Open Society Fellow Vanda Felbab-Brown recently returned from Kenya, Djibouti, Ethiopia, and Somalia, where she researched illicit economies including logging, mining, poaching, human trafficking, the drug trade, and maritime piracy.
She is focusing on how these illicit economies intersect with violent conflict, social strife, terrorism, and with urban gangs, being particularly interested in comparative policy effectiveness and the tradeoffs made by policy-makers in considering the human dimensions of illicit economies. The Ethiopian government, for example, turned young pickpockets and hustlers into tourist guides as an alternative to organized crime, which had the unintended consequence of distorting local community structures.
In this discussion, Felbab-Brown also makes observations on similarities and differences with other regions including Afghanistan and South Asia, and Latin America.
Read more
Voices
Illicit Economies and Social Strife in East Africa
Open Society Fellow Vanda Felbab-Brown discusses her research on illicit economies including logging, wildlife poaching, human trafficking, the drug trade, and maritime piracy.
Centering African Perspectives
Q&A: How One Publication Is Reframing Narratives on Africa
For 15 years, Africa Is a Country has challenged cliched Western coverage of Africa by providing a platform for thoughtful, homegrown writing. We speak to chief editor William Shoki on promoting new ideas and engaging new audiences.
Reporting on Africa
Changing Global News Coverage of Africa Is About Acknowledging the Continent’s Rightful Place in the World
The Global Media Index for Africa assessed and ranked how 20 of the world’s most influential news providers cover the continent. The index’s creators hope it will help ensure Africa’s full story is told globally.