A strong judiciary isn’t enough to keep democracy in place. Kenya’s Supreme Court decision nullifying the re-election of Uhuru Kenyatta is a case in point.
Reuters/Baz Ratner
The past 12 months provided further evidence of the danger of democratic backsliding in Africa. But it also saw powerful presidents suffer embarrassing setbacks in a number of countries.
Congolese soldiers arrest anti-government protester in North Kivu province.
Kenny Katombe/Reuters
President Joseph Kabila was supposed to step down at the end of his term in 2016. By clinging on to power he threw the Democratic Republic of Congo into a vicious cycle of deadly conflict.
It’s still unclear whether Zimbabwe will manage an effective transition to participatory democracy and freedom. And the current signs are not encouraging.
The political troubles of Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe comes with lessons for his South African counterpart Jacob Zuma.
REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko
The unfolding misfortunes of Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe hold key lessons for his South African counterpart Jacob Zuma who faces the possibility of a forced exit.
Have you ever struggled to understand exactly what to do inside a voting booth?
Gov.-elect Ralph Northam won handily in Virginia with a campaign focused on abortion rights, racial justice and support for immigration. He has black voters and northern Virginia’s diverse suburbs to thank for the victory.
Cliff Owen/Reuters
In Virginia, suburbanites, city-dwellers and black voters together rebuffed racism as an electoral strategy and handed Dems a huge win. Is this diverse coalition the future of Old Dominion politics?
Rural areas across South Africa are hosting battles for control of land.
Reuters/Yannis Behrakis
A different form of state capture is underway in South Africa’s rural areas where traditional leaders are selling off people’s land to miners. But communities are fighting back.
How can geometry track with our political values?
Pixabay
There are good reasons to be concerned about the procedures used for voter registration in many countries, including many long-established democracies.
In an upcoming case about Wisconsin’s voting districts, the Supreme Court will tackle legal questions that have long gone unanswered.
A recent research project about the 2015 Canadian election showed social media is no substitute for local news coverage.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Peter Power
Local news is as important to communities as clean air, but the failing business model of traditional journalism has left the local news industry in rapid decline.