标签： Africa

In a dramatic escalation of political tensions, two prominent opposition leaders in Cameroon were arrested late Friday, according to their respective parties. Anicet Ekane and Djeukam Tchameni, key figures in the Union for Change political platform, were detained in Douala, the country’s economic hub. The platform had endorsed presidential candidate Issa Tchiroma Bakary, who claims to have defeated incumbent President Paul Biya in the October 12 election. The African Movement for New Independence and Democracy (MANIDEM) also reported that its treasurer and other members were “kidnapped” by security forces, alleging the move was intended to intimidate the populace. The circumstances surrounding the arrests remain unclear. Cameroon’s electoral body is set to announce the final election results on Monday, but opposition supporters have already taken to the streets, warning against potential vote rigging. Protests erupted in Bafoussam, the capital of the West Region, where motorcyclists flooded major roads demanding a transparent electoral process. Earlier in the week, clashes between protesters and security forces in other cities led to multiple arrests and the tragic death of a 30-year-old primary school teacher, Zairatou Hassana, in Garoua. Hassana, who was not involved in the protests, was reportedly checking on her sister when she was killed. Her uncle, Amadou Adji, expressed deep sorrow, stating, ‘Her death makes me keep a bad souvenir of this regime like all other Cameroonians.’ Tchiroma, in a Facebook post, hinted at attempts to arrest him, calling such actions ‘an assault against the entire Cameroonian people’ and urging recognition of the people’s victory.

Madagascar’s political landscape has been thrown into disarray following the ousting of former President Andry Rajoelina in a military coup last week. The new regime, led by Prime Minister Herintsalama Rajaonarivelo, has taken the unprecedented step of revoking Rajoelina’s Malagasy citizenship, citing local laws that mandate the loss of nationality for individuals who acquire foreign citizenship. Rajoelina, 51, obtained French citizenship a decade ago, a move that had previously sparked controversy during the 2023 presidential election, which he ultimately won despite calls for his disqualification. The former president fled the country after weeks of escalating protests over chronic power and water shortages, which culminated in a military takeover led by Colonel Michael Randrianirina. Rajoelina has since gone into hiding, citing concerns for his safety, and his current whereabouts remain unknown. The protests, initially organized by the youth movement Gen Z Mada and inspired by similar anti-government demonstrations in Nepal, intensified after Rajoelina’s government responded with violence. Despite sacking his energy minister and later his entire government, Rajoelina’s efforts to quell the unrest proved futile. Protesters had hoped for his resignation to facilitate a democratic transition, but his refusal to step down led to the military’s intervention. Colonel Randrianirina has now been sworn in as the new leader, promising to hold elections within two years.

Ivory Coast is set to hold a pivotal presidential election on Saturday, with incumbent President Alassane Ouattara vying for a fourth term amidst significant political tension. The election, scheduled to run from 0800 to 1800 GMT, will see 8.7 million registered voters cast their ballots. However, the process has been overshadowed by the exclusion of key opposition figures, sparking widespread protests and raising concerns about the fairness of the electoral process. Ouattara, 83, who has led the world’s largest cocoa producer since 2011, is widely expected to retain power, extending his rule to nearly two decades. His party, the Rally of Houphouetistes for Democracy and Peace (RHDP), already holds a majority in parliament, further consolidating his position. Despite overseeing economic growth averaging 6% annually, challenges such as poverty, which affects 37.5% of the population, and youth unemployment persist. The election has also drawn attention to the broader trend of aging leaders in Africa, with figures like Cameroon’s Paul Biya, 92, and Uganda’s Yoweri Museveni, 81, continuing to dominate the political landscape. The build-up to the vote has been marked by unrest, with hundreds arrested during protests against the disqualification of prominent candidates like Tidjane Thiam and Laurent Gbagbo. The government has deployed over 40,000 security personnel to maintain order, but fears of electoral violence reminiscent of past crises remain. Ouattara has denied allegations of suppressing opposition and has emphasized his achievements in infrastructure and public sector investment. The international community, including former colonial ruler France, has largely remained silent, focusing on other priorities. With four other candidates, including former first lady Simone Gbagbo and ex-commerce minister Jean-Louis Billion, in the race, analysts predict a decisive victory for Ouattara, who has pledged to continue driving economic growth.