insert_link Africa Chad’s election outcome already seems set: 4 things Mahamat Déby has done to stay in power By Helga Dickow, University of Freiburg Chad’s presidential election campaigns officially kicked off on Sunday 14 April 2024 in the capital city, N'Djamena. Transitional president Mahamat Idriss Déby held a large meeting on the Place de la Nation directly in front of the presidential palace. In attendance were members of the government, the military and various political parties, identifiable, in the blistering heat, by their different […] today24 April, 2024
insert_link Africa Chad presidential election: assassination of main opposition figure casts doubt on country’s return to democracy By Helga Dickow, University of Freiburg The assassination of Chad’s main opposition leader, Yaya Dillo, is hanging heavy over presidential elections due in early May. Dillo was killed on 28 February when the headquarters of the opposition Party Socialiste sans Frontières (Party of Socialists without Borders) in the Chadian capital N'Djamena was besieged by the newly formed Rapid Reaction Force. It’s not the first violence meted out […] today22 March, 2024
insert_link Africa Chad households get free water and electricity Chad's government has declared free water and electricity for households until year-end, capping monthly consumption at 15,000 litres of water and 300 kWh of electricity. According to the BBC, Chad's junta leader and interim President Mahamat Déby sanctioned the policy "to assist households", but Chadians perceive the move as Déby's attempt to endear to voters. The government on Monday said it would also clear water and electricity bills for residents […] today12 March, 2024
insert_link Africa Chad’s election agency sets dates for presidential polls Chad's election agency has announced the dates for the upcoming presidential election, affirming its commitment to transitioning the country back to democracy from junta rule. The election will consist of two rounds, with provisional results expected by July 7. Initially, the military authorities, who seized power in 2021, proposed holding elections within 18 months. However, they later extended the transition period to October 10, 2024. The election agency emphasized […] today28 February, 2024
insert_link Opinion Pieces Wagner Group is now Africa Corps. What this means for Russia’s operations on the continent By Alessandro Arduino, King's College London In August 2023, Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin died after his private jet crashed about an hour after taking off in Moscow. He had been Russia’s pointman in Africa since the Wagner Group began operating on the continent in 2017. The group is known for deploying paramilitary forces, running disinformation campaigns and propping up influential political leaders. It has had a […] today16 February, 2024
insert_link Africa Chad: promises of a new chapter fade as junta strengthens its hold ahead of elections By Helga Dickow, University of Freiburg It’s been three years since Chad’s former president Idriss Déby Itno died. A transitional authority took over after his death. Yet the transition to democracy that was on the cards following his 31 years in power has failed to materialise. What Chadians hoped for was: a referendum on whether they wanted to be a unitary or federal state a return to constitutional […] today5 February, 2024
insert_link Africa Fintech and energy illuminate DR Congo’s nascent startup ecosystem By Conrad Onyango, via bird story agency The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), one of the world’s most resource-rich countries, is carving out a new prosperity niche as it emerges on the global tech scene. Known for its green metals, cobalt and copper, and the world's second-largest rainforest, the newest member of the East African Community is having a moment in the startup ecosystem. In 2023 the country raised […] today23 January, 2024
