JAMES COURTRIGHT

James Courtright is a research analyst and writer based in Dakar, Senegal focusing on conflict, natural resource management and human rights in the Sahel and savannah regions of West Africa. He is currently a Research Associate with the Clingendael Institute.

 

In 2023 James completed a two year fellowship with the Institute for Current World Affairs where he was traveling across West Africa researching and writing about challenges facing Fulbe (Fulani/Peul) communities. Before that he worked for the African Network Against Extrajudicial Killings and Enforced Disappearances. He received his graduate degree in International Affairs with a focus on human rights and humanitarian policy at Columbia University in New York City in May 2020. Previously, he worked as a freelance journalist based in Dakar writing about transitional justice, environmental issues and West African history. His work has been published in Foreign Policy, NPR, African Arguments, The Christian Science Monitor, Roads & Kingdoms, Slate, New Internationalist, OZY and Equal Times.

 

James grew up in Malawi, the United States and Tanzania. Before working as a freelance journalist he served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Kolda, Senegal for three years. 

 

James speaks English, Fulakunda (Pulaar/Fulfulde) and French. 

 

Follow him on twitter at @JCourtright08.