Political news in Africa is marked by many major events. First, in Liberia, Joseph Boakai was declared the new president, after an electoral campaign which caused great tension. At the age of 78, Boakai takes the helm of a struggling English-speaking country, aiming to address the economic and social challenges facing Liberia.
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, the electoral campaign for the presidential and legislative elections on December 20 has officially begun, despite political tensions and the persistent armed conflict in the east of the country. This election is of capital importance for the future of the DRC, and the various candidates express their concerns about the transparency of the electoral process.
In Somalia, catastrophic floods have killed at least 96 people and forced nearly 700,000 people to flee their homes. This country in the Horn of Africa has been experiencing record rainfall for several weeks, causing considerable damage and endangering the lives of thousands of people.
Congo was also the scene of tragedy when an army recruitment operation at the Michel d’Ornano stadium in Brazzaville ended with the deaths of at least 37 people. Recruitment candidates forced the stadium gate, causing a deadly stampede. This event highlights the challenges facing the country in terms of security and crisis management.
In a completely different register, in Mali, the government appointed a Tuareg general, El Hadj Ag Gamou, to the post of governor of the Northern region, following the capture of Kidal by the Malian army. The move aims to restore state authority in a region that was once under the control of armed groups, and marks an important step in the country’s stabilization process.
Finally, in Gabon, the transition after the coup d’état which ended the Bongo dynasty continues. An election date has been proposed for August 2025, but many uncertainties persist about whether these elections will be held on schedule. The political situation in Gabon therefore remains unstable, and the population impatiently awaits concrete progress towards a democratic transition.
In short, political news in Africa is full of significant events. Elections, natural disasters and attempts at political stabilization show the challenges facing many countries on the continent. It is essential to stay informed of these developments to be able to understand the context and challenges of this constantly evolving region.