UK LEADERSHIP AND KEY CONTENDERS
Compiled by Mike Burnard Prime Minister Theresa May stepped down on Friday 7 June as leader of Britain’s Conservative Party after admitting failure in her attempt to withdraw the country from the European Union. She will remain as a “caretaker” Prime Minister for a few weeks while the party picks a successor. (Global News) Why is Theresa May…
MODI SCORES DRAMATIC ELECTION VICTORY
By Andrew Richards Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi scored a dramatic election victory, putting his Hindu nationalist party on course to increase its majority on a mandate of business-friendly policies and a tough stand on national security. His re-election reinforces a global trend of right-wing populists sweeping to victory, from the United States to Brazil…
ANC WINS SOUTH AFRICAN ELECTION BUT WITH SMALLER MAJORITY
The ruling African National Congress (ANC) won South Africa’s parliamentary elections with 57.5 percent of the vote, the electoral commission said, announcing the official results. The win assured a sixth straight term in power for the ANC. But the result was the worst-ever electoral showing for the party, which has ruled South Africa since the end of…
SUDAN PROTESTORS DEMAND CIVILIAN RULE
By Donnelly McCleland Sudan’s main protest group on Sunday [14 April] demanded the immediate handover of power to a civilian transitional government, saying it would keep up the street demonstrations which ousted former President Omar al-Bashir last week to achieve its aims. (Reuters) Uncertainty and turmoil amid jubilation A sit-in in the Sudanese capital, which…
TV ENTERTAINER EMERGES AS FRONTRUNNER IN UKRAINE ELECTIONS
By Donnelly McCleland (with contribution by Mike Burnard) Ukrainians awoke on April Fools’ Day to the reality of a comedian on the verge of taking over as commander in chief. The first-round victory for Volodymyr Zelensky, a 41-year-old entertainer who plays the president in a popular sitcom, served as a breath-taking rebuke by about 5…
ALGERIA’S ELECTIONS – A TEST FOR DEMOCRACY
By Hannes Bosman and Donnelly McCleland An emerging coalition of Algerian opposition figures Tuesday [19 March] rejected President Abdelaziz Bouteflika’s plan to remain in office while overseeing a political transition from his 20-year rule, echoing the demands of street protesters that he step down next month. The group also urged the military to stay out…
ANC WAR HOAX
There is currently a video doing the rounds on social media containing unsubstantiated reports that the ANC (African National Congress) is preparing for war (https://youtu.be/bSWXcqEeHv4). The YouTube Channel, Loving Life, with its spokesperson, Scott Balson, warns the South African public to stock up with supplies as the nation is potentially facing a “STATE OF EMERGENCY”. …
GUAIDO RETURNS TO VENEZUELA AND A NEW PHASE IN CAMPAIGN
5 MARCH 2019 (SOURCE: AP) – Opposition leader Juan Guaido shrouded the route and timing of his return in secrecy amid concerns he might be detained by Venezuela’s government. Yet he breezed through airport immigration checks and brazenly called for the downfall of President Nicolas Maduro at a rally where the presence of security forces was minimal….
ALGERIAN PRESIDENT ANNOUNCES DEPARTURE PLANS AFTER MASS PROTESTS
4 MARCH 2019 (SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN) – Algeria’s ailing president has promised to step down after the next election and enact reforms, as the nation’s elite moved to consolidate its power in the face of historic mass protests. “I’ve heard the heartfelt cry of the protesters,” said Abdelaziz Bouteflika in a letter read out on national…
NIGERIA’S BUHARI WINS SECOND TERM AS PRESIDENT: ELECTORAL COMMISSION
27 FEBRUARY 2019 (SOURCE: REUTERS) – Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari won a second term at the helm of Africa’s largest economy and top oil producer, the electoral commission chairman said on Wednesday, following an election marred by delays, logistical glitches and violence. He defeated his main opposition candidate Atiku Abubakar, a businessman and former vice president. Buhari…