标签： Africa

The South African government has strongly criticized the United States’ decision to prioritize refugee applications from white Afrikaners, dismissing claims of a ‘white genocide’ as baseless and lacking credible evidence. This response follows an open letter from prominent Afrikaner community members, who denounced the narrative as racially charged and rejected the relocation scheme. The South African government further emphasized that the low number of white Afrikaners applying for relocation to the US indicates a lack of persecution.

The United Nations Security Council is set to vote on Friday on a resolution endorsing Morocco’s sovereignty over the disputed Western Sahara region. This move aligns with the Trump administration’s support for Morocco’s autonomy plan, marking a significant shift in the decades-long conflict. The resolution, if passed, would represent the strongest international backing yet for Morocco’s claim, supported by most European Union members and a growing number of African allies. It notably omits references to a U.N.-backed referendum on self-determination, a stance supported by Algeria, Russia, and China, instead proposing ‘genuine autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty’ as the most viable solution. The resolution also seeks to renew the U.N. peacekeeping mission in Western Sahara for another year, a mission that has been in place for over three decades. Western Sahara, a phosphate-rich coastal desert the size of Colorado, has been a contentious territory since Spain relinquished control in 1975. Both Morocco and the Polisario Front, a pro-independence group based in Algerian refugee camps, lay claim to the region. The Polisario Front has rejected the resolution, vowing to continue its fight for self-determination. The U.N. resolution calls for all parties to seize this ‘unprecedented opportunity for lasting peace’ and requests Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to review the peacekeeping mission’s mandate within six months. The conflict remains a central issue in North African diplomacy, with Morocco viewing support for its autonomy plan as a key indicator of international alliances. The resolution comes amid U.S. efforts to reassess funding for U.N. programs, including peacekeeping, as part of a broader strategy to align U.N. operations with American interests.

Tanzania is witnessing a wave of unrest as protests continue for the third consecutive day, despite stern warnings from the country’s military leadership. Demonstrators, primarily young citizens, have flooded the streets of major cities, decrying the recent presidential election as unfair. The exclusion of key opposition figures from contesting against President Samia Suluhu Hassan has fueled widespread discontent. The government has imposed an internet blackout, making it challenging to verify reports of casualties, while a curfew has been extended to curb the escalating violence. The United Nations has expressed grave concern, urging Tanzanian security forces to avoid excessive force. UN human rights spokesperson Seif Magango cited credible sources indicating at least 10 fatalities. Amnesty International has also raised alarms, though communication disruptions have hindered their ability to confirm these reports. Hospitals are withholding information from journalists and human rights groups, further obscuring the true scale of the crisis. The government has downplayed the violence, emphasizing its control over the situation. Meanwhile, the electoral commission has announced results from over half of the country’s 100 constituencies, with President Samia, representing the long-ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party, expected to secure victory. The CCM has governed Tanzania since its independence in 1961. On the semi-autonomous archipelago of Zanzibar, incumbent President Hussein Mwinyi of the CCM has reportedly won nearly 80% of the vote, though opposition leaders have alleged massive fraud. The protests have disrupted daily life, with tourists stranded at airports due to flight delays. Critics accuse the government of undermining democracy, citing the imprisonment of main opposition leader Tundu Lissu on treason charges and the disqualification of another prominent contender, Luhaga Mpina, on legal technicalities. Samia, Tanzania’s first female president, assumed office in 2021 following the death of her predecessor, John Magufuli. While initially praised for easing political repression, her administration has faced growing criticism for narrowing the political space and targeting critics through arrests and abductions. The situation remains tense as the nation awaits official election results, expected on Saturday.

KAMPALA, Uganda — Tanzania is experiencing widespread protests as electoral authorities tally votes in a highly contested presidential election. Rights groups, opposition leaders, and observers have criticized the election, citing a climate of fear and suppression in the lead-up to the vote. Since Wednesday’s election, the military has been deployed alongside police to quell riots in major cities, a rare sight in a country known for its peaceful reputation and popular tourist destinations like pristine beaches and safari parks. The unrest stems from President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s bid for a second term, which critics describe as a ‘coronation’ rather than a fair contest. Hassan, Tanzania’s first female president, faced minimal opposition after her two main rivals were barred from running. Her administration has been accused of authoritarian tactics, including silencing dissent through arrests, intimidation, and internet restrictions. Opposition leader Tundu Lissu of the Chadema party has been jailed for months on treason charges, while ACT-Wazalendo’s Luhaga Mpina was disqualified from the race. The ruling Chama cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party, which has held power since Tanzania’s independence in 1961, is accused of using administrative, legal, and extra-legal means to maintain its dominance. Reports of enforced disappearances, arbitrary arrests, and extrajudicial killings have further fueled public outrage. Internet access has been intermittently shut down since the election, raising concerns about transparency. Tanzania’s political landscape contrasts sharply with neighboring countries like Uganda, Kenya, Mozambique, and Madagascar, where youth-led movements and opposition figures have challenged long-standing regimes. Despite regional trends, Tanzania remains an outlier, with CCM deeply entrenched in the state apparatus. Hassan’s rise to power followed the sudden death of her predecessor, John Pombe Magufuli, in 2021, maintaining CCM’s reputation for orderly transitions. However, her administration’s crackdown on dissent has drawn international criticism, with organizations like Amnesty International and the International Crisis Group highlighting the erosion of democratic freedoms. As Tanzania awaits official election results, the nation’s political stability hangs in the balance, with opposition leaders vowing to challenge CCM’s grip on power.