Vol 55 No 23 | ZAMBIA Queen-maker Scott 21st November 2014 All previous calculations have been upset by the late President Michael Sata's widow, Christine Kaseba-Sata, announcing on 19 November that she will seek the Patriotic Front's nomi...
Vol 55 No 23 | MOZAMBIQUE Kingpin kidnap chaos 20th November 2014 The abduction of an alleged drugs baron in Maputo embarrasses the new President and highlights the strength of organised crime in the country President Filipe Nyusi surely hoped that such a problem would not come up so early in his new job. On 18 November, one of the most notorious and wealthiest donors to the governing ...
Vol 55 No 23 | SOUTH AFRICA Gloom settles on economy 19th November 2014 The aims of public spending cuts and structural change to improve growth sit ill with the pressure in the cabinet for radical policies Six months into President Jacob Zuma's last term of office, the economic forecasts are worsening. The governing African National Congress is suffering from strategic splits in its ...
Vol 55 No 23 | ZAMBIA Foreign boost for opposition 17th November 2014 Dignitaries and South African businessmen are trying to unite the opposition against the Patriotic Front A group of influential outsiders is struggling to galvanise the fractious opposition to beat the late Michael Sata's party in the presidential by-election due in January, Africa Co...
Vol 55 No 23 | ZIMBABWE MDC can't exploit ZANU-PF splits 12th November 2014 Although ZANU-PF’s internal strife is playing out under the spotlight, the main opposition cannot seem to profit Restoring credibility is now the challenge for the opposition Movement for Democratic Change as much as for the governing Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front. ZANU-PF h...
Vol 55 No 22 | ZAMBIA Fights before the funeral 7th November 2014 The infighting began as soon as Michael Sata died and Guy Scott is trying to hold the ring between the different factions Acting President Guy Scott is finding out just how difficult the management of the governing Patriotic Front can be. On 3 November he was obliged to reinstate Edgar Lungu, a powerf...
Vol 55 No 22 | ZIMBABWE Party strife draws in white businesses 7th November 2014 Everyone – without exception – has to pick a side As the contest intensifies for the leadership of the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front, Justice Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa appears to have put clear water between hi...
Vol 55 No 22 | MOZAMBIQUE Nyusi's rocky road 7th November 2014 The new President faces a stronger opposition and resentment over Frelimo’s electoral fraud that could well persist President Filipe Nyusi, the formally declared victor of October's presidential poll with 57% of the valid votes, has steep hills to climb. He needs to restore public confidence in ...
Vol 55 No 22 | SOUTH AFRICA Splinter injuries 7th November 2014 It is becoming clear what kind of workers' party will emerge to challenge South Africa's political establishment when the once-mighty, 2.2 million-member Congress of South African ...
Vol 55 No 22 | BOTSWANA BDP squeaks back in 28th October 2014 Despite a hint of dirty tricks the ruling party won the election fairly, yet with a reduced majority Lieutenant General Seretse Khama Ian Khama begins his second five-year term of office when Chief Justice Maruping Dibotelo swears him in as President today. The Botswana Democratic...