In the first ASCL Seminar of 2025, on 6 February, Florence Bernault (Sciences Po) will explore the history of containers in Central Africa. Prof. Bernault suggests that examining containers and capital in Central Africa can help us understand complex and hidden forms of modern capitalism. 

During the Master's Open Day on Friday 14 February, you can find out all about the Master and Research Master in African Studies, the future prospects and what it's like to study at Leiden University. Come have a chat with students, alumni and lecturers and ask them your questions!

Jon Abbink's blog,The Sudan Impasse 2023-2025: Prospects for ‘Normal Politics’, discusses the ongoing devastating conflict in Sudan, which has persisted for nearly two years, leading to widespread suffering and humanitarian crises. 

Students from the 2024-2025 minor African Dynamics attended an engaging Academic Podcast Workshop in a professional podcast studio. For this year’s assignments, the students explored the importance of interdisciplinary approaches in addressing complex global challenges. 

Chibuike Uche and Azeb Amha have been awarded grants in the Leiden University Global Seed Fund. This Fund was established in 2024 to enhance the relationship between Leiden University and her partners in Africa, Latin America, North East and South East Asia.

The ASCL is deeply saddened by the news that its former colleague Melle Leenstra passed away in The Hague on 8 January. Melle was seconded to the ASCL during his PhD project on the Zambian health sector from a political science perspective. He worked tirelessly on forging equitable relations between the Netherlands and Africa.