Despite Frustration With Politics, Malawi's Youth Remain a Decisive Force in the 2025 General Elections Malawian youth speak to OkayAfrica about their hopes and fears amid economic hardship, broken promises, and fading hope, as the country heads to the polls. news September 15, 2025
Op-Ed: Old Presidents Continue to Hold on to Power as Africans Get Younger Across Africa, several older leaders are essentially democratic strongmen, bending the system to keep themselves in power. news August 15, 2025
Ivorian Opposition Leader Tidjane Thiam Resigns from Presidential Election Bid Amidst Dual Nationality Ruling Thiam is the latest candidate to be barred from running in this year’s election, perhaps clearing the way for an easy fourth term win for President Alassane Ouattara. news May 13, 2025
Faure Gnassingbé Assumes Newly Created Executive Role as Controversial Constitutional Change Takes Effect in Togo The West African country’s ruling party controls both legislative houses with an overwhelming majority, paving the way for the former long-term president to indefinitely hold on to executive power. news May 5, 2025
Namibia’s First Female President Appoints New Women-Majority Cabinet Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has reduced the number of ministries, citing the need to reduce the cost of governance and improve efficiency. news March 24, 2025
Guinea-Bissau President Changes Stance on Reelection Amid Term Limit Controversy Umaro Sissoco Embalo, who previously said he wouldn’t seek a second term, has reversed his decision while delaying elections. news March 4, 2025
Togo’s Democratic Future in Question Ahead of the Senatorial Election Despite protests and rigging accusations from opposition parties and observers, Togo’s new constitution is moving forward. news February 14, 2025
Jacob Zuma's Daughter Faces Terrorism Charges. What Does This Mean for South African Politics? The case could set a legal precedent for social media incitement and reshape South Africa’s political landscape ahead of future elections. news February 6, 2025
Mozambique's Opposition Leader Ready to Talk with New Government - On Condition Venancio Mondlane wants the government to take accountability for the fatal post-election protests. news January 24, 2025
Daniel Chapo Sworn-in as Mozambique’s President Despite Continued Protests Against Election Results Many Mozambicans have continued to protest against electoral fraud they believe to be responsible for Chapo’s ascent into power. news January 15, 2025
President Mahama Trims Down Ministries as Part of Bid to “Reset Ghana” Keeping to his campaign promise, the new president is attempting to put together an efficient government to tackle Ghana’s economic crisis and restore public trust in the next four years. news January 13, 2025
Op-ed: Ghana’s Former President Leaves Office With A Complex Legacy Nana Akufo-Addo leaves a legacy marked by early triumphs, missed opportunities and mounting social concerns. news January 7, 2025
Dozens Arrested Amidst Post-Election Chaos in Ghana Although limited, the disorderly conduct has seen supporters of the incoming president’s party attack several state institutions, injuring police and military personnel in the process. news December 11, 2024
Ghana Elects First Female Vice President as Opposition Wins Election The NDC’s pair of John Mahama and Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang have won the presidential elections in Ghana. news December 9, 2024
As the 2024 Ghana Elections Draw Near, Voters Express Uncertainty About the Major Candidates Ghana’s 2024 elections are crucial to the future of the country’s socio-economic development. However, voters are unsure if the two major candidates are up to the task. news December 5, 2024
In Ghana, Voters Feel They Choose Between the Lesser of Two Evils Current Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia faces a stiff test against former President John Mahama, as no political party has governed Ghana for more than two consecutive terms. news December 2, 2024
Hopes and Fears of Namibians Ahead of Elections As Namibia heads to the polls in less than 24 hours, we hear from Namibians about their hopes and fears for their country. news November 26, 2024
These Are The Key Faces Shaping Namibia’s Upcoming Elections As Namibia prepares for the polls on November 27, the ruling party faces the challenge of securing victory in the face of declining public confidence. news November 22, 2024
Somaliland Opposition Leader Wins Presidential Election Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi will be looking to bolster the economy and secure international recognition for Somaliland when he assumes office. news November 19, 2024
Despite Protest Ban, Mozambicans Continue to Demand Systemic Change Police and state security respond to civil demonstrations with force, while the government describes them as acts of terrorism. news November 16, 2024
South Africa Partially Reopens Border With Mozambique Amid Post-Election Protests Tensions continue to grow in Mozambique following the ruling party’s win in the recently concluded general elections. countries November 12, 2024
Mauritius Opposition to Re-enter Government as Prime Minister Concedes Defeat Opposition Labour Party leader Navin Ramgoolam had previously served as the country’s prime minister on two occasions. news November 11, 2024
African Leaders React to Donald Trump’s Election From Morocco to South Africa, African leaders extend their congratulations to the president-elect of the United States of America. news November 6, 2024
Duma Boko's UDC Ends Botswana Ruling Party’s Decades-Long Hold On Power Outgoing president Mokgweetsi Masisi has conceded defeat, promising to work with the incoming leader for the betterment of Botswana. news November 1, 2024
The Hopes and Fears of Young Batswana Ahead of Elections As Botswana heads to the polls on October 30, young voters are focused on pressing issues: unemployment, inadequate healthcare, gender-based violence and the lack of government support for the creative industries. news October 28, 2024
What You Need to Know About Botswana’s General Elections As Botswana heads to the polls on October 30, President Mokgweetsi Masisi faces a challenging re-election bid against a backdrop of public discontent. news October 25, 2024
Protests in Mozambique after Ruling Party Candidate is Declared Winner of Presidential Election Mozambique's electoral commission says Frelimo’s Daniel Chapo is the winner of the October 9 vote by more than 70 percent. news October 24, 2024
Killings, Alleged Fraud and Protests Heighten Tensions in Mozambique Ahead of Election Results International bodies have urged for an investigation into the killing of opposition members, while external observers have cast doubts on the credibility of the elections. home featured October 23, 2024
Ethiopia Replaces First Female President After Her Resignation Ethiopia’s first female president, Sahle-Work Zwede hinted in a social media post last weekend, that she wasn’t happy and had been silent for a year. news October 8, 2024
Kais Saied Secures Second Term in Tunisia’s Contested Election Critics fear a return to one-man-rule while others anticipate that the election’s low voter turnout has served to delegitimize Kais Saied’s government. news October 8, 2024
In Mozambique, Three Candidates Hope to End Sitting Party’s 50-Year Rule On October 9, Mozambicans head to the polls with hopes that the new president can turn the country’s economic and security conditions around. news October 8, 2024
Young Tunisians Hold More Fears Than Hopes for the Upcoming Presidential Election Young Tunisian activists tell OkayAfrica about their electoral predictions and what another President Kais Saied term would mean for the country’s democracy, economy and ongoing tensions with Sub-Saharan Africans. news September 30, 2024
Are Tunisian Authorities Trying to Silence Opposition Ahead of Elections? Critics have accused President Kais Saied of heavily tilting the upcoming vote in his favor, even though he’s already made himself the country’s de facto ruler. news September 27, 2024
Negative Reactions Trail Postponement of Long-Delayed Election in South Sudan The country’s transition government, led by President Salva Kiir, said it needs more time to complete “essential tasks” before the election can be held. news September 20, 2024
In Tunisia’s Elections, an Authoritarian President Runs Against an Imprisoned Contender and a Former Ally Human Rights Watch labeled the upcoming polls “a mockery of Tunisians’ right to participate in free and fair elections.” news September 13, 2024
Algeria's Abdelmadjid Tebboune Secures Second Presidential Term, but Fails to Raise Voter Participation Online users are calling Abdelmadjid Tebboune’s 94.7 percent win the “joke of the century.” news September 9, 2024
Will Algerians Boycott Upcoming Elections to Demand Systemic Change? In protest against the tightly managed political environment and lack of space for independent media, many Algerians boycotted the December 2019 presidential elections, a 2020 referendum and 2021 parliamentary elections. news September 4, 2024
Five Months After Elections, Senegalese Have High Hopes for Their President Citizens say the country’s youngest president has been transparent and swift with his policies, but there are still important issues yet to be addressed. news August 29, 2024
In Algeria, Three Candidates Contend in the Presidential Race This election serves as a referendum on President Abdelmadjid Tebboune’s government. But does the people’s voice have a real chance? news August 20, 2024
The Controversial Political Life Of Jacob Zuma This week, former South African president Jacob Zuma's decades-long relationship with the ANC officially came to an end. news August 2, 2024
No Surprises With Outcome of Rwandan Elections In preliminary results, the Rwandan electorate has overwhelmingly decided that their long-term President Paul Kagame is fit to lead them for another five years. news July 16, 2024
Paul Kagame is Predicted to Win the Rwandan Election; But What About the Opposition? Although Paul Kagame is the frontrunner — by a very wide gap — in the presidential election, Frank Habineza and Philippe Mpayimana are determined to give the Rwandan people other options on the ballot. news July 12, 2024
What Does the Future Look Like for Mauritania After Presidential Election? Incumbent President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani is set to return to office for another five years, amidst opposition disputing the announced results. news July 2, 2024
South Africa Reacts to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s New Cabinet Amidst accusations of a bloated government and the need to accommodate multiple parties, South Africa's most diverse administration takes shape after protracted negotiations. news July 1, 2024
Everything You Need to Know About Mauritania’s Presidential Election Mauritania’s incumbent President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani is seeking a second term against six other candidates, including activist Biram Ould Abeid and former Prime Minister Hamadi Ould Mokhtar. news June 28, 2024
Rwanda’s Election Campaigning is Underway, as President Seeks Another Term Running against the same two candidates he beat in the previous election, President Paul Kagame is seeking to hold onto power for a fourth term, amidst criticisms of stifling opposition. news June 27, 2024
What’s Next for South Africa After Unprecedented Election Results? For the first time ever, the ruling African National Congress did not secure an outright majority in the polls, signaling a historic turning point for South African politics. news June 3, 2024
How Does South Africa Elect its President? Presidents aren’t directly voted in by the South African electorate. Here’s how the country’s next leader will be elected after this week’s general election. news May 30, 2024
The Eight Longest-Serving African Presidents at the Moment These presidents, who have ruled for periods ranging from two to five decades, have maintained their grip on power through the manipulation of institutions and constitutions. countries May 30, 2024
Post-Voting Portraits of South Africans at the Polls Six South African voters share their experiences taking part in what is seen as the country’s most highly-contested election. news May 29, 2024
South Africa Elections: How the Top Parties Plan to Tackle the Biggest Issues We take a look at the manifestos of the ANC, DA, and the EFF, highlighting their plans to solve unemployment, crime, and power outages. countries May 27, 2024
The Hopes and Fears of South Africans Ahead of the Elections South Africans are getting ready for what is set to be the most tightly contested elections in the country’s 30 years of democracy. news May 22, 2024
Apex Court Bars Former President Jacob Zuma from Running in South Africa’s Elections The Constitutional Court issued a unanimous decision disqualifying Zuma from running for parliament under his new political party. news May 20, 2024
Chad Junta Leader, Mahamat Déby, Confirmed as Election Winner As opposition parties and civil groups dispute alleged fraud in the election results, all is set for transitional president Mahamat Déby to remain the leader of Chad for at least five more years. news May 17, 2024
Togo's Parliament Approves Constitutional Reform for Ceremonial Presidency Ahead of long-awaited parliamentary elections, lawmakers have adjusted the constitution with a move that may guarantee six more years for incumbent Faure Gnassingbé. news April 22, 2024
What’s At Stake in the Upcoming Elections in Chad? Three years after the death of a former president who ruled for 30 years with an iron fist, voters in Chad are heading to the polls with limited options. news April 19, 2024
Does Jacob Zuma Want to Be President of South Africa Again? Ahead of May’s general elections, it is likely that Zuma will be running for parliament under a new political party, six years after his resignation due to corruption charges. news April 17, 2024
Bassirou Diomaye Faye Sworn in as Senegal’s Youngest President Ever Faye, in his first action as president, appointed fierce opposition leader and key backer in the election, Ousmane Sonko, as prime minister. news April 2, 2024
How Bassirou Diomaye Faye went from Detention to President-Elect at 44 After being confirmed, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, the former tax inspector will be the youngest president in the West African country's history. news March 26, 2024
Senegal May Be on the Verge of Electing its Youngest President Ever Bassirou Diomaye Faye, 44, is set to replace outgoing President Macky Sall, with early results placing him in position to win over 50 percent of the votes in Sunday’s election. news March 25, 2024
What’s at Stake During this Weekend’s Elections in Senegal From realigning its democracy to improving its economic realities, the people of Senegal have a lot riding on Sunday’s election. news March 22, 2024
Here Are the Leading Candidates in Senegal’s Presidential Election There are 19 candidates vying to be Senegal’s next president on March 24, with five clearly standing out. news March 20, 2024
Senegal’s Postponed Presidential Election Now Has a Date The Senegal election will now take place March 24, a little over a week before the end of President Mack Sall’s tenure. news March 7, 2024
Killing of Opposition Leader Casts Dark Cloud Over Upcoming Presidential Elections in Chad Yaya Dillo, a vocal critic of President Mahamat Deby, was the strongest opposition candidate going into the campaigns for the May 6 polls. news March 1, 2024
Load Shedding and its Possible Impact on South Africa’s Upcoming Elections Creative professionals recount how power cuts have affected their work, and how some of the challenges young people are facing will influence voter turnout and the outcome of the elections in May. news February 29, 2024
Senegal’s President Macky Sall Says He’ll Exit Office When his Term Ends, but Election Date Remains Uncertain In acceptance of the Constitutional Council’s rebuke of his “illegal”postponement of elections, Sall’s exit at the end of his tenure sets the stage for a new Senegalese president. news February 23, 2024
