SOUTH AFRICA: Stumbling towards the 1 Nov local elections
While the Electoral Commission (IEC) should be able to pull off the organization of local elections now set for 1 November, the process threatens to be politically messy and legally contested. Unless the ruling African National Congress (ANC) manages to complete missing ca… Become a member to read the rest of this article Username […]
GUINEA: Following coup d’etat, miners face medium-term risks
On 5 September, special forces soldiers led by Lieutenant-Colonel Mamady Doumbouya arrested President Alpha Conde. During a subsequent broadcast on state TV, the putschists announced the suspension of state institutions, the temporary closure of national borders, and a nationwide… Become a member to read the rest of this article
Zambia: Hichilema’s honeymoon
Freshly inaugurated President Hakainde Hichilema is riding a wave of goodwill. Yet the reform process ahead will undoubtedly be politically painful and administratively challenging; it will be measured by the next budget, IMF talks and debt restructuring efforts. The ne… Become a member to read the rest of this article
KENYA: Constitutional referendum dead, presidential succession less certain
On 20 August, the Court of Appeal upheld a high court ruling declaring several aspects of the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) unconstitutional. The ruling represents another blow to President Uhuru Kenyatta’s and opposition leader Raila Odinga’s plans to amend the constitution … Become a member to read the rest of this article
SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA: IMF SDRs – trickle-down or redistribution?
The International Monetary Fund (IMF)’s general allocation of Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) remains inadequate vis-a-vis the region’s external financing needs. Yet, the debate on how rich countries can transfer SDRs to countries in greater need has been dragging on for mon… Become a member to read the rest of this article
NIGERIA: As PIB becomes PIA, fuel subsidy will test reform efforts’ seriousness
On 18 August, President Muhammadu Buhari inaugurated a steering committee to see through the implementation over the next 12 months of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), which he had signed into law earlier this week. The quick formation of the committee, which will report directl… Become a member to read the rest of this […]
ZAMBIA: Opposition landslide, daunting legacy
Opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema has won the 12 August presidential election by a landslide, trouncing incumbent President Edgar Lungu by close to 1mn votes. Despite three days of tensions and suggestions that Lungu’s side might refuse to accept the results, a relative… Become a member to read the rest of this article
ETHIOPIA: Towards total war?
Following a brief interlude in late June, the Tigray conflict has escalated and broadened, spilling across domestic borders and sucking in combatants from other Ethiopian regions. This intensifies the risk of worst-case scenarios – a spiraling humanitarian crisis, ethnic c… Become a member to read the rest of this article
ZAMBIA: High-stakes elections on 12 August
General elections will take place on Thursday, 12 August. The recent deployment of the military highlights the risk of electoral violence around the high-stakes polls. As explained previously, the presidential election should be opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema’s to lose give… Become a member to read the rest of this article
SOUTH AFRICA: Tito’s departure a blow, replacement may prove acceptable
Late on 5 August, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced his long-awaited cabinet reshuffle. The replacement of Finance Minister Tito Mboweni should not have been Ramaphosa’s priority, even if his successor, Enoch Godongwana, is a well-known and pragmatic ANC policy heavyweig… Become a member to read the rest of this article