Africa is rising

A profound change in politics can be observed in Africa. It is an upheaval of the existing order, Africa is undergoing a profound upheaval. Some key factors indicate that the current changes could reach a new dimension. Fundamental conflicts over state unity and constitution in countries such as Somalia, Sudan and Ethiopia are coming to a head. Local state structures have collapsed in many places, particularly in the Amhara and Oromia regions of Ethiopia. A possible recognition of Somaliland would mean breaking a taboo in Ethiopian foreign policy. Africa experienced a historic turning point as early as the 7th century, when North Africa turned to Islam and thus distanced itself from Europe. The trans-Saharan trade brought with it a cultural exchange. For a long time, the lack of African written documents led to distortions in historiography and disdain for the continent. It was not until the second half of the 20th century that a rethink began. Today, Africa is once again facing profound upheavals that are putting a strain on stability and the humanitarian situation in the region. The current developments pose special challenges. This was triggered by Mali. The last significant change of government in Mali took place on August 19, 2020, when President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta resigned following a military coup. The military junta that seized power promised to initiate a civilian political transition and hold new elections. This had previously been followed by massive protests against the government, which was seen as ineffective. Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta, often known as IBK, was a Malian politician who served as President of Mali from September 2013 to August 2020, when he was forced to resign by the 2020 coup. He previously served as Prime Minister of Mali from February 1994 to February 2000 and President of the National Assembly of Mali from September 2002 to September 2007. Keïta was born in Koutiala, Mali in 1945 and studied history, political science and international relations in Paris. He founded the center-left Rally for Mali (RPM) party in 2001. As president, Keïta faced challenges posed by an economic downturn, disputed elections, and ongoing jihadist violence in Mali.  Although he was elected in 2013 on a promise to restore peace and security, his government struggled to address Mali's pressing security problems, ultimately leading to his ouster by the military in August 2020. Keïta died at his residence in Bamako on January 16, 2022, at the age of 76. The exact cause of death is unknown. A major problem in Mali is corruption. Corruption is a major challenge and permeates Malian institutions at all levels of the state. Mali has a score of 28 on the Corruption Perceptions Index, indicating high levels of corruption in the public sector. Corruption is widely viewed as a fundamental driver of conflict in Mali, particularly in the areas of defense and security. Despite the political will to implement anti-corruption reforms, Mali continues to struggle with corruption. Interactions with Mali's customs authorities carry a very high risk of corruption, as irregular payments are common in import and export processes. Mali experienced a military coup in 2012 that created a power vacuum, which Islamist groups took advantage of to take control in the north of the country. Mali also continues to struggle with Islamist groups. The most prominent groups include Ansar Dine, Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), and the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS). These groups pursue different goals but often have similar radical ideologies. Islamist groups have at times controlled large parts of northern Mali, particularly in regions such as Gao, Kidal, and Timbuktu. They have imposed strict Islamic laws and destroyed cultural sites. In 2013, France intervened militarily in Mali to push back the Islamist groups. The mission led to a temporary stabilization, but the security situation remained fragile. Despite international efforts, Mali remains affected by violence and instability. Conflicts between different ethnic groups and the return of Islamist fighters are ongoing challenges. The recurrent conflicts have led to a severe humanitarian crisis, with millions of displaced people and a lack of basic services. Mali is among the poorest countries in the world, with high poverty rates and limited access to basic services such as education and healthcare. The security situation is tense, particularly in the north of the country, where Islamist groups are active. This has led to displacement and insecurity. Access to education is limited, especially for girls. School enrollment rates are low, and the quality of education varies widely. Agriculture is a core livelihood, but suffers from climatic conditions such as drought and flooding. After Mali came a coup in Burkina Faso. The most recent change of government occurred on September 30, 2022, when a military junta under the command of Captain Ibrahim Traoré overthrew Colonel Paul-Henri Damiba, who himself had only come to power in January 2022. Traoré took the lead and installed a transitional government that promised a return to civilian rule, but repeatedly postponed election dates and extended the transition period to five years. Ibrahim Traoré, born March 14, 1988 in Burkina Faso, is a military officer and current interim president. He took office on October 6, 2022, after Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba was overthrown in a coup. The world's youngest serving head of state, Traoré previously served in the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Mali and was involved in various counterinsurgency operations against jihadist groups in Burkina Faso. His leadership has come under scrutiny amid significant political and military changes in the country, particularly with regard to his links to Russia and the Wagner Group. Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, born January 2, 1981, is a Burkinabe military officer who served as interim President of Burkina Faso from January 31 to September 30, 2022. He came to power in a coup that overthrew President Roch Marc Christian Kaboré. Damiba was overthrown in a subsequent coup led by Ibrahim Traoré. A graduate of the École Militaire in Paris, he holds a master's degree in criminology and has held various military positions, including that of commander of the Third Military Region of Burkina Faso. Roch Marc Christian Kaboré, born April 25, 1957 in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, is a prominent Burkinabe banker and politician. He served as president from 2015 until his overthrow in a coup in January 2022. He previously served as prime minister (1994-1996) and president of the National Assembly (2002-2012). Kaboré founded the Popular Movement for Progress party in 2014 after leaving the Congress for Democracy and Progress. His presidency marked a significant shift in Burkina Faso's political landscape, as he was the first non-military president in nearly five decades. Burkina Faso has a Corruption Perceptions Index of 35, placing it in the range of high corruption countries. Corruption is present in various areas, including government institutions, security forces, and economic sectors. Bribery, mismanagement, and nepotism are some of the most common forms of corruption in Burkina Faso. Despite government efforts to strengthen anti-corruption efforts, challenges remain. Civil society and international organizations play an important role in monitoring and combating corruption in Burkina Faso. In recent years, Burkina Faso has experienced a rise in violence and terrorism. This has led to a humanitarian crisis with many displaced people. Again, poverty rates are high, and many people live on subsistence farming. Access to health services is limited, and diseases such as malaria are common. Educational institutions are often underfunded, and access to education is limited for many children, especially girls. Then came Niger. The change of government took place on July 26, 2023, when the military under General Abdourahamane Tiani deposed the democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum and arrested him. Tiani declared himself the new head of state on July 28 and formed a provisional military government, the "National Council for the Salvation of the Fatherland" Abdourahamane Tchiani, born in 1960 or 1961, is a Nigerien military officer and head of the National Council for the Protection of the Homeland after President Mohamed Bazoum was overthrown in a coup on July 26, 2023. He previously served as head of the Nigerien Presidential Guard from 2011 to 2023. Tchiani has a military background that includes UN peacekeeping missions and thwarting coup attempts. He is known for his close ties to former President Mahamadou Issoufou and is considered a controversial but influential figure in Niger's political landscape. Mohamed Bazoum, born January 1, 1960, is a Nigerien politician who served as the 10th President of Niger from April 2021 until his ouster in July 2023 during a military coup. Prior to his presidency, he held various government positions, including Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of the Interior. Bazoum was Niger's first Arab president and is known for his democratic approach and efforts to combat terrorism in the Sahel region. After his ouster, he was placed under house arrest and faces possible treason charges. His legal team claims his rights were seriously violated during the proceedings. In the 2023 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), Niger scored 32 points, ranking 125th out of 180 countries surveyed. Corruption in Niger has a long history, dating from the pre-colonial era to the present day, and is a widespread problem in the country. There are various forms of corruption, from petty and bureaucratic corruption to grand and political corruption. Combating corruption remains a challenge in Niger. Niger has one of the highest poverty rates in the world. Many people are food insecure, especially in rural areas. Frequent droughts and desertification affect agriculture and the livelihoods of the population. Niger is threatened by terrorism and violence, especially on the borders with Mali and Burkina Faso, which exacerbates the humanitarian situation. School enrollment is low, and many children do not have access to quality education. What has been described here are the first three countries where a coup has taken place. This may have been the trigger for the current demonstrations in southern Africa. All three countries have and have had some problems. These three countries have common challenges. All three countries are experiencing increasing numbers of displaced people and increasing dependence on humanitarian aid. The impacts of climate change, such as drought and floods, are further exacerbating living conditions. Infrastructure is often inadequate, limiting access to water, education and healthcare. Overall, it can be said that living conditions in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger are characterized by challenges that urgently need to be addressed to improve the well-being of the population.  Living conditions in Kenya are not easy. About 40 percent of people earn their income from agriculture. Incomes are very unequally distributed, leading to poverty. Around 80 percent of Kenyans live in rural areas and depend on agricultural products. There are more than 40 ethnic groups and around 50 different languages ​​in Kenya. Wealth is very unequally distributed, with a small part of the population living in luxury and many in poverty. A large part of the population in Uganda lives from agriculture. Uganda has a high population density, especially in urban areas such as the capital Kampala. There are a variety of ethnic groups and languages ​​in Uganda. Poverty and a lack of infrastructure continue to pose challenges for the country. Despite this, Uganda has made progress in poverty reduction and economic development in recent years. Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa and has a variety of ethnic groups and languages. The country's economy is heavily dependent on petroleum, which leads to fluctuations in the economy. There are large disparities in income and living standards between urban and rural areas. Corruption is a widespread problem in Nigeria and affects various aspects of life in the country. Despite the challenges, Nigeria also has a growing middle class and a vibrant cultural scene. In summary, all three countries have high population densities, especially in urban centers. Agriculture plays a major role in the economies of these countries. Corruption is a widespread problem that affects development and day-to-day life. There are large disparities in income, education and healthcare. Infrastructure problems such as lack of electricity and inadequate road infrastructure are challenges. Despite the challenges, all three countries have also made progress in areas such as poverty alleviation and economic development.