标签： Africa

Madagascar’s President Andry Rajoelina has pledged to address the nation’s pressing challenges within a year, vowing to resign if he fails to deliver. Speaking at a town-hall meeting at his palace, Rajoelina engaged with government supporters, urging honesty over flattery. ‘It’s the people who kept telling me everything was fine who are responsible for our current situation,’ he remarked. The protests, initially sparked by water and electricity shortages, have evolved into widespread discontent over corruption, unemployment, and the cost-of-living crisis. The youth-led movement, Gen Z Mada, has rejected Rajoelina’s invitation to dialogue, accusing the government of repression and vowing to continue demonstrations. Rajoelina, who came to power in 2009 after mass protests, has dismissed his cabinet and appointed an army general as prime minister, a move the protesters have dismissed. Despite the unrest, life in most parts of the capital, Antananarivo, remains normal, though some areas are heavily policed. The UN reports at least 22 deaths in clashes with security forces, a figure disputed by authorities. Rajoelina remains committed to resolving the crisis through dialogue rather than protests.

In Cameroon, a nation where the median age is 18, the generational divide between its youthful population and its aging leadership has never been more pronounced. As the country prepares for its presidential election, 92-year-old Paul Biya, the world’s oldest president, is seeking an eighth term in office. Biya, who has ruled Cameroon for over four decades, faces widespread disillusionment among the youth, who accuse the education system of corruption and the political system of favoring the elite. Elvis Nghobo, a 34-year-old market vendor in Yaounde, exemplifies this frustration. After failing to gain admission to multiple professional schools, he blames the system for his struggles and has decided not to vote, calling the election results a foregone conclusion. Nghobo’s sentiment is echoed by millions of young Cameroonians who feel excluded from the country’s modest economic growth and are grappling with unemployment and informal employment. Despite being an oil-producing nation, Cameroon’s youth say the benefits of economic growth have not reached them. The country also faces escalating security crises, including a secessionist conflict in the English-speaking western region and Boko Haram insurgency in the north. Biya is challenged by nine opposition candidates, including former allies, but critics argue the opposition lacks credibility. Maurice Kamto, a prominent opposition figure, was barred from running, further fueling skepticism about the electoral process. Analysts suggest that Cameroon’s elites are unwilling to disrupt the status quo, with Biya’s entourage and ruling party ensuring his continued dominance. As the election approaches, many young Cameroonians, like Nghobo, have lost faith in the ballot box, believing that power change will require alternative means.

The United Nations is set to significantly reduce its peacekeeping operations, with thousands of military and police personnel expected to withdraw from global conflict zones in the coming months. This decision follows substantial funding cuts by the United States, the UN’s largest donor, as part of President Donald Trump’s ‘America First’ policy. A senior UN official, speaking anonymously, revealed that approximately 13,000 to 14,000 peacekeepers out of more than 50,000 deployed across nine missions will be repatriated. The UN’s support office in Somalia will also face reductions. The peacekeeping budget is projected to shrink by 15% this year. Countries affected by these changes include Congo, the Central African Republic, South Sudan, Lebanon, Cyprus, and Kosovo. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has emphasized that UN peacekeeping, which represents just 0.5% of global military spending, remains a cost-effective tool for fostering international peace and security. The decision to downsize follows a meeting between Guterres and major donor countries, including the new U.S. Ambassador to the UN, Mike Waltz. The Trump administration has criticized the UN’s budget as excessive and redundant, vowing to withhold further contributions until a thorough assessment of each UN agency’s effectiveness is completed. This review has already led to the U.S. withdrawing from UNESCO, the World Health Organization, and the UN Human Rights Council. Over 60 UN offices and agencies are now facing 20% job cuts as part of Guterres’ reform efforts in response to the U.S. funding reductions. The U.S. has committed $680 million to nine peacekeeping missions, a sharp decline from the $1 billion contribution made last year. China, another major contributor, has pledged to fulfill its financial obligations by year-end.