October 28, 2024
A weekly review of news and analysis of elections in Africa, usually posted on Mondays and occasionally updated throughout the week.
The Jwaneng Diamond Mine in Botswana, the second-largest diamond mine in the world. Photo credit: Wikimedia/Cretep (public domain)
Upcoming Africa Elections
Botswana Presidential, Legislative and Local Elections: October 30, 2024
Botswana is considered to be a strong democracy, rated Free by Freedom House, but the Botswana Democratic Party has been in power since independence from the United Kingdom in 1966. Mokgweetsi Masisi, the incumbent president, is running for another term and is considered to be the frontrunner, although there are three other candidates.
Botswana is currently facing economic challenges related to the global decrease in demand for diamonds, a major export.
Sello Motseta, AP (October 28, 2024): Diamond-rich Botswana holds an election with new economic challenges for a long-ruling party
AFP (October 28, 2024): Botswana’s presidential election: Meet the candidates
Mqondisi Dube, Voice of America (October 28, 2024): Police in Botswana block opposition protest alleging election rigging
Innocent Selatlhwa and Damian Zane, BBC (October 27, 2024): A party in power for 58 years pledges change for Botswana
Institute for Security Studies (October 25, 2024): Masisi and Khama square off again
Mauritius Parliamentary Elections: November 10, 2024
Mauritius announced its general elections right after Britain announce that it would cede the Chagos Islands, a strategic archipelago in the Indian Ocean that houses the Diego Garcia air base, to Mauritius. Diego Garcia is a key base for both the United Kingdom and the United States. Mauritius has close ties with China, including a free trade agreement inked in 2021.
Senator John Kennedy, The Hill (October 25, 2024): Biden administration threatens safety of key military base to appease UN activists
Matthew Lee and Jim Fein, Daily Signal (October 24, 2024): Why America Must Care About UK’s Deal With Mauritius in the Indian Ocean
Jude Atemanke, Association for Catholic Information in Africa (October 23, 2024): Religious Leaders in Mauritius Call for Peace, Integrity Ahead of General Elections
Somaliland Presidential Election: November 13, 2024
Brendon J. Cannon, The Conversation (October 28, 2024): Somaliland elections: what’s at stake for independence, stability and shifting power dynamics in the Horn of Africa
Senegal Snap Legislative Elections: November 17, 2024
For a long time, Senegal was considered a stable democracy, but backsliding and protests riled the tenure of former president Macky Sall, who served until this year and was not eligible to run for a third term. Sall’s chosen successor, Amadou Ba, lost to leftist opposition candidate Bassirou Diomaye Faye in this year’s presidential election, which took place in March. Faye is now holding legislative elections to consolidate his hold on power.
A series of oil and gas discoveries starting in 2014 have set Senegal up to become a player in energy production, upping the geopolitical and international economic stakes of Senegal’s politics.
RFI (October 28, 2024): Senegal’s leader calls for ‘restraint’ ahead of November legislative polls
Guinea-Bissau Snap Legislative Elections: November 24, 2024 (presidential election also due by the end of 2024 but could be delayed)
Anabela Guedes and Alvaro Andrade, Voice of America (October 22, 2024): Guinea-Bissau media face crackdown ahead of November election
Namibia Presidential and Legislative Elections: November 27, 2024
Vitalio Angula, Voice of America (October 23, 2024): Namibia opposition demonstrates against ballots contract
Tanzania Local Elections: November 27, 2024
Tanzania’s socialist Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party and its predecessors have been in power since 1961. In the 2015 elections, deemed imperfect but credible by observers, CCM’s John Magufuli won the presidency, and subsequently launched a crackdown on the opposition, media, civil society, and the private sector.
Following Magufuli’s death in 2021, the new president, Samia Suluhu Hassan, made some moves to open up the political space. She lifted a ban on opposition rallies and secured the release of Freedman Mbowe, leader of the main opposition Chama Cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (Chadema). However, since then, the government has engaged in repression and arbitrary arrests and assaults of opposition leaders.
Emily Burns (October 22, 2024): Tanzania opposition leader abducted and beaten ahead of elections
Ghana Presidential and Legislative Elections: December 7, 2024
Ghana is often cited as a success story for democratic transition. The two main political parties, the center-right New Patriotic Party (NPP) and center-left National Democratic Congress (NDC), have alternated stints in power since Ghana began holding multiparty elections. Moreover, although each party has bases of support in certain regions or ethnic groups, the parties define themselves by ideology and campaign on issues.
However, concerns have recently emerged about creeping authoritarianism and the risk of violent extremism and destabilization.
Francis Kokutse, Francis Kokutse, AP (October 28, 2024): US warns of visa restrictions for people who undermine Ghana’s democracy
Isaac Kaledzi, DW (October 26, 2024): Ghana’s presidential race: Candidates intensify campaigns
Kars de Bruijne, James Courtright, Grace Ellis, Clingendael (October 24, 2024): Ghana: a beacon of democracy?
Justice Baidoo, France24 (October 24, 2024 – video): Dramatic week in Ghana politics a couple of months before elections
Gabon General Elections: August 2025 (proposed post-coup)
Robert Lansing Institute (October 24, 2024): The President of Gabon Oligui Nguema wants to stay in power
Moki Edwin Kindzeka, Voice of America (October 23, 2024): Gabon to vote on constitution that would let military leader run for president
Guinea Elections: Timetable unclear following 2021 coup
AP (October 28, 2024): Guinea authorities dissolve dozens of political parties with no election date set
Past Africa Elections
Mozambique Presidential and Legislative Elections: October 9, 2024
Mozambique’s politics have been dominated by FRELIMO, which has been in power since 1975, when Mozambique became independent, and the main opposition RENAMO. The parties evolved from armed groups that fought a civil war between 1976 and 1992 (and have engaged in clashes since then until an August 2019 peace accord). The Soviet Union backed FRELIMO, while Rhodesia and then apartheid South Africa backed RENAMO.
Human Right Watch (October 29, 2024): Mozambique: Post-Election Protests Violently Repressed
Charles Mangwiro, AP (October 24, 2024): Mozambique’s ruling party candidate declared winner of presidential election as rigging claims swirl
Mogomotsi Magome, Canadian Press (October 23, 2024): EU observers flag irregularities and ‘alteration of results’ in Mozambique elections
Michelle Gavin, Council on Foreign Relations (October 23, 2024): Mozambique’s Election Set to Fuel Cynicism: Outsiders must do more than shrug at outright rigging and post-election violence
Emilia Columbo, CSIS (October 22, 2024): Mozambique General Elections Point to Changing Political Dynamics
Democratic Republic of the Congo Presidential, Legislative, and Local Elections: December 20, 2024
Michael Rubin, American Enterprise Institute (October 25, 2024): The Congo Crisis Is Escalating. America Is AWOL
Robert Lansing Institute (October 25, 2024): The Push for Power: Analyzing President Félix Tshisekedi’s Move to Change the DRC’s Constitution
Mark Banchereau, AP (October 24, 2024): Congo’s president announces plans for a new constitution. Opposition worried about term limit change
Elections On Deck
Africa This Week: October 28, 2024
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Last Updated: November 8, 2024 by 21votes
October 28, 2024
A weekly review of news and analysis of elections in Africa, usually posted on Mondays and occasionally updated throughout the week.
Upcoming Africa Elections
Botswana Presidential, Legislative and Local Elections: October 30, 2024
Botswana is considered to be a strong democracy, rated Free by Freedom House, but the Botswana Democratic Party has been in power since independence from the United Kingdom in 1966. Mokgweetsi Masisi, the incumbent president, is running for another term and is considered to be the frontrunner, although there are three other candidates.
Botswana is currently facing economic challenges related to the global decrease in demand for diamonds, a major export.
Sello Motseta, AP (October 28, 2024): Diamond-rich Botswana holds an election with new economic challenges for a long-ruling party
AFP (October 28, 2024): Botswana’s presidential election: Meet the candidates
Mqondisi Dube, Voice of America (October 28, 2024): Police in Botswana block opposition protest alleging election rigging
Innocent Selatlhwa and Damian Zane, BBC (October 27, 2024): A party in power for 58 years pledges change for Botswana
Institute for Security Studies (October 25, 2024): Masisi and Khama square off again
Mauritius Parliamentary Elections: November 10, 2024
Mauritius announced its general elections right after Britain announce that it would cede the Chagos Islands, a strategic archipelago in the Indian Ocean that houses the Diego Garcia air base, to Mauritius. Diego Garcia is a key base for both the United Kingdom and the United States. Mauritius has close ties with China, including a free trade agreement inked in 2021.
Senator John Kennedy, The Hill (October 25, 2024): Biden administration threatens safety of key military base to appease UN activists
Matthew Lee and Jim Fein, Daily Signal (October 24, 2024): Why America Must Care About UK’s Deal With Mauritius in the Indian Ocean
Jude Atemanke, Association for Catholic Information in Africa (October 23, 2024): Religious Leaders in Mauritius Call for Peace, Integrity Ahead of General Elections
Somaliland Presidential Election: November 13, 2024
Brendon J. Cannon, The Conversation (October 28, 2024): Somaliland elections: what’s at stake for independence, stability and shifting power dynamics in the Horn of Africa
Senegal Snap Legislative Elections: November 17, 2024
For a long time, Senegal was considered a stable democracy, but backsliding and protests riled the tenure of former president Macky Sall, who served until this year and was not eligible to run for a third term. Sall’s chosen successor, Amadou Ba, lost to leftist opposition candidate Bassirou Diomaye Faye in this year’s presidential election, which took place in March. Faye is now holding legislative elections to consolidate his hold on power.
A series of oil and gas discoveries starting in 2014 have set Senegal up to become a player in energy production, upping the geopolitical and international economic stakes of Senegal’s politics.
RFI (October 28, 2024): Senegal’s leader calls for ‘restraint’ ahead of November legislative polls
Guinea-Bissau Snap Legislative Elections: November 24, 2024 (presidential election also due by the end of 2024 but could be delayed)
Anabela Guedes and Alvaro Andrade, Voice of America (October 22, 2024): Guinea-Bissau media face crackdown ahead of November election
Namibia Presidential and Legislative Elections: November 27, 2024
Vitalio Angula, Voice of America (October 23, 2024): Namibia opposition demonstrates against ballots contract
Tanzania Local Elections: November 27, 2024
Tanzania’s socialist Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party and its predecessors have been in power since 1961. In the 2015 elections, deemed imperfect but credible by observers, CCM’s John Magufuli won the presidency, and subsequently launched a crackdown on the opposition, media, civil society, and the private sector.
Following Magufuli’s death in 2021, the new president, Samia Suluhu Hassan, made some moves to open up the political space. She lifted a ban on opposition rallies and secured the release of Freedman Mbowe, leader of the main opposition Chama Cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (Chadema). However, since then, the government has engaged in repression and arbitrary arrests and assaults of opposition leaders.
Emily Burns (October 22, 2024): Tanzania opposition leader abducted and beaten ahead of elections
Ghana Presidential and Legislative Elections: December 7, 2024
Ghana is often cited as a success story for democratic transition. The two main political parties, the center-right New Patriotic Party (NPP) and center-left National Democratic Congress (NDC), have alternated stints in power since Ghana began holding multiparty elections. Moreover, although each party has bases of support in certain regions or ethnic groups, the parties define themselves by ideology and campaign on issues.
However, concerns have recently emerged about creeping authoritarianism and the risk of violent extremism and destabilization.
Francis Kokutse, Francis Kokutse, AP (October 28, 2024): US warns of visa restrictions for people who undermine Ghana’s democracy
Isaac Kaledzi, DW (October 26, 2024): Ghana’s presidential race: Candidates intensify campaigns
Kars de Bruijne, James Courtright, Grace Ellis, Clingendael (October 24, 2024): Ghana: a beacon of democracy?
Justice Baidoo, France24 (October 24, 2024 – video): Dramatic week in Ghana politics a couple of months before elections
Gabon General Elections: August 2025 (proposed post-coup)
Robert Lansing Institute (October 24, 2024): The President of Gabon Oligui Nguema wants to stay in power
Moki Edwin Kindzeka, Voice of America (October 23, 2024): Gabon to vote on constitution that would let military leader run for president
Guinea Elections: Timetable unclear following 2021 coup
AP (October 28, 2024): Guinea authorities dissolve dozens of political parties with no election date set
Past Africa Elections
Mozambique Presidential and Legislative Elections: October 9, 2024
Mozambique’s politics have been dominated by FRELIMO, which has been in power since 1975, when Mozambique became independent, and the main opposition RENAMO. The parties evolved from armed groups that fought a civil war between 1976 and 1992 (and have engaged in clashes since then until an August 2019 peace accord). The Soviet Union backed FRELIMO, while Rhodesia and then apartheid South Africa backed RENAMO.
Human Right Watch (October 29, 2024): Mozambique: Post-Election Protests Violently Repressed
Charles Mangwiro, AP (October 24, 2024): Mozambique’s ruling party candidate declared winner of presidential election as rigging claims swirl
Mogomotsi Magome, Canadian Press (October 23, 2024): EU observers flag irregularities and ‘alteration of results’ in Mozambique elections
Michelle Gavin, Council on Foreign Relations (October 23, 2024): Mozambique’s Election Set to Fuel Cynicism: Outsiders must do more than shrug at outright rigging and post-election violence
Emilia Columbo, CSIS (October 22, 2024): Mozambique General Elections Point to Changing Political Dynamics
Democratic Republic of the Congo Presidential, Legislative, and Local Elections: December 20, 2024
Michael Rubin, American Enterprise Institute (October 25, 2024): The Congo Crisis Is Escalating. America Is AWOL
Robert Lansing Institute (October 25, 2024): The Push for Power: Analyzing President Félix Tshisekedi’s Move to Change the DRC’s Constitution
Mark Banchereau, AP (October 24, 2024): Congo’s president announces plans for a new constitution. Opposition worried about term limit change
Elections On Deck
Category: This Week Tags: Botswana, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Senegal, Somaliland, Tanzania