presidential

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Djibouti went to the polls on Friday in a presidential election that is all but certain to hand longtime leader Ismaïl Omar Guelleh a sixth term, after lawmakers removed presidential age limits last year. Guelleh, 78, has governed the Horn of Africa nation of roughly 1 million people for more than 20 years. In the 2021 vote, he won nearly 99% of the ballots cast. This time, he faces just one opponent, Mohamed Farah Samatar, a former member of the ruling party, in a contest analysts describe as lacking…

Tuesday April 7, 2026 Djibouti (AX) — With Djibouti’s presidential vote just days away, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has sent an Election Observation Mission to the country to track the April 10, 2026 poll, the regional organization said Monday. The delegation was invited by the Djiboutian government and the National Independent Electoral Commission (CENI), according to an IGAD statement released Tuesday. The observer team is headed by former Ethiopian President Mulatu Teshome and includes 17…

As Nigeria gears up for the crucial 2027 presidential election, the political landscape is becoming increasingly dynamic, with key figures emerging to challenge the incumbent, President Bola Tinubu. Among these potential contenders is Dr. Gbenga Hashim, a businessman and activist whose profile is rising sharply. In a recent article for AllAfrica, Chief Paschal Mbawuike lauds Hashim as "the best new hope" for Nigeria’s leadership. Mbawuike acknowledges that while Hashim may not yet wield the same political power as the…

Somalia’s parliament has approved constitutional changes that leaders said will extend the terms of lawmakers and President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and delay planned elections by a year, adding to political tensions as the country approaches the end of its current mandates. The vote on March 5 was confirmed publicly by the president and the parliament speaker, according to Reuters. Opposition figures have criticized the changes and warned against any move they say could undermine the constitutional order. Election…

PARIS — French voters headed to the polls Sunday to elect mayors and municipal councillors across 35,000 communes in a two-round contest seen as a crucial barometer of the nation’s political mood ahead of next year’s presidential race, when centrist President Emmanuel Macron is constitutionally barred from seeking a third consecutive term. The stakes are high for Marine Le Pen’s ascendant far-right National Rally (RN), which views 2027 as its strongest chance yet to take power. While nearly 90% of France’s communes are…

Zimbabwe President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa has granted an amnesty that will free 4,305 inmates in a move the government says is designed to relieve severe prison overcrowding and promote rehabilitation. Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi announced the clemency order on Wednesday, saying the beneficiaries include women convicted of lesser offences, juveniles, elderly prisoners, terminally ill inmates and people with disabilities. The order also covers inmates housed in Open Prisons and prisoners who have served at least 20…

Attack on Peter Obi's Motorcade Raises Security Concerns in Edo State The motorcade of former presidential candidate Peter Obi was attacked by unknown gunmen in Edo State, escalating concerns regarding political violence as the country approaches crucial elections. According to a statement released by his media team, the incident occurred while Obi was en route to a meeting with the former chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). "We unequivocally confirm the attack and assure all supporters worldwide that…

Portugal votes in presidential run-off as storms batter country; far right’s Ventura trails Socialist Seguro Portugal began voting Sunday in the second round of a presidential election overshadowed by powerful Atlantic storms, with far-right leader Andre Ventura facing Socialist candidate Antonio Jose Seguro in a run-off closely watched for the far right’s share of the vote. Polling stations opened at 8 a.m., with about 11 million voters at home and abroad eligible to cast ballots. First exit polls are expected around 8 p.m.…

Guinea's Coup Leader Mamady Doumbouya Elected President in Historic Vote Guinea's military coup leader, Mamady Doumbouya, has officially been elected president, marking a significant turning point for the West African nation. The provisional results, announced by the General Directorate of Elections, reveal Doumbouya secured an overwhelming 86.72% of the vote. This election represents the first since the military takeover in 2021, a moment that has been both awaited and feared by many. The public’s response is mixed,…

Jair Bolsonaro has signaled his intention to back his eldest son, Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, as a presidential candidate in Brazil’s 2026 election, the Liberal Party said, setting off political and market jitters on Thursday. Valdemar Costa Neto, head of Jair Bolsonaro’s right-wing Liberal Party, told Reuters he had been told by the senator that the former president had “ratified his candidacy.” CNN Brasil, citing unnamed sources, reported that Jair Bolsonaro offered his support to his son during a visit to federal police…