elections

Reflecting on Paul Biya's Enduring Reign in Cameroon With yet another electoral victory, Paul Biya extends his hold as Cameroon's president, marking a staggering 43 years in power. This milestone positions him as Africa’s oldest president and one of the world's longest-serving leaders. At 92, Biya remains a figure of intrigue and contention, having deftly navigated the political landscape of a nation that has seen significant upheaval and change since gaining independence in 1960. The Enigmatic "Sphinx" of Yaoundé Biya's…

Hope and Frustration: Youth Perspectives in Côte d'Ivoire's Presidential Elections As Côte d'Ivoire prepares to head to the polls on October 25 for a pivotal presidential election, a palpable wave of anticipation mingles with frustration among its most vital demographic: its youth. With around 75% of the country’s 38 million citizens under the age of 35, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Many of these young people find themselves grappling with limited job opportunities and a sense of disillusionment stemming from the current…

As Côte d'Ivoire Prepares for Elections, Misinformation Casts a Shadow As Côte d'Ivoire gears up for a critical election on October 25, a silent yet pervasive threat looms over the democratic process: misinformation. The nation, known for its vibrant culture and commitment to progress, is grappling with a troubling rise in false narratives proliferated through the ever-ubiquitous social media. This election, like previous ones, is not just a test of the political system but a reflection of the societal fractures that…

Protests Ignite in Côte d'Ivoire as Election Day Approaches As Côte d'Ivoire braces for a presidential election on October 25, a palpable tension fills the air, marked by the recent announcement from the country’s leading opposition parties. On the heels of their leaders, Laurent Gbagbo and Tidjane Thiam, being barred from contesting, a call for daily nationwide protests rings through the streets of this West African nation. The situation has quickly escalated into a scenario that echoes the political turmoil of…

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…