insert_link Africa Tanzania’s election laws make it hard to build political opposition – what needs to change By Aikande Clement Kwayu, Tumaini University Makumira Tanzanians go to the polls this year in local elections to vote for street and village chairpersons. This will be followed by a general election next year for councillors, members of parliament and the president. Both sets of elections are being watched closely. They’re the first to be held following a raft of changes over the past eight […] todayJuly 15, 2024 4
insert_link World India implements new criminal codes, replacing British era laws India on Monday implemented three new criminal laws that replace archaic colonial-era legislation to significantly overhaul its criminal justice system. Sreoshi Mukherjee reports from New Delhi. India's opposition parties and lawyers have hit out at the new laws. todayJuly 1, 2024 8
insert_link South Africa S.Africa’s new centre-right government promises unity, action South African President Cyril Ramaphosa's new coalition government heralds a pragmatic centre-right shift as opposition parties take control of more than a third of ministries, bringing hope for better governance but also cohesion fears. The African National Congress (ANC), which has governed since the advent of democracy in 1994, keeps 20 of the 32 cabinet positions, including foreign affairs, finance, defence, justice and police. The historied party […] todayJuly 1, 2024 5
insert_link South Africa ANC set to lose majority after watershed vote By Umberto BACCHI with Zama LUTHULI in Durban South Africa's ruling ANC was on course to lose its 30-year-old unchallenged majority on Thursday after voters queued long into the night to cast their ballots, preliminary results and projections showed. With a fifth of votes tallied, the ANC was leading but with a score of 44 percent -- well down on the 57 percent it […] todayMay 30, 2024 19
insert_link South Africa Over 26 million South Africans get a social grant. Fear of losing the payment used to be a reason to vote for the ANC, but no longer – study By Leila Patel, University of Johannesburg and Yolanda Sadie, University of Johannesburg Social grants to reduce poverty feature prominently in the campaign promises of political parties in South Africa’s 2024 national and provincial general elections, set for 29 May. The country’s social grants system is one of the largest in Africa in terms of number of beneficiaries. Research shows that this has helped reduce poverty. […] todayMay 15, 2024 11
insert_link Opinion Pieces South African elections: research explores how disillusioned ANC supporters might use their vote By Michael Braun, University of the Witwatersrand The African National Congress (ANC) has been in power since South Africa became a democracy in 1994. The party has been electorally dominant since then, reaching a peak of 69.7% of national votes in 2004. However, support for the party has declined sharply since the 2014 national and provincial elections, reaching a low of 57.5% in 2019. Negative attitudes […] todayMay 7, 2024 19
insert_link Africa Opposition accuses Togo government of extending President’s rule Tensions have risen in Togo as parliamentary and regional elections are underway amid controversy over a new constitution extending President Faure Gnassingbé's term. The BBC reports that opposition parties have accused the government of using the reform to extend Gnassingbé's family's 57-year rule, allowing him to potentially stay in power until 2031. todayApril 29, 2024 9
insert_link Africa Tanzanians go to the polls in 2025: President Samia has changed the landscape, but Magufuli’s legacy persists By Nicodemus Minde, United States International University It’s been three years since the death of Tanzania’s president John Magufuli and the rise to power of current president Samia Suluhu Hassan. Magufuli was Tanzania’s fifth president. He came to power in 2015 and was re-elected in 2020 in a poll that was marred by controversy. Magufuli brought lasting changes to Tanzania’s political landscape during his six-year tenure. His […] todayApril 16, 2024 7
insert_link World South Korea exit polls show opposition parties increase majority South Koreans are heading to the polls to elect a new parliament. Experts consider the election to be a litmus test on the leadership of President Yoon Suk Yeol. Al Jazeera reports that the main opposition Democratic Party and its affiliated parties are expected to strengthen their control by securing around 197 seats in the 300-seat single-chamber legislature, according to a collective exit poll conducted by three prominent TV networks. […] todayApril 10, 2024 17
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.
