Africa: The Year of Elections
Welcome back to ‘The Vault’, where we bring you the latest updates across Africa covering everything from public policy to the latest economic trends. This week, we look at recent developments regarding the UK-Rwanda immigration deal, as well as upcoming elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Senegal.
Scheduling note: This will be our last newsletter for the year. We will be off for the Christmas and New Year holidays to resume on January 8, 2024.
Feel free to share your thoughts with us, check out our website, and let us know if you need any insight on public policies, regulations, and guidelines in Africa.
Coming to Rwanda
Back in November, the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom ruled against the government’s plan to send illegal immigrants to Rwanda. The court faulted the deal as illegal—according to the European Convention on Human Rights—because it puts asylum seekers at risk of deportation in Rwanda.
Despite this failure, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who has been under immense public and political pressure to restrict immigration has continued to push for support for the Rwanda deal. This past week, Sunak announced an emergency bill declaring Rwanda a safe country under UK law. The government also signed a new treaty with Rwanda so that immigrants expelled to Rwanda would not face the danger of deportation.
Even with these new changes, Sunak’s “coming to Rwanda” plan does not address the real concerns of those opposed to the policy, so it remains to be seen what next steps will look like.
Elections
If we had to pick a theme for the year, it would be “Africa: The Year of Elections”. Seven countries have already conducted their presidential elections, and so it’s only fitting that we end the year with a discussion on the last presidential election this calendar year —the Democratic Republic of Congo’s general elections.
Violence Looms Ahead of DRC Election Day
On Wednesday, the Democratic Republic of Congo will hold its general—presidential and national assembly—elections. Incumbent President Felix Tshisekedi will be vying for re-election alongside 26 other candidates including local hero, Dennis Mukwege, who won the 2018 Nobel Peace Prize for his two decade-long fight against sexual violence in the country.
Despite the many candidates, the main challenger to Tshisekedi is the popular businessman, Moise Katumbi. A long-term rival whose chances of winning have been bolstered by the reneging of 3 presidential candidates who have now pledged their support for him.
So far, the campaign period has been marred by violence.
- Last week, Katumbi suspended his campaign rally after clashes erupted with supporters of the incumbent party.
- Another two parliamentary candidates were killed last week creating a tense atmosphere ahead of the election this week.
Many Congolese are unhappy with Tshisekedi’s subpar performance during his first tenure. His first term has been fraught with failure in addressing the COVID-19 economic collapse, Ebola outbreaks, tension with Rwanda, and rebel insurgence in the eastern region. Additionally, corruption is still rife in the mining sector. The mineral-rich country—the world’s leading producer of cobalt and copper used in electronic devices and vehicles—is still struggling to address its high poverty level. This problem is particularly pronounced with younger populations, as 80 percent of youths are unemployed.
Whoever wins will face immense public pressure to address these issues from the get-go. But the more immediate challenge is for the Electoral Commission, who must ensure there is adequate security for the 44 million registered voters when they head to the polls Wednesday.
Sonko Isn’t Going Away
Yes, more on Elections.A court in Dakar, Senegal last week ruled that Ousmane Sonko be reinstated in the electoral register ahead of the presidential elections early next year, which won’t feature two-term President Macky Sall after he announced he wouldn’t seek a contentious third term.
Some months ago, Sonko, the main opposition leader and head of the PASTEF—Patriots of Senegal for Ethics, Work, and Fraternity—was sentenced to a two-year Jail term for “corrupting the youth”. This is a claim his supporters say is fabricated to deter his presidential ambition, given the widespread support he has garnered from the young Senegalese who are fed up with the incumbent party’s perceived inability to address economic hardship and youth unemployment.
Sonko’s vocal criticism has been a thorn in the side of the incumbent party. His criticism of public sector corruption and economic mismanagement has endeared him to Senegalese youths who bear the brunt of economic woes. Additionally, his track record of exposing public sector corruption while serving as a tax officer has made him popular among voters.
Sonko’s reenlistment in the election register is good news for his supporters. It means despite being in jail, he remains a candidate for the presidential elections next year. The Senegalese government has said they would appeal the court ruling. President Macky Sall must make sure this is done within the ambits of the law, as he promised in a speech months ago.
Thanks for following us all through the year! We’ve made this compilation of all our newsletters for the year here on our website—in case you need something to read while waiting to be served your favorite Christmas meal—for a quick recap of all the latest policy updates across Africa this year.
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What we are tracking
We’re also tracking the latest current events in the news, and how they may affect the decisions of policymakers. Below are some of the latest developments.
Somalia | Somalia to benefit from $4.5bn debt relief
Somalia will benefit from a $4.5 billion debt reduction plan with international creditors to service its debt. The debt relief was approved by the executive boards of the International Monetary Fund. The debt service reduction was provided by the IMF ($343.2 million), the International Development Association ($448.5 million), and the African Development Fund ($131 million). Other multilateral creditors contributed $573.1 million and bilateral creditors and agencies such as members of the Paris Club contributed $3 billion.
Somalia | Somalia signs treaty to formally join East African Community
Last Friday, Somalia was admitted as the 8th member state of the East African Community. (President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud signed the Treaty of Accession at a ceremony held in Entebbe, Uganda with regional leaders in attendance.
Rwanda | Rwanda eases nightlife restrictions for festive season
Rwanda’s government has eased operating restrictions for bars, nightclubs, and entertainment venues which was implemented in September to address concerns about noise pollution and public disturbance. This is effective between December 15 and January 17 with permission to extend operational hours until pm with the benefit of lifted restriction on Fridays, weekends and public holidays.
Kenya | Kenya has signed a key trade deal with the European Union
Kenya and the European Union signed a major economic partnership agreement (EPA) that will provide the East African country exports with duty-free and unlimited access to the European market. As Kenya’s second-largest trade partner, the bilateral trade between the two countries stood at a total of 3.3 billion euros in 2022.
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