Africa, a land of vast resources and conflicts, is experiencing significant political turbulence that has reshaped its geopolitical map internally, regionally, and globally. Some countries have witnessed military coups, others have held elections, while some are going through transitional periods or seeking ways to conduct elections.
Recent Elections:
In South Africa, final results of the general elections announced in early June showed that Nelson Mandela’s ruling African National Congress (ANC) party lost its parliamentary majority for the first time in three decades. This opens the door for a new experience in managing the country’s affairs, breaking the previous dominance of a single party and necessitating coalition-building.
In Chad, despite successfully concluding a three-year transitional period with presidential elections based on the new 2023 constitution, tensions remain high as the main opposition candidate claims electoral fraud.
Senegal, despite being surrounded by coup-prone countries, managed to organize successful elections in March, ending a quarter-century rule of the incumbent coalition and bringing the opposition to power.
Upcoming Elections:
Mauritania is preparing for presidential elections at the end of June, facing both internal challenges and regional risks.
Algeria has decided to hold early presidential elections in early September.
Tunisia continues to debate the fate and timing of its upcoming presidential elections.
Libya is working with UN representatives to set a date for general presidential and parliamentary elections, last held in 2014.
Nineteen African countries are scheduled to hold elections this year, including Rwanda, Mozambique, Botswana, Somalia, Namibia, Mauritius, South Sudan, and Ghana.
Regional and Global Power Dynamics:
Africa’s vast oil reserves and other natural resources make it a target for regional and global powers seeking to expand their influence. Russia, the United States, Europe, and China are engaged in a cold war of sorts, manifested through military, political, and economic competition, particularly in countries like Libya and Niger.
The article also discusses France’s declining influence in its former African colonies, Italy’s new approach to North African countries, and China’s growing economic presence across the continent.
These geopolitical shifts and power struggles are shaping a new political landscape in Africa, raising questions about how future African governments will manage their relationships with external powers vying for influence and resources on the continent.