UN chief António Guterres ‘condemns unconstitutional change of government in Madagascar’
There have been several coups and attempted coups, including a military takeover in 2009 that first brought Rajoelina to power. Then, the army handed power to Rajoelina, who was in charge as president of a transitional government for five years before new elections.
Cameroon ruling party office set on fire following election fraud claims by opposition
Tensions have been rising in Cameroon after the opposition candidate Issa Tchiroma Bakary claimed victory last week in the presidential election ahead of the release of official results, urging President Paul Biya, 92, the world’s oldest president, to concede.
Former Congo President Kabila resurfaces at political meeting in Kenya despite absentia death sentence
Joseph Kabila was filmed in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, at a ceremony attended by a dozen other Congolese leaders who oppose President Felix Tshisekedi.
‘Madagascar Gen Z’ bypassed as military takes advantage of their protests to stage a coup that ousted President Rajoelina
The latest military takeover capped weeks of protests against Rajoelina and his government led by youth groups calling themselves “Gen Z Madagascar.” The protesters, who also included labour unions and civic groups, have demanded better government and job opportunities, echoing youth-led protests elsewhere in the world.
South African whistle-blowers are an endangered species that faces retaliation and murder
he murder of Babita Deokaran, Acting Chief Financial Officer of the Gauteng Department of Health at the time of her death, attracted nationwide attention. She had uncovered extensive corruption in the department and submitted evidence of this to the relevant authorities. She would later investigate corruption related to the procurement of personal protective equipment during the Covid pandemic.
Rights group sues Ghanaian government for signing ‘illegal’ deportation deal with US
The US sent a first group of five deportees to Eswatini in July, saying they had been convicted of serious crimes including murder and child rape.
Cameroon opposition candidate Tchiroma claims presidential election victory, elections body says results due by October 26
Analysts have predicted a victory for Biya, 92, as the opposition remained divided and his strongest rival was barred from running in August. Eleven opposition candidates were on the ballot for the October 12 election.
Zimbabwe-bound bus with 91 travellers on board crashes in northern South Africa, kills 42 people
In a statement, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa offered “his deep condolences to the nations of Zimbabwe and Malawi who have lost compatriots.”
Ivory Coast arrests 237 youths protesting authoritarian drift after removal of presidential terms limits
Ivory Coast, a nation of 32 million and the largest economy in Francophone West Africa, is due to hold a presidential election in two weeks. Earlier this year, four main opposition figures, including former President Laurent Gbagbo and former Credit Suisse Chief Executive Tidjane Thiam, were barred from running by the electoral commission.
Cameroon’s Paul Biya seeks eighth term in power as youth vow to give the election a wide berth
Cameroon faces escalating security crises. In the western region, a secession fight has long brewed mainly among English-speaking citizens who claim they are marginalised by the French-speaking majority. In the north, the Boko Haram insurgency spills over from neighbouring Nigeria, with armed groups routinely attacking border towns.
