Gen Z, Digital Activism, and Regime Change in Madagascar

In this Spotlight Xuefei Shi describes how digital strategies and online coordination enabled young activists in Madagascar to topple a regime within weeks, manifesting a new era of digital activism in Africa.

Debating Trump 2.0 and Implications for Africa – The Multiple Pressures on Civil Society Organizations

The USAID cuts put strain on Africa’s underfunded civil society organizations and fuel debates about their legitimacy. While CSOs need to diversify their funding sources, European donors should invest in narratives that support an independent civil society and shift their funding to advocacy. 

• Lena Gutheil
• Dennis Mbugua Muthama

Localizing Development to the Grassroots: Potentials and Limits of Engaging with Community Groups

Amid rising restrictions on foreign funding, localization—directly funding local groups—is seen as a path to more effective, locally owned aid. This policy brief examines whether donors should shift support from large civil society organizations to grassroots community groups.

doi:10.18449/2025MTA-PB40

• Download (PDF) | 307 KB

Mozambique after the Elections: Civil Protests and the Risk of Escalation

• German

Following the presidential elections in Mozambique, youthful mass protests against the alleged electoral fraud perpetrated by the ruling party FRELIMO have erupted. Tensions are exacerbated by police violence. There is a risk of further escalation, which could lead to civil war.