<p>In the Mauritania episode of 49, Judd, Nicole, and Intissar Fakir (Middle East Institute) discuss the delicate balance between counterterrorism priorities and social justice initiatives in the West African country. Intissar calls on the Biden administration to bolster support for educational programs and urges the Mauritanian government to launch a Truth and Reconciliation Commission to address the country’s recent history of slavery. Plus, hear what Chinguetti—the ancient trading center in the country’s north—means to Mauritanians today.</p>

Guinea-Bissau with Paulo Gomes

What is the past, present, and future of U.S. policy towards sub-Saharan Africa? Judd Devermont, Director of the Africa Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), and Nicole Wilett, Chief of Staff at the Open Society Foundations, sit down with diplomats, journalists, civil society activists, and academics to discuss policy recommendations for the Biden Administration. In 15 minutes or less, these episodes deliver the goods on U.S. relations with African countries, as well as share the best of African music, food, dance, film, and travel.