As the House mounts an impeachment investigation of President Trump, examples from Central and South America show that ousting an executive leader from office doesn’t always have the intended effect.
Each of South Africa’s former presidents treated the state broadcaster very differently. From left Jacob Zuma, Nelson Mandela, and Thabo Mbeki (2008).
Epa/Kim Ludbrook
The South African Broadcasting Corporation, like South Africa itself, is a symbol of contradictions. While there are bad people who work for it, there are also many good ones.
Tunisians protest against tax hikes, austerity measures and increased food prices.
EPA-EFE/Mohamed Messara
Western perceptions of what’s happening in Tunisia differ sharply with Tunisia’s daily reality: the truth is that its political transformation is in trouble.
While critics accuse companies facing lots of lawsuits of using bankruptcy as a sort of ‘get of jail free card,’ the reality of the legal procedure is more complicated.
Freight micro-entrepreneur in Lagos, Nigeria.
Sam 'Dele-Ogunti
Countries in Africa have some of the highest rates of entrepreneurship in the world, yet their contribution to the economy is limited. Technology such as the blockchain, drones and AI could provide a way forward.
Daphne Caruana Galizia was investigating several corruption scandals when she was murdered in 2017. The government continues to avoid serious investigations into the allegations.
South African Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane listens to public complaints in Cape Town.
EPA-EFE
The Public Protector’s Office has become embroiled in political scandals under the current incumbent, Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane.
Alejandro Giammattei is a former prison official whose tenure was tainted by the 2006 mass killing of seven prisoners. He was accused but never indicted on conspiracy charges in those deaths.
AP Photo/ Santiago Billy
Naomi Roht-Arriaza, University of California College of the Law, San Francisco
Conservative Alejandro Giammattei beat former first lady Sandra Torres with 60% of the vote. But turnout was the lowest in Guatemala’s modern history, in apparent protest of both candidates.
The view from the back verandah of the house where the city met the bush.
Author provided
When Matthew Condon began writing about corruption in Queensland he discovered that members of his own family had cameos in the narrative.
Cyril Ramaphosa led the African National Congress to victory in May. A new law on political funding covers parties, not politicians.
EPA-EFE/Yeshiel Panchia
By positioning himself as a loveable granddad to supporters and the punchline of a joke to his opposition, Zuma adroitly defangs the very serious charges against him.
Former South African President Jacob Zuma recanted his decision to walk out of the Zondo Commission.
EPA-EFE/Wikus de Wit/Pool
The dilemma for Zuma and his legal team is this: by putting him on the witness stand, there is a risk that he would be found wanting, especially in terms of the detail of any matter.
Mining activities in South Africa’s rural areas tend to occur at the expense of local communities and the environment.
Shutterstock
South Africa’s rural communities where mining licenses have been granted are often excluded from consultations and bear the brunt having their environment and livelihoods destroyed.
South Africans may well be seduced by the prospect of Zuma appearing at the Zondo commission, but he was not alone in driving the state capture project.
In February, thousands of women marched in Mexico City to demand that President Andrés Manuel López Obrador do more to keep women safe. The protest sign featured here reads, ‘Don’t be indifferent.’
Reuters/Edgard Garrido/Reuters
Mexico is the second most dangerous country for women in Latin America. Yet the new government is slashing funding for programs meant to protect and empower women.
Questions have been raised about the new private-sector roles of former ministers Christopher Pyne and Julie Bishop.
Lukas Coch/Mick Tsikas/AAP
One in four former ministers go on to take lucrative roles with special interest groups after leaving politics. Our current standards regulating this practice aren’t being enforced adequately.
Chris Masters, Tony Fitzgerald and Joh Bjelke-Petersen were all central to the inquiry that rocked Queensland.
AAP/Public Domain/The Conversation