The year 2020 was a consequential year in African elections. The year started with elections in Togo where Faure Gnassingbé won a fourth term and closed off with elections in Niger and the Central African Republic where a second round is due on February 8. In 2021, the continent anticipates votes in Uganda and Ethiopia, local elections in Rwanda, an indirect presidential election in Somalia, District & Municipal elections in South Africa and elections to the Senate of Gabon. 

Uganda – 14 January 2021

Yoweri Museveni will be seeking a sixth term in office as Uganda votes this January. Robert ‘Bobi Wine’ Kyagulanyi, the opposition party leader, has alleged several attempts by the government to stop his campaign and says he fears for his life. Campaign activities spearheaded by the duo have created deep political tension in Uganda and while it is unclear whether Mr Wine will unseat Museveni, the odds remain starkly in favour of Museveni. 

Ethiopia – 5 June 2021

The tension between the Tigray People Liberation Front (TPLF) and Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed will play come to the fore in parliamentary elections in the African country of Ethiopia. Elections are not expected to hold in the Tigray region where Abiy declared a military offensive and an interim administration has been appointed by the federal government. It is expected that Abiy Ahmed will emerge winner of the polls as several opposition members including Jawar Mohammed remain behind bars and their followers threaten boycotts. 

Chad – 4 April, 2021

Multiple elections will hold in Chad, one to the presidency which is due April 4 and the parliamentary and local polls which are due October 4 2021. Idris Déby who has served 5 consecutive terms will be running for office again. No staunch opposition has surfaced against Déby whose administration has been widely described as authoritarian. 

Libya – 24 December, 2021

2021 in Africa will close off with elections to the parliament and presidency of Libya will take place on the 24 Dec 2021. The elections were due in December 2018 but were delayed due to military operations in the capital, Tripoli. Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, second son of former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi is expected to run for the office. 

Other African elections are expected in Madagascar and Mauritius, but dates have not been formally announced.