Stephen Ellis (historian)

Stephen Ellis (1953 – 29 July 2015) was a British historian and political scientist specializing in African politics, particularly Nigeria and Liberia. He was known for his in-depth research, meticulous methodology, and willingness to challenge conventional wisdom regarding conflict, corruption, and governance in the region.

Ellis received his doctorate from the University of Leiden. He worked for the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and was a senior researcher at the African Studies Centre, Leiden, and a professor at the Free University Amsterdam. He also held a research fellowship at the Nordic Africa Institute in Uppsala, Sweden.

His research focused on the intersection of politics, religion, and crime in Africa. He explored the role of occult beliefs and practices in political decision-making and conflict, and he analyzed the links between transnational organized crime and state institutions. He was particularly interested in uncovering the hidden dynamics and informal networks that shaped political outcomes.

Key works by Stephen Ellis include:

• Mask of Anarchy: The Destruction of Liberia and the Religious Dimension of an African Civil War (1999)
• The Mask of Anarchy: The Destruction of Liberia and the Religious Dimension of an African Civil War (Revised Edition, 2007)
• This Present Darkness: A History of Nigerian Organized Crime (2016), co-authored with Gerrie ter Haar.
• Comrades or Criminals? The ANC’s Armed Struggle (1991)
• Numerous articles and book chapters on related themes.

Ellis's work was often controversial, as he challenged established narratives and exposed uncomfortable truths about the realities of African politics. His dedication to rigorous research and his willingness to engage with complex and sensitive issues made him a highly respected figure in African studies. He passed away unexpectedly in 2015, leaving behind a significant body of work that continues to inform and provoke debate among scholars and policymakers.