Decade of Democracy Data in Africa Revealed in Afrobarometer Report
Despite its shortcomings, more Africans prefer democracy to any other form of government, according to the new report by the pan-African research organization Afrobarometer. In its flagship survey Africa Insights 2024 – the first of what organizers say is an annual series – 66% of Africans showed their appreciation for the democratic system of governance, while large majorities “reject one-man rule by 80%, one-party rule by 78%, and military rule by 66 percent”. These findings, the report says, are based on data spanning over a decade of research, “including our latest round of nationally representative surveys in 39 countries”. It cautions that while support for democracy offers reasons for optimism, “the real problem on the continent is rooted not in a demand-side failure of popular support, but in a supply-side failure by African leaders to deliver”. … [D]uring the last ten years “significant regression in democratic systems has been recorded across Africa, especially in the areas of rule of law, justice, and democratic elections”. But this, according to the latest survey, contrasts with Africans’ commitment to be governed in a more democratic and transparent environment. AllAfrica
Hunger Drives Starving Sudanese to Seek Refuge Abroad
Hunger and looming famine are driving a growing number of people to flee war-torn Sudan in search of refuge in neighboring countries, according to World Health Organization officials. Dr. Shible Sahbani, WHO representative to Sudan, recently told journalists that he met Sudanese refugees on a recent mission to Chad who’d left home only because of hunger. “They say it is not insecurity, it is not a lack of access to basic services, but because they have nothing to eat,” he said at Tuesday’s press conference in Geneva. An acute food insecurity analysis by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, or IPC, in late June indicates that 14 months into the conflict, “Sudan is facing the worst levels of acute food insecurity ever recorded by the IPC in the country,” noting that the number of acutely hungry people has risen from 17.7 million to 25.6 million over the last six months. VOA
Sudanese Refugees Caught in Crossfire as Violence Escalates in Ethiopia
Violence erupted in the Kumer region of northeastern Ethiopia, leaving several Sudanese refugees, including a child, injured. The armed clashes between Ethiopian Federal Police and an unidentified armed group have further destabilized the area, which is home to thousands of Sudanese refugees seeking safety. Approximately 6,000 Sudanese refugees residing in Ethiopia’s Awlala forest are enduring dire conditions. Among them are 2,300 women and children. Tragically, 45 children have died in recent months, according to a report by the Sudanese Refugee Committee in the Amhara region. Sudanese refugees told “Sudan Tribune” on Wednesday that an armed group attacked Ethiopian Federal Police forces in the Kumer area of the Amhara region at dawn, resulting in the deaths of nine police officers. The refugees confirmed that a three-year-old child and several others were injured during the attack. … The UNHCR anticipates hosting 12,000 refugees in the new camp in the coming months. Sudan Tribune
Tunisia’s Opposition Says Politically Motivated Arrests and Gag Orders are Chilling Election Efforts
Leading opposition parties in Tunisia asserted Wednesday that politically motivated arrests and gag orders are creating impossible conditions for holding democratic elections later this year. Members of the National Salvation Front, a coalition of secular and Islamist opponents to President Kais Saied, said a government crackdown on opponents had created a climate of fear, making campaign requirements like signature-gathering nearly impossible. “There is a clear message behind all these targeted arrests,” Riadh Chaibi, a leading member of the Islamist party Ennahda, told a press conference in the capital of the North African nation. He said the coalition had counted more than 300 people currently imprisoned on political charges. Leaders of Ennahda and other parties in the Front described recent arrests and limitations on those planning to challenge Saied a “suffocation in terms of freedoms, human rights and basic rights for Tunisians.” AP
Kenyan Police Ban Protests in Nairobi after Deadly Anti-govt Demonstrations
Kenyan police said late Wednesday “no demonstrations would be permitted” in the centre of the capital Nairobi, following deadly anti-government protests. “No demonstrations will be permitted in the Nairobi Central Business District and its surroundings until further notice to ensure public safety,” acting National Police Chief Douglas Kanja said in a statement late Wednesday. The area has been the epicentre of many of the previous marches in the city. Ahead of the ban, some posters were being shared online calling on protesters to gather in nearby Uhuru Park before marching on State House on Thursday. Wednesday’s police statement went on to say the decision had been taken after officials received “credible intelligence that organised criminal groups are planning to take advantage of the ongoing protests”. “Criminals have continued to infiltrate the protesting groups, resulting in a troubling trend of disorderly and destructive conduct,” it added. Prominent demonstrator Hanifa Edan posted on X earlier this month that the movement had been infiltrated by “goons”, echoing what protesters had told AFP journalists after some of the rallies turned violent with looting reported. France24
Kenya’s Opposition Group Denies Coalition Talks with the Government
Kenya’s opposition coalition led by its veteran leader Raila Odinga has ruled out any possibility of a coalition with the government following the recent antitax protest that has led to at least 40 deaths. This follows recent meetings between the government of President William Ruto’s coalition OKA and Odinga’s Azimio La Umoja coalition that began last year. … Protesters stormed parliament on June 25 after legislators passed a finance bill that would raise taxes. Police opened fire, killing several people. Odinga on the other hand has been on record calling for a dialogue among different stakeholders including the protesting youths who have branded themselves as Gen-Z. The youth later dismissed Odinga and President Ruto over talks saying they were not catering to their interest but rather on behalf of the ruling class. The group is now calling on President Ruto to resign. AfricaNews
Why is Kenya’s Ruto Accusing the Ford Foundation of Stoking Protests?
On Monday, [Kenyan President William] Ruto made a slinging accusation at the Ford Foundation, the organisation founded by Henry Ford of Ford automobiles fame. The Kenyan president said the organisation was sponsoring those who had caused “violence and mayhem” in Kenya, but provided no evidence for the claim. … Ruto has offered no evidence to back his accusation, which appears to be aimed at deflecting responsibility for his own actions, said analysts. His recent decision to fire almost his entire cabinet signals an attempt to shift blame amid Kenya’s financial and political challenges, said Jervin Naidoo, a political analyst at Oxford Economics Africa. … But Ruto may have singled out the Ford Foundation this time to relay his message to a domestic audience that understands the political affiliation of specific individuals who have links with the organisation, Fadhel Kaboub, a senior adviser with Power Shift Africa, told Al Jazeera. The Kenyan president’s political adversaries include Willy Mutunga, the former chief justice who previously worked for and still has an advisory role at the Ford Foundation, he explained. … “President Ruto’s comments in Nakuru County started in English when he was referring in general terms to ‘those who are behind the anarchy in Kenya, those sponsoring violence in Kenya’, then switched to Swahili to name the Ford Foundation, then switched back to English to say ‘we’re going to call them out and tell them they have to either style up or leave,’” Kaboub said. Al Jazeera
Kagame Opponents and Critics Say Elections in Rwanda Neither Free Nor Fair
Paul Kagame’s win in Rwanda’s presidential election this week was widely expected, although critics say the vote was neither free nor fair. Lewis Mudge is the central Africa director at Human Rights Watch. Mudge, who lived in Rwanda for several years, said elections there are a mere performance and always produce big wins for Kagame. “Notwithstanding the economic progress that President Kagame has made, he’s effectively been in power since July of 1994. That progress has not been matched in terms of political and civil rights and that reflects open space for people to have an independent political platform that disagrees with the RPF,” he said. … Mudge said while there are Rwandans who will continue to vote for Kagame, this was not a free and fair election. “For our point as an organization that defends civil and political rights of people in Rwanda to express themselves, our point is the context is very different if you want to express yourself differently, if you want to criticize government policy. There’s simply no space for them to operate,” he said. VOA
In Northwest Nigeria, Insecurity is Fueling Medical Deserts
Terrorism in the Nigerian north-west is worsening access to primary healthcare, maternal and child health, malnutrition, and increasing mortality rates. … The only health centre at Garin Liman was shut years ago after health workers deserted it due to fear of attacks by terrorists, locally known as bandits. The bandits have attacked health facilities and health workers across Katsina and Zamfara states, jeopardising access of residents to essential healthcare services. The trouble that started as a cattle rustling challenge a little over a decade ago has metamorphosed into full-blown terrorism that has left horrid scars and gory tales across north-west Nigeria. Scattered across the region are terrorist gangs whose persistent violent attacks have halted everyday life in rural communities. They plundered villages and carted away animals and farm produce. In what has now become a multi-million naira industry, they kidnap for ransom, impose levies on communities and use residents for forced labour. Terrorists’ activities have affected primary healthcare delivery in the region, exacerbating maternal and neonatal mortality, child health issues and malnutrition. Due to terror activities, at least 69 health centres have been shut across Batsari, Jibia, Safana, Faskari and Sabuwa LGAs of Katsina State. Premium Times
Cameroon Opposition Doubts Reasons for Election Postponement
On July 8, the National Assembly of Cameroon voted in favor of extending the mandate of current Members of Parliament (MPs), moving the elections to 2026—one year later than initially planned. The postponement, justified by the government as necessary due to financial constraints and logistical challenges, has been met with suspicion and anger from opposition parties. Critics argue that the delay is a strategic maneuver by President Paul Biya to maintain his grip on the presidency, as the country continues to witness multiple challenges from conflict to poverty. The 91-year-old leader has been in power for over four decades, without a clear vision for what the future may hold. Tamfu Richard, an opposition lawyer in Cameroon, explained the legal grounds for the postponement to DW. … Biya’s opponents argue that by extending the MP’s mandates, Biya sought to secure his political stronghold in the country in anticipation of the upcoming presidential elections, by ensuring his control over the legislative majority. … The opposition claims that the delay in elections will exacerbate the plight of the Cameroonian population, particularly in such conflict zones, diminishing hopes for a democratic resolution to the ongoing crisis. … Experts also argue that the postponement of elections in Cameroon could significantly impact voter behavior in the upcoming elections, exacerbating the already widespread phenomenon of voter apathy and a lack of unity among the opposition. DW
UNMISS: Community-based Militias Take Heavy Toll on Civilians across South Sudan
Widespread attacks against civilians persist across South Sudan, driven primarily by subnational armed violence involving community-based militias and or civil defense groups, according to the latest quarterly brief by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). Between January and March 2024, UNMISS documented 240 incidents of violence affecting 913 civilians nationwide, of which 468 were killed, 328 were injured, 70 were abducted, and 47 were subjected to conflict-related sexual violence. This represents a 24 percent increase in the number of violent incidents (from 194 to 240) compared to the same period in 2023. … According to the brief, nationwide trends of violence involving the conventional parties to the conflict remained relatively low during the reporting period. However, military operations and activities involving Government security forces and organized armed groups and their respective proxy armed elements continue to place civilians at risk, predominantly in parts of Central Equatoria State. Radio Tamazuj
Zimbabwe: Zanu PF Identified as Main Perpetrator Again, as 137 Human Rights Violations are Recorded in June
ZANU PF has, for the fourth time in a row, been identified as the leading perpetrator of human rights abuses for June, accounting for 65% of 137 cases recorded by the Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP). The ruling party has been a leading perpetrator since March, having shared the spot with the Zimbabwe republic police (ZRP) and army at some point. At 65.4%, Zanu PF is far ahead of the ZRP (9.7%) which was identified as second on the list and traditional leaders are on 9.3%. “ZPP recorded a total of 137 violations of human rights across the country including violations against freedom of assembly and association, harassment and intimidation, the right to equality and non-discrimination, unlawful detention, and the right to personal security, among others,” reads the monthly report. The report comes out at a time when over 70 opposition activists are locked up in remand prison having been arrested for convening an ‘unsanctioned meeting’ at a private residence. With the regional body, SADC, expected to host its summit in Harare next August, there is growing fear human rights violations are going to be on the rise as the government, Zanu PF and President Emmerson Mnangagwa clampdown on dissent. New Zimbabwe
Rights Groups Condemn Bail Denial to Zimbabwean Opposition Party Leader
Human rights groups condemned a decision by the Zimbabwean High Court on Wednesday to uphold a lower court’s ruling denying bail to an opposition party leader and 78 activists, who were arrested last month. Jameson Timba, who took over as party leader at Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) after Nelson Chamisa quit in January, was arrested along with other party youth in Harare for holding an unauthorised gathering. They were charged with gathering with intent to promote public violence and denied bail by a Magistrates Court. Amnesty International late on Wednesday demanded their immediate release and described their continued imprisonment as “lengthy” and “baseless”. “Their arbitrary, month-long detention is an outrage which must end now,” said Khanyo Farise, Amnesty’s deputy regional director for East and Southern Africa. … Their lawyers have alleged police assault while others sustained injuries. … ”Despite bail being a constitutional right, the regime is blatantly denying innocent citizens this fundamental right,” CCC said. Reuters
Impeached Judge Itching to Take on South African President
In a sign of the seismic political changes in South Africa, John Hlophe, a once-celebrated judge whose career ended ignominiously with his impeachment just five months ago, has been parachuted into parliament to lead the official opposition. Dr Hlophe is expected to be in full flight on Friday, when he will open the debate in response to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s speech on Thursday, setting out his new coalition government’s plans to tackle South Africa’s myriad problems – including an unemployment rate of 32%, high levels of crime, deteriorating infrastructure, and land ownership in a nation bedevilled by racial inequality. … Some critics saw Mr Zuma’s decision to appoint him as MK’s parliamentary leader as returning a political favour. His impeachment in February ended a long-running saga that started in 2008 when two judges of South Africa’s highest court sent shockwaves through legal and political circles by accusing him of trying to improperly influence them to rule in favour of Mr Zuma in a corruption-related case that the controversial politician was fighting at the time. … Now, he has become the first ex-judge to become not only the Leader of the Opposition, but also a member of parliament’s justice committee, and, to top it all, MK’s representative on the JSC. BBC
Mali Army Chief Launches investigationI into Video of Soldier ‘Cannibalism’
Mali’s armed forces have ordered an investigation into a video showing a man in Malian military uniform cutting into a corpse in front of his peers, the army chief said in a statement on Wednesday, describing it as a “rare atrocity” akin to cannibalism. It added that the act did not align with the Sahelian West African nation’s military values. Rights groups and the United Nations have repeatedly accused Malian soldiers of serious abuses, including executions and torture, committed against civilians suspected of collaborating with jihadist groups that have been waging an insurgency in the Sahel since 2012. The army has always denied wrongdoing. The shocking video was trending on X on Tuesday and has since been removed for violating the platform’s rules. It showed a man in military uniform sporting a Mali Armed Forces (FAMA) badge, carving up the stomach of a dead body with a machete. Reuters
Namibia Experiences over Two Million Cyber Attacks per Year
The government says 2,7 million cyber attacks were recorded in 2022, with 7 000 attacks on a daily basis. This alarming statistic calls for the strengthening of cyberspace and online platforms. These statistics were shared at the first Namibia International Cybersecurity Conference and Exhibition that kicked off yesterday. The three-day conference is a proactive attempt to reduce cyber attacks and ensure that national security, economic stability and the privacy of individuals is protected. … Information and communications technology (ICT) deputy minister Modestus Amutse said cyber security awareness is important for Namibia which has become reliant on digital technologies for all its operations. “Cyber crime knows no borders and every sector is at risk of cyber attacks,” he said. Amutse further said advocacy for digital inclusion and safeguarding digital networks against cyber attacks should be taken seriously. “We all have an obligation to safeguard our networks, systems and data against cyber threats on a daily basis,” he said. The Namibian