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 […] todayJanuary 24, 2024 4
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 […] todayJanuary 24, 2024 10
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 […] todayJanuary 19, 2024 11
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 […] todayJanuary 15, 2024 7
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. […] todayJanuary 12, 2024 5
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 […] todayJanuary 8, 2024 27
insert_link Africa Hand counting and delays in DRC elections amid fraud claims In the Democratic Republic of the Cong votes are being counted by hand in parts of the capital city, Kinshasa, in a general election marred by delays and claims of fraud. The BBC reports that for the first time since 2006, voting has been extended to a second day in some parts of the country. todayDecember 21, 2023 28
insert_link Africa Egypt’s Al-Sisi wins third term in office Egypt's President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi has won a third six-year term with 89.6% of the vote, defeating three lesser-known candidates, as the runner-up received only 4.5%. The BBC reports that a prominent opposition candidate, Ahmed Tantawy, withdrew months before the election, citing intimidation and violence against his campaign team. todayDecember 19, 2023 4
insert_link Africa Egypt’s Sisi takes lead as vote count begins Egypt's electoral body has started counting votes following the conclusion of polling in the presidential elections. According to the BBC, voting began on Sunday and ended on Tuesday, with more than 67 million people registered to vote. Incumbent President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi is seeking a third consecutive term. The official results are set to be announced on 18 December 2023. todayDecember 13, 2023 19
Paying it forward: Kenyan coastal doctor Bashrahil Mohammed Mafudh has made it his life’s work to care for the most vulnerable in his community, at no cost.
