AFRICA
Conrad Omodiagbe
Nigeria: Upcoming Elections still Exclude Women
In the 2019 general election in Nigeria, Natasha Hadiza Akpoti made the brave decision to step into the country’s male-dominated elections ring. Under the Social Democratic Party (SDP), the 40-year-old barrister contested in the Kogi State Governorship election which held on the 16th of November 2019. While the elections saw incumbent Governor Yahya Bello come […]
Conrad Omodiagbe
Nigeria to Test Election Waters
Months after the coronavirus outbreak stopped the world dead in its tracks, forcing countries to cancel or postpone political activities especially elections, Nigeria seems to be getting ready to jump back on the saddle with the Nasarawa Central State Constituency by-election in Nasarawa State, scheduled to hold on August 8th. This election, according to the […]
Conrad Omodiagbe
Tanzania nominates Exiled Leader
The main opposition party in Tanzania, Chadema, has nominated former Member of Parliament, Tundu Lissu (who returned to the country last week after a three-year self-imposed exile) as its presidential candidate. He will run against the controversial incumbent, John Magufuli, in the country’s upcoming October 28 polls. The party made the decision on Monday after […]
Farida Adamu
Zimbabwe Stifles Critics–Democracy Watch
On the 20th of July, security agents in Zimbabwe arrested prominent investigative journalist, Hopewell Chin’ono, who in June, exposed a corruption scandal in the health ministry in the procurement of COVID-19 medical supplies worth $60 million. In a series of Facebook posts, Hopewell outlined alleged connections between Zimbabwe’s President’s son, Collins Mnangagwa, and Drax International, […]
Farida Adamu
Ivory Coast Gets New Prime Minister
Defence minister, Hamed Bakayoko has been appointed Prime Minister of Ivory Coast following the sudden demise of Amadou Gon Coulibaly in July. Mr Bakayoko had been in an interim position of Prime Minister since the late Coulibaly went on a medical trip to France. He was confirmed on the 30th of July by the president, Alassane […]
Conrad Omodiagbe
Egypt Approves New Exclusionary Law
Ahead of its first elections following the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi of Egypt has approved a new legal amendment to the country’s constitution that restricts retired army officers from running for political office in elections without permission from the Military. The amendment which was announced on Wednesday comes one year after […]
Conrad Omodiagbe
Somalia: Here’s Why the Elections Are In Limbo
Tensions and a power tussle between the Prime Minister and President of Somalia over whether or not to hold its game-changing “one man one vote” elections in February 2021 have resulted in the ousting of Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire by the country’s parliament in a hasty no-confidence vote cast on Sunday. Hassan Ali Khaire, […]