In this week’s Top of the Blogs we reflect on the unexpected political changes in South Africa and Ethiopia. Meanwhile in Libya people are still sold as slaves and the western world is scrambling for a response. And of course we also look at the new Blockbuster Black Panther!

Ramaphosa and the Soft Tyranny of Low Expectations

africablogging.org

Jacob Zuma resigned and South Africa has a new President: Cyril Ramaphosa. It is a change, but it doesn’t mean all South Africa’s problems will go away. There are still the former Zuma supporters in key ministerial positions and even Ramaphosa has his past. Our author analyses the change in presidency and keeps optimistic about the new leader.

An impromptu Slack review of the politics of “Black Panther” by Quartz Africa reporters

qz.com

The new Marvel movie “Black Panther” is thrilling audiences particularly in Africa. Quartz Africa’s reporters’ slack channel conversation provides a refreshing review of the movie, its strong female characters, Wakanda’s political economy, and the ideological distinction between “enslaving the oppressors” and “liberating the oppressed”. If you haven’t seen the movie: spoiler alert!

Ethiopia’s next Prime Minister

africanarguments.org

Ethiopia is at a historic crossroads. Last week hundreds of political prisoners were released from prison, the Prime Minister resigned and the government declared a six month state of emergency - anxious times for the country. The ruling party is now looking for a new leader; whoever ascends to the top post will have much to prove to please the protesters across the country.

The war on smugglers

africasacountry.com

In November CNN released a video about people sold as slaves in Libya, mostly migrants on their way to Europe. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) responded that a coalition of AU and EU will help to bring these people back home. By home, they mean their African countries of origin, however the reason for fleeing their countries might not been changed and for many Europe remains the goal. There is no simple answer, but there are critical voices which say that these stories and the help of IOM just fits the white saviour complex.