Here at DiA we get requests almost every day for @fromagehomme to give an interview or comment on a particular story from journalists around the world. We usually respond by saying that he is always happy to talk to the media, but have they first contacted researchers from the country concerned. Very often the response is “no”, and the most common reason given is that it is not easy to work out who to get in touch with. To put that right, we have created the Decolonizing the Commentariat Contact List.
Like our Decolonizing the Academy reading list, this contact list has been created in solidarity with the #BlackInTheIvory movement and those who wish to overcome global inequalities in the production of and access to knowledge and information. The list has been crowd sourced, so if someone is not on it, that is just because they have not been proposed yet – so please use the comments section at the end to share your recommendations. The list will be better the more people contribute, and we will endeavour to update it as regularly as possible. Last update: 20 September 2020.
You can download a PDF of the list here.
Please note that the aim of the list is to highlight independent and critical voices and so we have not included people that are clearly members or spokespeople for a particular political party. As we cannot store personal details in a public place, we provide the Twitter accounts/personal and institutional webpages through which individuals can be reached. If you struggle to contact anyone please send us an email and we will endeavour to put you in touch.
For now the contact list is arranged by country because this is how suggestions have come in – it does not in any way suggest that the individuals listed are country experts more than they are thematic experts. We hope to also have the contact list arranged by topic soon … please bear with us.
Finally, if you are included on the list but wish not to be, or would like to amend your details, just drop us a line here.
| Name | Areas of expertise | Can be reached at … |
| Angola | ||
| Carlos Pacatolo | Party politics, elections, public opinion, democracy, development | Work page |
| Paulo Faria | Party politics, democracy, Development | Facebook page |
| Benin | ||
| Ella Abatan | Governance, politics, extremism, also Mali and Niger | @krisellan |
| Burkina Faso | ||
| Habibou Fofana | Media, labour, social movements | Work page |
| Cameroon | ||
| Claude-Richard Mbowu | Conflict, Boko Haram in Cameroon | Work page |
| Hubert Kinkoh | Peace, security, Africa-China | @hubertusking89 |
| Lem Atanga |
Gender, media, politics |
@atanga_lilian |
| Leonide Awah | Justice/rule and law, politics | @AwahLeonide |
| Mimi Mefo |
Politics, democracy, society |
@mimimefo |
| Nadine Machikou | Civil service, gender, politics | @MachikouNadine |
| Cape Verde | ||
| Eurídice Monteiro | Gender, Democracy | @eurymonteiro |
| Jose Maria Gomes Lopes | Civil society, democracy, politics | Facebook page |
| Côte d’Ivoire | ||
| Arsène Brice Bado | Democracy, elections | @bricebado |
| Baudelaire Mieu | Democracy, political economy | @BMieu |
| Francis Akindès | Democracy, political economy, reconciliation | Work page |
| Leonard Mbulle-Nziege | Politics, elections, | ResearchGate page |
| DRC | ||
| Claude Iguma Wakeng | Politics, mining, taxation | ResearchGate page |
| Ilunga Mpanya | Politics, aviation, aerospace, business strategy | @i_mpyana |
| Eswatini | ||
| Lungile Mabundza | Gender, development, politics | ResearchGate page |
| Ethiopia | ||
| Yacob Mulugetta | Climate change, environment and development | Work page |
| Yohannes Woldemariam | Politics, elections, political parties | @Lionmatic |
| Kenya | ||
| Al-Amin Kimathi | Indigenous knowledge, human rights, social & ecological justice activist | |
| David Ndii | Development, economics, politics | @DavidNdii |
| Godwin Murunga | Politics, elections, constitutions, civil society | @GodwinMurunga |
| Grace Musila | Gender, race, arts and literature, comedy, tourism | Work page |
| Jerotich Seii | Environmental, socioeconomic & human rights activist | |
| John-Allan Namu | Media, politics, journalism | @johnallannamu |
| Karuti Kanyinga | Politics, elections, devolution, development | @karutikk |
| Mordecai Ogada | Environmental rights, human rights | @m_ogada |
| Ken Opalo | Politics, developments, parliamentary affairs | @kopalo |
| Kimani Njogu | Politics of language, democracy art, media | |
| Lemayian Njenga Karugia | Politics, political memory | |
| Nanjala Nyabola | Technology, democracy, leapfrogging. | @nanjala1 |
| Ngala Chome | History, politics, Mombasa and coastal politics | @NgalaChome |
| Njoki Wamai | Politics, International Criminal Court, gender and human rights | @njokiwamai |
| Patrick Gathara | Politics, international affairs, satirist | @gathara |
| Rasna Warah | Politics, international affairs, development | @RasnaWarah |
| Scovian Lillian | Development, decentralization | @RellyScovian |
| Shadrack Nasong’o | Politics, constitutions, identity conflict, development | Work page |
| Solomon Ambuku | Governance, human rights, environment | @solo_ambuku |
| Violet Matiru | Environment, rural development | @VMatiru |
| Wanjeri Nderu | Human rights, mental health, politics | @WanjeriNderu |
| Winnie Mitullah | Politics, public administration, local governance, survey research | @MitullahWinnie |
| Winnie Okello | Engineering, intersectional identity | @AfricaEngineeringNews |
| Zac Chiliswa | Peacebuilding, democracy, online activism | @zchiliswa |
| The Gambia | ||
| Ayeshah Harun | Justice | @ayeshahHaru |
| Sait Matty Jaw | Politics, justice | @saitmatty |
| Salieu Taal | Justice, politics | @salieutaal |
| Ghana | ||
| E.Gyimah-Boadi | Democracy, elections, civil society, public opinion | @gyimahboadi |
| H. Kwesi Prempeh | Law, politics, civil society | Work page |
| Kweku Opoku-Agyemong | Development econ, artificial intelligence, foreign aid | @Kweku_OA |
| Mary Setrana | Migration, citizenship | @mbsetrana |
| Victoria Okoye | Urban development, feminism, youth | @_ogoegbunam_ |
| Wunpini F. Mohammed | Media, communications, feminism, security | @wunpini_fm |
| Razak M. Gyasi | Ageing, health, social protection | Work page |
| Guinea-Bissau | ||
| Carlos Cardoso | Anthropology, governance, citizenship | Work page |
| Miguel de Barros | Party politics, elections development, civil society | @debarros_en |
| Lesotho | ||
| Moletsane Monyake | Politics, corruption | |
| Liberia | ||
| Ibrahim al-Bakri Nyei | Governance, politics | @Ibnyei |
| Robtel Pailey | Politics, corruption, social justice | @RobtelNeajai |
| W. Gyude Moore | Politics, policy, democracy | @gyude_moore |
| Mali | ||
| Fatima Al Ansar | Foreign policy, politics, human rights | @FatimaAlAnsar2 |
| Gary Tounkara Daouda | Migration, refugees | Work page |
| Malawi | ||
| Boniface Dulani | Politics, elections, public opinion | @bonidulani |
| Chimwemwe Fabiano Anne | Humanitarian aid, gender, leadership, development | @MwemweFabiano |
| Golden Matonga | Politics, elections, rule of law | @GoldenMatonga |
| Maziko Matemvu | Gender, feminism, intersectional politics, youth | @mazikospeaks |
| Mozambique | ||
| Carlos Shenga | Elections, political parties, democracy & COVID19 | Work page |
| José Macuane | Party politics, elections, public opinion, democracy, development, extractive industries | @JaimeMacuane |
| Michael Sambo | Political economy, Chinese investment | Work page |
| Rosimina Ali | Social inequality, employment, finance, political economy | Work page |
| Salvador Forquilha | Civil Society, decentralization, politics, conflict in northern Mozambique | Work page |
| Sergio Chichava | Politics and decentralisation, China and Brazil in Africa | Work page |
| Namibia | ||
| Alicia Ndlovu | Political economy of development; extractive resources | Work page |
| Niger | ||
| Mahaman Tidjani Alou | Regional security, judiciary, local state | Work page |
| Nigeria | ||
| Chiedo Nwankwor | Gender, politics | @ChiedoChichi |
| Chitra Nagarajan | Climate change, conflict, feminism | Personal website |
| Chukwumerije (Chuks) Okereke | Global environmental politics, climate change | Personal website |
| Cyril Obi | Oil politics, conflict, peacebuilding | Work page |
| Daniel Agbiboa | Rule of law, Boko Haram, Security | @DanielAgbiboa |
| Ebehi Iyoha | Economy, trade | @Ebehi_Iyoha |
| Fola Aina | Security, politics, regional relations | @folanski |
| Idayat Hassan | Politics, development, social media | @HassanIdayat |
| Nnimmo Bassey | Environmental justice, civil society, arts, climate change | @NnimmoB |
| Ife Sinachi |
Development, marine ecosystem, security |
@DiplomaticIfe |
| Nonso Obikili | Economics, historical legacies of colonialism, taxation | @nonso2 |
| Timothy Nubi | Urban regeneration, development, housing | Work page |
| Zainab Usman | Economics, political-economy | @MssZeeUsman |
| Rwanda | ||
| Chantal Ingabire | Peacebuilding, public health, youth | @CIngabire1 |
| David Mwambari | Security, leadership, politics, comedy | @dsfactories |
| Fred Golooba-Mutebi | Politics, governance | @FgoloobaMutebi |
| Senegal | ||
| Amadou Sy | Finance, aid, private investment | @ASYAfrica |
| Barrel Gueye | Education, social justice, gender | LinkedIn Profile |
| Gilles Olakounlé Yabi | Politics, development economics, political economy | @YabiGilles |
| Oumar Ba | Transitional justice, international institutions, International Criminal Court | @oumarkba |
| Sierra Leone | ||
| Andrew Lavali | Governance, politics | @andrewlavali |
| Ato Kwamena Onoma | Refugees, immigration, land conflict, conflict, epidemics. | LinkedIn Profile |
| Bintu Mansaray | Health, policy, gender | @BintuMansaray9 |
| Emmanuel Saffa Abdulai | Democracy, politics, human rights | @saffaAbdulai |
| Marcella Samba Sesay | Governance, politics | @cellasey |
| Umaru Fofana | Journalism, politics, elections | @UmaruFofana |
| Vicky Remoe | Politics, social media | @VickieRemoe |
| Somalia | ||
| Abdirashid Hashi | Security issues, Somalia and the Horn of Africa | @analystsomalia |
| Ikran Abdullahi | Peace, security, gender | @ikys2008 |
| South Africa | ||
| Amanda Rinquest | Rights, civil society, inequality | |
| Ayabonga Cawe | Economics, development economics, public policy | |
| Nicky Falkof | Race, race relations and anxiety | |
| Charles Fombad | Rule of law, constitutionalism, politics | Work page |
| Duma Gqubule | Economic development, business, COVID19 | @DumaGqubule |
| Eusebius McKaiser | SA politics, race relations, philosophy | @eusebius |
| Ferial Haffajee | Journalism, politics, race | @ferialhaffajee |
| Francis Nyamnjoh | Media, politics, race relations, xenophobia, also Cameroon | Work page |
| Jamil Farouk | Politics, diversity studies, LGBT+ | @JamilFarouk |
| Khadija Patel | Journalism, politics, race relations, gender, religion. | @khadijapatel |
| Keval Harie | LGBT+ issues, human rights | @KevalHarie |
| Mandisa Shandu | Rule of law, human rights, land and housing | @MandiShandu |
| Mbongiseni Buthelezi | Politics, civil service, traditional leadership, land | @mbongi19 |
| Lebohang Pheko | Public policy, development | @Liepollo9 |
| Ranjeni Munusamy | Journalism, politics | @RanjeniM |
| Sebabatso Manoeli | Racial equality, justice, Sudanese politics | @SManoeli |
| Shireen Hassim | Politics, gender, feminism | Work page |
| Sithembile Mbete | Politics, universities and education policy | @sthembethe |
| Srila Roy | Gender, violence | Work page |
| William Gumede | Leadership, politics, party politics | @william_gumede |
| Tawanda Nyawasha | Politics, violence, social policy | Work page |
| South Sudan | ||
| Ibrahim Magara | Democracy, radicalization, peace processes | @magara_i |
| Jimmy Awany | Governance, peacebuilding, development | Work page |
| Sudan | ||
| Hala Y Alkarib | Politics, gender justice, democracy | @Halayalkarib |
| Isma’il Kushkush | Politics, media | @ikushkush |
| Jok Madut Jok | Security governance, Sudan and South Sudan | @jokmadut |
| Marwa Gibril | Public policy, healthcare | @MarwaGibril |
| Tanzania | ||
| Aidan Eyakuze | Politics, transparency | @aeyakuze |
| Aikande C. Kwayu | Politics, foreign aid, development, social media | @aikande |
| Chambi Chachage | Society, business, politics | @Udadisi |
| Constantine Manda | Development, economics poverty reduction, policy | @msisiri |
| Elsie Eyakuze | Politics, society, culture | @MikocheniReport |
| Fatma Karume | Rule of law, politics, gender | @fatma_karume |
| Maria Sarungi Tsehai | Media, communications | @MariaSTsehai |
| Mwanahamisi Singano | Gender, governance, economic justice | @MSalimu |
| Thabit Jacob | Resource governance, politics, mining, oil and gas and energy. | @ThabitSenior |
| Togo | ||
| David Tchakoura | Politics, diaspora, integration | |
| Uganda | ||
| Angelo Izama | Politics, Oil, Regional Security | Personal website |
| Anne Abaho | Development, politics, elections | LinkedIn Profile |
| David Walakira |
Economics, budget, public finance management |
@waks83 |
| David N. Tshimba | Politics, peacebuilding, conflict | @DavidTshimba |
| Ganzi Muhanguzi |
International Development, Media and Communications, Politics |
@GanziMuhanguzi |
| Godber Tumushabe | Law, policy analysis | @GodberTumushabe |
| Jackie Kemigisa | Politics, gender, feminism | @JackyKemigisa |
| Pamela Khanakwa | Land issues, political and social history of Eastern Uganda: | LinkedIn Profile |
| Patrick Katabaazi Kiconco |
Economics, public policy, economic social and cultural rights |
@katabaazi25 |
| Ramathan Ggoobi | Economics | @rggoobi |
| Tabu Butagira | Politics, Regional Security | @tbutagira |
| Zambia | ||
| Chibamba Kanyama | Economy, political-economy | @ChibambaFavour |
| Grieve Chelwa | Economy, political-economy | @gchelwa |
| Ndangwa Noyoo | Party politics, elections, democracy | @ndangwa_noyoo |
| Laura Miti | Politics, society, gender, human rights | @LauraMiti |
| Linda Kasonde | Civil society, governance | @LindaKasonde |
| Patience Mususa | Privatization, development | Work page |
| Sishuwa Sishuwa | Politics, history, political leaders, democracy | @ssishuwa |
| Zimbabwe | ||
| Alex Magaisa | Law, human rights. | @wamagaisa |
| Bruce Mutsvairo | Journalism, media, politics | @bruce_mutsvairo |
| Mantate Mlotshwa | Democracy, gender, human rights | @MantateQueeneth |
| Mcdonald Lewanika | Civil society, politics, elections | LinkedIn Profile |
| Takura Zhangazha | Democracy, human rights, opposition politics | @takurazhangazha |
| Tarisai Mutangi |
Human rights, public interest law, rule of law |
@zimcadre |
| Thandekile Moyo | Democracy, human rights | @Mamoxn |
| Wadeisor Rukato | China/Africa, security, youth | @Wadeisor |
| Simbarashe Gukurume | Youth in politics, livelihoods, informality | @sgukurume |
| Zvenyika Mugari | Democracy, press freedom | Work page |
I’d like to nominate @ikushkush for Sudan.
Cheers,
Moritz
Great initiative. A few suggestions off the top of my head:
Central African Rep:
Igor Acko (sociologist; peacebuilding and security)
Fanny Balekossi (broadcaster specialising in health issues)
Fridolin Ngoulou (journalist with the country’s RJDH human rights network)
Kenya:
Victoria Mutheu (WW1 and WW2 East African history, veterans, war widows, colonialism)
South Sudan:
Leben Nelson Moro, University of Juba (development, conflict, forced migration, humanitarian issues)
Uganda:
Dennis Tabaro (Africa Institute for Culture and Ecology – indigenous rights & customs, environmental issues)
Also see 1) National Association of Professional Environmentalists and 2) Advocates for Natural Resources and Development
For #Sudan I suggest adding @StillSUDAN @Halayalkarib @jokmadut @MarwaGibril
Suggestion for Zimbabwe: Dr Tarisai Mutangi, public interest lawyer and expert on human rights law, info@dnmattorneys.com
Wow, this is great!
Will add on the Uganda list
Patrick Katabaazi Kiconco
Expertise: Budget and Tax Policy, Social Protection and Governance.
Contact: pkatabs@gmail.com
Twitter: @katabaazi25
David Walakira
Expertise: Development, Budget Analysis
Contact: d.walakira@gmail.com
Kenya
From Twitter ( if otherwise not stated name is same as the users handle ) :
@JerotichSeii – environmental, socioeconomic & human rights activist
@WanjikuRevolt – civil rights defender & change activist
@MutemiWaKiama – civil rights defender, social entrepreneur, community organiser, social activism coach
@gathara – cartoonist, columnist & political analyst on Kenya & global affairs,
@bonifacemwangi – globally renowned civil rights activist & defender, Change Ambassador, Party founder & leader, author, father etc
@johnnjenga – PhD holder, global citizen, political studies lecturer, researcher, political activist & consultant
@WanjeriNderu – mother, human rights defender, mental health activist, consultant
@solo_ambuku – governance & human rights crusader, ist, political analyst
@alaminkimathi – social & ecological justice activist, human rights defender, Africa liberation supporter, indigenous knowledge defender
@WMutunga – Willy Mutunga – lawyer, lecturer, former 1st Chief Justice of the new Kenya constitution, inspiring Kenya’s youth, human rights defender, political justice activist
@theelephantinfo – online media site with focus & voice of truth to the powers that be in Kenya. Speaking on the issues that Kenyans want addressed.
@johnallannamu – co founder Africa Uncensored, award winning investigative journalist,
@m_ogada – environmental & human rights activist, author,
@Huria_KE – Human Rights Agenda Kenya, non-profit NGO, nonpartisan, human rights activists & defenders
@VMatiru – Violet Matiru – environmentalist of calibre,
I love this.
I’d like to add: Kenya- Winnie Okello, Africa Engineering News, http://www.AfricaEngineeringNews com SM @AfricaEngineeringNews
Expertise: Engineering- civil&Environmental, intersectional identity, the human element of Engineering, Africa Rising & STEM, Harassment/Assault Education & Awareness.
A worthy cause, thank you.
This is a great initiative. I can think of a few people who should be on the list.
South Africa:
– Innocentia Mhlambi, African languages and popular culture (https://www.wits.ac.za/staff/academic-a-z-listing/m/mf-mh/innocentiamhlambiwitsacza/)
– Glenda Daniels, media and democracy (https://www.wits.ac.za/staff/academic-a-z-listing/d/glendadanielswitsacza)
– Keval Harie, LGBT+ issues, human rights (https://gala.co.za/about/staff/)
– Loads of people from ACMS on migration and healthcare (http://www.migration.org.za/the-acms-team/)
– Srila Roy, gender and violence (https://www.wits.ac.za/staff/academic-a-z-listing/r/srilaroywitsacza/)
Zimbabwe:
– Zvenyika Mugari, democracy and press freedom (https://zw.linkedin.com/in/zvenyika-mugari-bb2653163)
Can I also nominate myself? If so I am able to speak about race and anxiety in SA.
Suggestion for Nigeria:
Chiedo Nwankwor, women and politics
@ChiedoChichi
https://www.fpi.sais-jhu.edu/chiedo-nwankwor
https://sais.jhu.edu/users/cnwankw3
Mimi Mefo from Cameroon is a renowned no nonsense critical journalist who covers politics, democracy and society. https://mimimefoinfos.com/
Lilian Lem Atanga from Cameroon is a researcher, women’s rights activist, a critical discourse analyst, a gender expert and media analyst. Her expert areas and women, media and politics. Also Public speaker @atanga_lilian
For South Africa
– Ayabonga Cawe, Economist, development economist, columnist, policy analyst (On twitter, @aycawe; ayabonga.cawe@wits.ac.za)
– Lebohang Pheko, Policy analyst, researcher, development practitioner (On twitter, @Liepollo9; LinkedIn, liepollo-lebohang-pheko/)
– Dr Sean Muller, Economist, Senior Lecturer in economics at the University of Johannesburg (On twitter: @peripheralecon; seanm@uj.ac.za)
– Dr Sithembile Mbete; Senior Lecturer in the Department of Political Sciences; Public commentary (On twitter, @sthembethe)
– Duma Gqubule, founding director at the Centre for Economic Development and Transformation (On twitter, @DumaGqubule)
– Jamil F. Khan, Researcher, Politics, Critical Diversity Studies Candidate (On twitter, @JamilFarouk)
– Mandisa Shandu, Activist, Lawyer, MD of activist organisation, Ndifuna Ukwazi (On twitter, @MandiShandu; @NdifunaUkwazi)
– Amanda Rinquest, Education and training manager at human rights organisation, The Black Sash (On twitter, @AmandaRinquest)
– Prof Ruth Hall, Professor at the University of the Western Cape, Public policy on land, land redistribution, agrarian policy (On twitter, @RuthHallPLAAS)
– Dr Mbongiseni Buthelezi, research manager at the Public Affairs Research Institute (mbongiseni.buthelezi@wits.ac.za)
Suggestion for Uganda
Ganzi Muhanguzi Isharaza
@GanziMuhanguzi
International Development, Media and Communications, Politics
Nigeria:
Twitter Handle: @DiplomaticIfe
For Sustainable development, Marine ecosystem and littoral economy of the Niger Delta; security and geopolitics in the Gulf of Guinea
A few additional suggestions:
Burkina Faso:
Dr Tongnoma Zongo. Mining & gold panning. @ZongoTongnoma
Dr Abdoul Karim Saidou. Politics & elections, public policy, regional mediations in Burkina Faso + Niger.
Dr Sampala Balima. Military and security forces. http://www.lam.sciencespobordeaux.fr/fr/users/sampala-balima
Ghana:
Dr George Bob-Milliar. Political parties & elections. https://webapps.knust.edu.gh/staff/dirsearch/profile/summary/8e42ee36273b.html
Ernest Akuamoah. Political parties, electoral violence. @Kwesi_Akuamoah
Kenya:
Martha Gayoye-Iyadi. Law, Judiciary, Constitutionalism, Gender Equality. https://twitter.com/gayoyeiyadi?lang=fr
Senegal:
Dr Mamadou Bodian. Religion, democracy, electoral reforms, education, security and foreign policy. @bodiansocio https://www.sipri.org/about/bios/dr-mamadou-bodian
Uganda:
Michael Mutyaba. Opposition parties, elections, urban refugees. @michael_mutyaba
Grace Natabaalo. Digital economies, media. @Natabaalo
Taibat Lawanson for Nigeria, Twitter @TaibatLawanson