Posts tagged democracy

As the people of Togo resume protests this week, we are reminded of people power, and that despite state violence and repression, freedom is non negotiable. The Togolese people are an inspiration to other African countries facing dictatorship and oppression.

Winds of political change are sweeping through Togo. Thousands of protesters marched through the streets of the capital, Lome calling for president President Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé to step down. Protesters are demanding for the end of the “Gnassingbé dynasty”. The Gnassingbé family has ruled Togo for more than 50 years. While the government has made a concession to introduce a two-term presidential limit to calm the volatile political situation, protesters are unyielding, calling for an end to Gnassingbé rule. Democracy has been elusive in many west African states. Togolese people are demanding the return of democracy in the country. Could people power force Gnassingbé out?

Kenya’s Supreme Court on September 1 invalidated presidential election result of the August 8 poll, which saw the re-election of President Uhuru Kenyatta. The Court ruled that the vote was marred by “irregularities and illegalities”. The Court said the election “was not conducted in accordance with the Constitution and … is invalid”. The ruling seen as a triumph for democracy and constitutionalism, and it has been widely celebrated across the continent, welcomed as an important precedent. Kenyatta will once again face a stern test from opposition leader Raila Odinga in the rerun scheduled for October 17.

Angolans made history as they went to the polls to elect a new president for the first time in 38 years. Many Angolans had never participated in an electoral process in their lives. The results of the election are expected to be released tomorrow.

Mauritanians took a radical decision and voted in favour of a referendum to abolish the senate and change the national flag. President Abdel Aziz had earlier accused the Senate of being corrupt and had referred to the senate as “useless and too costly.” what’s your view on the decision?

The Western media is Africa’s number one enemy. Its reportage on Africa is consistently biased, cementing stereotypes that Africa has a leadership crisis, and the continent is incapable of producing outstanding leaders. Without understanding specific geopolitical variables, it has consistently demonised its leaders, Muammar Gaddafi, Patrice Lumumba come to mind and now Rwanda’s Paul Kagame.

South Africa must rebuild its democratic institutions from the bottom up.

Premier of the Western Cape Helen Zille tweeting that colonialism wasn’t all bad goes to the heart of what apartheid remains deeply to blame for – a nation that has been unable to forge a common understanding and a shared vision for South Africa

Ecowas vs SADC? Against the backdrop of the key role played by Ecowas in The Gambian crisis, which led to Yahyah Jameh eventually leaving office and going into exile, Takura Zhangazha makes a comparison of Ecowas and SADC, two very different African inter-state organizations.

President Buhari’s silence translates as nonchalance towards his creditors, all Nigerians. Sadly, this indifference is the default, if feckless, attitude of those who occupy the space of leadership in Nigeria. These are the men and women who take the most from Nigeria but give back the least. Think about it: since assuming the presidency, has Mr. Buhari offered a serious policy statement about his country’s healthcare sector?