Photo : REUTERS, Nic Bothma
NIAS Area Studies
AFRICA MONITOR
Photo : REUTERS, Nic Bothma
IN BRIEF
Ayan Datta
South Africa: ANC may lose majority, reports BBC
On 31 May, BBC Africa reported that the ruling African National Congress (ANC) could lose its parliamentary majority for the first time after coming to power in 1994. Results from 50 per cent of the voting districts have been released. The ANC is leading with 42 per cent of the votes, followed by the Democratic Alliance (DA) with 23 per cent. Former President Jacob Zuma’s party uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) have secured 11 per cent and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) ten per cent. The think tank, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, and the News24 media had predicted that the ANC's vote share would be around 42 per cent. (“South Africa election results: ANC on course to lose majority,” BBC, 31 May 2024)
Kenya: President Ruto says friends helped pay for the private jet
On 30 May, BBC reported that Kenyan President William Ruto had argued that the private jet he used to travel to the US was funded by “some friends.” These friends offered him the plane for USD 73,000. This was significantly lower than the USD 1.5 million, the amount critics alleged was the actual cost of hiring the plane. Ruto and his government are facing scandal over the extravagance of the government while the economy is in crisis. (“Kenya's William Ruto: Friends helped pay for private jet to US,” BBC, 30 May 2024)
Central African Republic: US sanctions two companies for Wagner links
On 30 May, Al Jazeera reported that the US sanctioned two CAR-based firms over links with Russia’s Wagner Group. The firms included the Mining Industries and the Logistique Economique Etrangere. The firms’ activities were allegedly benefitting Wagner’s operations in the country. (“US sanctions two Wagner-linked firms in Central African Republic,” Al Jazeera, 30 May 2024)
Algeria: US opposes Algeria’s Gaza resolution at the UNSC
On 30 May, Africanews reported that the US opposed an Algeria-sponsored UNSC resolution on Gaza initiated on 29 May. Algeria’s resolution called for an immediate ceasefire and an end to Israel’s military operations in Rafah. The US Alternate Representative for Special Political Affairs to the UN, Robert Wood, said that "another resolution is not necessarily going to change anything on the ground." (“US calls Algeria's proposed UN resolution on Israel's Rafah offensive,” Africanews, 30 May 2024)
Nigeria: New national anthem causes controversy
On 30 May, Africanews reported on the Nigerian government announcing its new national anthem. The anthem is titled “Nigeria We Hail Thee,” written by Lillian Jean Williams, a British expatriate in Nigeria. The change has been controversial. Oby Ezekwesili, a former Federal Minister of Education, said: "In a 21st Century Nigeria, the country's political class found a colonial National Anthem that has pejorative words like "Native Land" and "Tribes" to be admirable enough to foist on our Citizens." Nigeria’s military government introduced the old anthem, “Arise O Compatriots,” in 1978. However, “Nigeria We Hail Thee” was introduced when Nigeria was under British rule. The government justified the change, arguing that the replaced anthem which was introduced during military rule. Meanwhile, critics argued that the present government was reviving the anthem from Nigeria’s colonial period. (“Nigeria's new anthem, written by a Briton, sparks criticism after a contentious law is passed,” Africanews, 30 May 2024)