Insurgent Fragmentation in the Horn of Africa (Book Review)

March 1, 2019February 28, 2019 ~ mkholmes25 ~ Leave a comment

A brief study of insurgent movements, rebellions, and rebel organizations shows a common pattern, fracture. For those engaging in counter-insurgency this could seem like a good thing. However, if an organization splinters during peace negotiations, it can nullify progress. In Insurgent Fragmentation in the Horn of Africa: Rebellion and its Discontents, Michael Woldemariam explores "why, and under what conditions, do rebel organizations fragment?"

Refugee Economies (Book Review)

March 10, 2018March 10, 2018 ~ mkholmes25 ~ Leave a comment

When most of us think of refugees, we probably consider the recent crisis stemming from Syria's civil war, the resettlement debates in the United States and Europe, or we might even have a mental picture of a prison-like refugee camp in a remote part of a country.

The Effect of Credit Bureau Arrival on Access to Finance in Sub-Saharan Africa: Introduction

January 30, 2018February 16, 2018 ~ mkholmes25 ~ Leave a comment

In 2012, Joyce received a $3,000 loan to start her business selling kitchen tiles in Lusaka, Zambia. This was no small feat in a country where 27.4% of small business owners recognize access to finance as a major or severe obstacle to business operations. While Joyce lacked the collateral she would have needed for a loan only a few years earlier, Zambia’s newly established credit bureau had a documented record of her overall creditworthiness. When she applied for the loan, the bank verified her reputation and provided the loan within just a few days.