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Brazil’s Senate on Tuesday approved a bill that could dramatically reduce the prison term of far-right former president Jair Bolsonaro, convicted of plotting a coup after losing the 2022 election to Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, setting up an expected presidential veto and a fresh clash with Congress. The measure, which changes how sentences are calculated for certain crimes, passed the upper chamber 48-25 after clearing the lower house last week. It now goes to President Lula, who has vowed to reject it, saying Bolsonaro “must…

Opinion: Trump’s “garbage” slur against Somali Americans shows how fascist politics take root President Donald Trump’s latest attack on Somali Americans — calling a small, visible community “garbage” during a Cabinet meeting, with Vice President J.D. Vance pounding the table in approval — is not a gaffe. It is a governing philosophy made plain: divide the country into “real” Americans and internal enemies, cast cruelty as strength, and test how far institutions will bend to accommodate it. This is not a semantic debate about…

Cameroon’s President Biya Sworn In Amidst Chaos: A Nation at a Crossroads In a significant yet tumultuous moment for Cameroon, President Paul Biya, the world’s oldest sitting leader, has been sworn in for an unprecedented eighth consecutive term. This ceremony, fraught with tension and marked by the echoes of recent unrest, paints a vivid picture of a nation struggling with deep-seated divisions and yearning for stability. The Somber Inauguration As the sun peeked through the clouds over Yaoundé, the capital city, Biya…

Djibouti’s parliament clears a path for President Guelleh to stay — what it means at home and abroad In a move that tightens the grip of a long-serving leader while exposing a geopolitical paradox, Djibouti’s parliament voted to remove the constitutional age limit for the presidency, effectively opening the door for 77‑year‑old Ismail Omar Guelleh to seek another five‑year term in the April 2026 election. The measure, adopted with the support of 65 members of parliament according to the speaker, Dileita Mohamed Dileita, is…

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…

Somalia’s president denies plot to cling to power as debate over constitution deepens When President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud sat down with the BBC Somali Service this week, his tone was both defensive and conciliatory. He rejected accusations from opposition figures that he is manoeuvring to prolong his hold on office, insisting that only the country’s independent electoral commission — not politicians — can set election timetables. “No individual politician has veto power,” he said, adding that if the commission needs more…

The Dimensions of Power: Chad’s Constitutional Shifts and the Future of Democracy In an echo of a familiar refrain across many African nations, Chad’s National Assembly has recently voted with overwhelming support for constitutional amendments that extend the presidential term from five to seven years, with the possibility of renewals indefinitely. The decision is part of a broader narrative of governance in the Sahel, raising crucial questions about democracy, power, and the persistence of authoritarianism in regions…

Somalia’s Political Crossroads: A Call for Electoral Unity MOGADISHU — As Somalia grapples with an ever-complex political landscape, former President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed has sounded a clarion call for urgency and unity in electoral matters. In his latest press conference held in Mogadishu, the leader of the opposition Salvation Forum vehemently opposed any attempts to extend the current government’s constitutional mandate, stating, “There is still ample time to conduct a credible and inclusive election before May 15,…

Breaking Barriers: Northern Kenya's New Path to Inclusivity In a significant move for Kenya's northern regions, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki recently championed President William Ruto's abolition of the contentious ID vetting process, a change hailed as a step towards equal treatment for all Kenyans. Speaking to Lagdera residents in Garissa, Kindiki emphasized the importance of Ruto's efforts to dismantle discriminatory practices that have historically marginalized Northeastern communities. Ending Decades of…

Mogadishu (AX) — In a bold announcement, Somali Prime Minister Hamse Abdi Barre announced that Jubbaland's leader, Ahmed Madobe, cannot stand for another term. Barre referenced Article 70 of the Jubbaland Constitution, which sets a two-term limit for the presidency. This declaration comes amidst a growing tension in the region, as Madobe seeks to hold onto power. On Monday in Mogadishu, Barre pulled no punches, accusing Madobe of prioritizing his own interests above the national agenda of Somalia. Barre alleges that Madobe…