Game of Tropes: The Strategic Use of Anti-Gender Narratives in Kenya

In Kenya’s online media, anti-gender narratives are used to advocate for traditional values and exploit post-colonial sentiments. This policy brief examines how Kenyan politicians use these narratives to further their political interests, limit political participation of women and consolidate power.

doi:10.18449/2025MTA-WP17

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Dialogue with Jihadists in Niger: Potentials, Limits, Failure

• German

Besides military operations, Niger’s President Mohamed Bazoum (2021–2023) used dialogue to address jihadist violence. However, the fragmentation and commercialisation of initiatives and a lack of coordination between civil and military measures hindered the promotion of sustainable peace. 

doi:10.18449/2024MTA-PB31

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• Lena Gutheil
• Lisa Tschörner

Working with Civil Society in Authoritarian Contexts? The Case of Niger

The recent wave of coups in the Sahel puts Western policy makers in a difficult situation: While they wish to maintain relations and vie for influence, they also want to avoid strengthening unconstitutional rule. Collaboration with civil society organizations (CSOs) who are supposedly closer to citizens, is currently discussed as a way out of the dilemma. However, this policy brief reveals that especially in authoritarian contexts, the lines between CSOs and the state are often blurred.

doi:10.18449/2024MTA-PB28v02

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• Lilian Reichert
• Amelie Overmann

Bringing Female Mediators to the Table: Shed the Spotlight on African Women in Peace Processes

Women are underrepresented in high-level peace processes. Germany’s new Africa Policy Guidelines should prioritise cooperation with regional and national networks to strengthen women’s mediation capacities and aim for inclusiveness in high-level peace negotiations.

Background and Consequences of the Military Coup in Niger

• German

Niger was considered the last anchor of stability in the Sahel until 26 July 2023. Then the Western-trained army seized power - and has the support of much of the population. Tensions over the security crisis and the government's lack of legitimacy facilitated the coup and contributed to its success.

doi:10.18449/2023MTA-PB20

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