African Politics News – Read politics news today, political topics, and updates on African politics with coverage of government, elections, and policy developments.
South Africa’s police force has sacked suspended Crime Intelligence deputy head Major-General Feroz Khan, but this move will not affect the separate criminal proceedings against him. After failing to show up at the disciplinary hearing conducted by the senior official presiding over Khan’s accelerated disciplinary proceeding, the officer has been declared dismissed from the ranks […]
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of Nigeria warns that the development of disinformation using Artificial Intelligence may prove to be one of the major threats to the credibility of the country’s 2027 General Election. The statement was made yesterday by INEC Chairman Professor Joash Amupitan in his speech, which was read on his behalf […]
Lesotho’s Senate on Tuesday further increased pressure on Prime Minister Thomas Thabane to resign by limiting his power to dissolve parliament and order new elections. The small kingdom has been going through a serious political crisis since Mr. Thabane was implicated earlier this year in the murder of his ex-wife three years ago. His own […]
An Ivorian court on Tuesday sentenced former Prime Minister Guillaume Soro, who has been living in exile since December 2019, to 20 years in prison for corruption. This ruling is likely to end Soro’s political ambition with seven months to go before the presidential election, for which he has assured to remain a candidate. He […]
An opposition member of parliament was reportedly tortured after security forces arrested him for distributing food to constituents on April 19, 2020, Human Rights Watch said today. Uganda should urgently investigate the claims by witnesses that Francis Zaake was tortured and hold those responsible to account. On March 30, President Yoweri Museveni directed the police […]
Political campaigning ahead of the 20 May presidential elections officially kicks off in Burundi today against a backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic and continued intimidation of people by the Imbonerakure youth wing of the ruling party, the National Council for Defence of Democracy – Forces for the Defence of Democracy (CNDD-FDD). “Fleeing refugees consistently told […]
Months after Guinea-Bissau’s disputed presidential election, leaders in the West Africa bloc, ECOWAS, have acknowledged the victory of Umaro Sissoco Embalo. In a statement released on Tuesday, the Economic Community of West African States said the decision followed “a thorough analysis of the political situation in the country.” The development signifies a diplomatic victory for […]
Togo’s main opposition leader, Agbéyomé Kodjo, has been arrested. Agbeyome, a former Prime Minister was arrested on Tuesday, April 21, at his home and taken to the gendarmerie’s Central Research and Criminal Investigation Service, according AFP. One of his lawyers, Claver N’dry, confirmed that his house was besieged before the operatives forcibly broke into the […]
Guinea’s parliament on Tuesday, elected a top ally of President Alpha Conde as its head, a move seen as cementing the president’s control over the country’s legislature after months of political tensions. The ruling party’s Amadou Damaro Camara was elected speaker of Guinea’s 114-seat national assembly with 98 votes in favour. Addressing lawmakers, the new […]
Lesotho’s government has agreed with South African mediators and political parties to implement a “dignified retirement” for prime minister Thomas Thabane. This was disclosed in a joint statement on Monday, signaling stepped up efforts to end a political crisis. Thabane has been under pressure to resign owing to a murder case in which he and […]
Lesotho troops deployed by Prime Minister Thomas Thabane amid a showdown with opponents demanding the octogenarian leader resign withdrew from the capital’s streets on Sunday. Thabane faces mounting calls to step down from rivals within his ruling party and opposition groups over suspicions he had a hand in the murder of his estranged wife in […]
It’s yet unclear whether the Jacob Zuma corruption trial will resume on its scheduled date, but the former South African president has made a big change to his counsel. There has been long-standing speculation over the extent of the 78-year-old’s involvement in the infamous Arms Deal, which has been aided by numerous court appeals that […]
A High Court in Malawi has ordered government to restrain from implementing a lockdown aimed to help curb the spread of coronavirus in the southern African country. President Peter Mutharika imposed the 21-day measure earlier this week but the announcement was met by protests in parts of the country. With barely 24-hours for the measure […]
Forces backing Libya’s unity government say they have captured two strategic cities in the West of Tripoli Monday. It is a fresh blow to Eastern commander, Khalifa Haftar a year after he launched an offensive on the capital. A spokesman for the Tripoli-allied forces, Colonel Mohamed Gnounou, said they captured the city of Sabratha, around […]
The Democratic Republic of Congo’s embattled chief of staff will continue to stay in prison. On Saturday, the Congolese justice rejected a request for the provisional release of Vital Kamerhe, following his indictment by President Félix Tshisekedi. State prosecution accused Kamerhe of embezzling state funds through the award of contracts by mutual agreement to fictitious […]
Senate President Ahmad Lawan and Speaker of the House, Femi Gbajabiamila have been urged to redirect to the 36 states and the FCT, the N37b meant for the renovation of the National Assembly. Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) made the appeal on Saturday to the two National Assembly leaders. It said the money will […]
Chad has announced its withdrawal from a multinational task force aimed at combating the threat of terrorist group Boko Haram, President Idris Deby Itno announced on Friday, April 10. “Our troops have died for Lake Chad and the Sahel. From today, no Chadian soldiers will take part in a military mission outside Chad,” Deby declared […]
Malawi’s Electoral Commission (MEC) says it is pushing ahead with voter registration for July’s presidential election re-run, despite a government-ordered suspension because of the coronavirus. Malawi has so far eight confirmed cases of the virus and one death. Health officials worry people grouped for registration and voting could easily spread the virus but the MEC […]
Cameroon’s aged president is coming under fire for his absence from the national stage as the central African country faces a burgeoning coronavirus crisis. A month after the first case of COVID-19 was recorded, 87-year-old Paul Biya has yet to address the nation — a silence that for supporters is a sign of gravitas but […]
Violent demonstrations broke out in Ivory Coast’s commercial capital, Abidjan, where residents in a district protested against the citing of a coronavirus facility. The residents of Yopougon said the facility was being built in a crowded residential area. The facility was pulled down by the angry crowd in videos shared on social media. Police fired […]