Photo : Phill Magakoe, AFP
NIAS Area Studies
AFRICA MONITOR
Photo : Phill Magakoe, AFP
IN BRIEF
Anu Maria Joseph
South Africa: Electoral commission appeals against Constitutional Court’s ruling on Jacob Zuma’s candidacy
On 12 April, South Africa’s electoral commission appealed to the Constitutional Court against overturning the ban on former President Jacob Zuma standing for the upcoming elections. The commission alleged that the constitution bars the candidacy of individuals who have been sentenced to more than 12 months in prison. In 2021, Zuma was sentenced to 15 months in jail for contempt of court and only served three months in Jail. Zuma is running for his newly formed party, uMkhonto weSizwe (MK), with a bid to end decades of rule under the African National Congress (ANC). (“SA poll body challenges ruling allowing Zuma's candidacy,” BBC, 12 April 2024)
West Africa: Ukraine opens embassies in DRC and Ivory Coast
On 12 April, Ukraine opened an embassy in Ivory Coast. The development came a day after it opened an embassy in the Democratic Republic of Congo. BBC quoted Ukraine’s special envoy for Africa and the Middle East, Maksym Subkh, from French public broadcaster RFI: “A brilliant new chapter has been added to the history of Ukrainian-African and Ukrainian-Ivorian relations.” He appreciated Ivory Coast's “support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, including voting in favour of key UN resolutions on the large-scale Russian invasion.” (“Ukraine opens embassies in DR Congo, Ivory Coast,” BBC, 12 April 2024)
Niger: Russian military instructors arrive to train army
On 12 April, BBC reported that Russian troops arrived in Niger as part of the recent military agreement aiming at boosting Niger-Russia security cooperation. The country cut ties with the West and turned towards Russia after the Military coup in July 2023. One of the Russian military officials told Niger’s state media: "We are here to train the Nigerien army …[and] to develop military cooperation between Russia and Niger.” (“Russian military instructors arrive in Niger to train army,” BBC, 12 April 2024)