It was announced late on 17 March that Tanzanian President John Magufuli had died from complications relating to a chronic heart condition. Magufuli’s death occurred after almost a three-week absence from the public eye, which fuelled speculation about his health. The state tried to suppress rumours about the President’s deteriorating condition, arresting several opposition supporters …
The Central African Republic (CAR) was due to hold its first round of parliamentary elections on 14 February 2021. However, on 13 February President Faustin-Archange Touadéra decreed that the parliamentary elections would be delayed until 7 March and the second round of parliamentary elections to 14 March due to the surge in violence after the …
Bobi Wine, the leader of the National Unity Party (NUP) opposition party, and the main opposition candidate in the 14 January presidential election, announced on 1 February that he had filed papers challenging the election results with Uganda’s constitutional court. Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, alleges that incumbent President Yoweri Museveni and …
When South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa, ordered the country’s northern borders closed on 29 December 2020 to limit the spread of Coivd-19, the debate surrounding migration and illegal immigration in Southern Africa gained traction. For decades African countries have struggled to secure their borders with porous perimeters often contributing to protracted conflicts, but in South …
Uganda is holding its legislative and presidential elections on 14 January 2021 under elevated tensions following a campaign period marred by state violence and intimidation. Incumbent President Yoweri Museveni is widely expected to win, securing a sixth term in office and extending his 34-year rule. However, the main opposition candidate and leader of the National …
In 2021, initiating an effective Covid-19 vaccination programme is an essential part of any country’s economic recovery. Most of Africa’s 52 nations are planning to implement programmes – Madagascar and Tanzania are notable exceptions. However, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and others are worried that Africa will lag behind the rest of the world, causing …
On 13 November 2020, Zambia became the first African country to default on its debts since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic. The global recession triggered by the pandemic has made creditors less likely to extend grace periods on arrears as they have in the past. Holders of US$3 billion of Zambia’s Eurobonds refused to delay …
With Nigeria currently in the grip of a weeks-long wave of protests directed at the heavy-handed conduct of its recently disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), activists and celebrities in Nigeria, lobby groups worldwide (including in South Africa), and prominent global leaders such as former United States (US) Secretary of State Hilary Clinton, are urging the …
Tanzania will hold its national general election on 28 October in an environment of heightened tensions and allegations of voter suppression and intimidation. These accusations have been primarily directed at President John Magufuli who is running for re-election while critics accuse him of going after opposition members and activists and misusing state power. Magufuli rose …
In the aftermath of the 18 August coup (see Alert 133 for detailed report) that overthrew former President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita and installed a military government, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has sustained consistent pressure for a return to civilian rule. First, it imposed sanctions (including border closures and trade bans) and …