Elections turmoil in African countries

The Tanzanian government intensified repression against media, civil society, and the opposition ahead of elections. A ban of political rallies is used selectively against the opposition parties and the leaders of those are intimidated, harassed, arbitrarily arrested, and persecuted on made-up charges. Some media were closed down, including the “Tanzania Daima” newspaper, which belongs to the leader of the opposition. Current president John Magufiuli is fighting for re-election on October 28th.

The United Nations and the African Union are striving to prevent widespread ethnic and political cleansings ahead of the elections in the Central African Republic. Governmental and international forces from the MINUSCA and MISCA missions are trying to make conducting the presidential, legislative, and local elections possible – despite opposition from the rebel groups. The government has little control over the areas outside the country’s capital, Bangui. The successive peace accords, including the last ones from February of 2019, are not respected as the fighting and alleged human rights abuses continue. The presidential elections are to be held on December 27th and the legislative and local ones after that.

More than 90 people died during the crackdown on massive protests against Guinean president, Alpha Condé, who sought a second re-election on October 18th. Around 45 of the protesters were shot, according to the National Front for the Defence of the Constitution. Last March Condé had a new constitution enacted, getting rid of the two-term presidential limit in Guinea.