Madiba Club’s Post

Somaliland Election: International community commends authorities 1. With election results expected in the coming days, many diplomats praise Somaliland for strengthening its democracy, and the National Electoral Commission for conducting a transparent election. 2. It is said that, Nine European countries and the United States commended Somaliland's National Electoral Commission for conducting a "transparent voter registration and candidate nomination process," indicating their readiness to help the country further strengthen their democracy and accountability in the future. 3. According to reports, the international observers visited 146 polling stations in Somaliland and described the elections as peaceful despite the failure of some polling stations to open due to conflict. 4. Somaliland citizens were enthused and eager to participate in the election; there was enthusiasm for voting, and the elections were PEACEFUL. 5. The security situation in Somaliland is precarious with threats from terrorist groups and armed conflict. 6. In fact, the breakaway Somaliland 20 km sea deal with Ethiopia has raised tensions in the Horn of Africa as it seeks international recognition to separate itself from Somalia legally. 7. Also, Ethiopia's Foreign Affairs Ministry congratulated Somaliland on a peaceful and democratic election in a statement and also praised the National Electoral Commission for its fair and mature governance. 8. Both the opposition and the ruling party, supports the Ethiopian agreement and sees recognition from Somaliland's neighbor which host the African Union headquarters as a crucial step towards official recognition. And so what? 9. The economy is a key issue in the election as the country suffers financially despite its strategic geography, which attracts external actors. 10. 3 presidential candidates are battling for the top position, but the absence of international recognition not only limits development opportunities but also impedes the region's potential to serve as a model for locally driven peacebuilding. 11. Somaliland may soon get international recognition due to changes in geopolitical dynamics, including Ethiopia's new friendship with the country. 12. Should internal conflicts and governance challenges persist, it could erode the democratic progress made over the years. #Africa #HornofAfrica #SomalilandElection

South Africa is alive with possibility! Politicians are meeting this week to try and find a path forward for the country. There are many coalition scenarios that could play out. I wrote this explainer to help understand what the options are: https://lnkd.in/g-MWjTHN

New Post: South Africa braces for what may be a milestone election. Here is a guide to the main players - https://lnkd.in/dQgRUGZf - After 30 years of dominating South African politics, the ruling African National Congress will face its toughest election this month as most opinion polls predict it will lose its parliamentary majority for the first time - #news #business #world -------------------------------------------------- Download: Stupid Simple CMS - https://lnkd.in/g4y9XFgR -------------------------------------------------- or download at SourceForge - https://lnkd.in/gNqB7dnp

New political territory for South Africa. We all need to pull together to create a fair South Africa now, fighting corruption, finding ways to help land reform, massively ramping up education for all and believing in this country, South Africa 🇿🇦

In its thirteen years as an independent country, South Sudan has been plagued by political and economic instability. Kenyan mediators are working to broker an agreement between the country’s government and various opposition groups seeking to strengthen the fragile power-sharing arrangement from six years ago. Amid fears of political deadlock and potential election delays, the situation is dire: 7.1 million of South Sudan's 12 million people are suffering from hunger. 📌 In this Q&A, Daniel Akech assesses how the talks are progressing:  https://lnkd.in/ePv4c2T5

Which coalition government would make the most sense for South Africa? Can we expect any shifts in fiscal policy? Could a coalition administration pose any risks to domestic policies? As their guest economist, I'll discuss this in-depth with Radio Khwezi today at 4 p.m. #2024GeneralElections #CoalitionGovernment #EconomicPolicy

Currently, there are more than 70 national and regional political parties in Ethiopia. However, the precarious state of these opposition parties is evident to many— they are often docile, weak, and dysfunctional. While not as obvious as the systemic impediments from the well-entrenched incumbent—and therefore not triggering the same level of scrutiny— the internal problems of Ethiopian opposition parties are also among the main contributing factors for their weakness and disfunction. What are the common internal modus operandi of our opposition parties that render them ineffectual? Most importantly, how could—in the face of rapidly shrinking civic space and while the country continued to wallow under what seems to be an all-round violent conflict—the increasing numbers of political parties be justified? Are they being established as a rational choice for resolving the country’s socio-political and economic policy issues? or to achieve ulterior economic objectives of their leaders by taking advantage of the existing lenient registration and party financing system? My recent contribution to Ethiopia Insight touches these issues. 🔎 If you are interested in #Governance #Partyfinancing and #registration #Ethiopian Opposition and #state of multiparty democracy, check out the full article here:

#StatecraftInTheNews: Slovenia recognised a Palestinian state after a decisive parliamentary vote on June 4, joining recent moves by Spain, Norway, and Ireland. The motion, endorsed by Slovenia's government last week, passed with 52 votes in favour and none against in the 90-seat parliament. The remaining lawmakers were not present. Slovenia’s Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon on X: “Dear people of Palestine, today’s final decision of Slovenia is a message of hope and peace. We believe only a two-state solution can lead to lasting peace in the #MiddleEast.” Slovenia's move follows the recognition by seven other EU members, including Spain, Norway, and Ireland. Palestine was previously recognised by five former East bloc countries and Cyprus in 1988 and Sweden in 2014. PM Robert Golob: “We have a duty to act. Slovenia’s decision comes in response to Israel’s recent attacks on Gaza. Slovenia stands for the security of both Palestinians and Israelis.” Golob drew parallels with Slovenia’s own fight for independence: “We Slovenians have dreamed of this right for 1,000 years. Unfortunately, the Palestinian nation has not yet received this right.” Despite opposition from the Slovenian Democratic Party, the ruling coalition's majority ensured the vote’s passage. An attempt to delay via referendum was rejected. Over 140 countries now recognise a Palestinian state, reflecting a global consensus for Palestinian statehood and peace in the region. Slovenia's recognition process began in early May but was accelerated due to recent escalations in Gaza. Slovenia pledges to work tirelessly for the security and peace of both nations, Palestinians and Israelis, highlighting its commitment to a two-state solution. Join our WhatsApp channel for exclusive updates. Don't miss out—click the link below to join now! https://lnkd.in/gHG96V9M

#Somalia / #Somaliland / #Ethiopia - Ethiopia Port Deal in Doubt as Opposition Wins Somaliland Vote - from BNN Bloomberg: An opposition leader won elections in Somaliland, casting doubt over whether the semi-autonomous region will honor a deal that will enable Ethiopia to build a military base on its coast on the Gulf of Aden. Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, a former speaker of parliament popularly known as Irro, won about 64% of the ballots cast in the Nov. 13 vote and incumbent President Muse Bihi Abdi 34%, official tallies released on Tuesday showed. “Irro has won the election with a landslide,” Muse Hassan Yusuf, the chairman of Somaliland’s National Electoral Commission, said at the announcement of the results in the capital, Hargeisa. Somaliland declared its independence from Somalia in 1991, but has since failed to gain widespread international recognition as a sovereign state. Under an accord announced on Jan. 1, Somaliland granted Addis Ababa the rights to establish a military base and commercial facilities on its coastline. In exchange, Somaliland would get an unspecified stake in Ethiopian Airlines, the continent’s largest carrier, while Africa’s second-most populous country will consider granting it formal recognition. Somalia has said the deal violates its territorial integrity. Irro’s campaign pledges included reviving the region’s faltering economy, restoring national unity and maintaining political stability. He hasn’t specified whether he will honor the port deal. The incoming administration has yet to see the memorandum of understanding with Ethiopia and will likely only reach a decision on the matter after taking office in mid-December, according to Mustafa Ahmed, a representative for the incumbent government. He noted that several key members of Irro’s team oppose the deal. https://lnkd.in/eeRhPWeF