election

North Western State of Somalia Gears Up for Key Presidential Election After Delays HARGEISA, Somalia - With the paramount presidential election scheduled for November 13th, North Western State of Somalia's electoral commission is working tirelessly to ensure everything is in place. This pivotal event marks a crucial juncture for Muse Bihi Abdi of the Kulmiye party, who initially postponed this casting of votes a while back. Bihi, the region’s head honcho since 2017, finds himself in the ring with the formidable Abdirahman…

Jubaland Boss Shuns Ruto's Request, Skips Somalia Election Overhaul Talks NAIROBI, Kenya - In a twist nobody saw coming, Jubaland's head honcho, Ahmed Madobe, has tossed out an overture from Kenya's top dog, President William Ruto. The proposal sought his backing for the National Consultative Council (NCC) powwow, a gathering accused of enabling shady term extensions. Madobe, known for clashing with the authorities in Mogadishu, reportedly got a special invite to Kenya, courtesy of Ruto. This tête-à-tête was prompted by…

WATCH: American Somalis Vote Early by Mail in U.S. Election On Africa 54: Somali-based Americans send their absentee votes while keeping a close watch on the presidential race back home. Meanwhile, Mozambique's electoral board announced Daniel Chapo from the ruling party as the victor of their presidential election. Over in Sierra Leone, hip-hop artist Kao Denero sat down with VOA's Jackson Mvunganyi to chat about his tunes. Tune in for these stories and more on today's Africa 54.

Gabon is gearing up for a significant referendum on November 16, where citizens will cast their votes concerning a newly proposed constitution. This impending decision has ignited a spectrum of reactions across the political landscape. One noteworthy aspect of the proposed constitution is that it would enable military leader General Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema to mount a campaign for the presidency. This particular element has raised eyebrows and prompted intense backlash from various opposition factions. The draft…

President Hakainde Hichilema has made a bold move by terminating the appointments of three prominent judges: Justice Annie Sitali, Justice Mungeni Mulenga, and Justice Palan Mulonda. These findings are especially notable given that he had previously suspended them over accusations of judicial misconduct. This action has ignited fresh allegations suggesting a potential encroachment of political influence into the realm of justice. Digging a bit into the past, it’s important to note that back in 2016, these very judges were…

Wicknell Chivayo, a well-known and often divisive figure in Zimbabwe’s business landscape, has firmly rejected any suggestions of his involvement in a contract for supplying ballot papers to the Namibian Electoral Commission (NEC). Chivayo expressed his dismay, deeming the claims linking him to this contract both unfounded and alarming. A report by the Daily Maverick pointed to Chivayo's connections with Ren-Form, the firm awarded the task of designing, printing, and packaging ballot papers for Namibia's upcoming…

Hargeisa (AX) - In an assertive move, North Western State of Somalia's President Muse Bihi Abdi has laid down a firm rule banning the use of public assets, government workers, and military forces in the run-up to the November 13 presidential election.Announced late Friday, the directive calls on government execs to ensure political organizations receive a fair shot at utilizing governmental resources and accessing the media during election season.The spotlight now turns to the Minister of Information, Awareness, and Culture,…

In the upcoming presidential election, the stakes couldn’t be higher: the victor will preside over a diverse nation of over 330 million individuals. Interestingly, the fate of this election will hinge on just a handful of votes—likely decided by a mere few tens of thousands across a select number of states. This year, only seven out of the fifty states are genuinely competitive, with the rest leaning comfortably towards either the Democratic or Republican parties, as gauged by public sentiment polls. Among these crucial…

Hargeisa (AX) — In a surprising twist, the North Western State of Somalia Electoral Commission has slapped a hefty penalty of 10 million North Western State of Somalia Shillings on both the Kulmiye and Waddani parties. Their crime? Jumping the gun on electioneering before the green light lit up. Tuesday brought forth revelations from the Commission's Ethics Committee, highlighting a breach of the sacred electoral code. The Ethics head honcho declared, “Both Wadani and Kulmiye felt the wrath of a 10 million fine each,…

In a significant gathering at the United Nations Human Rights Council on February 26, 2024, in Geneva, delegates from various nations convened to deliberate on pressing global human rights dilemmas. Amidst this backdrop, Kenya's election to the council for the 2025–2027 tenure stirred the pot, faced with heavy criticisms from civil society groups due to alleged human rights transgressions. Photo by Janine Schmitz/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images NAIROBI, Kenya (AX) — Kenya's leap onto the United Nations Human Rights Council…