Tag Archives: Africa

Nigeria’s Violence Hits Economy

By Robert Amsterdam | Published: May 17, 2013

From former Amb. John Campbell at the Council on Foreign Relations:  The incessant violence is starting to impact the Nigerian economy. While Lagos hustles along without regard to the bloodshed in other parts of the country, economic activity has dipped, as in Kano, Nigeria’s second largest city. Enterprises with exposure in northern Nigeria are seeing [...]

Also tagged | 1 Comment

George Tadonki’s Courage

By Robert Amsterdam | Published: April 4, 2013
Cholera patients hold cups of sugar solution as they rest inside a ward Budiriro Polyclinic in Harare

Tadonki brought a wrongful termination claim against the UN after the organization effectively fired him in early 2009. The UN’s bulletproof legal immunity necessitates an unusual system for adjudicating such cases. Because the UN cannot be sued, tribunals convened by the UN itself deal with employment claims, pseudo-courts that don’t adhere to several important aspects of accepted U.S. and European legal procedure.

Also tagged , , , | Comments closed

Rumble in the Congo

By Robert Amsterdam | Published: March 22, 2013
robert-amsterdam-congo-drc-mining

It’s one of the world’s largest untapped reserves of precious metals and natural resources. It’s also an ungoverned Wild West drawing in competing militias into prolonged bloody wars, and soon, possibly the neighboring states competing for influence. Welcome to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Also tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments closed

UN Tribunal Issues Landmark Ruling in UNOCHA-Zimbabwe Case

By Robert Amsterdam | Published: March 2, 2013
22zimbabwe_span

A historic victory for Amsterdam & Partners LLP from the UN Tribunal, finding several OCHA officials involved in grave misconduct in the treatment of Dr. Georges Tadonki.

Also tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments closed

Zambia’s Attack on Freedom of Expression

By Robert Amsterdam | Published: January 16, 2013
protesters-beaten-zambia-reports

In Zambia today, the PF believes that it is illegal for you to have an opinion. You can be considered a “criminal” for disagreeing with the president, and apparently, you can face jail time if you dare to voice that criticism.

Also tagged , , , , , | Comments closed

The 2013 Resource Nationalism Checklist

By Robert Amsterdam | Published: January 9, 2013

The list is our attempt to respond to what we see as a relatively underdeveloped marketplace of ideas when it comes to scenario planning for expropriation, unfair regulatory intervention, nationalizations, and resource nationalism events that have an impact on foreign investors in emerging markets.

Also tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments closed

Will Kenya Learn from History?

By Robert Amsterdam | Published: January 3, 2013

With the Kenyan economy projected to grow by 5% this year, the credibility of the upcoming elections will be key determinant in gauging international confidence and foreign investment in the system left behind by President Kibaki.

Also tagged , , , , , , | Comments closed

Is Africa Growing More Than We Thought?

By Robert Amsterdam | Published: January 2, 2013

For several years now I have been singing Africa’s praises as the next big destination for foreign investment – despite the political risks that must be carefully navigated.  Despite some negative trends in some countries (such as Zambia), overall the continent looks like it is prepared to continue the boom.  Here is an interesting excerpt [...]

Also tagged | Comments closed

Video: Maplecroft on Resource Nationalism

By Robert Amsterdam | Published: December 20, 2012

Over on the FT’s Beyond Brics blog, a very interesting video interview with James Smither, associate director at risk consultancy Maplecroft, on how shifts in commodity prices can undermine a country’s resource leverage and the more nuanced ways revenue can be retained within domestic borders. Bookmark on Delicious Digg this post Recommend on Facebook share [...]

Also tagged , , , , | Comments closed

Rule of Law Under Attack in Zambia

By Robert Amsterdam | Published: December 20, 2012

“For my friends, anything; for my enemies, the law.” In Zambia, Michael Sata is using anti-corruption as a tool to eliminate multiparty democracy.

Also tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments closed