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 | @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 |
International Development, Media and Communications, Politics