Photo : Guy Peterson, AFP
NIAS Area Studies
AFRICA MONITOR
Photo : Guy Peterson, AFP
IN BRIEF
Narmatha S and Vetriselvi Baskaran
Senegal: Opposition calls for voting in six weeks
On 19 February, BBC reported that 15 of 20 presidential candidates demanded elections by 2 April. The 15 candidates insisted that the list should not be altered. President Macky Sall planned to postpone the elections to December citing issues in the eligibility of the candidates. However, the move was annulled by the Constitutional Council calling it “unconstitutional.” (“Senegal candidates call for vote within six weeks,” BBC, 19 February)
Africa: Increase in African migrants in Mexico trying to reach the US
On 19 February BBC reported on the surge in African migrants in Mexico, trying to reach the US. Compared to the previous year, the statistics say that the number of migrants surged nine times. Around 6,500 African migrants reached Mexico in 2022, whereas, in 2023 the number increased to 60,000. The migrants pay smugglers to reach their destination. The head of the Mission International Organisation for Migration Mexico (UN-IOM), Dana Graber Ladek, stated that the majority of migrants are from Guinea, Angola, Mauritania, Senegal, Nigeria and Cameroon. (“Mexico sees surge of African migrants hoping to reach US,” BBC, 19 February 2024)
Nigeria: Protests against increased cost of living
On 19 February, BBC reported on the protests condemning the increased cost of living in Nigeria. Protests are held in the cities of Oyo and Ibadan demanding price reductions for goods and services. Increased inflation, high food prices and the government's decision to end a long-running fuel subsidy are the factors behind the increasing cost of living. (“Protests in Nigeria over rising cost of living,” BBC, 19 February 2024)
Nigeria: Information Minister denies opposition's allegations
On 19 February, Nigeria's Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, rejected President Bola Tinubu's resignation called by the country's main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) denying allegations against him. The development came following the persisting economic challenges and rising food crises. The minister stated: "The President will courageously continue to wrestle with the challenges and surmount them, laying a durable foundation for the new Nigeria that is emerging." ("Calls for Tinubu's resignation a 'distraction' - minister," BBC, 19 February 2024)
Tunisia: Opposition leader joins hunger strike
On 19 February, the leader of the Ennahda party, Rached Ghannouchi, started a hunger strike to mark the one year of his detention. He was given a three-year imprisonment for backing a coup against President Kaïs Saïed. In April 2023, Saied closed the headquarters of the Ennahda party and reduced the independence of the court, citing the need to preserve peace. ("Jailed Tunisian opposition leader starts hunger strike," BBC, 19 February 2024)
South Africa: Elections on May 29 and ANC's challenges ahead
On 19 February, President Cyril Ramaphosa's office disclosed that the national and provincial elections would be scheduled for 29 May. The day coincides with the country's 30 years of independence. Since 1994, South Africa has been led by the African National Congress (ANC). However, this time, the party is expected to face tough challenges and may get less than a 50 per cent majority. The struggle for the party comes amidst record power cuts, poor service delivery and high levels of unemployment. Further, the suspension of former President Jacob Zuma, who currently backs the Spear of the Nation party, would divide the votes. ("South Africa to hold general election on May 29," Al Jazeera, 19 February 2024)