Vol 57 No 23 | ZAMBIA A heartbeat away from Lungu 18th November 2016 After the fevered election campaign Lusaka's politicking remains in overdrive as plotters seek to oust the Vice-President President Edgar Lungu sacked the Information Minister and Chief Government Spokesperson, Chishimba Kambwili, a founding member of the Patriotic Front, on 8 November. Although no official reasons were...
Vol 57 No 23 | MOZAMBIQUEANALYSIS The burden of war and debt 18th November 2016 We examine the unique conjunction of war, debt, corruption and impunity which characterise Mozambique today. This presentation answers criticisms that have been made of Africa Confidential's coverage of the issue and sets the record straight with a comprehensive survey of the crisis Mozambique's two main political parties remain locked in a sinister war of attrition as the economy nears total collapse. The Frente de Libertação de Moçambique, which has held...
Vol 57 No 23 | SOUTH AFRICA Starting the post-Zuma race 18th November 2016 Backing from the ANC's top policy-making committee means that President Zuma can hang on but his authority is shrinking This has been one of Jacob Zuma's worst months since becoming President in 2009. On 25 November, the mounting list of corruption allegations against him are to be...
Vol 57 No 23 | ZIMBABWE Loosing the bonds 18th November 2016 The International Monetary Fund removed its 'remedial measures' on Zimbabwe on 14 November, just as clarity emerged over the financing of Harare's controversial 'bond notes'. Harare had settled...
Vol 57 No 23 | ZAMBIA Post mortem 18th November 2016 When the Lusaka High Court 'provisionally' closed independent newspaper and website The Post on 2 November, its Editor and owner, Fred M'membe, told his confidants, 'It's time to...
Vol 57 No 23 | SOUTH AFRICA Fuel fund fracas 18th November 2016 Energy Minister Tina Joemat-Pettersson faces renewed questions about the unauthorised sale of South Africa's strategic fuel reserve. Last December, 10 million barrels of oil were sold at a...
Vol 57 No 22 | ZIMBABWE Getting ready for trouble 4th November 2016 Politicians who benefited from land seizures are paying compensation and getting title deeds – in case the political tide turns The government is making several payments to dispossessed farmers to regularise the legal status of land held by President Robert Mugabe's family and leading members of the ruling...
Vol 57 No 22 | SOUTH AFRICA A week of defeats for Zuma 4th November 2016 Although the courts have ruled against him, the President's loyalists say he still controls the streets The courts, civil society and the largest trades union took the lead this week as pressure on the governing African National Congress mounts to drop President Jacob Zuma...
Vol 57 No 21 | MOZAMBIQUE Good gas and bad governance 21st October 2016 Progress is being made towards the much-hyped gas production but it's a long and twisting road towards tangible benefits The massive economic growth rate of 24% which the International Monetary Fund predicted is no more. That was the Fund's figure for 2021, when gas production had been... READ FOR FREE
Vol 57 No 21 | SOUTH AFRICA Stalwarts push for Zuma's exit 21st October 2016 As more details emerge about his business allies, the President's position in the cabinet and party is weakening This month, the fight between President Jacob Zuma and his diminishing band of defenders on the one hand and on the other, the gutsy former Public Protector Thulisile...