UN special envoy says “tough times” lie ahead for Syrians

UN special envoy says “tough times” lie ahead for Syrians

The United Nations special envoy to Syria says nothing "must stop" Syria's peaceful transition. Geir Pedersen briefed reporters on Tuesday and says while great opportunity lies ahead for the people of Syria, there are also some grave risks. Jody Jacobs reports for us from the United Nations headquarters in New York.

December 11, 2024 11

Africa

Mauritius PM Concedes Defeat to Rival in Parliamentary Election

Mauritian Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth has acknowledged his coalition, L'Alliance Lepep, suffered a “huge defeat” in Sunday’s parliamentary election says BBC Africa. Jugnauth, 62, who sought a second term, stated, “The population has decided to choose another team." His main 77 year-old opponent, Navin Ramgoolam, leader of the Alliance of Change coalition, is set to become the next leader of the Indian Ocean nation. While Mauritius is celebrating, this election […]

November 12, 2024 10

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 […]

February 5, 2024 4

Namibia

From protest to power: #ShutItAllDown movement transforms into political force for Namibia’s future

By Dilia Mazula The #Shutitalldown movement, originally known for its groundbreaking protest in October 2020 following the tragic death of 22-year-old Shannon Wasserfall, whose remains were reportedly found buried in a shallow grave 6 months after she went missing, recently announced its transition from a grassroots advocacy group to a political party, aiming to actively participate in Namibia's 2024 parliamentary elections. Speaking to Future Media News, Ndilokelwa Nthengwe, an […]

January 10, 2024 68

Africa

Ex-DR Congo PM backs Katumbi amid election tensions

The former Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Augustin Matata Ponyo, has withdrawn from next month's presidential election. He said he would now be backing Moïse Katumbi, a millionaire businessman and former governor of the Katanga region. According to the BBC, the run-up to the 20 December vote has been tense with human rights groups accusing the authorities of cracking down on dissent and freedom of expression - […]

November 20, 2023 4