The Governance Report
Why political accountability matters for a fair electoral system
Political accountability, which concerns the relationship that citizens maintain with their elected officials and vice versa, is one of the fundamental building blocks of a democratic system. One...
Energy poverty and its implications for load-shedding in South Africa
December 2023 will mark 16 years since loadshedding became prominent in 2007. What was initially conceived as a temporary measure has become a persistent feature in South Africa – a feature that continues to worsen. One of the biggest consequences...
South Africa’s worsening water security crisis
President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the United Nations General Assembly on 19 September. He rightly said that many developing nations are unlikely to meet sustainable development goals. To address development challenges, he said, we “require...
Why political accountability matters for a fair electoral system
Political accountability, which concerns the relationship that citizens maintain with their elected officials and vice versa, is one of the fundamental building blocks of a democratic system. One subject that is central to the discussion on political accountability in...
Energy poverty and its implications for load-shedding in South Africa
December 2023 will mark 16 years since loadshedding became prominent in 2007. What was initially conceived as a temporary measure has become a persistent feature in South Africa – a feature that continues to worsen. One of the biggest consequences...
South Africa’s worsening water security crisis
President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the United Nations General Assembly on 19 September. He rightly said that many developing nations are unlikely to meet sustainable development goals. To address development challenges, he said, we “require...
Expert Analysis
Zimbabwe’s 2023 elections: Who votes and why?
Zimbabwe is preparing for its 23 August 2023 Harmonised Elections. It does so against the backdrop of a complex past, where the struggle for...
Tinubu needs quick wins to soothe his hard-hitting but necessary reforms
When Bola Ahmed Tinubu took over Nigeria’s presidency on May 29 this year, the outlook for the country was broadly dire. He has since asserted...
Zimbabwe Elections Tracker 2023
Introduction On 23 August, the incumbent president of Zimbabwe, President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa of ZANU-PF, will seek another five-year term....
Enhancing youth engagement and voter participation in South Africa’s 2024 polls
As South Africa commemorates Youth Day and prepares for the 2024 general elections, it is important to reflect on past elections and identify...
Inclusive governance matters for the private sector
At first glance, the term “inclusive governance” can appear nebulous, especially when compared to some of the more traditional concerns businesses...
Success of SA’s coalition future hinges on formalised agreements
In late May, the Auditor-General (AG) of South Africa identified coalition instability as having a concerning impact on financial governance,...
Oil and gas exploration threatens Unesco World Heritage Site in Zimbabwe
An obscure mining company has applied for a licence to prospect for oil and natural gas in one of Zimbabwe’s premier wildlife conservation areas....
Covid-19
Here you’ll find up-to-date Covid-19 stats provided by the WHO COVID-19 DASHBOARD and in-depth reporting on the governance around Covid-19
COVID-19: A pandemic unfavourable to journalists
The COVID-19 pandemic came with its own set of rules and regulations, which anyone who chose to disobey, did at their own risk. Many of these rules infringe on rights, across the board.
Ethiopia faces a ‘perfect storm’
A few months ago, security agents intercepted five of Ethiopia’s opposition figures at Addis Ababa airport and took them to a place where individuals contracting the coronavirus were isolated and treated.
In Cameroon, the wearing of face masks is mandatory – but not for Mr President
Cameroon occupies a prominent position on the list of countries in sub-Saharan Africa badly hit by the coronavirus. By 15 June, the country had surpassed the 10,000 mark in terms of confirmed coronavirus cases, with more than 275 deaths.
MOZAMBIQUE INSURGENCY
Election Tracker
Kenya’s supreme court declares William Ruto election winner
On 5 September, Kenya’s supreme court upheld results declaring William Ruto the winner of August’s presidential elections. The fifth time was still not a charm for Raila Odinga as he challenged his presidential election loss through the supreme court. He raised...
President Mnangagwa eschews election observers for a reason
On a recent state visit to Zimbabwe, President Emmerson Mnangagwa praised Malawi for successfully holding its election re-run without the presence...
Tanzania Election Tracker 2020
Introduction Tanzanians are heading to the polls on the 28th October. The ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party has governed Tanzania since...
Historic Malawi election provides lessons for opposition parties across the continent
On 6 July 2020, Lazarus Chakwera was inaugurated as Malawi's sixth president after winning the 2020 Malawi election, an election that was...
President Mnangagwa eschews election observers for a reason
On a recent state visit to Zimbabwe, President Emmerson Mnangagwa praised Malawi for successfully holding its election re-run without the presence of foreign observers and questioned whether they were required for polls in the region. Sound...
Tanzania Election Tracker 2020
Introduction Tanzanians are heading to the polls on the 28th October. The ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party has governed Tanzania since independence in 1961, and is the second longest-ruling party in Africa. President John Magufuli swept into...
Historic Malawi election provides lessons for opposition parties across the continent
On 6 July 2020, Lazarus Chakwera was inaugurated as Malawi's sixth president after winning the 2020 Malawi election, an election that was extraordinary because it was the first on the continent held as a result of a court overturning an election...
Kenya’s supreme court declares William Ruto election winner
On 5 September, Kenya’s supreme court upheld results declaring William Ruto the winner of August’s presidential elections. The fifth time was still not a charm for Raila Odinga as he challenged his presidential election loss through the supreme court. He raised...
President Mnangagwa eschews election observers for a reason
On a recent state visit to Zimbabwe, President Emmerson Mnangagwa praised Malawi for successfully holding its election re-run without the presence of foreign observers and questioned whether they were required for polls in the region. Sound...
Tanzania Election Tracker 2020
Introduction Tanzanians are heading to the polls on the 28th October. The ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party has governed Tanzania since independence in 1961, and is the second longest-ruling party in Africa. President John Magufuli swept into...
Historic Malawi election provides lessons for opposition parties across the continent
On 6 July 2020, Lazarus Chakwera was inaugurated as Malawi's sixth president after winning the 2020 Malawi election, an election that was extraordinary because it was the first on the continent held as a result of a court overturning an election...
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