Africanalysis

It is with great sadness that we bring you the news of the passing of JJ Cornish – the voice of Africanalysis - the man who’s deep knowledge of Africa brought clarity to complex issues and shed light on the stories that mattered across the continent.

JJ was an award-winning journalist, a consummate storyteller and a long-time contributor on CliffCentral, and more recently Podcast Party, in partnership with Johannesburg Business School. A huge thank you to Johannesburg Business School for partnering with JJ and us for the last few years in bringing these important discussions on events, developments and trends in the African continent to the public.

JJ’s contributions to journalism and his deep knowledge of Africa leaves behind an indelible mark on the media landscape, and in the hearts of those who knew him and heard him. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time. Rest in peace, JJ Cornish

Does it feel like someone is watching you?

Gareth Cliff is joined by JJ Cornish for another edition of Africanalysis as they unpack the latest news gripping the continent. From the UN’s renewed mission in Western Sahara and France’s complex stance on Moroccan sovereignty to Morocco's alleged espionage targeting President Macron. Dive into Kenya’s political turbulence as Kindiki Kithura takes office amidst concerns over human rights abuses.

Does Africa have any safe spaces?

JJ and Gareth explore Russia’s covert campaign to undermine US health initiatives in Africa, especially targeting anti-malaria programs, through fear and distrust. Egypt's success in eradicating malaria, why African nations are racing to launch satellites, and Nigeria’s bold strategy of resettling Boko Haram victims even before they feel secure enough to return home.

How does the African continent deal with external forces?

Gareth and JJ Cornish dissect the pivotal debates in international diplomacy, from the UN's push to end Western Sahara's occupation to Britain's final colonial handover in Africa. They also take a look at Morocco’s defiance of European legal rulings. Tunisia’s slide into autocracy post-Arab Spring has caused a lot of concern while Turkiye's rising influence in Somalia has raised a few eyebrows. Get a front-row seat to the stories reshaping nations and the future of global power dynamics.

What does JJ Cornish have to say about Yoweri Museveni's son withdrawing from the 2026 Ugandan Presidential race, citing divine guidance to support his father's quest for a seventh term? Watch to find out. He then, along with Gareth Cliff, discusses Egypt's urgent warning to its citizens to evacuate Somaliland amid escalating security concerns in this contested region. Finally, they examine a shocking incident in Guinea where local residents ransacked a research centre following the tragic death of a worker’s baby at the hands of a chimpanzee. Join them as they unpack the political dynamics, security issues, and social unrest that are defining the continent in this edition of Africanalysis - brought to you by Johannesburg Business School.

How much do you know about the 4th largest island on the planet?

JJ Cornish zeroes in on the island of Madagascar this week, helping Gareth understand why it's so poor, what problems do the people face, political strife since independence in 1960 and a lot more as we find out what's going on in Madagascar.

The latest mpox outbreak, with 17000 cases and 500 deaths weighed heavily on the SADC summit in Harare at the weekend. Europeans are racing to get vaccines, Countries are issuing warning to travellers. The WHO urges rich countries not to hoard the vaccine.

That summit showed SADC to be the most stable of the African regional groupings, although the member with possibly the most potential - i.e. the DRC - is providing the biggest headache.

Rare good news from Sierra Leone: plastic roof sheeting to protect against the heat wave. It seems to work and will be rolled out to 35% of informal settlements.

When do political decisions have business consequences?

JJ Cornish and Gareth talk about recent developments, including French President Emmanuel Macron recognising Moroccan autonomy over Western Sahara, skipping all the normal steps in such a momentous move because he does not have a government to go to. The move comes as France bids for high-speed rail in Morocco. Algeria says withdrawing its ambassador is only the first step in its protest action. The EU, the UN, and a plethora of French political parties have slammed Macron's move.

The DRC reached a deal with Rwanda over stopping 30 months of deadly warfare in Eastern Congo. Can the reality of a renewal of the Hutu-Tutsi conflict hold? Nigeria's Gen X protests against the Abuja government have cost at least 13 lives.

They are inspired by their counterparts in Kenya and Uganda, who are taking to the streets. President Bola Tinubu urges the rioters to desist and engage in talks with his government.

Turkiye pushes ahead with involvement in Africa. This time signing agreements with Niger that has recently kicked out Western military advisors. What should we know about Turkiye in Africa?i

Aliiko Dangote, Africa's richest man, is in talks with Libya to get more oil to his undersupplied refinery in Nigeria. He'll also be talking to Angola. Dangote sought to address the conundrum that even though Nigeria is Africa's largest oil produce, Nigerians pay through the nose for petrol because of lack of refining infrastructure.

Mozambique has agreed to declare its "sky island" in the lowlands a protected area. The rain forest has scientists making a gold rush to the area after the discovery of new species of chameleon, snake butterfly and dung beetles that can smell their delicacy from 50 metres.

In this week's episode, Gareth and JJ Cornish delve into the significant impact of the British and French elections on Africa. Will Africa's growing economic significance continue to be recognized, or will migration remain the dominant issue on the agenda?

We also explore the recent political shifts in West Africa, where the coup-affected nations of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso are forming a confederation and considering leaving the regional grouping Westcon. Senegal's President Faye takes on the challenging task of persuading them to stay.

Lastly, we turn our focus to Kenya, where President William Ruto grapples with the aftermath of intense protests by the younger generation. Facing the withdrawal of tax hikes, he proposes budget cuts to stabilize the nation. Join us as we analyze these critical developments and their broader implications for Africa and the world.