East Africa – Page 9 – Rift Valley Institute

Land governance and boundary disputes in South Sudan and northern Uganda

In September 2014, a conflict erupted between South Sudanese and Ugandans in the borderlands of Kajokeji County, South Sudan and Moyo District, Uganda. Several people were killed, many more injured and thousands displaced. On 16 June 2016, the authors launched the Rift Valley Institute publication, Dividing Communities in South Sudan and Northern Uganda, in a public […]

Boundary disputes and land governance in South Sudan and northern Uganda

In September 2014, a conflict erupted between South Sudanese and Ugandans in the borderlands of Kajokeji County, South Sudan and Moyo District, Uganda. Several people were killed, many more injured and thousands displaced. On 13 June 2016, the Rift Valley Forum launched the Rift Valley Institute publication, Dividing Communities in South Sudan and Northern Uganda, which […]

Violent Extremism: Risk and resilience in Kenya

In October 2011, the Kenyan government sent troops to Somalia under Operation ‘Linda Nchi‘ (Protect the Country). Aiming to create a security buffer zone, the intervention followed armed attacks and the abduction of foreign nationals in Kenya. However, the country continues to face the threat of armed attacks by extremist groups, particularly in Kenya’s northeast […]

Communicating in Troubled Times: A Conversation on Media and Democracy ahead of the 2017 Elections

The way media interacts with political and civil society actors frames critical moments in the political history of a country, such as contested elections or controversial electoral campaigns. In the wake of Kenya’s 2007 elections and the ensuing crisis, society blamed mainstream media outlets for feeding the violence. A journalist, Joshua Arap Sang, was indicted […]

Community Resilience to Violent Extremism

On 12 August 2016, the Rift Valley Forum hosted the launch of a report by the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) on Community Resilience to Violent Extremism. This new report, based on research conducted in collaboration with Sahan Africa, examines how violent extremism is spread through localized conflicts and how extremist groups manipulate grievances to […]

Dadaab: City of Thorns

To charity workers, Dadaab refugee camp is a humanitarian crisis. To the Kenyan government it is an economic burden and a ‘breeding ground for terrorists’. To the Western media, it is a dangerous no-go area. But to its half a million residents seeking sanctuary, it is their last resort. In May, the Kenyan government announced […]

If We Ever Get Out of Here

Many people fleeing conflicts hope that refugee camps would be a temporary home while they await peace and stability to return to their home countries. Unfortunately, many have ended up staying in the camps for decades. On Thursday 1 December 2016, the Rift Valley Forum and the Church of Sweden screened the documentary, If we ever […]

Development and its Discontents: Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa

Over the past decade, African countries have experienced significant economic growth rates. Despite this, most face a myriad of developmental challenges, and public dissatisfaction with how governments are addressing corruption and delivering public services. There is a common perception that government is run for the benefit of the few, rather than all its citizens. On Thursday 17 November 2016, the […]