Vol 55 No 11 | SOUTH AFRICA A loyalist cabinet 30th May 2014 Zuma has picked dependable allies – whatever their records – for his cabinet. He wants to maximise his power for his final term A legacy of 'radical socio-economic transformation' is President Jacob Zuma's aim yet his new government has more old friends than new brooms. Far from the promised 'leaner and...
Vol 55 No 11 | MALAWI Poll ends in farce 30th May 2014 Banda’s attempt to cancel the election produced political turmoil and brought the country to a standstill President Joyce Banda pressed the self-destruct button on her public image at home and in the wider world when she tried to annul the 20 May presidential election....
Vol 55 No 11 | ANGOLACONGO-KINSHASA Kinshasa challenges Luanda 30th May 2014 In a row that could affect the oil industry, Congo-Kinshasa is again raising the temperature over maritime rights which Angola disputes A long-simmering dispute about rights to the sea has worsened. Last year, Angola submitted a map to the United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf...
Vol 55 No 11 | ZAMBIA Sata health fears grow 30th May 2014 President Michael Sata was flown to Johannesburg on 26 May after a sudden deterioration in his health, Africa Confidential has heard. He had been expected to open the...
Vol 55 No 11 | SOUTH AFRICA The President looks to his legacy 23rd May 2014 In picking new ministers and regional premiers, Jacob Zuma won’t forget old friends As President Jacob Zuma contemplates the membership of his new cabinet, proven loyalty is likely to rival expertise in heping him make his choices. His inauguration takes place...
Vol 55 No 10 | SOUTH AFRICA The last liberation election 16th May 2014 Policies not history will determine support for the African National Congress after its fifth election win It could have been so much worse for the governing African National Congress. President Jacob Zuma faced unprecedented personal criticism and ridicule because of the shooting of mineworkers... READ FOR FREE
Vol 55 No 10 | ZIMBABWE Mugabe moves on Marange 16th May 2014 The government is consolidating diamond-mining companies. This could put the President’s family in overall control Since the government has declared that there isn't enough room in the diamond-mining area of Marange for the seven existing firms, Mbada Diamonds is expected to be the...
Vol 55 No 10 | MALAWI Election officials under fire 16th May 2014 The Malawi Electoral Commission, which is headed by Supreme Court of Appeal Judge Maxon Mbendera, has been under constant attack – despite the fact that it includes commissioners...
Vol 55 No 10 | MOZAMBIQUE Stand by your man 16th May 2014 The governing Frente de Libertação de Moçambique licked its wounds and stuck on the sticking plasters during a four-day extraordinary meeting of its Central Committee in Matola, which...
Vol 55 No 10 | MALAWI Clash of the dynasties 14th May 2014 In general elections that promise to be the closest ever, the President is battling candidates who seek to return their families to power Seven-and-a-half million Malawians go to the polls on 20 May for only the fourth time since multi-party democracy began in 1994 and it promises to be the closest...