Dr Knox Chitiyo

Position: Head of the Africa Programme

Dr Knox Chitiyo is a Zimbabwean researcher. He was the first RUSI Nelson Mandela Visiting Africa Fellow and now heads the RUSI Africa Programme, an initiative generously supported by the Brenthurst Foundation and the Nelson Mandela Foundation. Knox completed his B.A (English and History) and M.A (War Studies) and D.Phil (Military History) at the University of Zimbabwe. Knox was a Senior Lecturer in War Studies in the History Department at the University of Zimbabwe from 1994–2003. He was also the Deputy Director (and co-founder) of the Centre for Defence Studies during the same period, and edited the Journal of African Security and Conflict.

Currently based in the United Kingdom, Knox has since published in journals which examine Zimbabwean, southern African and broader African defence and security/developmental issues. He is also a regular contributor to the Guardian newspaper and is an African Affairs commentator on the BBC, Al-Jazeera and other international news media.

Knox has contributed chapters in books such as Evolutions and Revolutions: A History of the SADC Militaries [edited by M Rupiya, Pretoria, ISS, 2005]; and “Unfinished Business:The Land Crisis in Southern Africa" [eds M Lee and K J Colvard, Pretoria, Africa Institute, 2003]. Knox, who is also the founder/editor of the Southern African Diaspora Review journal, is particularly interested in the armed/security forces of southern Africa [particularly Zimbabwe] and how they intersect with issues of development, and political transitions. Knox is also trying to develop African Diaspora studies, and is very keen that African diaspora communities can, and should, play a positive role in Africa's post-conflict reconstruction.

RUSI articles and analysis by this author

The Horn of Africa: A Changing of the Guards? 17 Mar 2010
A spate of elections and referendums in the Horn of Africa will inevitably add to the already unstable mix of insurgency, potential secession, and militarisation

Nigeria 2010: All Change 17 Mar 2010
Can the growing civilianisation of Nigeria's politics bring greater security in the face of both religious conflict and the potentially fractious 2011 elections?

Kenya and Zimbabwe: The Long Road Home 24 Nov 2009
Kenya and Zimbabwe need to quicken the pace of their reform agendas, or risk new violence in coming elections

Obama and Africa 16 Sep 2009
Obama and Clinton's visit to Africa in July demonstrates the importance of the continent to the current US administration. But the president may yet face challenging hurdles in his dealings with African people and countries.

The Charles Taylor Trial 17 Jul 2009
The trial of Charles Taylor is a milestone for justice in Africa; but it also has a global significance. Beyond the penny dreadful, stereotypical media headlines of dictators running for cover, this trial could also have a serious impact on domestic politics and foreign policy in London and Washington.

Zimbabwe’s Government of National Unity 27 Feb 2009
Power-sharing government in Zimbabwe will be a difficult balancing act. Competition between the MDC and ZANU-PF as well as intra-party struggles could lead to instability or to dangerous compromises, but for the moment the GNU is Zimbabwe’s one sign of hope.

The Zimbabwe Question in 2009 11 Jan 2009
The year 2009 will start the way 2008 ended; with the Zimbabwe question unresolved. Foreign military intervention is unlikely to take place, and in the present situation a neighbouring country will find it difficult to justify invading Zimbabwe. If the MDC wish to give force to their ultimatum, they should not allow themselves to be steamrollered into joining a Government of National Unity.

The Congo: Devil's Jigsaw 21 Nov 2008
The Congo crisis is central Africa’s most complex and destructive conflict, and one for which there is no quick fix. Co-ordinated local, regional and international peace talks and humanitarian interventions are a starting point, but ultimately it is the people of the DRC who will have to resolve their country’s fundamental problems.

Harare waits on the world 18 Sep 2008
The West may be upset that Mugabe remains, but without its aid, this historic deal will founder

Angola Comes of Age after General Elections 16 Sep 2008
Although not without shortcomings, Angola’s recent parliamentary elections are a triumph for the entire nation, and serve notice of the country’s coming of age in the global community.

Knox Chitiyo on Al Jazeera 12 Sep 2008
Knox Chitiyo explains what the deal between Morgan Tsvangirai and Robert Mugabe means for Zimbabweans and the future of their country.

Kenya in Crisis 4 Jan 2008
Kenya is unlikely to follow the genocidal trajectory of Rwanda, nevertheless international concern is justified because the country is essential to the stability of east and central Africa. Kenya lies athwart internal and regional faultlines of politics, ethnicity, religion and class and it is imperative that the crisis be resolved quickly.

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Dr Knox Chitiyo

RUSI articles and analysis by this author