On 11 May 2017 Hakainde Hichilema, the leader of Zambia’s main opposition the United Party for National Development (UPND) will again appear in the Lusaka Magistrate’s Court on charges of treason. The court is expected to rule on whether or not the case should be referred to Zambia’s High Court. Hichilema was arrested on 11 …
Political tensions are elevated in South Africa as uncertainty has increased ahead of an anticipated cabinet reshuffle. President Jacob Zuma has been expected to announce a reshuffle for some time, especially since there has been a vacancy in the Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry position, after Mzwandile Masina was elected as Mayor of Ekurhuleni. …
Tensions are elevated in Cameroon’s Anglophone regions of Northwest and Southwest following recent protests in the former which left two people dead. The recent protests which, occurred in the town of Ndop in the Northwest region, began on 10 February 2017 sparked by community complaints over the quality of teachers being deployed to the region. …
The Gambia’s political crisis is threatening to escalate into a potential armed conflict as the deadline for the handover of power from incumbent president, Yahya Jammeh, to the President-elect, Adama Barrow, nears. Barrow’s inauguration is supposed to take place on 19 January 2017, however, this appears increasingly in jeopardy. Barrow defeated Jammeh, who had ruled …
Protests are continuing to escalate in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) with incidents of politically motivated violence across the country leading opposition leaders to warn President Joseph Kabila that the country risks sliding towards civil war if he does not commit to democratic elections. The political crisis follows Kabila’s announcement that the DRC …
The Gambia’s presidential campaign is currently underway ahead of the election on 1 December 2016 with incumbent President Yahya Jammeh expected to face his most significant challenge yet. This comes following a meeting on 30 October 2016, where seven of The Gambia’s opposition parties agreed to coalesce their support behind Adama Barrow as a unified …
Political tensions have worsened in Ethiopia’s Oromia region following the death of over 50 people in a stampede instigated by clashes with security forces on 2 October 2016. The incident occurred during the Irreechaa festival, the annual traditional Oromo thanksgiving celebration, in the town of Bishoftu, located 60km south of the capital, Addis Ababa. During …
Violent scenes erupted in Gabon’s capital, Libreville, following the announcement of the presidential election results on 31 August 2016. According to the final result, the incumbent, President Ali Bongo, won with 49.8% of the vote narrowly defeating the opposition candidate, former African Union (AU) Commission Chairperson Jean Ping. However, Ping has already disputed the outcome …
On 15 August 2016, the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) announced that Edgar Lungu, leader of the Patriotic Front (PF), won the 11 August 2016 national election by 50.35% of the vote. His main opponent Hakainde Hichilema, leader of the United Party for National Development (UPND), received 47.67% and almost immediately contested the result alleging …
On 3 August 2016, South Africa held its local and municipal elections across the country and while the votes are still being tallied, it is clear that a political shift has occurred in parts of the country. The initial results indicate that at least 17 municipalities had hung votes meaning that coalitions will be needed …