This week, President Andry Rajoelina of Madagascar dissolved his government, in a direct response to a week of deadly, youth-led anti-government protests. The demonstrations, which were initially triggered by the rapidly deteriorating living conditions, have resulted in significant violence, with the UN reporting at least 22 fatalities. Despite the government’s move, opposition leader Rivo Rakotovao publicly stated that his party would refuse to join any new administration under Rajoelina, escalating the political crisis by demanding the president’s resignation. Protests continued to spread across the country indicating that the move to dissolve the cabinet has failed to quell the widespread social frustration and political unrest.
A military tribunal in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) sentenced former President Joseph Kabila to death in absentia on Tuesday, announcing that Kabila was convicted of multiple serious crimes, including treason, murder, and torture. This conviction relates to allegations that the former president supported the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels, who have been conducting an offensive in the country’s eastern provinces. The verdict is likely to have major political repercussions, potentially undermining ongoing regional diplomatic efforts aimed at de-escalating the worse security situation in the eastern DRC.
Uganda’s Electoral Commission officially announced the start of presidential campaigns on Monday, following the successful nomination of candidates for the 2026 General Elections. The official campaign period will now be governed by an agreed-upon schedule to ensure a structured and orderly electoral process. Electoral Commission Chairman, Simon Byabakama, publicly committed to providing necessary security for all successful candidates throughout the campaign period to ensure their safety and the integrity of the process. The commencement of the presidential race marks a crucial phase in the country’s political cycle, which is characterized by intense political competition and ongoing debates about electoral fairness and democratic governance.
Gabon’s ruling military-backed party, the Democratic Union of Builders (UDC) of President Brice Oligui Nguema, achieved a dominant result in the first round of the 2025 parliamentary election. The UDC secured 55 seats out of the 145 seats in the National Assembly during the initial vote, establishing a significant majority. A second round of elections is scheduled for constituencies where no candidate achieved a majority winner. This result solidifies the political control of President Nguema, who seized power in a coup in 2023, ushering in a period of military-led transition.
South Africa’s Ambassador to France, Nkosinathi Emmanuel “Nathi” Mthethwa, was found dead outside the Hyatt Regency hotel in Paris on Tuesday. French authorities confirmed that the body of the 58-year-old diplomat was discovered in the interior courtyard of the high-rise hotel, where a secured window on the 22nd floor had been forced open. The Paris prosecutor’s office initiated an investigation to determine the exact cause of death. Mthethwa’s wife had reported him missing after receiving a worrying text message, and initial investigations suggested a deliberate act without third-party intervention, with a note reportedly left for his wife. President Cyril Ramaphosa issued a statement calling the passing of Mthethwa, a former Minister of Police and Arts and Culture, “a moment of deep grief” and a “national loss” for the country’s diplomatic community.
An international arbitration court in Washington, DC, imposed a temporary injunction against Niger’s sale of uranium stockpiles, amid a dispute between the Niger government and the French mining company Orano. The court ordered the government of Niger to stop the sale of uranium, which Orano alleges was misappropriated from its operations. Additionally, the court mandated the release of Orano’s representative who has been in custody since May. This legal action follows Niger’s military junta assuming control over Orano’s mining operations in December 2022, as part of a broader initiative to regulate foreign mining activities. Orano’s operational license was subsequently suspended, leading the company to halt production. Should Niger disregard the court’s ruling, Orano may claim assets or royalties owed to Niger in other countries. A final judgment from the court is not expected for several months or years.
The trial of Moussa Mara, Mali’s former prime minister, commenced on Monday, at the country’s specialized national cybercrime court unit in Bamako. Mara is currently detained by the military junta and is facing charges stemming from a July social media post where he expressed “unwavering solidarity with prisoners of conscience” and named several political detainees he had visited. The military authorities are pressing four main charges against him: undermining the state’s credibility and legitimacy, opposition to legitimate authority, inciting public disorder, and spreading false information. Mara’s legal team has contested the legality of the detention and the political nature of the charges, and formally requested his provisional release, with claims that the trial highlights the ongoing repression of political dissent and the erosion of democratic space under Mali’s military rule.
Youth-led anti-government protests in Morocco continued to escalate this week, with anti-government demonstrators filling streets for a fifth straight night. The demonstrations, which stems from frustration over socio-economic crisis, particularly the severely degraded state of public services like health and education, turned deadly, with at least two people killed in a clash with police in the southern town of Leqliaa. While originating as peaceful demonstrations, some protests have devolved into violence and looting in poorer suburbs, underscoring the deep and growing sense of disenfranchisement among Moroccan youth.
The government of Ivory Coast has imposed a ban on political rallies, with claims on the necessity to maintain public order and prevent unrest stemming from the spread of false information. This ban comes immediately ahead of the pivotal October presidential elections and in the wake of the exclusion of four prominent opposition figures from the final electoral list. Opposition parties have therefore complained that the authorities have ignored calls for discussion and reason, arguing that the conditions for a peaceful and calm election are not being met. The twin actions of barring key candidates and preventing public assembly have raised serious concerns about the fairness and legitimacy of the upcoming poll.
Central African Republic President Faustin Archange Touadéra officially launched his bid for a third term in office ahead of the general elections scheduled for December 28, 2025. Thousands of supporters accompanied the President to the National Election Authority, on Thursday, to submit his candidacy. Touadéra’s intention to run was made possible by a controversial 2023 constitutional referendum that abolished presidential term limits and extended the presidential term from five to seven years. However, the declaration has drawn immediate and sharp criticism from opposition parties and civil society organizations, who accuse him of consolidating power and shrinking the country’s political space.
Researcher at Alafarika for Studies and Consultancy; and writer at Cultural.ng.