governance

Mozambique’s memory of election violence tests trust in courts and rights to protest When former presidential contender Venancio Mondlane publicly disavowed calls for street demonstrations this week, he was trying to steer what has become an anxious ritual in Mozambique away from confrontation and toward commemoration. “I did not call for demonstrations,” he told supporters; “I called for a day of reflection” to honour those killed in the unrest that followed last year’s disputed election — among them his lawyer, slain…

The Unyielding Call for Justice: A City Divided by Dissent On a seemingly ordinary day in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, the air thickens with tension as protesters gather, their chants rising like a storm. Under a veil of clouds and uncertainty, the demonstration unfurls its wings, an echo of a deeper longing for justice and autonomy resonating through the streets. Amid the clamor, one name emerges—Nnamdi Kanu, a polarizing figure whose imprisonment has set aflame a nation’s quest for identity and political agency. The…

Violence erupts as social-media-fuelled gold rush swamps northwestern Zambia Hundreds of police clashed with thousands of informal miners this week in northwestern Zambia after viral posts claimed gold lay just beneath the surface across a wide rural swathe. The sudden influx — tens of thousands of people by local estimates — overwhelmed local authorities, sparked allegations of bribery and violence, and prompted a delegation of senior ministers to the scene in a bid to restore order. Officials said security forces had…

Unlocking Potential: U.S.-Liberia Relations and the Minerals Frontier In the muted halls of Washington, a significant dialogue unfolded last week that highlights the intricate dance of geopolitics and resource diplomacy. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Liberian Foreign Minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti, discussing the expansion of American interests in Liberia's critical minerals sector. This meeting is more than just a diplomatic handshake; it symbolizes a burgeoning relationship that could redefine not just…

Zanu PF moves to extend Mnangagwa’s rule to 2030, sparking fierce opposition and constitutional questions In a decision that could reshape Zimbabwe’s immediate political trajectory, the ruling Zanu PF party has instructed the government to begin legal and constitutional changes to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s tenure by two years, to 2030. The resolution, adopted at Zanu PF’s 22nd Annual People’s Conference in Mutare, has drawn sharp condemnation from opposition figures who say the move threatens the country’s…

African Cinema: A Resurgence of Culture and Identity African cinema has always been a rich tapestry, woven together with the threads of diverse stories and vibrant cultural expressions. Recently, however, this medium has witnessed an extraordinary renaissance, one that not only highlights the unique narratives of the continent but also asserts its place on the global stage. Central to this movement is the Film Africa festival, an event that serves as a crucial bridge connecting African filmmakers to international audiences.…

Zimbabwe police warn protesters will face “the full wrath of the law” after ex-Zanu PF veteran calls for nationwide demonstrations Harare — Zimbabwean authorities warned on Monday that any illegal gatherings would be met with force after a prominent war veteran and former Zanu PF committee member urged citizens to take to the streets to denounce President Emmerson Mnangagwa and alleged corruption among his inner circle. The government, meanwhile, announced a one-off $150 “Special Presidential Bonus” aimed at soothing…

Navigating the Storm: Violence and Democracy in Nigeria's Political Landscape Ahead of 2027 As Nigeria gears up for its 2027 elections, a palpable tension hangs in the air, reverberating through the streets of a nation rich in culture but strained under the weight of political machinations. The fear of violence looms large, echoing the troubling cycles of electoral conflict seen in 1999, 2019, and most recently, in 2023, when hired thugs, gangs, and political militias turned polling stations into battlegrounds. Scholars and…

Zimbabwe’s ruling party fractures: treason charge exposes a widening succession battle President Emmerson Mnangagwa has accused his deputy, Constantino Chiwenga, of incitement and treason after Chiwenga reportedly circulated a dossier to the Zanu PF politburo alleging party capture and corruption. The confrontation — played out through a newly appointed legal affairs secretary and a thick, contested memo — marks a striking public rupture inside the movement that has governed Zimbabwe for more than four decades. What…

Namibia’s president reaches across the aisle — but will words turn into action? President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah is sitting down with leaders of the opposition this week in a gesture she said was promised during her State of the Nation address in March: an exchange of views intended to “move the country forward.” The meeting, part of a series of conversations with political rivals, is both plainly practical and highly symbolic in a country where the politics of cooperation have often been fragile. "We may belong to…