James Courtright

James is interested in the political economy of natural resource management and conflict dynamics in the Sahel and savannah regions of West Africa. Before joining Clingendael James completed a two-year research fellowship with the Institute of Current World Affairs researching and writing about challenges facing Fulbe/Fulani/Peul communities across West Africa. Previously he worked for the African Network Against Extrajudicial Killing and Enforced Disappearances as a Human Rights Researcher summarizing and analyzing testimonies from The Gambia’s Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commision. He also worked as a freelance journalist, based in Dakar, Senegal, covering human rights, environmental issues and migration in the subregion. He served as a US Peace Corps Volunteer in the town of Kolda, Senegal between 2013 and 2016. He holds a Bachelors in History from Denison University and a Masters in International Affairs from Columbia’s School of International and Public Affairs. He is based in Dakar, Senegal.