Departures Podcast featuring Stuart A. Reid, author of “The Lumumba Plot”

The early period of the Cold War in Africa includes some of the most shocking episodes of foreign intervention by the US Central Intelligence Agency, to the point that many of these histories would seem a bit too farfetched for Hollywood.  Such was the chaos in 1960-1961, right around the time that Congo achieved its […]

Departures Podcast with Samuel Ramani, author of ‘Russia in Africa’

Amid a slew of headlines highlighting Vladimir Putin’s efforts to expand Russia’s footprint in Africa since the beginning of the Ukraine war, a certain narrative is emerging regarding Moscow’s aims, tactics, and results in this crucial but often neglected region. Is Russia’s presence in Africa a threatening menace or merely an empty gesture? As it […]

Departures Podcast with Peer Schouten, author of ‘Roadblock Politics: The Origins of Conflict and Violence in Central Africa’

Throughout the global supply chain, there are chokepoints where states and stakeholders exploit an opportunity to extract rents – and this includes nearby the origin of critical minerals, diamonds, and other natural resources in relatively ungoverned areas of Central Africa. Peer Schouten, who is a senior researcher at the Danish Institute for International Studies and […]

Departures Podcast with Christoph Vogel, author of ‘Conflict Minerals, Inc. – War, Profit and White Saviourism in Eastern Congo’

With the global economy going through an unprecedented energy transition away from fossil fuels, demand is exploding for critical minerals essential for batteries and electrification, such as copper, cobalt, lithium, and rare earths. Accompanying this demand is a new geopolitical playing field, most commonly dominated by China, taking place in the Democratic Republic of Congo. […]

Departures Podcast with Olúfẹ́mi Táíwò, author of ‘Against Decolonisation’

In recent years, the theme of decolonization has become a thriving industry. It dominates academia, it frames historical narratives, and makes its way into the deepest corners politics and culture to the point that it is inescapable. But what has decolonization done for us lately, asks Cornell University Professor Olúfẹ́mi Táíwò in his new polemic, […]

Job Sikhala’s Open Letter from Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison

This week we have distributed the following open letter from our client, Zimbabwean political prisoner and Member of Parliament Job Sikhala, who has been unlawfully imprisoned on politically motivated charges without trial since June 14, 2022. Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison Harare, Zimbabwe 03 August 2022 INTRODUCTION I write to you all, your Excellencies, Heads of […]

Press Release: ‘World is Watching Upcoming Bail Hearing of Job Sikhala’

The following press release was distributed to media today: LONDON, 1 AUGUST 2022 – On Tuesday, August 2, the Zimbabwean Member of Parliament Job Sikhala will be appearing in court for a bail hearing after 47 days of jail time which will be closely monitored by the international community, says Sikhala’s lawyer Robert Amsterdam. Mr. […]

Press Release: Amsterdam & Partners LLP Retained by Zimbabwean MP Job Sikhala

The following press release was distributed to media today: LONDON, July 28, 2022 – Job Sikhala, a Zimbabwean opposition lawmaker and interim chairman of the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) party who has been detained for more than 43 days, will be represented by international lawyer Robert Amsterdam, founding partner of Amsterdam & Partners LLP, […]

Departures Podcast with Jason Stearns, author of ‘The War That Doesn’t Say Its Name: The Unending Conflict in the Congo’

The Democratic Republic of Congo is one of the most resource-rich nations in the world, holding the largest deposits of critical minerals which will be key to the coming industrial transformation. But it is also a nation that is well into its third decade of war – a war that in many ways is forgotten, […]

Special Webinar Event on Rule of Law in Tanzania – Wednesday 17 November 2021

A year ago, the late Tanzanian President John Magufuli won a second term in an election marred by violence, allegations of fraud, and repression. Under President Magufuli, the government clamped down on the political opposition, media and human rights activists. Notably, the rule of law and independence of the judiciary also suffered a precipitous decline, […]