DESIRE ASSOGBAVI

Welcome to My Blog! Africa and the World: Policies, Politics and Institutions: This blog examines the policies, politics and institutions shaping Africa’s future, and Africa’s growing role in a changing world. It offers analysis of the African Union, Regional Economic Communities and national governments, alongside the global institutions, geopolitical shifts and international partnerships that influence the continent. A central concern runs through these reflections: how can Africa exercise greater agency, turn continental commitments into national action, and ensure that citizens have a stronger voice in the decisions affecting their lives? The blog explores these questions through the lenses of governance, international law, human rights, peace and security, economic transformation and global affairs. I am a jurist, advocate and international development strategist with more than 20 years of experience across Africa and the international arena. I currently serve as Advocacy Advisor for Africa at the Open Society Foundations. Previously, I held senior roles at the ONE Campaign, UNFPA and Oxfam International, working closely with the African Union, Regional Economic Communities, the United Nations and civil society organizations. My career has spanned diplomacy, policy analysis, institutional leadership and high-level advocacy. I have also served in national human rights and humanitarian law institutions in Togo, contributed to international research initiatives and published more than 100 articles and papers on African politics, governance and international law. Educated in Togo, France, Canada and Austria, I work in both English and French. This is a space for informed analysis, candid reflection and debate about Africa and the world: how power is exercised, how institutions perform, how policies affect people, and how the continent can more confidently shape its own future and the global order.