Geopolitics at the margins? Reconsidering genealogies of critical geopolitics

Critical geopolitics has become one of the most vibrant parts of political geography. However it remains a particularly western way of knowing which has been much less attentive to other traditions of thinking. This paper engages with Pan-Africanism, and specifically the vision of the architect of post-colonial Tanzania, Julius Nyerere, to explore this overlooked contribution to critical engagements with geopoli- tics. Pan-Africanism sought to forge alternative post-colonial worlds to the binary geopolitics of the Cold War and the geopolitical economy of neo-colonialism. The academic division of labour has meant that these ideas have been consigned to African studies rather than being drawn into wider debates around the definitions of key disciplinary concepts. However Nyerere’s continental thinking can be seen as a form of geopolitical imagination that challenges dominant neo-realist projections, and which still has much to offer contemporary political geography

Africa: Coping with Drought

The following interview with President Julius Nyerere of Tanzania, chairman of the Organization of African States, OAU, was conducted in Geneva by Djibril Diallo, editor-in-chief of Africa Emergency Report, a United Nations publication, where it was first published. The additional country fact sheets are courtesy of the U.N. Office for Emergency Operations in Afric

The Plea of The Poor: New Economic Order NeededFor the World Community

The following was taken from a major address at Howard University by Julius Nyerere, President of the United Republic of Tanzania on August 5, 1977. His arrival before a full-house at Cramton Auditorium was met by applause and words of praise from an audience that appeared mesmerized by the sheer presence of one of the most respected and admired leaders of Africa. He was interrupted by cheers and applause several times during his speech of more than an hour. Indeed, his appearance at Howard and his message to the world community marked a historic occasion that will not be forgotten. The university awarded the honorary Doctor of Humanities degree to the African statesman, who was visiting the United States at the invitation of President Jimmy Carter. Ed

IL-1B-511 Allele T and IL-1RN-L/L play a pathologcal role in helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) disease outcome in the African population

BACKGROUND: Many of the pathogenic effects of Helicobacter pylori infection are related to chronic active inflammation, which is controlled and maintained by the complex interplay of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory mediators. Pro-inflammatory genetic polymorphisms tend to increase the risk of development of gastric cancer. In Africa, the data are scarce regarding the effects of these polymorphisms on gastric pathology. The objective of this study is therefore to investigate the pro-inflammatory genetic polymorphisms and their role in H. pylori-related gastric disorders in a select African population. METHODS: This cross-sectional prospective study recruited six hundred and ninety six adult subjects with a history of uninvestigated dyspepsia. The H. pylori status was determined by tissue Giemsa staining, Rapid Urease Test (RUT), H. pylori stool antigen test (HpSAT), and PCR using the 16s-rRNA gene. The polymorphisms in IL-1B (511 C/T), TNF-A (_308 G/A) and IL-1RN were assessed by the PCR-restricted fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). RESULTS: H. pylori was significantly associated with gastric pathologies investigated (P ═ 0.0000). Heterozygous allele TC of IL-1 β -511 was significantly associated with H. pylori infection (p = 0.003815). Similarly, allele IL-1 RN*2/2 and allele IL-1 RN-L/L were associated with H. pylori infection (p = 0.0025 and p = 0.0203). Allele T of IL-1 β -511 and IL-1 RN-L/L are more frequent in H. pylori associated gastric pathologies in this series. CONCLUSION: Allele T of IL-1 β -511 and long allele IL-1 RN-L/L play a role in H. pylori disease in this population.Keywords: Pro-inflammatory cytokines, Helicobacter pylori, Pathologies, AfricaEthiopian Journal of Health Sciences vol 22 (3) 201

The Plea of The Poor: New Economic Order NeededFor the World Community

The following was taken from a major address at Howard University by Julius Nyerere, President of the United Republic of Tanzania on August 5, 1977. His arrival before a full-house at Cramton Auditorium was met by applause and words of praise from an audience that appeared mesmerized by the sheer presence of one of the most respected and admired leaders of Africa. He was interrupted by cheers and applause several times during his speech of more than an hour. Indeed, his appearance at Howard and his message to the world community marked a historic occasion that will not be forgotten. The university awarded the honorary Doctor of Humanities degree to the African statesman, who was visiting the United States at the invitation of President Jimmy Carter. Ed

A Situational Analysis of Antimicrobial Drug Resistance in Africa: Are we Losing the Battle?

Background: The first arrival of a sizable shipment of penicillin at the North African Theatre of Operations for USA military use in 1943 was a landmark that turned a new chapter of antibiotic use in Africa. Over the past decade the expansion of resources and the technological advances have meant that much larger quantities of drugs are available in developing countries than ever before. As a result, many more individuals are receiving necessary treatment or therapy than just ten years ago. This very welcome event is accompanied by the terrible irony that increases in drug availability and use can promote drug resistance and render the same life-saving drugs ineffective.Methods: The study focused on bacterial pathogens. One hundred and three relevant literatures were identified from the PubMed online database. The coverage included research articles concerning antimicrobial resistance involving subjects of an African country.Results: Resistant bacteria are on a war path and evidently have acquired an edge over us. Our actions are evidently fuelling the resistance. The indiscriminate use of antibiotics in humans and livestock, wrong and substandard prescriptions by unqualified ‘medical personnel’ together with poor diagnosis or lack of it are all adding fuel to the already fired train of resistant microbes.Conclusion: To win the war and turn tables as we did with the discovery of penicillin and other antimicrobials in the 1940s, then we must all act now. Antimicrobial stewardship programs-Education, training of laboratory personnel and investment in laboratory infrastructure development are desirable in these situationsKeywords: Antibiotics, Resistance, BacteriaEthiop J Health Sci. Vol. 22, No. 2 July 201

Research and Teaching Materials in Development Studies

Summary The case for linking research with the preparation of teaching materials in Development Studies continues to obsess academics and practitioners. This article focuses on some current trends and problems in development research with particular reference to recent developments in the Department of Administrative Studies, Manchester. A research project was set up in 1973 to update the Department's knowledge and understanding of the changing milieu in developing countries, and to identify and prepare teaching materials in order to maintain relevant and challenging study programmes. The results of the project and some ways in which collaborative research can make a better contribution to the curricula of development studies are discussed in this article. Resume La recherche et le matérial d'enseignement dans les études sur le développement La nécessité de lier la recherche à la préparation du matériel d'enseignement pour les études sur le développement continue d'obséder les universitaires et les professionnels. Cet article est consacré à certaines des tendances actuelles et des problèmes de la recherche sur le développement, et particulièrement aux récentes réalisations dans le Département des études administratives, à Manchester. Un projet de recherche fut lancé en 1973 pour permettre au Département de mettre à jour ses connaissances en vue d'une meilleure compréhension du milieu changeant dans les pays en voie de développement et d'identifier et mettre au point le matériel d'enseignement afin d'avoir des programmes d'étude appropriés et intéressants. Cet article examine les résultats de ce projet et comment une recherche menée en collaboration peut aider plus efficacement à la mise au point de programmes pour les études sur le développement. Resumen Investigación y materiales de enseñanza en los estudios sobre desarrollo El caso de vincular la investigación con la preparación de materiales de enseñanza en los estudios sobre desarrollo continúa obsesionando a los académicos y practicantes. En este artículo se dirige la atención sobre ciertas tendencias y problemas actuales en la investigación del desarrollo con referencia especial a recientes acontecimientos en el Departmento de Estudios Administrativos, Manchester. En 1973 se estableció un proyecto de investigación para poner al día los conocimientos del departamento, así como su comprensión del ambiente cambiante en los países en vías de desarrollo y para identificar y preparar materiales de enseñanza, con objeto de mantener programas de estudio pertinentes y estimulantes. En este artículo se analizan los resultados del proyecto y algunas maneras en que la investigación colaborativa puede hacer una aportación mejor en el programa de estudios sobre el desarrollo

The lessons of Africa's industrial ‘failure’

SUMMARY This article argues that, as regards industrial policy, the new consensus on Africa does not extend beyond the recognition that under present circumstances greater caution has to be exercised in financing industrial and infrastructural projects, largely because Africa's ability to repay past debts is now in doubt. Unfortunately, current proposals do not deal with the structural pressures that have produced this outcome in virtually all African countries. It is very unlikely that an even more pervasive involvement of international agency ‘expertise’ and a more unrestricted integration into the international market would reverse these trends, since these were critically important reasons why the current crisis is so pervasive in the continent. In fact, unless debts are remitted on a large scale and ‘national development objectives’ can be more systematically defined and pursued — often in opposition to market forces — there is no chance that Africa can reverse its present desperate situation in the foreseeable future. SOMMAIRE Cet article affirme qu'en ce qui concerne la politique industrielle, le nouveau consensus sur l'Afrique ne va pas audelà de la réalisation du fait que dans les circonstances actuelles, il faut exercer une plus grande attention dans le financement des projets industriels et infrastructurels, largement parce que la capacité de l'Afrique à repayer les anciennes dettes est maintenant mise en doute. Malheureusement, les propositions actuelles ne s'occupent pas des pressions structurelles qui ont produit ce résultat dans presque tous les pays d'Afrique. Il est tout à fait improbable qu'un engagement encore plus étendu de l'‘expertise’ des institutions internationales et une intégration plus libre dans le marché international changeraient ces tendances, puisque ce sont des raisons d'une importance critique dans les causes de l'étendue de la crise sur le continent. En fait, à moins que les dettes soient remises sur une grande échelle et que les objectifs nationaux de développement soient plus systématiquement délimités et poursuivis — souvent en opposition avec les forces du marché — il n'est pas probable que l'Afrique puisse changer sa situation actuelle si désespérée dans un avenir proche. RESUMEN Este artículo argumenta que en lo que respecta a la política industrial, el nuevo consenso sobre el Africa no va más allá del reconocimiento que bajo las condiciones actuales se debe tener más cuidado en el financiamiento de proyectos industriales y de infraestructura, principalmente debido a que se pone en duda la capacidad que tiene el Africa para pagar deudas anteriores. Desafortunadamente, las propuestas actuales no consideran las presiones estructurales que provocan estos resultados virtualmente en todos los países africanos. Es muy poco probable que estas tendencias cambien con una mayor participación aun de los ‘especialistas’ de agencias internacionales o de una mayor integración en el mercado internacional, porque precisamente éstas son razones críticamente importantes que explican la persistencia y capacidad de penetración de la crisis actual en el continente. De hecho, si las deudas no pueden ser remitidas en gran escala y los ‘objetivos del desarrollo nacional’ puedan ser definidos y perseguidos más sistemáticamente — muchas veces en oposición a las fuerzas del mercado — no hay ninguna posibilidad que el Africa pueda reversar su situación desesperada actual en un futuro previsible

Spatial and spatio-temporal epidemiological approaches to inform COVID-19 surveillance and control: a review protocol

Introduction Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection that cause coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have afflicted millions worldwide. Understanding the underlying spatial and temporal dynamics can help orient timely public health policies and optimize the targeting of non-pharmaceutical interventions and vaccines to the most vulnerable populations, particularly in resource-constrained settings. The review systematically summarises important methodological aspects and specificities of spatial approaches applied to COVID-19 in Africa. Methods Thematically selected keywords will be used to search for refereed studies in the following electronic databases PubMed, SCOPUS, MEDLINE, CINHAL, and Coronavirus Research Database from January 2020 to February 2022. Two independent reviewers will screen the title, abstracts, and full texts against predefined eligibility criteria based on the study’s characteristics, methodological relevance, and quality. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) 2020 procedures will be adhered to during the reporting process. Discussion COVID-19 modeling remains in its infancy, and research is needed to characterize uncertainty and validate various modeling regimes appropriately. It is anticipated that the review will aid spatial, spatio-temporal modeling decisions necessary for mitigating the current and future pandemics

Exploring Citizens' Constitution Readability Profile in Selected Anglophone African Countries

A country's constitution describes the basic principles of the state, structures, and processes of government as well as fundamental rights of citizens. All of these make imperative the ability of the citizens to read and understand the document. This paper evaluates the readability profile of citizens of the English speaking African countries concerning their constitution. A descriptive research design was adopted while the stratified random sampling was implemented to select the chapters of the constitutions for analysis. The SMOG and FOG indexes were used to compute the readability scores. Measures of central tendencies, one-sample T-test, and one-way analysis of variance, with bootstrapping, were carried out with the results showing that the citizens found it difficult reading their constitutions when compared to the standard scores for public documents