International Affairs

illicit trade
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Beyond tobacco: Weakening state capacity and the future of South Africa’s industrial towns

Beyond tobacco: Weakening state capacity and the future of South Africa’s industrial towns 800 800 Frontline Africa Advisory

In January, British American Tobacco South Africa (BATSA) announced the closure of its Heidelberg factory, a facility that has anchored Lesedi Local Municipality’s economy since 1975, citing declining viability largely driven by rampant illicit tobacco trade in the country. Public commentary quickly attributed the closure to familiar factors: falling tobacco consumption, shifting market trends, and…

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Between the Ballot and the Balance of Power-1
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Africa’s Electoral Trends: Between the Ballot and the Balance of Power

Africa’s Electoral Trends: Between the Ballot and the Balance of Power 800 800 Frontline Africa Advisory

The 2025 electoral cycle in Africa has underscored both the promise and the persistent fragility of the continent’s democratic experiment. In Malawi and Seychelles, well-administered elections with high turnout and transparent processes highlighted the potential of strong institutions to deliver credible outcomes and peaceful transfers of power. By contrast, Tanzania’s polls exposed structural weaknesses and…

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Israel-Palestine Conflict-Entrenched Mistrust Undermines Lasting Peace
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Israel-Palestine Conflict-Entrenched Mistrust Undermines Lasting Peace

Israel-Palestine Conflict-Entrenched Mistrust Undermines Lasting Peace 800 800 Frontline Africa Advisory

The Israel-Palestine conflict, marked by cycles of violence and fragile truces, faced a significant challenge on 19 October when Israeli airstrikes targeted numerous areas in Gaza, resulting in substantial civilian casualties. Palestinian health authorities reported the death of dozens, including women and children. This incident, triggered by the deaths of two Israeli soldiers allegedly at…

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two state solution path to peace
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Two State Solution: Path to Peace

Two State Solution: Path to Peace 800 800 Frontline Africa Advisory

Last week, world leaders gathered in New York for the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly to discuss several issues affecting the world, from conflict, climate change and economy. Of particular interest and discussion was the Israeli–Hamas conflict. Since Hamas attacked Israel, killing about 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages on 7 October…

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Thabo Mbeki and the DRC Conflict
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Thabo Mbeki and the DRC Conflict: Balancing Inclusion, Neutrality, and Regional Realities

Thabo Mbeki and the DRC Conflict: Balancing Inclusion, Neutrality, and Regional Realities 800 800 Frontline Africa Advisory

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) remains one of Africa’s most intractable conflict zones, decades after the fall of long-time leader Mobutu Sese Seko in September 1997. In the eastern provinces of North and South Kivu, violence continues to claim lives, destabilise communities, and disrupt regional stability. Rich in minerals but weak in governance, the…

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South Africa’s Just Energy Transition: Soft Power Abroad, Strain at Home
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South Africa’s Just Energy Transition: Soft Power Abroad, Strain at Home

South Africa’s Just Energy Transition: Soft Power Abroad, Strain at Home 800 800 Frontline Africa Advisory

Since the advent of democracy in 1994, Pretoria has invested heavily in cultivating influence through multilateralism and moral leadership. From strengthening SADC and AU institutions to championing reform of UN governance and global financial architecture, to activism in BRICS, South Africa has sought to position itself as a principled voice for the Global South. Its…

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SA’s Strategic Trade Initiatives in a Shifting Global Landscape-1
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 SA’s Strategic Trade Initiatives in a Shifting Global Landscape

 SA’s Strategic Trade Initiatives in a Shifting Global Landscape 800 800 Frontline Africa Advisory

On 9 September, during the quarterly oral question and answer session at the National Assembly, President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the members of parliament (MPs) on the state of South Africa’s trade initiatives and strategies post the 30% tariffs imposed on South Africa by the United States. Ramaphosa underscored two critical strategies for enhancing economic resilience:…

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America’s War of Convenience: Why U.S. Strategy in Ukraine Betrays Its Advocacy for Peace
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America’s War of Convenience: Why U.S. Strategy in Ukraine Betrays Its Advocacy for Peace

America’s War of Convenience: Why U.S. Strategy in Ukraine Betrays Its Advocacy for Peace 800 800 Frontline Africa Advisory

For nearly four years, the Russia-Ukraine war has reshaped geopolitics, cost hundreds of thousands of lives, and destabilised global markets. To the casual observer, the U.S. involvement in the conflict seems selfless; an embattled democracy supporting another against authoritarian aggression. Former president Joe Biden framed his policy in moral terms, pledging to support Ukraine “for…

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Donald Trump Geopolitics
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Tariffs, Trade Deficits and Trump’s Economic Nationalism

Tariffs, Trade Deficits and Trump’s Economic Nationalism 800 800 Frontline Africa Advisory

United States’ (U.S.) President Donald Trump has been back in the White House for just seven months, and during this time, he has not hesitated to fulfil some of his electoral promises, including mass deportations and addressing what he had termed the unfair trade practices on the U.S. by nearly every country that does business…

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