March 1, 2021
Your weekly roundup of news and analysis of elections in Africa, usually posted on Mondays and occasionally updated throughout the week. For a full electoral calendar and interactive map, click here.
Côte d’Ivoire’s National Assembly building. Photo credit: Wikimedia/Zenman (public domain)
Upcoming Africa Elections
Côte d’Ivoire Parliamentary Elections: March 6, 2021
Cote d’Ivoire holds legislative elections on March 6, 2021, following the October 2020 presidential election, in which President Alasanne Ouattara sought and won a controversial third term. The opposition boycotted the presidential election. Protests followed, as well as arrests of opposition members. However, following discussions and the release of some opposition figures, the opposition has not called for a boycott of the legislative elections set for March 6, and has called on supporters to vote for a balance of power. More
Vincent Duhem, The Africa Report (March 1, 2021): Côte d’Ivoire: All signs point to the imminent return of Gbagbo
France24 (March 1, 2021 – in French): Legislative elections in Côte d’Ivoire: more than 1,500 candidates running
Le Point (February 24, 2021 – in French): Côte d’Ivoire: Legislative elections decoded
Republic of the Congo Presidential Election: March 20, 2021
The Republic of the Congo (sometimes called Congo-Brazzaville) is due to hold a presidential election on March 20, 2021. Denis Sassou Nguesso been president almost continuously since 1979, and rules with an iron fist. Elections have not been free or fair. More
Jerry Fisayo-Bambi and Cedric Sehossolo, Africanews (March 1, 2021): Expectations of Congolese as election day nears
Jeune Afrique (March 1, 2021 – in French): [Editorial] Denis Sassou Nguesso, stainless candidate?
Guiseppe Liguori, Focus on Africa (February 28, 2021 – in Italian): Republic of the Congo: Sassou-Nguesso, a bloodthirsty and ruthless tyrant
Chad Presidential Election: April 11, 2020 and Parliamentary and Local Elections: October 24, 2021
Chad plans to hold a presidential election on April 11, 2021 and long-delayed long-delayed parliamentary elections on October 24, 2021 and local elections in April 2022. Originally due in 2015, the legislative elections have been delayed multiple times.
President Idriss Déby seized power in a rebellion in 1990, and although the country holds elections, there has never been a change in power by a free or fair vote. More
Reliou Koubakin, DW (March 1, 2021 – in French): In Chad, the repression of the opposition before the election
Al Jazeera (March 1, 2021): Chad opposition leader quits presidential race after shoot-out
DW (April 28, 2021): Chad: Several killed during arrest of opposition figure
Central African Republic Partial Legislative Elections and Runoffs: March 14, 2021
The Central African Republic (CAR) held presidential and partial legislative elections on December 27, 2020 in the midst of a worsening security situation. Rebels disrupted voting in some areas, so consequently, those constituencies will hold the first round of their legislative elections on March 14, 2021. In addition, some of the constituencies that did vote on December 27 will hold runoff elections for their legislators.
These elections are taking place in the context of a humanitarian crisis and a crisis of governance. Sectarian clashes have been taking place since 2013. Moreover, Russia has ramped up its political and military involvement in exchange for mining rights. More
Peter Fabricius, Daily Maverick (February 28, 2021): Central African Republic democracy and justice channels tested amid violent chaos
Adrienne Suprenant, AP (February 28, 2021): Thousands flee rebel violence in Central African Republic
Reuters (February 24, 2021): Central African Republic retakes rebel stronghold in north
Tigranna Zakaryan, African Arguments (February 23, 2021): Russia in the Central African Republic: New allies, same challenges
Ethiopia General Elections: June 5, 2021
Ethiopia has scheduled general elections for June 5, 2021, after several postponements. These elections are taking place in the context of the growing crisis in Tigray region in the north that subsequently exploded into violent conflict. More
Barbara Arvanitidis and Nima Elbagir, CNN (March 1, 2021): CNN EXCLUSIVE: Leader of Tigray’s forces accuses Ethiopian and Eritrean governments of genocide
Kane Farabaugh, Voice of America (February 26, 2021): Carter Center Battles Online Misinformation Ahead of Ethiopia Elections
AP (February 25, 2021): Hunger-striking Ethiopia politicians ‘deteriorating’ in jail
Somalia Indirect Presidential Election: Set for February 8, 2021 but postponed
Somalia was supposed to hold an indirect presidential election on February 8, 2021, following indirect parliamentary elections in December 2020. However, the elections have been delayed, and the current president’s term has expired, leaving Somalia in a political and constitutional crisis. More
Abdi Latif Dahir, New York Times (March 1, 2021): Amid turmoil over elections, rising cases in Somalia fuel talk of a new lockdown.
Max Bearak, Washington Post (February 26, 2021): Somalia’s politicians strike a last-minute deal, but fears of conflict remain high
Mohamed Sheikh Nor, RFI (February 25, 2021): What next for angry anti-government protesters in Somalia?
Past Africa Elections
Niger Presidential Runoff: February 21, 2021
Niger held a presidential runoff on February 21, 2021 amid security threats and violence. Despite that, the historic election will lead to Niger’s first peaceful transfer of power from one elected president to another. More
Melissa Sou-Jie Brunnersum, DW (February 28, 2021): Niger elections marred by ‘fraud,’ Ousmane tells DW
Aneeta Mathur-Ashton, Voice of America (February 27, 2021): Journalist’s Home Set Ablaze Amid Niger Violence
Chrispin Mwakideu, DW (February 26, 2021): Niger: A daunting presidency awaits Mohamed Bazoum
Reuters (February 25, 2021): Deadly Protests Rock Niger Over Contested Election Result
Mathieu Olivier, The Africa Report (February 24, 2021): Niger: Mohamed Bazoum elected president, beating Mahamane Ousmane
Al Jazeera (February 24, 2021): Niger opposition leader alleges election fraud, declares victory
Uganda General Elections: January 14, 2021
Uganda held presidential and legislative elections on January 14, 2021. President Yoweri Museveni has held power since 1986, but this time faced possibly his biggest challenge yet in the form of 37-year-old pop star Bobi Wine. Following the elections, the government launched a brutal crackdown on the opposition. More
RFI (February 24, 2021): Uganda defiant as US threatens sanctions over contested elections
21votes does not necessarily agree with all of the opinions expressed in the linked articles; rather, our goal is to curate a wide range of voices. Furthermore, none of the individuals or organizations referenced have reviewed 21votes’ content. That is to say, their inclusion should not be taken to imply that they endorse us in any way. More on our approach here.
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Africa This Week: March 1, 2021
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Last Updated: March 9, 2021 by 21votes
March 1, 2021
Your weekly roundup of news and analysis of elections in Africa, usually posted on Mondays and occasionally updated throughout the week. For a full electoral calendar and interactive map, click here.
Côte d’Ivoire’s National Assembly building. Photo credit: Wikimedia/Zenman (public domain)
Upcoming Africa Elections
Côte d’Ivoire Parliamentary Elections: March 6, 2021
Cote d’Ivoire holds legislative elections on March 6, 2021, following the October 2020 presidential election, in which President Alasanne Ouattara sought and won a controversial third term. The opposition boycotted the presidential election. Protests followed, as well as arrests of opposition members. However, following discussions and the release of some opposition figures, the opposition has not called for a boycott of the legislative elections set for March 6, and has called on supporters to vote for a balance of power. More
Vincent Duhem, The Africa Report (March 1, 2021): Côte d’Ivoire: All signs point to the imminent return of Gbagbo
France24 (March 1, 2021 – in French): Legislative elections in Côte d’Ivoire: more than 1,500 candidates running
Le Point (February 24, 2021 – in French): Côte d’Ivoire: Legislative elections decoded
Republic of the Congo Presidential Election: March 20, 2021
The Republic of the Congo (sometimes called Congo-Brazzaville) is due to hold a presidential election on March 20, 2021. Denis Sassou Nguesso been president almost continuously since 1979, and rules with an iron fist. Elections have not been free or fair. More
Jerry Fisayo-Bambi and Cedric Sehossolo, Africanews (March 1, 2021): Expectations of Congolese as election day nears
Jeune Afrique (March 1, 2021 – in French): [Editorial] Denis Sassou Nguesso, stainless candidate?
Guiseppe Liguori, Focus on Africa (February 28, 2021 – in Italian): Republic of the Congo: Sassou-Nguesso, a bloodthirsty and ruthless tyrant
Chad Presidential Election: April 11, 2020 and Parliamentary and Local Elections: October 24, 2021
Chad plans to hold a presidential election on April 11, 2021 and long-delayed long-delayed parliamentary elections on October 24, 2021 and local elections in April 2022. Originally due in 2015, the legislative elections have been delayed multiple times.
President Idriss Déby seized power in a rebellion in 1990, and although the country holds elections, there has never been a change in power by a free or fair vote. More
Reliou Koubakin, DW (March 1, 2021 – in French): In Chad, the repression of the opposition before the election
Al Jazeera (March 1, 2021): Chad opposition leader quits presidential race after shoot-out
DW (April 28, 2021): Chad: Several killed during arrest of opposition figure
Central African Republic Partial Legislative Elections and Runoffs: March 14, 2021
The Central African Republic (CAR) held presidential and partial legislative elections on December 27, 2020 in the midst of a worsening security situation. Rebels disrupted voting in some areas, so consequently, those constituencies will hold the first round of their legislative elections on March 14, 2021. In addition, some of the constituencies that did vote on December 27 will hold runoff elections for their legislators.
These elections are taking place in the context of a humanitarian crisis and a crisis of governance. Sectarian clashes have been taking place since 2013. Moreover, Russia has ramped up its political and military involvement in exchange for mining rights. More
Peter Fabricius, Daily Maverick (February 28, 2021): Central African Republic democracy and justice channels tested amid violent chaos
Adrienne Suprenant, AP (February 28, 2021): Thousands flee rebel violence in Central African Republic
Reuters (February 24, 2021): Central African Republic retakes rebel stronghold in north
Tigranna Zakaryan, African Arguments (February 23, 2021): Russia in the Central African Republic: New allies, same challenges
Ethiopia General Elections: June 5, 2021
Ethiopia has scheduled general elections for June 5, 2021, after several postponements. These elections are taking place in the context of the growing crisis in Tigray region in the north that subsequently exploded into violent conflict. More
Barbara Arvanitidis and Nima Elbagir, CNN (March 1, 2021): CNN EXCLUSIVE: Leader of Tigray’s forces accuses Ethiopian and Eritrean governments of genocide
Kane Farabaugh, Voice of America (February 26, 2021): Carter Center Battles Online Misinformation Ahead of Ethiopia Elections
AP (February 25, 2021): Hunger-striking Ethiopia politicians ‘deteriorating’ in jail
Somalia Indirect Presidential Election: Set for February 8, 2021 but postponed
Somalia was supposed to hold an indirect presidential election on February 8, 2021, following indirect parliamentary elections in December 2020. However, the elections have been delayed, and the current president’s term has expired, leaving Somalia in a political and constitutional crisis. More
Abdi Latif Dahir, New York Times (March 1, 2021): Amid turmoil over elections, rising cases in Somalia fuel talk of a new lockdown.
Max Bearak, Washington Post (February 26, 2021): Somalia’s politicians strike a last-minute deal, but fears of conflict remain high
Mohamed Sheikh Nor, RFI (February 25, 2021): What next for angry anti-government protesters in Somalia?
Past Africa Elections
Niger Presidential Runoff: February 21, 2021
Niger held a presidential runoff on February 21, 2021 amid security threats and violence. Despite that, the historic election will lead to Niger’s first peaceful transfer of power from one elected president to another. More
Melissa Sou-Jie Brunnersum, DW (February 28, 2021): Niger elections marred by ‘fraud,’ Ousmane tells DW
Aneeta Mathur-Ashton, Voice of America (February 27, 2021): Journalist’s Home Set Ablaze Amid Niger Violence
Chrispin Mwakideu, DW (February 26, 2021): Niger: A daunting presidency awaits Mohamed Bazoum
Reuters (February 25, 2021): Deadly Protests Rock Niger Over Contested Election Result
Mathieu Olivier, The Africa Report (February 24, 2021): Niger: Mohamed Bazoum elected president, beating Mahamane Ousmane
Al Jazeera (February 24, 2021): Niger opposition leader alleges election fraud, declares victory
Uganda General Elections: January 14, 2021
Uganda held presidential and legislative elections on January 14, 2021. President Yoweri Museveni has held power since 1986, but this time faced possibly his biggest challenge yet in the form of 37-year-old pop star Bobi Wine. Following the elections, the government launched a brutal crackdown on the opposition. More
RFI (February 24, 2021): Uganda defiant as US threatens sanctions over contested elections
21votes does not necessarily agree with all of the opinions expressed in the linked articles; rather, our goal is to curate a wide range of voices. Furthermore, none of the individuals or organizations referenced have reviewed 21votes’ content. That is to say, their inclusion should not be taken to imply that they endorse us in any way. More on our approach here.
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Category: This Week Tags: Central African Republic, Chad, Cote d'Ivoire, Ethiopia, Niger, Republic of the Congo, Somalia, Uganda