insert_link Africa Gabon’s New Constitution Proposes Presidential Term Limits and Disqualifies Ali Bongo’s Family Gabon’s proposed new constitution introduces a two-term limit for the presidency, extending the term length from five to seven years. DW TV says it also abolishes the prime minister position and bars family members from succeeding the president. Presidential candidates would need at least one Gabonese parent and a Gabonese spouse, disqualifying ousted leader Ali Bongo Ondimba and his family. Interim President General Brice Oligui Nguema described the referendum […] todayNovember 19, 2024 1
insert_link Africa Kenya’s lawmakers want to extend Presidential term to seven years Kenyan lawmakers have proposed revising the country’s constitution to extend presidential and parliamentary terms to seven years from five, according to a notice published in the Daily Nation newspaper. A bill submitted to the Senate and first read on 26 September 2024 is under discussion by a committee, according to the notice that calls for the public to submit its views on the proposal. todayOctober 2, 2024 17
insert_link Africa African countries are adopting two houses of parliament to boost democracy – but that’s not always what happens By Thalia Gerzso, University of York At independence, most African states had two legislative chambers – a lower and upper chamber – in their parliament. African leaders saw that as a colonial legacy and as inefficient, so most states removed the upper chambers. Before 1990, only two states kept these bicameral parliaments: Liberia and Nigeria. Since then, however, 40% of the 44 sub-Saharan African states that hold regular […] todaySeptember 13, 2024 24
insert_link World Why did Japan’s prime minister decide to step down? And who might replace him? By Craig Mark, Hosei University In a surprise announcement, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said today he would step down as leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) next month, bringing his premiership to an early end. Since coming to office in October 2021, Kishida has struggled to overcome dire approval ratings. The party has been dogged by revelations of ties to the Korean-based Unification Church […] todayAugust 15, 2024 19
insert_link Africa Biden Administration supports AGOA re-authorisation The Biden administration is supporting the early extension of the African Growth and Opportunity Act, allowing over 30 sub-Saharan African countries to maintain duty-free access to the U.S. market. Joy Basu, the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State in the Bureau of African Affairs, confirmed this during a press briefing, saying the United States supports an early re-authorization before AGOA expires in September 2025. Since its enactment in 2000, the […] todayJuly 30, 2024 29
insert_link Africa Tanzania’s opposition protests current electoral bills Tanzania's main opposition party is holding a peaceful demonstration march through Dar es Salaam. The leaders are condemning the current electoral bills as well as delays to constitutional reforms. Daniel Kijo reports from Dar es Salaam. todayJanuary 24, 2024 55