upcoming

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…

Abdirahman Cirro's Journey to Becoming North Western State of Somalia's Future President HARGEISA – Often referred to by his nickname "Cirro," Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi is poised to step in as North Western State of Somalia's upcoming president. The national ballot held on November 13, 2024, appears to show Cirro pulling ahead with a notable advantage over the sitting President Muse Bihi Abdi. Background and Education Born on April 24, 1955, in the vibrant city of Hargeisa, Cirro soaked in his early education in Sheekh,…

In Chad, a chorus of women leaders and activists has brought attention to a significant issue: the glaring scarcity of female candidates in the upcoming legislative, local, and district elections set for December 29. These elections are crucial as they signify the culmination of a transition journey from military to civilian governance. This shift kicked off when General Mahamat Idriss Deby took helm after the passing of his father, the long-serving President Idriss Deby Itno, in 2021. Ahmed Bartchiret, the head of…

Somalia's Defense Minister, Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur, addressed the nation from Mogadishu on December 21, 2022, amid the arrival of Somali soldiers who had been training in Eritrea. This event sparked significant discussions concerning the future of peacekeeping in Somalia. On a recent Saturday, a high-ranking official from Somalia made a firm statement: Ethiopia is not welcome in the upcoming African Union peacekeeping operation starting January. The roots of this tension trace back to a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)…

In Kismayo, the Jubaland State Ministry of Security is tightening up on safety measures with the elections on the horizon. Their main jam? Keeping things safe and orderly. Public safety and integrity of the elections are non-negotiables.  All sorts of security forces, from the Darawish squad to the local brainiacs in intelligence, have been put on high alert. Their mission: be ready at the drop of a hat and keep the peace across the region.  A key rule under these new moves is a flat-out ban on security personnel getting…

Mogadishu (AX) — President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of Somalia has reiterated his administration’s dedication to implementing universal suffrage elections by 2026, despite resistance from two regional leaders and several notable politicians. During a speech in Mogadishu on Thursday, President Mohamud emphasized the necessity for Somalia to evolve towards direct elections, departing from a long history of indirect voting methods. “Having participated in indirect elections myself, both as a parliament member and as president on…

According to recent reports, the UK armed forces are poised to receive a substantial £3 billion boost. This financial injection comes as Rachel Reeves gears up to present the Labour government’s inaugural Budget. Diving into the details, the Chancellor plans to delineate an uptick in defence spending for the upcoming year during her address in the House of Commons. A portion of this windfall will be earmarked for a pay increase for soldiers retroactively effective from April, as noted by the Telegraph. Additionally, these…

In Istanbul on October 19, 2024, Hakan Fidan, Turkey's Foreign Minister, delivered remarks at a press conference. (REUTERS/Dilara Senkaya/File Photo. Purchase Licensing Rights) Next week, the Turkish foreign minister is jetting off to Djibouti. The agenda? A pivotal Turkey-Africa ministerial shindig, aiming to bolster ties between Ankara and the African continent, according to ministry insiders. Over recent stretches, Turkey, a NATO ally, has ratcheted up its footprint and sway in Africa. It's been boosting trade nearly…

Turkey Sets Its Sights on Building Stronger Bonds with Africa at the Djibouti Summit Next week, Turkey's top diplomat, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, will set out for Djibouti to engage in significant dialogues at the Turkey-Africa ministerial meeting, aiming to strengthen ties between Ankara and the African continent, as officials noted. Turkey, a NATO ally, has been increasingly active on African soil in recent times. Its presence is marked by a hefty climb in trade — nearly eight times higher than before. It's also known…

As Guinea-Bissau gears up for its forthcoming elections, a notable chill has fallen over the media landscape, prompting serious worries about the state of press freedom in the country. Many media outlets face insurmountable obstacles, particularly the hefty $5,000 licensing fees imposed by the government, which they must pay to continue broadcasting. Consequently, a significant number of radio stations have found it challenging, if not impossible, to muster the funds necessary to renew their licenses in time for the…