Posts tagged politics

Counting is under way in Madagascar after millions of people cast their ballots. The voter turnout stands at about 40% and so far no major anomalies have been detected in the polls. However, there have been complaints of voters not finding their names on the list, despite having registered

Anti-gay rhetoric has steadily been on the rise in Tanzania since President John Magufuli took office. It is not the rhetoric that citizens need to be mindful of, however. The government is taking surveillance and intimidation action towards perceived homosexual activity. Now, it seems, the mere act of sitting in a pair is being viewed as criminal.

America’s midterms have been the populace’s chance to exercise power at a time when they feel powerless. In this election, the desperate need for representation has seen diverse candidates break barriers across America. Ayanna Pressley and Jahana Hayes are two such groundbreaking individuals.

Teodoro Obiang Nguema and Robert Mugabe led the pack last year as the longest ruling African leaders after 38, and 37 years in power respectively, followed closely by Yoweri Museveni’s 31 years in power. Cameroon’s re-elected President, Paul Biya is eying the top spot for the longest ruling African leader with his new seven year term, which could bring his tally to 43 years.

As we welcome Ethiopia’s first female President Sahle Zewde we must also remember her historical predecessor. Empress Zewditu was the first female head of an internationally recognized state and was both the first and last Empress regnant of the Ethiopian Empire.

Sahle-Work Zewde, an experienced diplomat and special representative of the UN Secretary-General to the African Union has replaced outgoing President Mulatu Teshome, to become Ethiopia’s first woman President. A historic and liberal step for the strongly patriarchal society.

Ethiopia’s prime minister, Abiy Ahmed, has created gender equity in Africa’s second most-populous nation by appointing a new Cabinet that is half female. The new Cabinet has less ministerial positions and more women in top security posts. Aisha Mohammed will be in charge of defence – the first woman to hold that position.

Human rights activist Thulani Maseko is challenging King Mswati III’s decision to change the Southern African nation’s name to the Kingdom of eSwatini, calling it unconstitutional and a waste of resources in a country that can scarcely afford it.

American First Lady Melania Trump was in Africa to promote her vague “Be Best” campaign. However, the focus has been less on deciphering the campaign’s viability and more on her “Out of Africa” inspired and outdated colonial fashion.

Natasha Museveni, the daughter of Uganda’s long-time president, Yoweri Museveni, has directed a biographical film titled “27 Guns” that charts her father’s journey from rebel leader to power. It is the second-biggest Ugandan film of 2018 to open to a star-studded audience.