标签： Africa

President Yoweri Museveni’s remarkable 38-year tenure continues to define Uganda’s political landscape, with over three-quarters of the population having never experienced alternative leadership. The 81-year-old leader, who assumed power through armed rebellion in 1986, maintains firm control despite growing international concern about democratic backsliding.

Museveni’s administration has delivered notable achievements including sustained economic growth averaging over 6% annually for a decade, doubled primary school enrollment, and successful HIV/AIDS mitigation programs. These developments initially positioned him as a favored partner among Western nations. However, his governance approach has increasingly drawn criticism for systematically undermining democratic institutions and political opposition.

The constitutional landscape has evolved significantly during Museveni’s rule. In 2005, term limits were abolished, followed by the 2017 elimination of presidential age restrictions—a controversial move that sparked violent parliamentary clashes. These changes have effectively paved the way for potential lifelong presidency.

Opposition figures face severe challenges under Museveni’s regime. Dr. Kizza Besigye, the president’s former personal physician turned political rival, has endured repeated arrests and prosecutions since first challenging Museveni in 2001. Most recently, he mysteriously disappeared in Nairobi only to reappear in Ugandan military custody. Contemporary opposition leader Bobi Wine, leveraging his celebrity status to mobilize youth support, has faced similar persecution including treason charges and violent suppression of his gatherings.

International observers have documented concerning patterns of state violence. United Nations reports indicate security forces routinely employ live ammunition against peaceful assemblies and utilize unmarked vehicles for abductions. The judiciary faces allegations of compromised independence through the appointment of ‘cadre judges’ loyal to the administration.

The president’s family has assumed prominent roles within government structures. First Lady Janet Museveni serves as Education Minister while their son General Muhoozi Kainerugaba commands the military. The recent enlistment of Museveni’s grandson has further fueled concerns about dynastic succession planning.

Despite these developments, Museveni’s supporters highlight Uganda’s relative stability and humanitarian contributions. The nation currently hosts approximately 1.7 million refugees fleeing regional conflicts—a dramatic reversal from Uganda’s historical role as a refugee exporter. The administration continues pursuing foreign investment partnerships with China, the UK, and UAE as part of its Vision 2040 development strategy.

As Museveni campaigns for a seventh term, he maintains his signature blend of paternalistic rhetoric—referring to young supporters as ‘Bazukulu’ (grandchildren)—and demonstrations of physical vitality. However, questions about succession planning and democratic integrity continue to overshadow his legacy of stability and development.

African policy specialists are raising alarms that recent US military actions against Venezuela represent a dangerous erosion of international legal standards, potentially signaling a return to coercive power politics that could disproportionately impact resource-rich yet institutionally vulnerable nations across Africa.

According to security analysts, the unilateral intervention outside United Nations frameworks marks a significant departure from rule-based international relations. Melha Rout Biel, Executive Director of South Sudan’s Institute for Strategic and Policy Studies, characterized the development as undermining global norms that protect national sovereignty and prevent coercion in international disputes.

“The attempt to remove a sitting president under foreign jurisdiction while claiming respect for international law represents a fundamental contradiction,” Biel stated. “Such actions risk normalizing coercive intervention and establishing precedents that could threaten sovereignty throughout Africa and other resource-rich regions.”

The analysis suggests that vulnerable states possessing significant oil, mineral and strategic resources may increasingly face external pressure disguised as legal or security measures if unilateral intervention becomes normalized. Biel emphasized that this concern extends beyond Venezuela, with Africa and parts of Asia facing comparable risks should power begin to replace law in international relations.

Nigerian policy expert Olusoji Ajao, founder of Afrocentric Masterclass, noted that interventions bypassing multilateral institutions rarely achieve sustainable governance improvements. “Historical evidence demonstrates that these approaches tend to fracture societies rather than reform them,” Ajao explained, adding that sanctions and coercive measures typically impose severe social and economic costs on civilian populations while failing to produce political solutions.

The African Union has reaffirmed its commitment to international law principles including sovereignty and territorial integrity, while multiple African nations including South Africa, Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia, Liberia, Ghana and Namibia have called for urgent action to uphold the UN Charter and protect Venezuela’s sovereignty.

African experts conclude that sustainable solutions must emerge through inclusive political dialogue rather than external imposition, warning that the continent must develop unified positions to prevent becoming collateral damage in great power competitions, as occurred during the Cold War era.

In a landmark development for Sudan’s protracted civil conflict, the nation’s military-led administration has officially reestablished its presence in the capital city of Khartoum after operating from a provisional headquarters in Port Sudan for nearly three years. The symbolic return marks a significant shift in the country’s turbulent political landscape.

Prime Minister Kamil Idris formally announced the government’s restoration during a press conference on Sunday, characterizing the administration as a ‘government of hope’ committed to addressing the severe humanitarian challenges facing Khartoum’s residents. The capital had endured brutal occupation by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) since April 2023, when violent power struggles erupted between military leadership and the RSF command.

The reconquest of Khartoum by national army forces last March represented a critical strategic victory after extensive urban combat that left substantial portions of the metropolitan area in ruins. United Nations assessments indicate approximately five million civilians fled the city during the conflict’s most intense phases, while those remaining endured systematic looting and property seizures by RSF fighters.

Prime Minister Idris outlined immediate priorities including restoration of essential services—particularly electricity, water infrastructure, healthcare systems, and educational institutions—which UN officials had previously reported were ‘barely functional’ as recently as October. The administration simultaneously declared 2026 as a ‘year of peace’ for Sudan, where conservative estimates indicate at least 150,000 fatalities and approximately 12 million displacements throughout the conflict period, creating what international organizations describe as the world’s most severe humanitarian crisis.

The initial violence originated from the dissolution of Sudan’s ruling coalition, specifically the fracture between army commander General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his former deputy Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, who commands the RSF paramilitary group. Both factions have faced extensive allegations of human rights violations during the conflict, with foreign powers accused of exacerbating hostilities through weapon shipments and strategic support. Recent diplomatic scrutiny has particularly focused on the United Arab Emirates’ alleged backing of RSF forces, claims which Emirati officials vehemently deny.