Fidelis Mukonori, the Jesuit priest who mediated Robert Mugabe’s exit in what was a seismic moment in Zimbabwe’s history, said the 93-year-old appeared relieved after signing his resignation letter.
Governance
Politics and Society Cartoon: Former Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe’s departure renews hope
Robert Mugabe resigned on Tuesday, November 21 as president of Zimbabwe after 37 years in power, ushering in a new era for the country. Mugabe finally resigned after a military intervention and pressure from his own party Zanu-PF and the Zimbabwean citizens. There was jubilation in streets across the country following decades of Mugabe’s authoritarian rule. Mugabe’s departure renews hope, and spirit and brings a sense of freedom to Zimbabweans, most of whom have only known one leader.
Politics and Society Makerere University students protest presidential age limit despite ban
48 people in Uganda including 25 students from Makerere University were arrested after teargas was fired to disperse them for protesting the contentious removal of the presidential age limit, currently set at 75. If approved, the constitutional amendment could allow President Yoweri Museveni (73) to extend his stay in power.
Politics and Society Whither South Africa?
Will the South African state fail or can the country thrive in the next 15 years? Four scenarios give us a glimpse of the rainbow nation’s potential fate.
Politics and Society New beginning: The Gambia’s new president Adama Barrow arrives home
President Adama Barrow has finally returned from Senegal where he was sworn in as the new leader at The Gambian embassy in Dakar. President Barrow’s return marks a new era in the country, and the country certainly hopes to turn a new leaf following 22 years of Yahya Jammeh’s rule.
Politics and Society The Obama Nation
Whatever faults Barack Obama has, we cannot overlook the symbolic importance of a black man in the White House, especially now when a neo-fascist is set to replace him. American poet Shayla Lawson meditates on what Obama’s presidency meant to her and other black people.
Politics and Society Soyinka fulfils promise, shreds U.S. residency green card and returns to Nigeria
Nigerian poet and activist Wole Soyinka has revealed that he has fulfilled his promise to cut up his American residency green card in protest, after the triumph of Donald Trump in the U.S. presidential polls. Soyinka says he has relocated to Nigeria as he promised he would do before the elections if Trump won the election.
Politics and Society Magufuli reveals his true colours
Not long ago, the hashtag #WhatWouldMagufuliDo? became a rallying cry across East African and continental social media, as ordinary African citizens hailed the astonishing first 100 days of Tanzania’s new President John Magufuli. Has he managed to maintain this impressive streak of leadership or are his ‘true colours’ becoming evident?
Politics and Society Ways of Life 3: Indigenous Anarchism
African forms of democracy and egalitarianism exists independent of, and predates, modern Western progressive social movements. It is time we revived their histories from systematic erasure, because they may hold the key to our collective future