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 Nigeria criticises ECOWAS exit Nigeria has accused military authorities in Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso for letting their people down with their joint decision to leave the Economic Community of West African States. Ajeck Mangut reports. today1 February, 2024
insert_link Africa Nigeria has a democracy deficit – corruption and a lack of welfare policies are to blame By Fidelis Allen, University of Port Harcourt Democracy refers, at a minimum, to a political system that guarantees some involvement in decision-making. It gives citizens opportunities to choose and replace their leaders or representatives via free and fair elections. But that’s not all. Democracy also protects citizens’ socio-economic, political and cultural rights. Its success turns on its ability to bring changes to the living conditions of citizens. It […] today25 January, 2024
insert_link Africa Liberia transferred power peacefully again: 3 reasons the calm is holding, and one red flag By Charles Wratto, Babes Bolyai University Joseph Boakai was sworn in as Liberia’s 26th president on 22 January 2024. Boakai secured a six year term of office after defeating incumbent president George Weah in a keenly contested November 2023 poll with 50.9% of the votes cast. The west African country of 5 million people reached a major milestone on 17 November 2023, when Weah, of the Congress for […] today24 January, 2024
insert_link Local EU and KAS launch 15 million NAD project focusing on empowering CSOS, women, youth, and marginalized communities The European Union (EU) and the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) are delighted to announce the commencement of the project "Empowering CSOs, Women, Youth, and Marginalized Communities as Equal Partners in Democracy" (ECSO) project. This transformative initiative, co-funded by the EU and KAS, aligns with the joint commitment of the EU and Namibia to enhance the participation of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in governance and development issues. The ECSO project, spanning […] today24 January, 2024
insert_link World Israel now ranks among the world’s leading jailers of journalists. We don’t know why they’re behind bars By Peter Greste, Macquarie University Israel has emerged as one of the world’s leading jailers of journalists, according to a newly released census compiled by the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists. Each year, the committee releases a snapshot of the number of journalists behind bars as of December 1 2023 was the second highest on record with 320 in detention around the world. In a small way, that […] today19 January, 2024
insert_link Opinion Pieces More than 4 billion people are eligible to vote in an election in 2024. Is this democracy’s biggest test? Shutterstock Nicholas Reece, The University of Melbourne 2024 is going to be democracy’s biggest year ever. In a remarkable milestone in human history, over four billion people – more than half of the world’s population across more than 40 countries – will go to the polls. National elections will be held in the United States, India, Indonesia, Russia, the United Kingdom, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Taiwan, Mexico, and South Africa to name […] today15 January, 2024
insert_link Africa South Africa’s new intelligence bill is meant to stem abuses – what’s good and bad about it By Jane Duncan, University of Glasgow When South Africa became a constitutional democracy in 1994, it replaced its apartheid-era intelligence apparatus with a new one aimed at serving the country’s new democratic dispensation. However, the regime of former president Jacob Zuma, 2009-2018, deviated from this path. It abused the intelligence services to serve his political and allegdly corrupt ends. Now the country is taking steps to remedy the situation. […] today12 January, 2024
insert_link Africa Young Africans could disrupt authoritarian states but they don’t – here’s why By Lovise Aalen, Chr. Michelsen Institute and Marjoke Oosterom, Institute of Development Studies Africa has the world’s largest youth population. By 2030, 75% of the African population will be under the age of 35. The number of young Africans aged 15-24 is projected to reach 500 million in 2080. While population dynamics vary across the continent, most sub-Saharan countries have a median age below 19. Niger is the youngest country […] today8 January, 2024
