Yvan Guichaoua

Aug 30, 2023 | democracyinafrica.org | itarian Regimes |Sammy Awami |Daniel Paget |Yvan Guichaoua

The saga surrounding the controversial Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) betweenTanzania and the Emirate of Dubai has truly tested President Samia Suluhu Hassan’stolerance of her critics and, importantly, her resolve to protect and expand civic space. The agreement forms the foundation for discussions to have the Emirati state-ownedcontainer terminal giant DP World manage seven berths of Tanzania’s Dar es Salaam port. Sadly, the outcome of this test has been disappointing.

Aug 29, 2023 | democracyinafrica.org | Nkasi Wodu |Daniel Paget |Yvan Guichaoua |Nina Wilén

Zimbabwe and Gabon, two countries with a history of protracted political dominance by one ruling party, held elections this week. These elections come against a recent military coup in Niger in July 2023 and a string of other military coups and attempted coups in Mali, Burkina Faso, Chad, and Sierra Leone between 2020 to 2023.

Aug 27, 2023 | democracyinafrica.org | Daniel Paget |Yvan Guichaoua |Nina Wilén |Jeffrey Haynes

The end of the 2023 Zimbabwe election campaign marks another in which partisans have traded words, day in, day out, about how many people attended their rallies. One party’s advocates would assert that their rallies were packed. It’s opponents would claim it was empty. Disputes like this play-out in campaign after campaign. But not, new research argues, only for the reasons we think. Past analyses focus on popularity.

Aug 24, 2023 | democracyinafrica.org | itarian Regimes |Yvan Guichaoua |Nina Wilén |Daniel Paget

The coup led by General Tiani which overthrew President Bazoum in Niger on July 26 is the latest in a series of coups taking place in the Sahel. Since 2020, six coups have taken place in the Sahel region – with Niger, it makes it seven. Reactions from regional and international actors have been unparalleled, both stronger and more divided and confused than in previous instances. This coup carries with it greater international concerns and possibly greater dangers than previous ones.

Aug 16, 2023 | democracyinafrica.org | Borso Tall |Daniel Paget |Yvan Guichaoua |Nina Wilén

Senegal is six months away from presidential elections in 2024, and the build-up continues to send shockwaves through the political system. President Macky Sall was widely cheered for stating that he would not seek an unconstitutional third term in office, but has proved himself to be no democrat. So what are the prospects for the upcoming polls, and for the future of Senegalese democracy? The controversy and unrest currently relates to opposition candidate Ousmane Sonko.