Podcast: Mixed signals

19th October 2024

We begin in Northern Nigeria, where less than a month after Defence Minister Bello Matawalle faced accusations of sponsoring banditry, Bauchi South Senatorial District lawmaker Shehu Umar Buba is facing similar allegations. Though the Muslim Rights Concern has refuted these allegations, how will these accusations affect the lawmaker’s political standing, and what does this mean for regional security?

In the Horn of Africa, the Presidents of Egypt, Eritrea, and Somalia have joined the Somali Army in its anti-terror fight, leaving Ethiopia further isolated. With regional dynamics shifting, how will Ethiopia navigate this growing isolation, and what will it mean for regional stability?

Finally, in Nigeria, the headline inflation rate for September 2024 rose to 32.70%, up from 32.15% in August. Food inflation reached 37.77% year-on-year, and core inflation hit 27.43%. How will this sharp rise in inflation affect everyday Nigerians, and what can the government do to stem the tide?