our data will help redistribute power on the internet.

En Français

À quoi ressemblera le monde post-Covid ? Voici ce qu’en pensent 99 experts

Adil Najam, Boston University

Il n’y aura pas de retour à la normale après la pandémie de Covid-19, en partie parce que le monde d’avant était tout sauf normal !

Des recherches pour convertir le CO₂ émis vers l’atmosphère en carburant

Andrei Khodakov, Université de Lille; Sara Navarro Jaén, Université de Lille

À partir d’électricité et de dioxyde de carbone capturé en sortie de centrales ou d’installations industrielles, on peut fabriquer des carburants plus « propres » que le diesel.

 
 

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