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Published 17th February 2017

Vol 58 No 4

South Africa

The state of Jacob Zuma's presidency

Jacob Zuma. Pic: Pool/ABACA ABACA/PA Images
Jacob Zuma. Pic: Pool/ABACA ABACA/PA Images

Relentless attacks on the President's character are weakening the economy and undermining his influence on the succession

With ten more months as leader of the African National Congress (ANC), President Jacob Zuma tried to shore up his government with a flurry of populist policies – long on rhetoric and short on detail – at the opening of Parliament on 9 February. Together with the pomp and splendour, as members of parliament and their spouses sauntered along the red carpet to the parliamentary buildings, these were signs of the country's deep political malaise.

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Leader's demise imperils deal

Tshisekedi's death has given Kabila new opportunities to stall political agreement while violence worsens in the east

The death in Brussels on 1 February of the historic, charismatic opposition leader Etienne Tshisekedi wa Mulumba from a pulmonary embolism at the age of 84 is a stark blow to the C...

The untouchable funds

Frauds uncovered in state pension and other public savings schemes are set to escape President Magufuli's anti-corruption blitz

It is looking increasingly likely that President John Magufuli's anti-corruption campaign will steer clear of investigating the abuse of state pension funds, including the National...

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THE INSIDE VIEW

A distinguished political analyst in Nigeria lamented last month that the country had probably invented the Fake News phenomenon, closely linked to Donald Trump's presidential election campaign in the United States and a lucrative business model. As if to buttress this claim, some Nigerian bloggers and commentators were last month assuring us that President

A distinguished political analyst in Nigeria lamented last month that the country had probably invented the Fake News phenomenon, closely linked to Donald Trump's presidential election campaign in the United States and a lucrative business model. As if to buttress this claim, some Nigerian bloggers and commentators were last month assuring us that President Muhammadu Buhari had died of a mystery illness. Days earlier, his office had announced that he would be staying in London for medical tests.

When the death story petered out, it was replaced by reports of Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo being held hostage by several state governors as well as Senate President Bukola Saraki until he agreed to stand down and transfer his powers, as head of state in Buhari's absence, to one of their number. For Nigerians of a nervous disposition, this is a reworking of the plot around the ailing President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua in 2010. The planned trip on 16 February by Saraki and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, to see Buhari in London may dispel some of the myth-making. The scarcity of information so far about Buhari's ailments has given Nigeria's Fake News industry a shot in the arm.

Curiously, investors in Nigeria's billion-dollar Eurobond seem unbothered by the President's indisposition. The bond issue was eight times over-subscribed and with an interest rate several percentage points lower than those of other economies in the region.

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Professional fouls

Ali Ben Bongo tried to make a festival of the Cup of Nations. But many were still angry about last August's disputed election

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Taylor tries to sway vote

Candidates rush to fill the vacuum soon to be left by Johnson-Sirleaf. Even Charles Taylor is making his views felt from prison

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ZANU-PF digs for votes

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Taylor calls politicians from prison

The convicted mass murderer is making phone calls to supporters and enemies in Liberia from his maximum security prison in Britain

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MPs reject foreigners' choice

Angered by corruption and continuing insecurity, MPs picked the maverick Farmajo. But the regime still depends on outside help

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Poaching and gamekeeping

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Don't read the fine print

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Access all assets

The arrest of Abdiaziz Hassan Giyaajo Amalo, a trusted advisor of outgoing President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, will be of interest to the government of United States President Donald ...

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