On deck: Nigeria general (February 16); Senegal presidential (February 24); Madagascar parliamentary (March); Nigeria Rivers state gubernatorial and state legislature (March 2); Guinea legislative (overdue – mandates of current legislators expired January 13 – date not set for new elections – some arguing for April 4); Guinea-Bissau legislative (delayed to March 10 – further delays possible); Comoros, snap presidential and regional (March 24); Guinea-Bissau presidential (scheduled for April – delays possible); Mali legislative (scheduled for April – tentative); Mauritania legislative (scheduled for May – tentative); South Africa legislative and provincial (May); Malawi tripartite – presidential, legislative, local (May 21); Botswana parliamentary (October); Mozambique presidential, legislative, provincial (October 15); Namibia presidential and legislative (November); Somalia, Somaliland congressional and local (November 1, 2019 – tentative); Cameroon regional (proposed by president- date not set yet)
Upcoming Elections
Nigeria General – February 16, 2019
Nigerian president Muhammadu Buhari suspended the country’s chief justice ahead of elections, garnering criticism from international government.
The Associated Press reports: Why Nigeria’s election faces multiple threats “Nigeria has slid into a constitutional crisis three weeks before the presidential election after President Muhammadu Buhari suspended the country’s chief justice, a key player in what likely will be a disputed vote affecting the lives of some 190 million people. The president’s rival calls the suspension ‘an act of dictatorship’ meant to influence the election. Africa’s most populous country already faces multiple challenges as it tries for a second consecutive democratic transfer of power on Feb. 16 after decades marked by coups.”
The United States and United Kingdom have issued a joint statement saying they will deny visas to people who participate in election rigging and violence.
The Brookings Institution published a guide to Nigeria’s elections by African Renaissance founding editor and Nasarawa State University professor Jideofor Adibe.
Madagascar Parliamentary – Due by February 2019 (still not scheduled)
The mandate of Madagascar’s parliament ends on February 5, but no date has been set for new elections. The legislative elections come on the heels of a hotly-contested and turbulent presidential election, which was followed by protests.
Comoros Snap Presidential and Gubernatorial – March 24, 2019
Comoros President Azali Assoumani is running for re-election in March’s snap presidential election after he won a widely-criticized referendum last summer that extended term limits and changed the system of rotating power among the country’s three main islands. Assoumani faces 19 challengers. Elections for each of the three island governors will happen at the same time.
The Economist calls Comoros “the world’s most coup-prone island paradise.” In 2018, Comoros saw protests, an armed rebellion on Anjouan island, and harsh prison and forced labor sentences for opposition figures after the referendum. Assoumani denies that the arrests were politically motivated, calling them “unfortunate coincidences.”
Guinea Legislative – Overdue (still not scheduled)
Guinea’s opposition will announce on February 16 whether its legislators will continue to sit in parliament. Parliament’s term expired this month. President Alpha Condé extended the term, but has not announced a date for new elections. The parliamentary elections happen in the context of preparations for the 2020 presidential elections. Analysts think Condé will attempt to change the constitution to enable himself to run for a third term. Russia, which has mining interests in Guinea, is encouraging the move. Elections in Guinea happen at irregular intervals and routinely face lengthy delays.
Malawi Tripartite (Presidential, Legislative, Local) – May 21, 2019
Malawi24 reports: “The United States Embassy in Malawi has urged politicians to commit to non-violence in the lead up to the May 2019 elections.
Burundi General – Due in 2020
The Conversation: “Burundi is on a particularly perilous track. As the various parties have failed to agree on a road map for the 2020 elections, international actors are concerned that the power-sharing institutions, which were established by the Arusha Accords and moved the country out of a bloody conflict that lasted from 1993 until 2005, will collapse altogether.”
Sudan General – Due in 2020
Financial Times reports: “Anti-government protests in Sudan have spread to at least 35 cities and villages as professionals and marginalised young people pile more pressure on President Omar al-Bashir’s regime in a fifth week of unrest.”
Past Elections
Democratic Republic of the Congo General – December 31, 2018
Voice of America reports: “The Democratic Republic of Congo’s parliament held its opening session Monday after a bitterly-fought election that ushered in a new opposition president but left the National Assembly dominated by supporters of former leader Joseph Kabila.”
Vox’s Jen Kirby: “Congo just had its first peaceful transfer of power in 60 years. But lingering doubts about the election’s legitimacy have dampened the milestone.”
Togo Legislative – December 20, 2018
Togo’s parliament has elected its first female speaker, Yawa Djigbodi Tsegan, from the party of President Fauré Gnassingbe, Union for the Republic. The opposition boycotted December’s legislative election, which happened amidst protests, but the ruling party still managed to lose seats. The Gnassingbe family has ruled the country for over 50 years. It’s becoming increasingly common for autocrats to expand women’s rights to improve their image while avoiding other political reforms.
Cameroon Presidential – October 7, 2018
DW reports: “Cameroonians are taking their grievances against the regime of President Paul Biya to the world. Over the weekend, Cameroonians occupied the embassies of their country in Berlin and Paris, to support protests back home.” Earlier this month, Biya called for regional elections, but did not propose an actual date. The country is in the midst of a crisis due to an insurgency by Anglophones. and a brutal crackdown on the opposition.
https://twitter.com/billyb2009/status/1089185321202446336
Zimbabwe General – July 30, 2018
Zimbabwe continues its crackdown on the opposition following protests over the government’s fuel price hike. Over 1,000 people have been arrested, and police and armed men are conducting door-to-door raids on citizens.
Liberia Presidential – January 2018
Elizabeth Donnelly and Dr Geraldine O’Mahony at Chatham House: “A Conflicted Leader: George Weah’s First Year in Liberia: There were high expectations that Liberia’s president would tackle corruption and boost the economy, but he has struggled with entrenched interests and demands of patronage.”
Rwanda Presidential – July 2017
Reuters reports: “Diane Rwigara says she will not let more than a year in detention derail her campaign against President Paul Kagame, the rebel-turned-statesman lauded for transforming the small African nation’s economy but criticized for smothering dissent.”
Voting in Abuja during Nigeria’s 2015 elections. Photo credit: U.S. Embassy/Idika Onyukwu
21votes does not necessarily endorse all of the views in all of the linked articles or publications.
Africa This Week – January 28, 2019
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Last Updated: February 6, 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
Nigerian president Muhammadu Buhari suspended the country’s chief justice ahead of elections, garnering criticism from international government.
The Associated Press reports: Why Nigeria’s election faces multiple threats “Nigeria has slid into a constitutional crisis three weeks before the presidential election after President Muhammadu Buhari suspended the country’s chief justice, a key player in what likely will be a disputed vote affecting the lives of some 190 million people. The president’s rival calls the suspension ‘an act of dictatorship’ meant to influence the election. Africa’s most populous country already faces multiple challenges as it tries for a second consecutive democratic transfer of power on Feb. 16 after decades marked by coups.”
The United States and United Kingdom have issued a joint statement saying they will deny visas to people who participate in election rigging and violence.
The Brookings Institution published a guide to Nigeria’s elections by African Renaissance founding editor and Nasarawa State University professor Jideofor Adibe.
Madagascar Parliamentary - Due by February 2019 (still not scheduled)
The mandate of Madagascar’s parliament ends on February 5, but no date has been set for new elections. The legislative elections come on the heels of a hotly-contested and turbulent presidential election, which was followed by protests.
Comoros Snap Presidential and Gubernatorial - March 24, 2019
Comoros President Azali Assoumani is running for re-election in March’s snap presidential election after he won a widely-criticized referendum last summer that extended term limits and changed the system of rotating power among the country’s three main islands. Assoumani faces 19 challengers. Elections for each of the three island governors will happen at the same time.
The Economist calls Comoros “the world’s most coup-prone island paradise.” In 2018, Comoros saw protests, an armed rebellion on Anjouan island, and harsh prison and forced labor sentences for opposition figures after the referendum. Assoumani denies that the arrests were politically motivated, calling them “unfortunate coincidences.”
Guinea Legislative - Overdue (still not scheduled)
Guinea’s opposition will announce on February 16 whether its legislators will continue to sit in parliament. Parliament’s term expired this month. President Alpha Condé extended the term, but has not announced a date for new elections. The parliamentary elections happen in the context of preparations for the 2020 presidential elections. Analysts think Condé will attempt to change the constitution to enable himself to run for a third term. Russia, which has mining interests in Guinea, is encouraging the move. Elections in Guinea happen at irregular intervals and routinely face lengthy delays.
Malawi Tripartite (Presidential, Legislative, Local) - May 21, 2019
Malawi24 reports: “The United States Embassy in Malawi has urged politicians to commit to non-violence in the lead up to the May 2019 elections.
Burundi General - Due in 2020
The Conversation: “Burundi is on a particularly perilous track. As the various parties have failed to agree on a road map for the 2020 elections, international actors are concerned that the power-sharing institutions, which were established by the Arusha Accords and moved the country out of a bloody conflict that lasted from 1993 until 2005, will collapse altogether.”
Democratic Republic of the Congo General - December 31, 2018
Voice of America reports: “The Democratic Republic of Congo’s parliament held its opening session Monday after a bitterly-fought election that ushered in a new opposition president but left the National Assembly dominated by supporters of former leader Joseph Kabila.”
Vox’s Jen Kirby: “Congo just had its first peaceful transfer of power in 60 years. But lingering doubts about the election’s legitimacy have dampened the milestone.”
Togo Legislative - December 20, 2018
Togo’s parliament has elected its first female speaker, Yawa Djigbodi Tsegan, from the party of President Fauré Gnassingbe, Union for the Republic. The opposition boycotted December’s legislative election, which happened amidst protests, but the ruling party still managed to lose seats. The Gnassingbe family has ruled the country for over 50 years. It’s becoming increasingly common for autocrats to expand women’s rights to improve their image while avoiding other political reforms.
Cameroon Presidential - October 7, 2018
DW reports: “Cameroonians are taking their grievances against the regime of President Paul Biya to the world. Over the weekend, Cameroonians occupied the embassies of their country in Berlin and Paris, to support protests back home.” Earlier this month, Biya called for regional elections, but did not propose an actual date. The country is in the midst of a crisis due to an insurgency by Anglophones. and a brutal crackdown on the opposition.
Zimbabwe General - July 30, 2018
Zimbabwe continues its crackdown on the opposition following protests over the government’s fuel price hike. Over 1,000 people have been arrested, and police and armed men are conducting door-to-door raids on citizens.
Liberia Presidential - January 2018
Elizabeth Donnelly and Dr Geraldine O’Mahony at Chatham House: “A Conflicted Leader: George Weah’s First Year in Liberia: There were high expectations that Liberia’s president would tackle corruption and boost the economy, but he has struggled with entrenched interests and demands of patronage.”
Rwanda Presidential - July 2017
Reuters reports: “Diane Rwigara says she will not let more than a year in detention derail her campaign against President Paul Kagame, the rebel-turned-statesman lauded for transforming the small African nation’s economy but criticized for smothering dissent.”
Sudan General - Due in 2020
Financial Times reports: “Anti-government protests in Sudan have spread to at least 35 cities and villages as professionals and marginalised young people pile more pressure on President Omar al-Bashir’s regime in a fifth week of unrest.”
On deck: Nigeria general (February 16); Senegal presidential (February 24); Madagascar parliamentary (March); Nigeria Rivers state gubernatorial and state legislature (March 2); Guinea legislative (overdue – mandates of current legislators expired January 13 – date not set for new elections – some arguing for April 4); Guinea-Bissau legislative (delayed to March 10 – further delays possible); Comoros, snap presidential and regional (March 24); Guinea-Bissau presidential (scheduled for April – delays possible); Mali legislative (scheduled for April – tentative); Mauritania legislative (scheduled for May – tentative); South Africa legislative and provincial (May); Malawi tripartite – presidential, legislative, local (May 21); Botswana parliamentary (October); Mozambique presidential, legislative, provincial (October 15); Namibia presidential and legislative (November); Somalia, Somaliland congressional and local (November 1, 2019 – tentative); Cameroon regional (proposed by president- date not set yet)
Upcoming Elections
Nigeria General – February 16, 2019
Nigerian president Muhammadu Buhari suspended the country’s chief justice ahead of elections, garnering criticism from international government.
The Associated Press reports: Why Nigeria’s election faces multiple threats “Nigeria has slid into a constitutional crisis three weeks before the presidential election after President Muhammadu Buhari suspended the country’s chief justice, a key player in what likely will be a disputed vote affecting the lives of some 190 million people. The president’s rival calls the suspension ‘an act of dictatorship’ meant to influence the election. Africa’s most populous country already faces multiple challenges as it tries for a second consecutive democratic transfer of power on Feb. 16 after decades marked by coups.”
The United States and United Kingdom have issued a joint statement saying they will deny visas to people who participate in election rigging and violence.
The Brookings Institution published a guide to Nigeria’s elections by African Renaissance founding editor and Nasarawa State University professor Jideofor Adibe.
Madagascar Parliamentary – Due by February 2019 (still not scheduled)
The mandate of Madagascar’s parliament ends on February 5, but no date has been set for new elections. The legislative elections come on the heels of a hotly-contested and turbulent presidential election, which was followed by protests.
Comoros Snap Presidential and Gubernatorial – March 24, 2019
Comoros President Azali Assoumani is running for re-election in March’s snap presidential election after he won a widely-criticized referendum last summer that extended term limits and changed the system of rotating power among the country’s three main islands. Assoumani faces 19 challengers. Elections for each of the three island governors will happen at the same time.
The Economist calls Comoros “the world’s most coup-prone island paradise.” In 2018, Comoros saw protests, an armed rebellion on Anjouan island, and harsh prison and forced labor sentences for opposition figures after the referendum. Assoumani denies that the arrests were politically motivated, calling them “unfortunate coincidences.”
Guinea Legislative – Overdue (still not scheduled)
Guinea’s opposition will announce on February 16 whether its legislators will continue to sit in parliament. Parliament’s term expired this month. President Alpha Condé extended the term, but has not announced a date for new elections. The parliamentary elections happen in the context of preparations for the 2020 presidential elections. Analysts think Condé will attempt to change the constitution to enable himself to run for a third term. Russia, which has mining interests in Guinea, is encouraging the move. Elections in Guinea happen at irregular intervals and routinely face lengthy delays.
Malawi Tripartite (Presidential, Legislative, Local) – May 21, 2019
Malawi24 reports: “The United States Embassy in Malawi has urged politicians to commit to non-violence in the lead up to the May 2019 elections.
Burundi General – Due in 2020
The Conversation: “Burundi is on a particularly perilous track. As the various parties have failed to agree on a road map for the 2020 elections, international actors are concerned that the power-sharing institutions, which were established by the Arusha Accords and moved the country out of a bloody conflict that lasted from 1993 until 2005, will collapse altogether.”
Sudan General – Due in 2020
Financial Times reports: “Anti-government protests in Sudan have spread to at least 35 cities and villages as professionals and marginalised young people pile more pressure on President Omar al-Bashir’s regime in a fifth week of unrest.”
Past Elections
Democratic Republic of the Congo General – December 31, 2018
Voice of America reports: “The Democratic Republic of Congo’s parliament held its opening session Monday after a bitterly-fought election that ushered in a new opposition president but left the National Assembly dominated by supporters of former leader Joseph Kabila.”
Vox’s Jen Kirby: “Congo just had its first peaceful transfer of power in 60 years. But lingering doubts about the election’s legitimacy have dampened the milestone.”
Togo Legislative – December 20, 2018
Togo’s parliament has elected its first female speaker, Yawa Djigbodi Tsegan, from the party of President Fauré Gnassingbe, Union for the Republic. The opposition boycotted December’s legislative election, which happened amidst protests, but the ruling party still managed to lose seats. The Gnassingbe family has ruled the country for over 50 years. It’s becoming increasingly common for autocrats to expand women’s rights to improve their image while avoiding other political reforms.
Cameroon Presidential – October 7, 2018
DW reports: “Cameroonians are taking their grievances against the regime of President Paul Biya to the world. Over the weekend, Cameroonians occupied the embassies of their country in Berlin and Paris, to support protests back home.” Earlier this month, Biya called for regional elections, but did not propose an actual date. The country is in the midst of a crisis due to an insurgency by Anglophones. and a brutal crackdown on the opposition.
https://twitter.com/billyb2009/status/1089185321202446336
Zimbabwe General – July 30, 2018
Zimbabwe continues its crackdown on the opposition following protests over the government’s fuel price hike. Over 1,000 people have been arrested, and police and armed men are conducting door-to-door raids on citizens.
Liberia Presidential – January 2018
Elizabeth Donnelly and Dr Geraldine O’Mahony at Chatham House: “A Conflicted Leader: George Weah’s First Year in Liberia: There were high expectations that Liberia’s president would tackle corruption and boost the economy, but he has struggled with entrenched interests and demands of patronage.”
Rwanda Presidential – July 2017
Reuters reports: “Diane Rwigara says she will not let more than a year in detention derail her campaign against President Paul Kagame, the rebel-turned-statesman lauded for transforming the small African nation’s economy but criticized for smothering dissent.”
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, Cameroon, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Guinea, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sudan, Togo, Zimbabwe