elections

A Nation on the Edge: Cameroon's Pivotal Election In the heart of Central Africa, Cameroon stands at a crossroads. On Sunday, Cameroonians cast their votes in an election that could perpetuate the rule of the world's oldest leader, President Paul Biya, or pivot the country towards change. For nearly 41 years, Biya, now 92, has navigated the turbulent waters of leadership following his ascent in 1982. But with fractures appearing in his long-standing image, this election may signal a new dawn. Biya's Legacy and the Winds of…

You are a senior international journalist. First, read the source news carefully and decide whether it is best written as: Breaking News → urgent, fast-moving event, immediate facts first. Feature Story → human, textured, on-the-ground narrative. Opinion/Analysis → reflective, interpretive, connecting events to wider trends. Based on the content, automatically choose the right style (don’t ask me to specify) and rewrite into an original piece for a global audience. Rules: Length: 700–1100 words depending on…

Djibouti’s succession drama: Guelleh’s possible return, clan rivalries and what it means for a strategic Horn state As Djibouti edges toward its April 2026 presidential vote, the delicate balance of clan politics, family influence and constitutional tinkering that has sustained President Ismail Omar Guelleh’s two-decade rule is again in the spotlight. Long considered one of the Horn of Africa’s few pillars of stability, Djibouti now faces a familiar dilemma: preserve continuity through established networks, or open space…

Five Years of Silence: The Unfolding Legacy of Cameroon’s Protest Crackdown As Cameroon approaches the presidential elections scheduled for October 12, the shadows of repression linger longer than ever. This month marks five years since the violent crackdown on protests led by the Cameroon Renaissance Movement (MRC) in September 2020—an event that has left a lasting scar on the nation’s collective conscience. A Dark Chapter in Cameroon’s History The protests, which erupted in response to long-standing grievances regarding…

Somalia’s push for direct vote exposes fault lines between Mogadishu and the regions When Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre insists Somalia is moving away from "lawmakers appointed by clan elders or regional administrations" toward a system in which "representatives elected directly by the Somali people," he is sketching a future that is both aspirational and deeply contested. The proposal — to replace a decades-old, clan-based indirect model with universal suffrage and to shift governance toward a presidential system — has…

In Somalia, a Public Pledge of Loyalty Raises Stakes Ahead of Fragile Elections MOGADISHU — When Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre walked through the departure hall of Aden Adde International Airport this week, he was not merely inspecting toilets and trash bins. He was, in effect, rehearsing a partnership — an explicit commitment to President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud that has been rare in Somalia’s recent politics. "I will never run for president against President , who entrusted me to serve Somalia as PM," Hamza said during…

Ballots Arrive on Time in Malawi, But Trust Remains the Real Battleground Ballot papers for Malawi’s presidential and parliamentary elections due on September 16 arrived on schedule this week, prompting cautious relief from political parties and election officials — and renewed calls for what many see as the only thing that will keep the peace: uncompromising transparency during voting and counting. Logistics delivered, but the memory of 2019 lingers “We welcome the punctual delivery of ballots,” said a senior official…

Analysis: Northeastern State’s warning shot tests Somalia’s fragile federal bargain Somalia’s most politically assertive region, Northeastern State, has accused President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of trampling the country’s basic rules — and it’s not just a routine war of words. In a sharply worded statement from Garowe, Northeastern State’s leadership warned that what it calls constitutional overreach from the federal center risks tipping the country into crisis unless Somalis agree on a shared path to the next elections. They…

Kamto's Exclusion: A Growing Shadow Over Cameroon’s Elections In the heart of Central Africa, Cameroon prepares for its upcoming presidential elections, yet the air is thick with skepticism and unease. The exclusion of Maurice Kamto, a prominent opposition leader and steadfast critic of long-time President Paul Biya, from the list of approved candidates for the 12 October election has unleashed a flurry of questions regarding the integrity of the electoral process. A Voice Silenced Maurice Kamto, once a beacon of hope for…

Baidoa (AX) — On Monday, Ambassador James Swan, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Somalia, sat down with South West State President Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed ‘Laftagareen’ and his team. Their chat revolved around some big-ticket items like security, election prep, and the pressing humanitarian concerns. Regional bigwigs filled in the UN envoy on safety measures being beefed up across South West State. They particularly pointed out the recent wins in Sabiid and Bariire in the Lower Shabelle region.…