Sign in

Ryan Musser

@ryanmusser.bsky.social
3K followers 2.6K following 1.1K posts

Posts about current events/politics/development in Africa, building better cities, local Washington DC issues, and how biking is the best form of transportation. Live in Ward 8/EOTR. Lover of front porches and #bikeDC. Check out my Africa starter packs.

PostsRepliesMedia
Ryan Musser @ryanmusser.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
For years, West Africans who live in the DC area have had relatively few sit-down restaurants to remind them of home. But in the 2020s, a group of fun, scrappy Nigerian & Cameroonian street-food specialists have popped up in Montgomery & PG counties. washingtonian.com/2026/07/22/w...
washingtonian.com
4 West African Street-Food Spots Serving Spicy Skewers Near DC
The perfect summer food? Chili-fueled, flame-grilled suya.
021
Ryan Musser @ryanmusser.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
Many problems in our cities have emerged because of poorly thought-out or outdated zoning. Better zoning can help solve these problems & help us make cities/neighborhoods delight the eye & soul & aid in human flourishing. This requires asking who & what are cities for? ifstudies.org/blog/zoning-...
ifstudies.org
Zoning the Family-Friendly City
In her new book, Sara C. Bronin leans on her joint expertise in architecture and law to argue that many of the problems in our cities today have emerged due to poorly thought-out or outdated zoning.
022
Reposted by Ryan Musser
Elizabeth Engel @ewengel.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
We're (now) the older couple on the block that never had kids & has been here for 25+ years, and I can confirm it's not just people with kids who get included in these wonderful communities (at least in DC).
031
Ryan Musser @ryanmusser.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
Love this article in the Institute of Family Studies that highlights neotraditional character of "Strong Blue Families" in DC neighborhoods. This has been my exact experience for 15+ years in DC. ifstudies.org/blog/deep-bl...
141
Ryan Musser @ryanmusser.bsky.social · 05/06/2026
Washington will need to “begin treating the continent as a region of genuine strategic value, rather than as expendable at the altar of its Middle East agenda.” Great piece from @zurilinetsky.bsky.social and @mikewoldemariam.bsky.social on how the US lets Gulf powers wreak havoc on Africa
022
Ryan Musser @ryanmusser.bsky.social · 05/06/2026
Gulf states have emerged as a new middle power & Africa is a key component of their foreign policy. US has historically accommodated their adventurism in Africa, failing to protect core US interest of stability across the increasingly important continent foreignpolicy.com/2026/06/03/a...
foreignpolicy.com
America Enabled the Gulf’s African Adventurism
Why Washington let its Middle Eastern partners wreak havoc in Africa.
010
Ryan Musser @ryanmusser.bsky.social · 27/05/2026
African governments are trying to tax their way toward stronger states, while much of the population remains informal precisely because the state has historically been weak, says @yinka.bsky.social www.semafor.com/article/05/2...
semafor.com
View: Africa’s tax push is clashing with the reality of its informal economies
Critics argue the measures could slow digital adoption and push more activity back toward cash-based channels.
131
Ryan Musser @ryanmusser.bsky.social · 14/05/2026
An investigation into Cameroon’s gold sector has uncovered more than 200 illegal artisanal mining companies, most of them foreign-owned, particularly run by Chinese nationals. www.africanews.com/2026/05/14/c...
africanews.com
Cameroon uncovers more than 200 illegal gold mines, mostly foreign-owned | Africanews
Nearly 200 illegal artisanal gold mining companies, most of them foreign-owned, have been uncovered in central and eastern Cameroon, the mines ministry said Wednesday.
002
Ryan Musser @ryanmusser.bsky.social · 14/05/2026
Kagame take some swings at Trump and the US at the Africa CEO Forum amid US sanctions on Rwandan individuals for their role in conflict in the DRC www.theafricareport.com/418694/rwand...
theafricareport.com
Rwanda’s Kagame slams Trump’s minerals coercion at Africa CEO Forum
Addressing this year’s African summit for business leaders, Rwanda’s president pushes for pan-African unity to stand up to the United States and other perceived global bullies in the race to exploit A...
011
Reposted by Ryan Musser
Christopher Schmidt @crschmidt.net · 14/05/2026
At the nearest school to me in Somerville, MA, this is what the drop-off area looked like last Friday. This is the effect of having neighborhood schools in walkable neighborhoods with streets that are safe to walk, ride, and roll on. Your school drop-off could look like this too.
420445
Ryan Musser @ryanmusser.bsky.social · 09/04/2026
@sarahykim.bsky.social at @wamu.org.web.brid.gy has highlighted the closing of my kid’s daycare center and several other affordable sites in Wards 7 and 8: wamu.org/story/26/04/...
wamu.org
As D.C. struggles with childcare costs and cuts, Wards 7 and 8 lose three affordable early learning centers
The early learning centers, operated by the United Planning Organization, provide subsidized care for lower-income families, many of them in Southeast D.C. In March, UPO announced it was closing four of its 15 centers in early April, three of them in Wards 7 and 8. Parents had just about a month to find new places, and some are still searching.
031
Ryan Musser @ryanmusser.bsky.social · 25/03/2026
And here’s an answer: bsky.app/profile/same...
120
Ryan Musser @ryanmusser.bsky.social · 25/03/2026
That park is just a few blocks down from multiple huge apartment buildings on Mass Ave. I don’t know how many people in those apartment buildings have kids, but it definitely is not just an office district.
101
Ryan Musser @ryanmusser.bsky.social · 14/02/2026
Kenya has unveiled two new digital trade platforms, BiasharaLink and Deal House, to be rolled out across its diplomatic missions in support of the AfCFTA. The initiative aims to transform embassies into hubs for trade and investment. nation.africa/kenya/news/a...
nation.africa
Digital superhighway: Kenya launches platforms to close Africa’s trade gaps
Unveiled in Addis Ababa, the landmark project is a significant step towards operationalising AfCFTA.
001
Ryan Musser @ryanmusser.bsky.social · 12/02/2026
Ugandan private sector has room to grow. Local firms have won 98% of government contracts but only 59% of the total value. The remaining 41% of value (2% of contracts) went to foreign firms. These firms only used 18% Ugandan goods and services. www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/busin...
monitor.co.ug
Local firms win 98% of govt contracts but miss out on big-ticket projects
The Private Sector Development (PSD) Programme shows that local service providers secured 29,521 out of 30,176 contracts awarded during the year, representing 98 percent
001
Ryan Musser @ryanmusser.bsky.social · 01/02/2026
For decades tens of thousands of people have lived in homes on stilts above the lagoon in Makoko, one of Africa’s oldest & largest waterfront communities. But to developers & authorities, it’s valuable waterfront property in the hands of some of Lagos’ poorest people apnews.com/article/nige...
apnews.com
Mass evictions in Lagos displace thousands including baby twins now living in a canoe
A family including baby twins has been forced to live in a wooden canoe after their home in a historic Lagos neighborhood was demolished.
031
Ryan Musser @ryanmusser.bsky.social · 17/01/2026
I also have a List, which may have more people that I never got around to adding to a starter pack: bsky.app/profile/did:...
110
Ryan Musser @ryanmusser.bsky.social · 17/01/2026
go.bsky.app/PYNaWY7
110
Ryan Musser @ryanmusser.bsky.social · 17/01/2026
go.bsky.app/D9dnhan
110
Ryan Musser @ryanmusser.bsky.social · 17/01/2026
go.bsky.app/2oahNdT
110
Ryan Musser @ryanmusser.bsky.social · 17/01/2026
go.bsky.app/JDTmcEq
110
Ryan Musser @ryanmusser.bsky.social · 17/01/2026
I have several, which I made over a year ago: go.bsky.app/LgaSjF9
110
Ryan Musser @ryanmusser.bsky.social · 13/01/2026
Ethiopia’s new airport in Bishoftu, south of Addis, will have 4x the capacity of its current Bole airport, which is already one of the primary hubs in Africa. The $12.5 billion project will be the largest aviation infrastructure project ever in Africa www.reuters.com/world/africa...
reuters.com
Ethiopia begins $12.5 billion construction of 'Africa's biggest airport'
Ethiopian Airlines is Africa's biggest carrier. It added six extra routes in 2024-25.
184
Ryan Musser @ryanmusser.bsky.social · 13/01/2026
Kenya has paused signing a trade agreement with China after US pressure, as Nairobi weighs protecting access to key US trade benefits like AGOA and its export jobs over deeper economic ties with Beijing. africa.businessinsider.com/local/market...
africa.businessinsider.com
Kenya halts China trade deal following pressure from the US
Kenya has delayed formalizing a trade agreement with China, according to reports citing anonymous sources
012
Ryan Musser @ryanmusser.bsky.social · 12/01/2026
Beijing capitalizes on fresh US-Africa tensions and pushes soft power on annual diplomatic swing through Africa www.africa-confidential.com/article/id/1...
africa-confidential.com
Foreign Minister Wang Yi pushes soft power on annual swing through Africa
Beijing’s diplomatic campaign capitalises on fresh US-Africa tensions in new year
031
Ryan Musser @ryanmusser.bsky.social · 02/01/2026
In some northern Nigerian communities though, they are negotiating peace with the bandits: bsky.app/profile/ryan...
032
Ryan Musser @ryanmusser.bsky.social · 02/01/2026
But some analysts think northern communities have been bled dry and can no longer come up with ransom payments. Some gangs may find it more rewarding to set their sights on regions further south. www.bbc.com/news/article...
bbc.com
Nigeria's kidnapping crisis: 'Too scared to speak' - villagers on living in the midst of bandits
Parents of kidnapped children know where the bandits hide out, but are too scared to inform the authorities.
010
Ryan Musser @ryanmusser.bsky.social · 02/01/2026
In some cases it was bandit leaders who requested peace talks, perhaps because the banditry life had become expensive & uncomfortable. “We’re all tired of violence," said Nasiru Bosho, one of the bandit leaders who took part in the Kurfi peace negotiations www.bbc.com/news/article...
bbc.com
Nigeria's kidnapping crisis: 'Too scared to speak' - villagers on living in the midst of bandits
Parents of kidnapped children know where the bandits hide out, but are too scared to inform the authorities.
110
Ryan Musser @ryanmusser.bsky.social · 02/01/2026
In Nigeria’s northwest, where communities have been at the mercy of bandits and have been severely affected by mass kidnappings, these communities have been striking peace deals with bandits in exchange for access to mines www.bbc.com/news/article...
bbc.com
Nigeria's kidnapping crisis: 'Too scared to speak' - villagers on living in the midst of bandits
Parents of kidnapped children know where the bandits hide out, but are too scared to inform the authorities.
110
Ryan Musser @ryanmusser.bsky.social · 01/01/2026
“This is what governance has become in parts of the Northwest: not development, not schools or healthcare, not roads or justice systems, but simply permission to survive by arming oneself” Poignant piece from Yusuf Anka about northern Nigeria’s desensitization to violence medium.com/@YusufAnka/s...
medium.com
Silence… The New Normal in the Northwest
Over the last few years, I have shuttled between Abuja and the core Northwest states of Nigeria affected by bandit violence. In the past…
122
Ryan Musser @ryanmusser.bsky.social · 28/12/2025
The Sudanese and Chadian militaries have accused the Rapid Support Forces of carrying out an attack on a military position inside Chad, as two Chadian soldiers were killed in a drone strike sudantribune.com/article/308715
sudantribune.com
Sudan, Chad accuse RSF of cross-border drone attack - Sudan Tribune
December 27, 2025 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudanese and Chadian militaries on Saturday accused the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of carrying out an attack on a military position inside Chad, along the border wit...
000
Ryan Musser @ryanmusser.bsky.social · 09/12/2025
AGOA has gotten a last-minute reprieve, with the House of Rep’s trade-writing panel scheduling a vote on Wednesday. The legislation calls for a simple three-year extension of AGOA, which is more than the 1-year extension endorsed by White House www.theafricareport.com/401858/congr...
theafricareport.com
US/Africa: Congress announces vote on AGOA renewal
The House trade committee has just released a three-year extension of the duty-free trade scheme.
032
Ryan Musser @ryanmusser.bsky.social · 09/12/2025
“Where does Africa rank as a strategic priority for the US? At the bottom. Literally. In a short, 33-page document written in large font, the continent merits just three paragraphs on the very last page,” writes @julianpecquet.bsky.social www.theafricareport.com/401739/secur...
theafricareport.com
Security: 5 questions to understand Trump’s new Africa strategy
The United States’ new National Security Strategy treats the African continent as an afterthought.
043
Ryan Musser @ryanmusser.bsky.social · 09/12/2025
Kigali has launched dedicated bus lanes www.newtimes.co.rw/article/3168...
021
Ryan Musser @ryanmusser.bsky.social · 09/12/2025
A draft amendment is being introduced in Zimbabwe to revise the constitution to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s term by two years. www.thestandard.co.zw/news/article...
thestandard.co.zw
Inside Zanu PF plans to change constitution
Inside Zanu PF plans to change constitution
000
Ryan Musser @ryanmusser.bsky.social · 04/12/2025
“Tehran is leveraging what it sees as a "strategic opportunity," directing its diplomacy toward strengthening ties with Sahel nations. This diplomacy is a blend of anti-colonial rhetoric, political solidarity, and promises of cooperation in technical & economic sectors.” en.isna.ir/news/1404090...
en.isna.ir
000
Ryan Musser @ryanmusser.bsky.social · 03/12/2025
Mali has recovered $1.2 billion in arrears from mining companies after an audit that uncovered massive shortfalls for the state and paved the way for a new mining code. The law raised royalties, boosted state stakes in mining companies & scrapped stability clauses. www.reuters.com/world/africa...
reuters.com
Mali recovers $1.2 billion in arrears from miners, eyes annual windfall under new code
Mali has recovered 761 billion CFA francs ($1.2 billion) in arrears from mining companies following a sweeping audit, its finance minister said, marking one of the country’s biggest clawbacks from its...
021
Ryan Musser @ryanmusser.bsky.social · 01/12/2025
Left-wing Cameroonian opposition figure Anicet Ekane has died in detention, 5 weeks after being arrested. Anti-corruption lawyer Akere Muna described his death as "the extinguishing of a fierce & passionate flame" that burned for democratic emancipation. www.bbc.com/news/article...
bbc.com
Anicet Ekane: Cameroon opposition firebrand dies in detention aged 74
Anicet Ekane's lawyer says the family was given little explanation - "his wife was just presented the corpse".
062
Ryan Musser @ryanmusser.bsky.social · 01/12/2025
“While wealthy residents benefit from greater security and economic growth, gentrification is a problem for the poorer parts of Mogadishu. This leads to evictions, some of them violent, and people losing access to schools and clinics.” www.dw.com/en/somalias-...
dw.com
Somalia's capital Mogadishu gets a fresh start – DW – 11/29/2025
After decades of war, Mogadishu is experiencing a remarkable construction boom. Despite poverty, hopes are growing in the Somali capital for a new economic and social beginning.
010
Ryan Musser @ryanmusser.bsky.social · 30/11/2025
“For more than 7 years, Abubakar Shekau’s compound in Ukuba sat only a loudspeaker’s reach from the army’s fortified garrison in Bitta, 7-12 km apart. The soldiers could hear Ukuba’s call to prayer drifting over the scrub, & the fighters heard Bitta’s in return.” humanglemedia.com/the-making-a...
humanglemedia.com
000
Ryan Musser @ryanmusser.bsky.social · 28/11/2025
Thank you!
000
Ryan Musser @ryanmusser.bsky.social · 28/11/2025
Thank you!
010
Ryan Musser @ryanmusser.bsky.social · 28/11/2025
Thank you!
010
Ryan Musser @ryanmusser.bsky.social · 28/11/2025
Thank you!
010
Ryan Musser @ryanmusser.bsky.social · 28/11/2025
My wife gave birth to a healthy baby girl this morning. This is our second child that she pushed for 3 hours without the baby progressing & needing to get a c-section to get the baby out. Really thankful for the wonders of modern medicine. Can’t imagine doing childbirth before such reduced risks.
4220
Ryan Musser @ryanmusser.bsky.social · 26/11/2025
And reduce the cost of childcare
020
Ryan Musser @ryanmusser.bsky.social · 26/11/2025
This is Randy Clarke’s race to lose
010
Ryan Musser @ryanmusser.bsky.social · 26/11/2025
Specifically: -Improve DC schools -Improve public safety & decrease crime -Build more bike lanes & reduce car dependency -Establish car-free civilian plazas & streets -Build more housing & increase density in SFH zones -Make government agencies more responsive and less corrupt -Enable streeteries
141
Ryan Musser @ryanmusser.bsky.social · 26/11/2025
Priorities for next mayor: 1) Make DC more family friendly 2) Make DC more livable, walkable, and bikable 3) Make DC more affordable
131