Creator

Martin Plaut

Martin Plaut works from London. South Africa, the Horn of Africa. Fellow, Institute of Commonwealth Studies Martin Plaut has over 20246 followers on Twitter.

Eritrea’s President Isaias Afwerki (right) laughs with Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed during the inauguration ceremony marking the reopening of the Eritrean embassy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in 2018. (Reuters/Tiksa Negeri)

AFRICAN UNION COMMISSION

8 JUL 2019

How the glow of the historic accord between Ethiopia and Eritrea has faded

A year ago Eritreans could hardly contain their joy as Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed touched down in Asmara. The city had seen nothing like it in a generation that knew war…

Martin Plaut

5 min read

“The total amount spent by the competition commission on the market inquiry into the private healthcare sector since its establishment in 2013 amounts to R196 949 637,” Patel said in the written reply. (David Harrison/M&G)

OMAR AL BASHIR

9 JAN 2019

How foreign backing is keeping Sudan’s Omar al-Bashir in power

Given the range of support for President Omar al-Bashir, it isn’t surprising that he’s managed to resist pressure to step down

Martin Plaut

4 min read

Then-ANC leader Nelson Mandela is greeted by British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher at 10 Downing Street on July 4

3 JAN 2017

Revealed: Margaret Thatcher’s ‘Marshall Plan for southern Africa’

To get Nelson Mandela released and save Namibia’s independence elections, Thatcher proposed a massive aid programme.

Martin Plaut

As pressure mounts, President Zuma blames an old enemy: Western intelligence agencies

President Jacob Zuma has survived an attempt to remove him, and argued that it was a conspiracy.

Martin Plaut

4 min read

CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC

30 JAN 2014

Clerics on a peace mission in CAR

Christian and Muslim leaders have joined forces on a European peace mission to put a stop to the killings in Central African Republic.

Martin Plaut

3 min read