- Social:
Atlantic Council
Deputy director of the Michael S. Ansari Africa Center at the Atlantic Council
PROFILE
Bronwyn Bruton
Guest
FROM Bronwyn Bruton
To the Point
Obamamania and Africa's Future President Obama got a hero's welcome in Kenya , and his message of tough love was well received in the land where his father was born. Yet, there's evidence that he failed to meet expectations of closer ties created by his election six years ago. His broader theme of a "crossroads between terrorism and economic potential" applies to East Africa as a whole. Can the US help maintain civic order and help American investors catch up with China?
To the Point
Kenya and a Perfect Storm of Trouble Yesterday, Kenya concluded its national mourning for 147 people who were massacred Thursday at Garissa University. Just four al Shabaab terrorists held the campus for 15 hours before trained commandos finally arrived and killed them all in just 15 minutes. The terrorists singled out Christians, but religion is only part of the story . Kenya is East Africa's economic leader, with a vast international presence: the US military, multinational companies, tourists and NGO's. It also has one of the world's most corrupt governments -- breeding terror and responding with crackdowns that reinforce corruption and create more violence. Last week's attack was the latest wake-up call with global implications.
To the Point
As Ebola Crises Deepens, Will US Aid Be Enough? In West Africa, Ebola is spreading with unprecedented speed. For weeks, global health organizations have called for international aid—especially from the United States. This week, the President finally announced that 3,000 troops will be sent to Liberia, along with mobile labs, protective gear and facilities for training health workers. Meanwhile, Sierra Leone has just begun a three-day quarantine of all its six million people.
To the Point
Insurgent Leader in Nigeria Says He Will Sell Girls as Slaves In the Nigerian village of Warabe, eight girls, aged 12 to 15, were kidnapped today by the Boko Haram. The Islamist militant group is said to have ties with al Qaeda. On a video released yesterday, its leader, Abubakar Shekau, claims responsibility for kidnapping at least 223 school girls several weeks ago, plus the girls that were seized today. We get an update from Heather Murdock, Africa correspondent for the Christian Science Monitor and Voice of America , who's based in Ajuba, and from Bronwyn Bruton, Deputy Director of the Africa Center at the Atlantic Council .
To the Point
Fighting in South Sudan Leave Hundreds Dead Two years after breaking away from Northern Sudan, South Sudan is awash in weapons. Now, after an alleged coup attempt Sunday, between 400 and 500 are reported killed and 800 wounded. We get an update from Daniel Howden, East Africa correspondent for the Economist , and Bronwyn Bruton, Deputy Director of the Africa Center at the Atlantic Council.
To the Point
Zimbabwe Goes to the Polls Earlier this year, in the African country of Zimbabwe, voters adopted a new constitution—enshrining human rights and political freedoms—and setting a limit of two 5-year terms for the president. But today, 7-term President, 89-year-old Robert Mugabe is standing for re-election—and campaigning hard.
To the Point
President Obama in Africa — at Last America's first black President is in Senegal today for only his second trip to Africa since a brief visit to Ghana during his first term. Tomorrow, he'll be in South Africa, where his visit may be overshadowed by the failing health of Nelson Mandela, that country's first black president. After creating high expectations for a new US relationship with the continent where his father was born, Obama's accused by some of being missing in action. We hear about shifting America's emphasis from aid to business investment, competition with China and whether Obama can polish his legacy.
To the Point
Kenya Tenses as Election Results Come In After Kenya's presidential election in 2007, claims of vote rigging led to the deaths of more than 1000 people. When it was over, Uhuru Kenyatta was named deputy prime minister of a coalition government — but he was also indicted by the International Criminal Court for inciting the violence. After Monday's presidential election, Kenyatta still leads in the vote count. His opponent is his ostensible boss, Prime Minister Raila Odinga. We hear the background and the prospects for violence.
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LA Renters Fight Back The housing crisis is so bad that some landlords are boosting rents without making fixes to big problems, like mold and infestation. Now, some Angelenos are taking a labor union approach and organizing renter strikes. We go to Westlake and Highland Park with LA Taco editor Daniel Hernandez. The housing crisis is so bad that some landlords are boosting rents without making fixes to big problems, like mold and infestation. Now, some Angelenos are taking a labor union approach and organizing renter strikes. We go to Westlake and Highland Park with LA Taco editor Daniel Hernandez.