West Africans have been busy at the ballot box this past month. Nigeria and Senegal held elections. Let’s dive into Nigeria first…
Nigeria’s elections
Despite a number of ploys used to foil the election process set for February 16, the polls in Nigeria opened on February 23. More than 72 million people were eligible to cast a ballot for president, members of the House of Representatives and Senate in Africa’s most populous country – and largest economy.
Why was the vote delayed? The Independent National Electoral Commission noted some logistical hiccups, including a fire that damaged voting material and the confusion over who would be on the ballots. Some 73 candidates had registered for the presidential race. But the contest came down to incumbent president Muhammadu Buhari and former vice-president Atiku Abubakar.
And how did it go? There was violence, with more than 50 deaths. Vote counting was underway this week. As of this publication, President Buhari had taken the lead. However, the opposition has cried foul, claiming that the vote was rigged.
Insecurity was a key campaign issue in Nigeria’s election. It is a matter that is especially important for those displaced, driven from their homes by militant groups such as Boko Haram. So, what do those that have been displaced by the conflict make of the elections and campaign promises? Mayeni Jones finds out that eating, not voting is on the minds of the displaced. (BBC)
Elections are big business, says Nanjala Nyabola. And politicians are no longer just candidates, but also brands – backed by big money advertising. The frenzy over the Nigerian elections is proof. She looks at how funding for social media advertising can determine the outcome of Nigeria’s elections. (Al Jazeera)
Millions of voters in Nigeria took their smartphones to the polling station. They have become a tool for citizen election observers. But pictures taken at the ballot can do a lot of damage, says Katrin Gänsler. (Deutsche Welle)
Senegal votes
Meanwhile in Senegal, 6.5 million voters were presented with a choice of the incumbent president Macky Sall and not a whole lotta opponents on February 24. Under Sall’s leadership, Senegal’s government passed a law that made it hard to qualify as a presidential candidate. It worked. The candidate list had five names on it. Of those five, two (the former mayor of Dakar and the son of a former president), were disqualified on fraud and corruption charges. Many expect the results to come out in favour of Sall, which is what the initial returns show.
Will Senegal be bowled over by big projects? Louise Dewast reports. (BBC)
Senegal president's camp claims re-election victory but the opposition cries foul. Sofia Christensen, Juliette Jabkhiro, Diadie Ba report. (Reuters)
Other upcoming elections in Sub-Saharan Africa:
Guinea-Bissau – March 10
Benin – April 28
South Africa – May 8
Malawi – May 21
Chad – May (no firm date set)
Botswana – October (no firm date set)
Mozambique – October (no firm date set)
Namibia – November (no firm date set)
Malawi goes to the polls on May 21
The Malawi economy seems to be on the right path, less than three months before the tripartite elections says Orama Chiphwanya. (The Nation – Malawi)
Information gaps in the run up to the May 21 polls in Malawi are giving room to the manifestation of fake news reports Sellina Kainja. (The Nation – Malawi)
The 50-50 Campaign Agency is on a drive to promote more representation of women in politics, but the goal seems hard to reach says Serah Makondetsa. (The Times – Malawi)
The Month in Review
U.S. cuts some military assistance to Cameroon, citing allegations of human rights violations. Siobhan O’Grady reports. (Washington Post)
They aren’t going to let him rest. Zimbabweans are protesting vice president Constantino Chiwenga’s stay in hospital. They’re upset over how Chiwenga has treated striking doctors. Kaylynn Palm reports. (Eyewitness News)
The U.S. should follow Mike Milken’s formula on Africa policy says Aubrey Hruby. (Financial Times)
The humanitarian challenges in the Central African Republican are plentiful. Alexandra Lamarche authored a report for Refugees International on those challenges and the progress being made. (Refugees International)
Lack of economic opportunities for better-educated Africans has sparked a backlash against some of the continent’s leaders. Gabriele Steinhauser reports on the “young, urban, and poor” who are fighting back. (WSJ)
Anna Pujol-Mazzini looks at how Mali is pursuing justice for a war that never really ended. (World Politics Review)
From burning cars to police crackdown, Zimbabwe remains on edge, writes Cebelihle Bhengu. (Times Live)
Education plays a central role in determining girls’ and women’s capacity to claim economic, social, and political rights and status in society. Nkandu Luo explains why countries like Zambia are placing the education and empowerment of girls and women at the top of their political agendas. (Project Syndicate)
Eighty-five percent of the world’s 68.5 million refugees are in the developing world. Many are in Africa. The African Union has made 2019 the year of “Refugees, Returnees and Internally Displaced Persons.” Asmita Parshotam writes about the needed management of refugees and calls for donors, international and regional organizations, and African governments to intensify their efforts to develop a rights-based refugee-management framework. (Project Syndicate)
Avocados are the new coffee of exports from Africa, thanks to the world’s love of avocados, writes Lynsey Chutel. (Quartz)
In Malawi, the newly formed Scaling up Nutrition (SUN) Business Network Malawi Chapter has challenged players in the business sector: help reduce malnutrition and help make access to healthy foods affordable and available. Orama Chiphwanya reports. (The Nation – Malawi)
How friendly are you? In Rwanda, foreigners think that the locals are not “welcoming.” Elizabeth Buhungiro dives into the matter. (The New Times – Rwanda)
Board games: That’s what bringing people together in Rwanda Sharon Kantengwa reports. (The New Times – Rwanda)
A vaccine to fight East Coast fever, which inflicts mainly livestock, has been developed. Caroline Chebet reports on how the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation (Kairo) will develop 500,000 vaccines for farmers. (Standard Media)
Oliver “Tuku” Mutukudzi was a Zimabwean musician, businessman, philanthropist, human rights activist and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador for South Africa. Fungai Machirori on her revered hero, who passed away on January 19, 2019. (Fungaineni)
Good Stuff on Gender
Working on a hunch, researchers uncover why diverse nations appear to thrive under female leadership. (Women in the World)
Women in Zimbabwe demand action over alleged army rapes, writes Nyasha Chingono. (The Guardian)
Legendary writer and filmmaker Tsitsi Dangarembga weighs in on the rape allegations against Zimbabwean soldiers. (This is Africa)
African feminist scholar Wunpini Fatimata Mohammed on online activism in Northern Ghana. (Ada)
Sudanese women face a barrage of threats, from child marriage to domestic violence and rape. Nita Bhalla reports on riots that are about more than just the price of bread. (Thompson Reuters Foundation News)
Sex for vaccines: Women in war-torn Democratic Republic of Congo are allegedly being asked for sexual favors in exchange for Ebola treatment. Story by Kate Holt and Rebecca Ratcliffe. (Bhekisisa)
Objects for tourism attraction? Uganda's tourism minister suggests showcasing curvy women in order to attract more visitors. (BBC)
Catherine Byaruhanga reports on young Ugandan women defying the laws against female genital mutilation as they protest the government's broken promises to provide better education and prospects. (BBC)
The UN calls for empowerment of female cross border traders who make up 70% of the informal cross-border traders in the South Africa Development Community region. (The Nation – Malawi)
Special Spotlight: Albinism in Malawi
In Malawi, there has been an increase in people with albinism being attacked. Over 160 people with the condition have been targeted since 2015. This has been linked to beliefs that albino body parts can bring good fortune, particularly ahead of the upcoming elections in Malawi on May 21.
President Peter Mutharika hits at critics of his administration’s alleged failure to protect persons with albinism. Precious Kumbani reports. (The Nation – Malawi)
Rebecca Chimjeka and Peter Kanjere write that Malawi is increasingly becoming an unsafe place for people with albinism, with no end in sight for the abductions and killings. (The Times – Malawi)
Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Malawi attempt to lobby for support for the provision of protection of Malawians with albinism writes Faith Kamtambe. (The Times – Malawi)
The unspeakable is happening; people with albinism in Malawi have reason not to trust their own families. Enelless Nyale reports. (The Nation – Malawi)
The entertainment sector is using its platforms to try and deter would-be attackers of people with albinism writes Faith Kamtambe. (The Times – Malawi)
Quote of the Month
"The ground must shift.We will make it shift."
Feminists in Kenya, on the death of human rights activist Caroline Mwatha
Who are we?
Interruptrr Africa grew out of the NYC-based initiative, Interruptrr. Interruptrr was founded as a movement to increase female expertise in news articles, op-ed pages, and the punditry circuit. That's what we're doing here. There are endlessly talented women across multitude of fields in Africa - government, business, science, engineering, entrepreneurship, academia, and technology. Our goal is to identify and recognise them. Today's global challenges, from pandemics to global warming, from extremism to disinformation, requires the input of all perspectives. Interruptrr Africa is about wide perspectives - in order to get to concrete and sustainable solutions.
