As a response to the Ukraine crisis, Western countries have imposed bans on exports to Russia, which have especially affected the country’s food import. President Putin turned to other nations and African countries are ready and willing to fill in the gap.

This Friday, a new civil society campaign, 'WorldVsBank', featuring protests and teach-ins, will take place at the Bank’s Annual Meeting in Washington and ten other countries, including South Africa’s three largest cities. The campaign arises from widespread recognition all over the world that the Bank has made the world a worse place socially, politically, economically and environmentally.

Some experts think that the ongoing crisis between Russia and the West could stimulate Russia's leadership to look for new markets. But it is not clear if Africa could be their choice. In addition, Russia has few manufactured goods that could successfully compete with Western-made products.

Chinese officials work hand in glove with Africa’s dictators during the day and dine and wine with them at night. American officials criticize African dictators during the day and dine and wine with them at night. So, how does Africa ensure its interests are served?

Russia’s presence in Africa remains marginal, largely due to historical reasons. But this could soon change. Several delegations from African states have visited Moscow in recent months and the Russian government appears determined to strengthen ties with Africa

Despite Africa’s rapid economic development, African nations are not fairly represented in groups such as the G-20 and the World Bank. The 2014 US-Africa Leaders Summit is a prime opportunity to fix this systemic racism plaguing global economic fora.

The summit in Washington was supposed to be about trade, but it’s not. US imperialism does not sustain itself by competitive trade, but by force of arms. The real objective was to ensure that mutually beneficial African trade with China and Brazil results in no shift in African nations’ political orientation away from the US

China has greatly increased its foreign aid to developing countries in the recent years. On one hand China hopes to promote bilateral relations with recipient countries to enhance economic and trade cooperation; on the other the fast rising nation is shouldering its international responsibilities and promoting poverty reduction.

Over 65 percent of the world’s nations keep their foreign exchange reserves in the US dollar, the dominant world currency. The creation of the BRICS Bank and other financial interventions will likely weaken the dollar’s dominance and contribute to the creation a new international economic order

True strength does not come from capitalist economic power. True strength is found in life, in nature. It comes from realizing that we are part of the natural world. We are not just struggling to earn more money. The struggle is about the defense of life in all its forms.

Nathan Shamuyarira was a man who dedicated his life to the emancipation and unity of both his native Zimbabwe and the African continent. In various capacities – as activist, politician, academic and professional – he consistently served with his characteristic generosity, incorruptibility and commitment.

Ten sponsored places are available for applicants for this course that intends to strengthen civil society's understanding of and engagement with Global South nations whose presence is growing in Africa

If enacted in its present form, the Mining Bill 2014 will place huge powers over the mining industry in the hands of the Cabinet Secretary, complicate bureaucracy and especially deny people in mining areas any meaningful voice, which is against the constitutional requirement of popular participation

Recent terror attacks in Nairobi have generated widespread xenophobic sentiment against the Somali community, both within the public and government circles. Resisting oppressive mechanisms, emphasis should be placed on social transformation that creates opportunities for the average Kenyan and reduces the recruitment appeal of terror networks.

The growing threat of Boko Haram has regional implications and led to a conference in Paris with the leaders of Nigeria, Cameroon and Chad participating. The conference is representative of the burgeoning militarization of the continent led by the Pentagon and NATO forces and does not augur well for the long-term security of Africa’s people

Somaliland has been a self-governing nation for 23 years, but lacks international recognition as a state. Somaliland’s neighbours should recognise the nation to ensure security and stability in the region

Western imperialists, now posing as saviours in the Boko Haram crisis in Nigeria, are using the opportunity to consolidate their meddling in the country’s public life. The West’s military intervention cannot defeat terrorism, which is a product of capitalism. Only a socialist revolution can offer lasting solutions

In discussions on fisheries policy-making in Africa and globally, private sector interests overshadow the needs of small-scale fisher peoples. The numerous initiatives represent only the ideology of a small elite backed by millions of US dollars

Antoine Roger Lokongo celebrates 50 years of China-Africa cooperation, examines dissimilarities to African cooperation with the West and claims, rather controversially, that China is the best ally in Africa’s development

£600 million of UK aid money is going to help companies like Unilever and Monsanto take over African land and agriculture. The corporate power-grab will be disastrous for the small-scale farmers who feed at least 70% of Africa's people