Vol 46 No 14 | ZAMBIA Legal losses 8th July 2005 Constitutional wrangles worsen, the corruption trials falter but the economy picks up The proposed new constitution would reduce presidential powers and entrench fundamental rights and freedoms (AC Vol 46 No 3). President Levy Mwanawasa doesn't like it - even though...
Vol 46 No 13 | SOUTH AFRICA A trial for the ANC 24th June 2005 After his sacking, Jacob Zuma faces criminal charges; his party faces a lengthy political battle The elevation of Minerals and Energy Minister Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka to the deputy presidency on 22 June is an astute if provocative move by President Thabo Mbeki. Mlambo-Ngcuka, 49,...
Vol 46 No 13 | SOUTH AFRICA A province says no 24th June 2005 In Western Cape, the ANC didn't dance to the national leadership's tune National leaders of the governing African National Congress, including President Thabo Mbeki's ally Zola Skweyiya, the Minister for Social Development, publicly supported Ebrahim Rasool for the premiership of...
Vol 46 No 13 | MAURITIUS The brightness is fading 24th June 2005 The election campaign turns vicious as prosperity comes under threat The model Indian Ocean economy is faltering and opposition leader Navin Ramgoolam looks well placed to topple Prime Minister Paul Bérenger at the general elections on 3 July,...
Vol 46 No 12 | SOUTH AFRICA Corruption and conviction 10th June 2005 A 15-year gaol sentence for the Deputy President's advisor tests the government's accountability and its unity Text message jokes were flashing across South Africa this week. 'Jacob Zuma and Schabir Shaik are together in a car. Who's driving?' Answer: 'The Police!' This debunking of...
Vol 46 No 12 | MADAGASCAR Marc and the miners 10th June 2005 Washington and the multinationals give Ravalomanana's team a boost Multinational mining giant Rio Tinto is about to approve a US$500 million dollar investment in the Fort Dauphin region of south-eastern Madagascar. The resulting employment and economic growth...
Vol 46 No 12 | MOZAMBIQUE Born again Stalinism 10th June 2005 President Guebuza combines liberal economics with hard-line politics Treading the boards at the World Economic Forum in Cape Town last week, President Armando Guebuza, impressed the delegates as a witty and thoroughly modern business-minded reformer. Odd...
Vol 46 No 12 | ZIMBABWE One law for the poor 10th June 2005 The government that smashes unlawful small businesses is saved by unlawful currency deals The government's willingness to use arbitrary force against poor Zimbabweans just after claiming a landslide election victory on 31 March suggests it thinks the country is much closer...
Vol 46 No 12 | BOTSWANA Factions and fractions 10th June 2005 A bitter race looms for the Secretary Generalship of the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) at its national congress on 21-23 July in Serowe. A compromise offered by...
Vol 46 No 10 | ZIMBABWE The dam bursts 13th May 2005 Bankruptcy and looming starvation force the government to reverse its land policy Economic logic is biting back faster even than the government's opponents predicted. Zimbabwe is fast running out of fuel and maize-meal. Before the elections (AC Vol 46 Nos...