Never before have people had access to such a wide range of news sources. There are, however, exceptions, particularly in parts of Africa where Voice of America covers smaller countries and contested elections that are often ignored. Its publicity can play a role in protecting opposition politicians and activists. “In shining a spotlight on individual leaders, VOA helps to add a layer of security for them,” says Jeffrey Smith, of Vanguard Africa, a pro-democracy outfit based in Washington. “It lets leaders of oppressive governments know that the world — and that Washington in particular — is paying attention.”

Jeffrey Smith, a long-time observer of the Congolese conflict, whose firm, Vanguard Africa, notably advocates for former presidential candidate Martin Fayulu, says efforts to resolve the conflict '“definitely need leadership.” “It seems as if leaders on the continent are either unwilling or unable to do so. For a long time, Kagame has been left to do as he pleases, even as he has destabilized eastern Congo for a generation now … The fulcrum, however, has shifted toward being outwardly critical of Kigali and their involvement in regional wars.”

Without adequate pressure and sanctions from Washington, there is little indication that Kigali will withdraw from Congo or cease its direct, long-running support for the M23, Jeffrey Smith, the founding director of pro-democracy group Vanguard Africa, tells The Africa Report. “Kagame grows in strength and becomes more emboldened when he is allowed to actwith impunity , as is the case today ,” says Smith.

Niger's president Mohamed Bazoum has spent 550 days as a hostage of the military junta in the capital, Niamey. His lawyers say that his detention is setting a dangerous precedent and have launched a global campaign to have him released.

In custody since 2023, the deposed Niger president’s family is working with American pro-democracy group Vanguard Africa to capture Washington’s attention.

Jeffrey Smith, a pro-democracy campaigner and founder of Vanguard Africa, argues that Washington’s policies toward Rwanda remain largely unchanged. They rely on an outdated narrative that ignores the country’s authoritarianism. Smith suggests that these decisions stem from a lack of creativity and a limited understanding of regional dynamics.

The leaderless Gen Z protest movements are both a product of necessity and a natural evolution, says Jeffrey Smith, director of the pro-democracy nonprofit, Vanguard Africa. ... Smith praises the wave of leaderless protests, citing Kenya, where the “typical state brutality directed at protesters has failed to thwart or otherwise deter the real momentum for change” . The organic yearning for reform goes well beyond a particular leader or group of individuals at the top, he adds.

In an interview, Jeffrey Smith, the executive director of Vanguard Africa, a non-profit group that works with activists to support free and fair elections, said: “In Rwanda, there is freedom of expression. But that freedom is limited to expressing support for Paul Kagame and his ruling party — whether coerced or otherwise.” “These latest so-called ‘election’ results — a sort of performative art perfected by Kigali — clearly establish the Kagame dictatorship as among the most effective and effectively brutal police states of the 21st century.”

Our director, Jeffrey Smith, speaks about Kenya’s Gen Z Protests and their wide ranging impacts: "That young Kenyans continue to courageously stand up, facing down riot police and live bullets to demand their dignity will certainly induce a ripple effect beyond Kenya’s borders ... This is a new generation of youth who are better connected, more sophisticated, and perhaps more worldly and knowledgeable when compared to their predecessors."

“The Liberian foreign ministry has brokered a deal with a Vanguard Africa, a non-profit whose co-founders include veteran US Democratic Party strategist Joe Trippi, and which features Kenyan whistleblower John Githongo on its board. … The meetings organized in Washington, DC were ‘crucial for strengthening bilateral relations between Liberia and the US, as well as attracting much-needed private direct foreign investment to Liberia,’ said the Boakai government. … Vanguard Africa cut its teeth supporting Adama Barrow’s presidential campaign in Gambia in 2017 which saw off long-time military leader Yahya Jammeh. The group, which promises ‘a holistic program of support to strengthen the capacity and impact of pro-democracy leaders’, has built a stable of clients, including Congo-Kinshasa’s Martin Fayulu, but has rarely acted for a sitting government.”