YOTA - Youth Opportunity & Transformation in Africa’s Post

In less than 48 hours, millions of Ghanaians will head to polling stations across the country to elect the next leader of this vibrant West African nation. This marks the ninth general election under Ghana’s Fourth Republic, a significant milestone in the country’s democratic journey. As Ghana approaches this crucial moment, a newly released policy brief from the recent West Africa Civil Society Policy Dialogue Series (WACPoDiS), hosted by WACSI, highlights vital recommendations from key stakeholders. These stakeholders included representatives from the Electoral Commission of Ghana, contesting political parties, the security sector, diplomatic missions, CSOs and the United Nations. The brief offers actionable insights to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process and strengthen democratic governance. Access the full policy brief here: https://bit.ly/3Vowab2

In the wake of the recent presidential elections in Mauritania, the country has been thrust into a state of repression and unrest. Since the election results were announced, the government has imposed an Internet blackout, effectively silencing dissent and preventing the free flow of information. This drastic measure raises serious questions about the state of democracy in Mauritania and the legitimacy of leaders who claim to support the president. The situation on the ground is dire. Reports indicate that numerous citizens have been arrested, and there have been tragic instances of violence resulting in deaths. These actions are not just violations of human rights; they are an affront to the principles of democracy and justice that Mauritania purports to uphold. It is crucial for the international community to take note and hold the Mauritanian government accountable. True democracy cannot thrive under the shadow of repression and fear. We must stand in solidarity with those fighting for their rights and demand transparency, justice, and the restoration of fundamental freedoms in Mauritania. #HumanRights #Mauritania #Democracy #InternetShutdown #JusticeForAll #StandWithMauritania

Edo State Civil Society Situation Room: Holding Leaders Accountable! The Edo State Civil Society Situation Room, comprising five dedicated organizations, has completed a comprehensive observation of the recently concluded 2024 governorship elections. As we move forward, we are committed to following up on the electoral promises made by our politicians. Our goal is to ensure transparency and accountability in governance, fostering a stronger relationship between the government and the citizens of Edo State. Our Plan: - Monitor the fulfillment of electoral promises. - Engage with stakeholders and the community to gather insights. - Report regularly on progress and challenges. - Advocate for accountability in governance. Together, we can create a more responsive and responsible government. Let’s hold our leaders accountable to their promises! #EdoState #CivicEngagement #Accountability #Governance #CivilSociety #2024Elections Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office USAID Misereor Caritas Nigeria Department for International Development (DFID) Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA David Ugolor Leo Atakpu

GNUs and Coalitions in Africa. Government of National Unity (GNU) laws should be enshrined in every African constitution in case of inconclusive election results. Where a GNU situation arises, there should be a certain percentage of MPs chosen from outside political parties in order to reflect a truly united nation. This percentage of outsiders will include members of civil society, disadvantaged groups, business and the clergy. There is often confusion understanding the difference between grand coalition and government of national unity. Political parties choose whichever terminology that sells their narrative better. It appears the era of landslide victories in developing democracies may well be a thing of the past. Africans should be prepared for more GNUs and Coalitions in the future as is the case in most European Countries and democratic Asian states like Japan and others. Legislating for GNU/Coalition governments in future is the way to go and is inclusive. South Africa joins countries like Kenya, Zimbabwe and Libya which have had GNUs before with mixed results.

#LetEngageYouThisMorning 1994 in South Africa saw the transition from South Africa's National Party government who had ruled the country since 1948 and had advocated the apartheid system for most of its history, to the African National Congress (ANC) who had been outlawed in South Africa since the 1950s for its opposition to apartheid. Eversince the National Congress seat in power, after each an every 5 years of election, there is a new entrats of polical parties with the priority to achieve the following : Growing the economy and jobs Building better lives Figting corruption Making communities safer Making government work My question is, are we there yet, is our political parties assisting to achieve ths above or its just useless to encourage people, especially young people to vote?

What’s next for Haiti, and who should decide its future? U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken is currently visiting Haiti, with the U.S. continuing its role as a key ally, recently announcing more aid for the crisis-ridden country. Blinken also mentioned that the Haitian government should prepare for elections next year. I was struck by an interview on BBC News, where a Haitian expert argued that the US should reverse its approach and that Haitians themselves should determine the path forward. I couldn't agree more. The repeated interventions and solutions imposed from outside have yet to resolve Haiti's crises. Isn't it time we rethink these strategies? For one, we need to ask if elections alone can deliver stability. Evidence from other contexts suggests this isn't a straightforward link. Elections won't address the gang violence or bridge deep societal divides. So, is a National Dialogue a better way forward? Perhaps—but even then, history shows that such dialogues can be politicized and exclusionary. Ultimately, what comes next for Haiti must be decided by Haitians. Comparative evidence teaches us that excluding key voices only deepens conflict, while broad and genuine inclusion holds the potential for progress. The international community, including the US, should step back and support Haitians in crafting a path that is truly theirs. #InclusiveDialogue #InclusivePeace #SupportHaiti

“It is worth noting that apart from the ethnically oriented political parties that initiated the ideology of genocide and carried out the genocide itself, all the other political parties that emerged at a time when multiparty politics was re-emerging in Africa continue to participate in Rwanda’s ruling coalition. This situation is significant because, in many African countries, most of the political parties that emerged during the advent of multipartyism have died, morphed into other coalitions or been swallowed up by other coalitions. Indeed, others have been special purpose vehicles, activated in the run-up to elections only to collapse thereafter. So Rwanda’s multiparty system is arguably one of the most stable in Africa, in the sense that the same parties have been in power for decades, since the early 1990s, while those that emerged after that time and chose to operate outside the coalition have had negligible political success in terms of their growth.” https://lnkd.in/d3eAiGyg

ALL EYES 👀 😍 ON SOUTH AFRICA 🇿🇦 CAN ANC HOLD GRIP TO POWER AFTER 30 YEARS IN-CHARGE OF POLITICAL AFFAIRS of one of Africa's most advanced countries regarding #Wildlife_Conservation 🤔? Summary South Africans have voted in pivotal general elections in which the ANC could lose its majority for the first time since 1994 The party that ended apartheid is under fire over corruption, high levels of crime, and economic woes It may be forced to enter into a coalition with one or more opposition parties A record 70 parties participated, with the second biggest likely to be the DA The radical EFF and the new MK party, led by ex-President Jacob Zuma, hope to make inroads Zuma is barred from running for parliament because of a contempt of court conviction, but his name was on the ballot paper. *Meanwhile, Zuma is back on the ballot paper.* The lines of voters were as those of 1994. Most South Africans 🇿🇦 are "shifting" from ANC to the "unknown". But as "South Africans," we hope for a peace after election. The rainbow 🌈 nation.

As the Deputy Secretary of State travels to Nigeria, I hope that the urgent need for security includes an ongoing robust commitment to human rights (including the Leahy Law) and some additional capacity building support for the movement for police reform. As Nigeria's federal police force grows increasingly strained -- and mismatched for subnational security challenges -- the response has allowed for the rise of militias and vigilante groups. Although Nigeria has a respectable tradition of vigilante organizations (see Kemi Okenyodo's excellent chapter in my co-edited "Oxford Handbook of Nigerian Politics"), many groups have become more abusive and undisciplined. As noted by the Centre for Democracy and Development in their 2022 groundbreaking report on banditry, this is one of the main drivers of banditry recruitment. So please, put police reform on the agenda. NOPRIN, the Network for Police Reform in Nigeria and other groups are standing by. EndSARS was just a few years ago, and the work of the movement remains unfinished. https://lnkd.in/edD76ZRZ

🌍 Currently tuned in to the live session of the African Union 2nd Reflection Forum on Unconstitutional Changes of Government in Accra, Ghana. 🇬🇭 There are 6 countries are expelled for unconstitutional government as this forum resumes. These acts must not be tolerated and Africa must enjoy democracy that follows democratic processes, and we must amplify our voices in preventing unconstitutional changes in governments across Africa. It's crucial to foster stability and uphold democratic principles on our continent. #HWPL #DPCW #PEACE #africanunion https://lnkd.in/dCYJPwh7