A F R I Editor's Note

With the diverse population and backgrounds of Africa, African countries and their various societal structures demand a strong analytical lens to truly understand the sources of power throughout the region.

The following articles use this analytical lens to explore, examine, and critique a variety of African leadership structures. Two articles focus on how global powers, the European Union and the United Nations, have influenced specific African societies, for better and for worse. Another takes a more domestic view of power within Africa, with an analysis of leadership in Rwandan politics. While these articles analyze different styles of African leadership and power, the topics of these articles cannot be determined as unrelated. Themes of security, rebellion, and international influence ring throughout each piece, illustrating the subtle interconnectedness of the African continent. The following articles will add to the story of African leadership, in order to determine how power can demonstrate itself, and the potential consequences of that demonstration.

I thank my team for their hard work this semester in covering these challenging topics. We hope that you enjoy reading this edition’s Africa section.

Africa