Upcoming Elections
Nigeria General – February 16, 2019
Nigerians go to the polls next month. John Campbell at the Council on Foreign Relations notes: “This political model based on an elite dominated, patrimonial society is challenged each electoral cycle by minor candidates who seek to remake Nigerian politics around issues rather than personality, and argue that the elite understandings that govern Nigerian politics must go. There are three such presidential candidates for 2019: Oby Ezikwesili, Donald Duke, and Kingsley Moghalu.”
International Crisis Group notes: “Nigeria’s election history augurs poorly for the security of the 2019 contests. Over the eight years from June 2006 to May 2014, there were about 915 cases of election violence in the country, resulting in about 3,934 deaths, according to Nigeria Watch, a research project that monitors lethal conflict and human security.”
BBC reports: “The Nigerian army says it raided the offices of the private Daily Trust newspaper for ‘undermining national security’ by reporting about a planned operation against militant Islamists.”
Senegal Presidential – February 24, 2019
Robbie Corey-Boulet at World Politics Review writes: “Some 27 candidates initially threw their hats in the ring to challenge Senegalese President Macky Sall in the West African nation’s upcoming election, which is scheduled for Feb. 24. Seven weeks out from voting, however, it looks like the actual number of contenders will be considerably lower. On Wednesday, Senegal’s Constitutional Council ruled that 19 candidacy registrations had been rejected outright, while three others were still under review.”
Comoros Snap Presidential and Regional – March 24, 2019
World Politics Review: “How Comoros’ Authoritarian President Capitalized on a Migration Row With France.”
Malawi Tripartite (Presidential, Legislative, Local) – May 21, 2019
Malawi’s political parties are holding primaries for the May 2019 elections.
Chad Legislative and Local – 2019
Chad president Idriss Déby announced that local and legislative elections would take place in the first half of 2019. French president Emmanuel Macron, who visited French troops stationed in Chad over Christmas, pledged financial support. Déby made a similar announcement at the beginning of 2018, but the long-delayed elections, originally set for 2015, did not happen in 2018.
Ethiopia – 2020
The BBC has an in-depth piece on Abiy Ahmed, Ethiopia’s reformist prime minister who could lead the country from autocracy to democracy. Notably, Ahmed appointed an opposition leader to head the election commission, and has promised free and fair elections in 2020.
Recent Elections
Democratic Republic of the Congo General – December 30, 2019
Financial Times reports: “The Democratic Republic of Congo was edging towards crisis on Sunday as the electoral commission postponed the announcement of presidential results and the international community stepped up pressure on Joseph Kabila, the incumbent, to cede power.”
The Catholic Church, which deployed over 40,000 election observers, said that main opposition candidate Martin Fayulu clearly defeated Kabila’s chosen successor, Emmanuel Shadary. The polls could lead to the DRC’s first democratic transition of power.
Abdi Latif Dahir at Quartz reports: “An internet shutdown across the Democratic Republic of the Congo is heightening fears of electoral fraud in a presidential election already marred by delays and violence.”
The UN Refugee Agency reports that intercommunal clashes in December 2018 caused some 16,000 to flee to neighboring Congo-Brazzaville in the biggest influx of refugees from the DRC since 2009.
Togo Legislative – December 20, 2018
University of Southern California professor Tyson Roberts explains why Togo’s opposition boycotted the recent elections, and explores whether they achieved their goals: “Boycotts are not new in Togo. Major opposition parties boycotted Togo’s first three legislative elections after the country adopted multiparty politics in 1992. The boycotts left the legislature dominated by the ruling party, granting it power to make constitutional amendments, enabling two leaders, Gnassingbé Eyadéma and his son Faure, to extend their successive rule past the 50-year mark.”
Madagascar Presidential Runoff – December 19, 2018
Bloomberg reports: “Madagascar braced for a third day of protests Thursday as supporters of Marc Ravalomanana, the runner up in last month’s presidential election, picketed in the capital, Antananarivo, amid claims of electoral fraud.” Parliament’s term expires in February 2019, so legislative elections are expected in March or April.
Other Regional News and Views
Burundi
Julia Steers on why Burundi’s ongoing political crisis could lead to ethnic violence.
Gabon
A coup attempt in Gabon appears to have failed. The BBC notes: “Current leader Ali Bongo succeeded his father Omar Bongo as president in 2009. He narrowly won re-election in 2016 in a poll marred by violence and accusations of fraud.”
The Gambia
The Telegraph’s Colin Freeman reports: “Call it the Tyrants’ Tango, the Despots’ Dad Dance, or a case of Strictly Dictators. Video footage has emerged of two of Africa’s most ruthless strongmen taking to the dance floor together at New Year’s Eve – and offering proof, perhaps, that guilty feet do indeed have no rhythm. The video, shot in a lavish ballroom in Equatorial Guinea, shows the country’s long-standing ruler, Teodoro Obiang, leading in the 2019 celebrations along with Yahya Jammeh, the fugitive former dictator of Gambia.” Jammeh, who ruled Gambia with an iron fist for two decades, was ousted peacefully, via the ballot box, in 2016 in a remarkable victory for democrats. He currently lives in exile in Equatorial Guinea, but faces criminal charges for atrocities in Gambia. Gambians had hoped he would be extradited.
Sudan
Protests over the price of bread continue in Sudan. Quartz’s Abdi Latif Dahir, in a piece looking at the politics of bread in the region, writes: “To quell the uprising, authorities disrupted internet connectivity, arrested opposition figures and critical journalists, and used tear gas to disperse growing crowds chanting, ‘The people want the fall of the regime.’”
Oby Ezekwesili, who helped found Transparency International, served in major roles at the World Bank, and led the #BringBackOurGirls movement, hopes to shake up Nigerian politics with her candidacy for president. Photo credit: World Economic Forum/Eric Miller
21votes does not necessarily endorse all of the views in all of the linked articles or publications.
Africa This Week – January 7, 2019
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Last Updated: January 29, 2019 by 21votes
Each day, 21votes gathers election and political news from a different region of the world. We explore Africa on Mondays. Click the map pins.
Nigeria General - February 16, 2019
Nigerians go to the polls next month. John Campbell at the Council on Foreign Relations notes: “This political model based on an elite dominated, patrimonial society is challenged each electoral cycle by minor candidates who seek to remake Nigerian politics around issues rather than personality, and argue that the elite understandings that govern Nigerian politics must go. There are three such presidential candidates for 2019: Oby Ezikwesili, Donald Duke, and Kingsley Moghalu.”
International Crisis Group notes: “Nigeria’s election history augurs poorly for the security of the 2019 contests. Over the eight years from June 2006 to May 2014, there were about 915 cases of election violence in the country, resulting in about 3,934 deaths, according to Nigeria Watch, a research project that monitors lethal conflict and human security.”
BBC reports: “The Nigerian army says it raided the offices of the private Daily Trust newspaper for ‘undermining national security’ by reporting about a planned operation against militant Islamists.”
Senegal Presidential - February 24, 2019
Robbie Corey-Boulet at World Politics Review writes: “Some 27 candidates initially threw their hats in the ring to challenge Senegalese President Macky Sall in the West African nation’s upcoming election, which is scheduled for Feb. 24. Seven weeks out from voting, however, it looks like the actual number of contenders will be considerably lower. On Wednesday, Senegal’s Constitutional Council ruled that 19 candidacy registrations had been rejected outright, while three others were still under review.”
Comoros Snap Presidential and Regional - March 24, 2019
World Politics Review: “How Comoros’ Authoritarian President Capitalized on a Migration Row With France.”
Malawi Tripartite (Presidential, Legislative, Local) - May 21, 2019
Malawi’s political parties are holding primaries for the May 2019 elections.
Chad Legislative and Local - 2019
Chad president Idriss Déby announced that local and legislative elections would take place in the first half of 2019. French president Emmanuel Macron, who visited French troops stationed in Chad over Christmas, pledged financial support. Déby made a similar announcement at the beginning of 2018, but the long-delayed elections, originally set for 2015, did not happen in 2018.
Ethiopia - 2020
The BBC has an in-depth piece on Abiy Ahmed, Ethiopia’s reformist prime minister who could lead the country from autocracy to democracy. Notably, Ahmed appointed an opposition leader to head the election commission, and has promised free and fair elections in 2020.
Democratic Republic of the Congo General - December 30, 2019
Financial Times reports: “The Democratic Republic of Congo was edging towards crisis on Sunday as the electoral commission postponed the announcement of presidential results and the international community stepped up pressure on Joseph Kabila, the incumbent, to cede power.”
The Catholic Church, which deployed over 40,000 election observers, said that main opposition candidate Martin Fayulu clearly defeated Kabila’s chosen successor, Emmanuel Shadary. The polls could lead to the DRC’s first democratic transition of power.
Abdi Latif Dahir at Quartz reports: “An internet shutdown across the Democratic Republic of the Congo is heightening fears of electoral fraud in a presidential election already marred by delays and violence.”
The UN Refugee Agency reports that intercommunal clashes in December 2018 caused some 16,000 to flee to neighboring Congo-Brazzaville in the biggest influx of refugees from the DRC since 2009.
Togo Legislative - December 20, 2019
University of Southern California professor Tyson Roberts explains why Togo’s opposition boycotted the recent elections, and explores whether they achieved their goals: “Boycotts are not new in Togo. Major opposition parties boycotted Togo’s first three legislative elections after the country adopted multiparty politics in 1992. The boycotts left the legislature dominated by the ruling party, granting it power to make constitutional amendments, enabling two leaders, Gnassingbé Eyadéma and his son Faure, to extend their successive rule past the 50-year mark.”
Madagascar Presidential Runoff - December 19, 2018
Bloomberg reports: “Madagascar braced for a third day of protests Thursday as supporters of Marc Ravalomanana, the runner up in last month’s presidential election, picketed in the capital, Antananarivo, amid claims of electoral fraud.” Parliament’s term expires in February 2019, so legislative elections are expected in March or April.
Burundi
Julia Steers on why Burundi’s ongoing political crisis could lead to ethnic violence.
Gabon
A coup attempt in Gabon appears to have failed. The BBC notes: “Current leader Ali Bongo succeeded his father Omar Bongo as president in 2009. He narrowly won re-election in 2016 in a poll marred by violence and accusations of fraud.”
The Gambia
The Telegraph’s Colin Freeman reports: “Call it the Tyrants’ Tango, the Despots’ Dad Dance, or a case of Strictly Dictators. Video footage has emerged of two of Africa’s most ruthless strongmen taking to the dance floor together at New Year’s Eve – and offering proof, perhaps, that guilty feet do indeed have no rhythm. The video, shot in a lavish ballroom in Equatorial Guinea, shows the country’s long-standing ruler, Teodoro Obiang, leading in the 2019 celebrations along with Yahya Jammeh, the fugitive former dictator of Gambia.” Jammeh, who ruled Gambia with an iron fist for two decades, was ousted peacefully, via the ballot box, in 2016 in a remarkable victory for democrats. He currently lives in exile in Equatorial Guinea, but faces criminal charges for atrocities in Gambia. Gambians had hoped he would be extradited.
Sudan
Protests over the price of bread continue in Sudan. Quartz’s Abdi Latif Dahir, in a piece looking at the politics of bread in the region, writes: “To quell the uprising, authorities disrupted internet connectivity, arrested opposition figures and critical journalists, and used tear gas to disperse growing crowds chanting, ‘The people want the fall of the regime.’”
Upcoming Elections
Nigeria General – February 16, 2019
Nigerians go to the polls next month. John Campbell at the Council on Foreign Relations notes: “This political model based on an elite dominated, patrimonial society is challenged each electoral cycle by minor candidates who seek to remake Nigerian politics around issues rather than personality, and argue that the elite understandings that govern Nigerian politics must go. There are three such presidential candidates for 2019: Oby Ezikwesili, Donald Duke, and Kingsley Moghalu.”
International Crisis Group notes: “Nigeria’s election history augurs poorly for the security of the 2019 contests. Over the eight years from June 2006 to May 2014, there were about 915 cases of election violence in the country, resulting in about 3,934 deaths, according to Nigeria Watch, a research project that monitors lethal conflict and human security.”
BBC reports: “The Nigerian army says it raided the offices of the private Daily Trust newspaper for ‘undermining national security’ by reporting about a planned operation against militant Islamists.”
Senegal Presidential – February 24, 2019
Robbie Corey-Boulet at World Politics Review writes: “Some 27 candidates initially threw their hats in the ring to challenge Senegalese President Macky Sall in the West African nation’s upcoming election, which is scheduled for Feb. 24. Seven weeks out from voting, however, it looks like the actual number of contenders will be considerably lower. On Wednesday, Senegal’s Constitutional Council ruled that 19 candidacy registrations had been rejected outright, while three others were still under review.”
Comoros Snap Presidential and Regional – March 24, 2019
World Politics Review: “How Comoros’ Authoritarian President Capitalized on a Migration Row With France.”
Malawi Tripartite (Presidential, Legislative, Local) – May 21, 2019
Malawi’s political parties are holding primaries for the May 2019 elections.
Chad Legislative and Local – 2019
Chad president Idriss Déby announced that local and legislative elections would take place in the first half of 2019. French president Emmanuel Macron, who visited French troops stationed in Chad over Christmas, pledged financial support. Déby made a similar announcement at the beginning of 2018, but the long-delayed elections, originally set for 2015, did not happen in 2018.
Ethiopia – 2020
The BBC has an in-depth piece on Abiy Ahmed, Ethiopia’s reformist prime minister who could lead the country from autocracy to democracy. Notably, Ahmed appointed an opposition leader to head the election commission, and has promised free and fair elections in 2020.
Recent Elections
Democratic Republic of the Congo General – December 30, 2019
Financial Times reports: “The Democratic Republic of Congo was edging towards crisis on Sunday as the electoral commission postponed the announcement of presidential results and the international community stepped up pressure on Joseph Kabila, the incumbent, to cede power.”
The Catholic Church, which deployed over 40,000 election observers, said that main opposition candidate Martin Fayulu clearly defeated Kabila’s chosen successor, Emmanuel Shadary. The polls could lead to the DRC’s first democratic transition of power.
Abdi Latif Dahir at Quartz reports: “An internet shutdown across the Democratic Republic of the Congo is heightening fears of electoral fraud in a presidential election already marred by delays and violence.”
The UN Refugee Agency reports that intercommunal clashes in December 2018 caused some 16,000 to flee to neighboring Congo-Brazzaville in the biggest influx of refugees from the DRC since 2009.
Togo Legislative – December 20, 2018
University of Southern California professor Tyson Roberts explains why Togo’s opposition boycotted the recent elections, and explores whether they achieved their goals: “Boycotts are not new in Togo. Major opposition parties boycotted Togo’s first three legislative elections after the country adopted multiparty politics in 1992. The boycotts left the legislature dominated by the ruling party, granting it power to make constitutional amendments, enabling two leaders, Gnassingbé Eyadéma and his son Faure, to extend their successive rule past the 50-year mark.”
Madagascar Presidential Runoff – December 19, 2018
Bloomberg reports: “Madagascar braced for a third day of protests Thursday as supporters of Marc Ravalomanana, the runner up in last month’s presidential election, picketed in the capital, Antananarivo, amid claims of electoral fraud.” Parliament’s term expires in February 2019, so legislative elections are expected in March or April.
Other Regional News and Views
Burundi
Julia Steers on why Burundi’s ongoing political crisis could lead to ethnic violence.
Gabon
A coup attempt in Gabon appears to have failed. The BBC notes: “Current leader Ali Bongo succeeded his father Omar Bongo as president in 2009. He narrowly won re-election in 2016 in a poll marred by violence and accusations of fraud.”
The Gambia
The Telegraph’s Colin Freeman reports: “Call it the Tyrants’ Tango, the Despots’ Dad Dance, or a case of Strictly Dictators. Video footage has emerged of two of Africa’s most ruthless strongmen taking to the dance floor together at New Year’s Eve – and offering proof, perhaps, that guilty feet do indeed have no rhythm. The video, shot in a lavish ballroom in Equatorial Guinea, shows the country’s long-standing ruler, Teodoro Obiang, leading in the 2019 celebrations along with Yahya Jammeh, the fugitive former dictator of Gambia.” Jammeh, who ruled Gambia with an iron fist for two decades, was ousted peacefully, via the ballot box, in 2016 in a remarkable victory for democrats. He currently lives in exile in Equatorial Guinea, but faces criminal charges for atrocities in Gambia. Gambians had hoped he would be extradited.
Sudan
Protests over the price of bread continue in Sudan. Quartz’s Abdi Latif Dahir, in a piece looking at the politics of bread in the region, writes: “To quell the uprising, authorities disrupted internet connectivity, arrested opposition figures and critical journalists, and used tear gas to disperse growing crowds chanting, ‘The people want the fall of the regime.’”
Oby Ezekwesili, who helped found Transparency International, served in major roles at the World Bank, and led the #BringBackOurGirls movement, hopes to shake up Nigerian politics with her candidacy for president. Photo credit: World Economic Forum/Eric Miller
21votes does not necessarily endorse all of the views in all of the linked articles or publications.
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Category: This Week Tags: Burundi, Chad, Comoros, DRC, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Madagascar, Malawi, Nigeria, Senegal, Sudan, Togo