Free press is not negotiable in a democratic society; journalists must do their work without intimidation, interference or fear
As a nation, our 2010 Constitution must continue to be our guide. But we must also be honest with ourselves and accept the fact that we are navigating a period where public discourse is increasingly tense and where political competition is sometimes expressed in ways that test our unity.
In Uganda the line between ‘riots and protests’ is burred: both are met with state brute force
The truth is that most governments are fearful of gatherings of any kind because their “captors” believe the gatherings can easily result in challenge, even change of power. The citizens are collectively perceived as enemy-number-one of the state, especially in Africa, where governments frequently arm themselves to the teeth against the citizens.
Zohran Mamdani’s Ugandan heritage fires up New York City’s mayoral rat race
Some Ugandans who have known Mamdani over the years say that while he may not be fluent in the local Luganda dialect, he understands the language and is proud of his local background.
Africa election thievery: Paradox of continent with world’s youngest population ruled by oldest presidents
A former vice president who rose to the presidency after the death of predecessor John Pombe Magufuli, Hassan’s emergence as Tanzania’s first female president in 2021, at first brought hopes to millions after the government’s repressive tactics against opposition leaders, civic groups, journalists and others.
How election thievery became democracy: Paradox of Africa with world’s youngest population is ruled by oldest presidents
The trend points to deeper structural problems with Africa’s underlying political environment, said Jeffrey Smith, executive director of democracy-focused Vanguard Africa non-profit. He said all three countries feature incumbents leveraging state resources to stay in power, partisan security forces as well as flawed legal processes.
Election violence: Tanzania police declare curfew in capital, Dar es Salaam, to suppress ‘Suluhu coronation’ protests
Chadema had called for protests during the election, which it said amounted to a “coronation” of Hassan, who came to power in 2021 after her predecessor died in office. The party was disqualified in April after it refused to sign a code of conduct, and its leader Tundu Lissu was charged with treason.
ODM MPs from Lake Victoria Basin resolve to support Kenya’s President Ruto beyond 2027 elections
Speaking after a Central Management Committee meeting, ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna dismissed claims of disunity and insisted that the party would uphold the late Raila Odinga’s vision of a unified and peaceful nation.
Baba, while you are away: Kenyan politics remains plural in form, authoritarian in soul and elections wars of conquest
Like many of his generation, Raila had inherited a political philosophy that viewed power as the precondition for justice. In his book, Not Yet Uhuru, Raila’s father, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, relates how – during a stand-off between the two main African political parties at the 1962 Lancaster House negotiations over Kenya’s independence constitution – Jomo Kenyatta argued for compromise: “We had to reach a settlement. If we failed, government would be snatched from our hands. If we brought no government back with us, the people would regard it as an arch failure”.
After Gen Z protests that led to ouster of civilian rule and installation of military junta, the youth are back to the usual drudgery
Madagascans largely celebrated the overthrow of the old regime, as they did when Rajoelina first came to power as a transitional leader in a 2009 military coup. But the young protesters, whose anger and sacrifices over Madagascar’s high unemployment, poverty and utility outages made the conditions ripe for a coup.
ODM capture: Why President Ruto moved with speed to install Raila Odinga’s elder brother acting leader of Kenya’s main opposition party
The factions in ODM seem to be trying to answer the question: which Raila is authentic? The one who fought for change in Kenya or the one who propped up Ruto’s falling regime?
