In a few days U.S. President Barack Obama will leave office paving way for President-elect Donald Trump, who will be inaugurated on Friday, 20 January 2017. Ghana recently witnessed a smooth transfer of power with the inauguration of President Nana Akufo-Addo. In The Gambia, things are not so quite clear, President Yahya Jammeh who lost last year’s election is supposed to leave office paving way for the victor, President-elect Adama Barrow. The inauguration is scheduled to take place on Thursday, 19 January 2017 when Jammeh’s term officially ends. The country is on tenterhooks as President Jammeh remains resolute that he will challenge the election result, despite having initially accepted defeat, and pledging to oversee a smooth transfer of power.
Politics
Politics and Society Cartoon: Keeping it in the family?
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has promoted his eldest son Maj Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba to become a special presidential adviser in a reshuffle of top military personnel. The appointment has been strongly criticised, seen as a classic case of nepotism, and it has also been viewed with suspicion. Critics argue that Museveni is grooming Maj Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba to succeed him as president in the future. Could Museveni be preparing his son to take over when the Ugandan leader eventually leaves office?
Politics and Society The Role of the State in Shrinking Political Spaces for CSOs in Kenya
Kenya’s civil society has faced a myriad of challenges but it has grown resilient and vibrant over the decades. Njeri Kabeberi explores the role of the state in shrinking political spaces for civil society organisations in Kenya.
Politics and Society A View from the Ground: State-Civil Society Relations in South Africa Interview
An interview with Chumile Sali, an activist with the Social Justice Coalition (SJC), a mass member-based social movement on state-civil society relations in South Africa
Politics and Society Is South Africa Reverting to a Repressive State?
Since the Marikana massacre in 2012, several journalists, academics and media commentators have argued that South Africa is reverting to a repressive state. Could South Africa be turning into a repressive State?
Politics and Society Poles apart? A tale of two African strongmen
Zimbabwe’s governing Zanu-PF party has confirmed President Robert Mugabe as its candidate for the 2018 polls. President Mugabe who will be 94 in 2018 has showed no signs of relinquishing power and naming a successor. Conversely, reports that Angola’s President Jose Eduardo dos Santos will step down before the country’s 2017 elections have raised a few eyebrows. The reports of dos Santos’ retirement come amidst numerous cases across the continent where leaders continue to cling on to power, in some cases against the wishes of the electorate.
Politics and Society Africa’s future is urban
Africa’s future is urban. Quality of life for Africa’s city dwellers will, however, directly depend on the quality of urban governance. Urbanisation can spur development but under current conditions, it is more likely to compound Africa’s structural challenges. Making cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable as stipulated in the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals is no easy task.
Politics and Society Trump, Buhari And The Crude Art Of Wobbling And Fumbling By Okey Ndibe
Think about it: when was the last time you heard a substantive policy statement from any of the ministers Mr. Buhari squandered six months to name?
On November 8, 2016 Americans elected Donald Trump as their 45th president. By the time you’re reading this, Mr. Trump would have named all his nominees for leadership of various government departments.
Politics and Society Think again: Dos Santos’ retirement changes nothing, and everything, in Angola
It’s hard to imagine the country without him, but dos Santos’ departure could well set change in motion.