Photo : John Wessels, AFP
NIAS Area Studies
AFRICA MONITOR
Photo : John Wessels, AFP
IN BRIEF
by Anu Maria Joseph
Angola: ruling party leads the elections, says election commission
On 25 August, the election commission said that 86 per cent of ballots had been counted which suggests the ruling Marxist People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) is likely to win the elections - giving President Joao Lourenco a second five-year term. The MPLA party holds a majority with 52 per cent of votes, while the main opposition Unita holds 42 per cent, marking a narrow lead. The MPLA has been in power for 50 years since independence. Abel Chivukuvuku, Unita’s vice-president candidate, dismissed the provisional results saying they were not reliable. He said: “Tomorrow morning we will have clearer and more concrete indicators and whoever wants to celebrate will … I hope it’s us”. The election was widely seen as the country’s most competitive in history. (“Angola’s ruling party leads in election, with most votes counted,” Al Jazeera, 25 August 2022)
Sudan: US sends first ambassador in 25 years
On 25 August, the US sent its first ambassador to Sudan in 25 years. The decision came two years after it removed Sudan from the list of countries that sponser terrorism. On 24 August, Ambassador John Godfrey arrived in the capital, Khartoum. He said via twitter: “I am delighted to arrive in Sudan. I look forward to deepening relations between Americans and Sudanese and to supporting the Sudanese people’s aspirations to freedom, peace, justice, and a transition to democracy". In 1993, Sudan was listed with the countries that sponser terrorism over the accusations of supporting al-Qaeda. In 1997, the US removed its downgraded representation in Sudan from ambassadors and imposed economic sanctions. (“US sends first ambassador to Sudan in 25 years,” BBC, 25 August 2022)
Macron visits Algeria, expects to repair stranded relations
On 25 August, French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Algeria, expected to repair fractured relations with the country. The move came as the country’s oil and gas reserves have new strategic importance due to Europe’s impending energy crisis. The visit comes after longtime tensions over Algeria’s bloody war of independence. Last year, Algeria recalled its ambassador to Paris, signaling a mutual interest to reset the relations. According to the Elysee palace, President Macron has “made the choice to orientate this visit towards the future … and lay down the basis for a relaunching of the relationship”. (Hugh Schofield, “France's Emmanuel Macron to mend Algeria ties as energy crisis bites," BBC, 25 August 2022)