Photo : John Wessels, AFP
NIAS Area Studies
AFRICA MONITOR
Photo : John Wessels, AFP
IN BRIEF
Narmatha S and Vetriselvi Baskaran
Guinea: Opposition leader appointed as Prime Minister
On 28 February, Guinea’s opposition leader Mamadou Oury Bah was appointed as the new Prime Minister. The country’s interim President, Mamady Doumbouya, carried out the sworn-in event. The development came after the military dissolved the interim government without any details. Guinea is expected to end the transition and hold its elections this year. In 2021, the military carried out a coup, ousting the civilian-led government. (“Guinea junta appoints Mamadou Oury Bah as new prime minister,” BBC, 28 February 2024)
Senegal: Elections to be held on 2 June
On 27 February, after a two-day national dialogue, the panel proposed to hold elections on 2 June. The panel included several civil, political, and religious leaders except the candidates on the ballot. The dialogue focussed on fostering trust among people and candidates. The panel asked the Election Commission to relook at the decision that blocked candidates including Karim Wade, an opposition leader and son of former President Abdoulaye Wade, from the ballot. The development came after the Constitutional Council annulled President Macky Sall’s decision to postpone the elections to December. Violent protests erupted across the country following the announcement of election delay. (“June elections proposed during Senegal dialogue to end political crisis,” BBC, 28 February 2024)
Ghana: Parliament passes LGBTQ bill
On 28 February, the parliament of Ghana passed a new anti-LGBTQ bill. The bill imposes a sentence of three years for identifying as LGBTQ+ and a five-year jail term for forming or funding LGBTQ+ communities. The bill is yet to be signed by President Nana Akufo-Addo. The bill was initiated by two major political parties who consider gay sex to be a crime and an alien to the Ghanaian culture and family value system. This bill has been condemned by several human rights groups claiming that it is against fundamental human rights and freedom. This bill poses a threat to the LGBTQ+ community living in Ghana. (“Ghana passes bill making identifying as LGBTQ+ illegal,” BBC, 28 February 2024)
Chad: Attack in the capital
On 28 February, the BBC reported on the attacks in Chad's capital, N'Djamena, and the National Security Agency's (ANSE) headquarters. Gunfire killed many people and injured several others. The government blamed the opposition Socialist Party Without Borders (PSF) for the attack. However, its leader, Yaya Dillo, denied the allegations. The attack came after the government announced the presidential election on 6 May. The upcoming election will end the transitional government under military leader Mahamt Deby. (“Chad fighting: Heavy gunfire in N'Djamena after attack on security HQ,” BBC, 28 February 2024)