The Real Politics of the Horn of Africa Quotes

“Killing, and being prepared to send one's own followers to their deaths is an index of seriousness in bargaining.”
― Alex de Waal, The Real Politics of the Horn of Africa: Money, War and the Business of Power

“Most members of the political elites of north-east Africa have come to resemble gangsters rather than civic political leaders.”
― Alex de Waal, The Real Politics of the Horn of Africa: Money, War and the Business of Power

“For the student of war, the Horn of Africa offers a cornucopia of violence and destruction. It has interstate wars and civil wars; international military interventions and maritime piracy; genocidal massacres and non-violent popular uprisings; conventional wars fought in trenches and irregular wars fought by jihadists and followers of a messianic cult.”
― Alex de Waal, The Real Politics of the Horn of Africa: Money, War and the Business of Power

“Political bargaining and political entrepreneurship can be seen naked, stripped of the flattering wardrobe of democracy, rule of law and state building.”
― Alex de Waal, The Real Politics of the Horn of Africa: Money, War and the Business of Power

“Violence is a means of bargaining and signalling value within the marketplace.”
― Alex de Waal, The Real Politics of the Horn of Africa: Money, War and the Business of Power

“In 1994, the PFDJ established the Hidri Trust as a corporate umbrella for the Red Sea Trading Corporation – which maintained secret offshore accounts – plus banks, construction companies and manufacturing plants.8 The Red Sea Corporation and other party”
― Alex de Waal, The Real Politics of the Horn of Africa: Money, War and the Business of Power