insert_link World Navalny dies in prison − but his blueprint for anti-Putin activism will live on The legacy of Alexei Navalny lives on. Ian Langsdon/AFP via Getty Images Regina Smyth, Indiana University Long lines of Russians endured subzero temperatures in January 2024 to demand that anti-Ukraine war candidate Boris Nadezhdin be allowed to run in the forthcoming presidential election. It was protest by petition – a tactic that reflects the legacy of Alexei Navalny, the longtime Russian pro-democracy campaigner. Authorities say Navalny, a persistent thorn in […] todayFebruary 19, 2024 11
insert_link Namibia Empowering Namibian Youth: SEE Namibia’s Call for Voter Education By Dilia Mazula In a bid to address the concerning trend of voter apathy among Namibian youth, Social Enabled Education Namibia (SEE Namibia), a youth-led organization, supported by the US Embassy in Namibia, is dedicated to providing comprehensive education on the democratic process. Commenting on the issue, during an interview with Future Media News, Joseph Ndondi, Executive Director of SEE Namibia, emphasized the critical role of voter and […] todayFebruary 19, 2024 63
insert_link World Cute grandpa or authoritarian in waiting: who is Prabowo Subianto, the favourite to win Indonesia’s presidential election? By Tim Lindsey, The University of Melbourne Ambitious and mercurial, with a dark past, former army general Prabowo Subianto has spent a lifetime vying for the ultimate prize in Indonesian politics. Now, with a large lead in the latest polls ahead of this week’s election, it looks as though the presidency is finally within his grasp. So, who is Prabowo and how will he change Indonesia if […] todayFebruary 15, 2024 8
insert_link Africa West Africa trade will take a hit as Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso leave Ecowas By Olivier Walther, University of Florida The membership of the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) has been whittled down from 15 to 12 following the unilateral withdrawal of Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso in February. Founded in 1975, Ecowas is one of eight regional economic communities recognised by the African Union to foster regional integration on the continent. Its main objective is to create a […] todayFebruary 15, 2024 20
insert_link Opinion Pieces 200 million voters, 820,000 polling stations and 10,000 candidates: Indonesia’s massive election, by the numbers By Stephen Sherlock, Australian National University Indonesians are going to the polls to elect a new president on Wednesday. There are three candidates running, alongside their vice presidential candidates. According to opinion polls, the favourite is Prabowo Subianto, leader of the Greater Indonesia Party (Gerindra), a populist and nationalist party he founded in 2008. A former army general, Prabowo has already stood unsuccessfully for president twice before. He […] todayFebruary 14, 2024 6
insert_link World Senegalese urged to turn out to oppose presidential election delay By Alice CHANCELLOR and Soule DIA Dakar, Feb 9, 2024 (AFP) - Senegalese were urged on Friday to turn out and show their opposition to a last-minute delay of presidential polls, in a test of the balance of power between President Macky Sall and opponents. On Monday parliament backed Sall's sudden decision to postpone the February 25 election by 10 months, sparking a fierce opposition backlash and international concern. […] todayFebruary 9, 2024 8
insert_link World Pakistan blocks internet access on polling day As Pakistan votes to elect a new government today, internet services have been suspended across the country due to 'heightened security concerns'. Pakistan's poll body claims the Election Commission did not instruct the government to cut off internet services. Hira Mustafa reports from Islamabad. todayFebruary 8, 2024 11
insert_link World Indonesia’s Defense Minister seeks presidency There was a time when Prabowo Subianto's name would have spooked most Indonesians. But now young voters appear to be charmed by the defence minister's slick makeover. The BBC reports that the ex-special forces commander dogged by allegations of human rights abuses and disappearances has become a cute grandfather made for memes. Now 72, Prabowo is running to succeed the popular Joko Widodo when the world's third-largest democracy votes on […] todayFebruary 7, 2024 13
insert_link Africa Sall throws Senegal’s democratic credentials into doubt By Douglas Yates, American Graduate School in Paris (AGS) Senegal’s President Macky Sall announced in early February that presidential elections, originally scheduled for 25 February, would be postponed indefinitely. The announcement has raised fears of popular protests, violent repression, a once democratic president transforming into an authoritarian ruler – and possibly even another coup d’état in west Africa. There has been a flurry of coups in the region […] todayFebruary 7, 2024 11
