On this page, we publish various research outputs by GIC partners, as well as occasional papers and thematic reflections.
This study aims to bring the issue of sand extraction into the broader debate on extractive industries, which has largely sidelined this important resource. Applying the Governance of Commodity Chains (GoCC) framework, it explores the stakeholders involved, governance structures, and socio- ecological impacts of sand mining in the Alage and Sankura districts of Ethiopia.
Le président congolais Félix Tshisekedi a prêté serment le 20 janvier 2024, à l’issue des élections du 20 au 27 décembre 2023 qui lui ont permis d’obtenir 73,34% des suffrages valablement exprimés. Cette note soutient que pour évaluer l’importance des récentes élections au Congo, nous devons regarder comment elles ont restructuré les relations de pouvoir existantes et ont posé de nouveaux défis au régime.
Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi was sworn in on 20 January 2024, following the elections of 20-27 December 2023 which gave him 73.34% of the valid votes cast. This brief argues that in order to value the real importance of Congo’s recent elections, we have look at how they have restructured existing power structures and have posed new challenges to the regime on how to negotiate between the consolidation of its own power, and the demands and expectations expressed by the Congolese population.
The report discusses the way in which climate change effects play out locally in South Kivu’s Ruzizi Plain, and how they interact with, add to, or alter existing conflict dynamics in this territory. It has found that both sudden onset climate change impacts, such as flooding, and slow onset impacts, such as drought and changing vegetation patterns, aggravate livelihood vulnerabilities and existing tensions over resources within Ruzizi Plain communities.
This essay embarks on a scholarly exploration of the nuanced realm of populist rhetoric, focusing on the case of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy within the intricate landscape of Ukraine’s political dynamics. The analysis encompasses the dynamic evolution of populist discourse in response to pivotal events, particularly the heightened Russo-Ukrainian border tensions and the subsequent full-scale Russian invasion.
This report presents the findings of fieldwork on coastal sand extraction in Morocco. Morocco’s marine shores extend 3,500 km along the Mediterranean Sea and western shore of the Atlantic Ocean; most of the sand supply is of coastal origin. Total annual extraction, based on cement consumption figures, is about 10 million cubic metres, half of which is of “illegal” origin.
This essay looks at Ethiopian prime Minister Abiy and his Medemer philosophy through Laclau’s concept of the “empty signifier” in order to examine the discursive means through which the Prime Minister has upheld his high level of popularity even when political actions taken on behalf of his party seemingly contravened the very principles of his philosophy.
This report aims to provide insight into the nature of sand mining in the Dar es Salaam area, the actors involved, as well as impacts on communities and the environment. It uses a commodity chain framework to better understand sand governance.
This article examines the use of populist performance as a political strategy, by the Ugandan opposition leader Bobi Wine, through a video analysis of his campaign events, music videos, and speeches. By identifying the key recurring elements in his strategy, it is demonstrated how populism is manifested through performance.
This report aims to contribute to the global debate on sand governance. It focuses on construction sand and maps three interrelated elements: (1) the global, regional and country specific trade in sand; (2) the current state of the social-scientific literature on sand extraction, as well as key policy reports (3) other governance efforts in the extractive industries, to provide jumping-off points for policy intervention on sand in light of sand-specific dynamics.
