Although polarising, parliament’s move to extend Farmaajo’s term has presented a practical road-map to hold direct elections for the first time since 1969.
Tanzanian President John Magufuli played the long political game.
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He came into office with a reputation for making broken systems work, but as he began his second presidential term John Magufuli became known as a ruthless and ambitious authoritarian.
Hundreds of Namibians protested against growing gender-based violence in October 2020. The Afrikaans wording on the placard says ‘We are tired’.
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The legitimacy of SWAPO, the former liberation movement that has governed since 1990, has been eroded amid growing corruption and a deepening economic crisis.
National Election Board of Ethiopia personnel patrol a warehouse stacked high with boxes of polling kits in Addis Ababa in October 2020.
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Ethiopia’s party system is extremely volatile due to the prevalence of weakly institutionalised and fragmented political parties.
Following an inconclusive election in December 2020, Niger’s Independent National Electoral Commission is set for a runoff in February.
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The November 2020 local and regional elections have indeed put Namibia’s political culture at a crossroads.
President Uhuru Kenyatta (centre), former opposition leader Raila Odinga (right), and Deputy President William Ruto launching the first Building Bridges Initiative report in 2019.
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Tanzania’s October poll shows that elections are purely performative for governments which do not adhere to the basic tenets of democracy.
Supporters attend a Chama Cha Mapinduzi rally in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania in 2015 when John Magufuli was first elected.
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Magufuli took a populist approach in trying to woo voters away from an invigorated opposition, and when that didn’t work he reported to oppressive tactics.
African National Congress treasurer Paul Mashatile wants more money for political parties from the government.
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Since parties always need money, forcing them to depend on private funders means throwing them into the hands of donors who will demand favours for their cash.
President John Magufuli has closed down all the reliable means to evaluate allegations of foul play.
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As key opposition members lose seats in their strongholds, it is clear that Tanzania’s ruling party is set to establish a super-majority that will institute a deeper authoritarian agenda.
A woman casts her ballot in Victoria, Seychelles in 2016.
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For 10 years, Kenya’s legislators have failed to enact a law to implement a two-thirds gender rule set down in the 2010 constitution, despite numerous court rulings.
Julius Nyerere’s ideas and legacy remain objects of debate in contemporary politics, especially in an election year.
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For all of the shortcomings of Nyerere’s regime, his ideas continue to inspire Tanzanians fighting for a more equal and democratic future, over 20 years after his death.
Failure to campaign due to COVID-19 has fuelled calls to synchronise polls.
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A united opposition could create enough momentum to unseat incumbent John Magufuli from power.
Ivory Coast’s President Alassane Ouattara attends a ceremony to mark the 60th anniversary of the country’s independence from France on August 7.
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The success of Malawi’s democratic dispensation will be measured on the extent to which it delivers public goods – opportunities, development, accountability – for the people.
Chief Research Specialist in Democracy and Citizenship at the Human Science Research Council and a Research Fellow Centre for African Studies, University of the Free State