Africa

Despite leading South Africa’s election ANC set to lose majority

Published

1 month ago

May 31, 2024

The governing ANC's parliamentary majority is under threat

Despite leading South Africa’s election ANC set to lose majority

South Africa’s ruling party, the African National Congress (ANC), is on course to lose its majority in parliament for the first time since it came to power 30 years ago, partial results from Thursday’s parliamentary election suggest.

With results from more than 50% of voting districts counted so far, the ANC is leading with 42%, followed by the Democratic Alliance (DA) with 23%.

The the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK Party) of former President Jacob Zuma has received nearly 11% of the vote and the Economic Freedom Fighters party, nearly 10%.

Final results are expected over the weekend.

Many voters blame the ANC for the high levels of corruption, crime and unemployment in the country.

The respected Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the News24 website have projected that the party’s final vote will be around 42%, a big drop from the 57% it obtained in the 2019 election.

This would force it go into a coalition with one or more of the other parties in order to form a majority in parliament.

The DA has liberal economic policies, while both the EFF and MK favour more state intervention and nationalisation, so the choice of partner would make a huge difference to South Africa’s future direction.

It is unclear whether President Cyril Ramaphosa will remain in power, as he could come under pressure from the ANC to resign if the party gets less than 45% of the final vote, said Prof William Gumede, chairman of the non-profit Democracy Works Foundation.

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“The ANC could turn him into a scapegoat, and a faction within the party could push for him to be replaced by his deputy, Paul Mashatile. The EFF and MK are also likely to demand his resignation before agreeing to any coalition with the ANC,” Prof Gumede told the BBC.

South Africans do not directly vote for a president. Instead they vote for members of parliament who will then go on to elect the president.

The initial results show that the ANC is suffering heavy losses to MK, especially in KwaZulu-Natal, where Mr Zuma’s party has been leading with 43% of the vote to the ANC’s 21%.

Mr Zuma caused a major shock when he announced in December that he was ditching the ANC to campaign for MK.

KwaZulu-Natal is the home region of Mr Zuma, and the province with the second-highest number of votes, making it crucial in determining whether the ANC retains its parliamentary majority.

Although Mr Zuma has been barred from running for parliament because of a conviction for contempt of court, his name still appeared on the ballot paper as MK leader.

If MK wins KwaZulu-Natal, it would be a “major upset” and herald the “potential decimation” of the ANC in the province, Prof Gumede said.

The ANC also risks losing its majority in the economic heartland of Gauteng, where the party currently has 36% to the DA’s 29%.

Wednesday’s election saw long lines of voters outside polling stations late into the night across the country.

According to the electoral commission, the last polling station closed at 0300 on Thursday morning local time.

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One electoral official in Johannesburg told the BBC the queues were reminiscent of the historic 1994 election, when black people could vote for the first time.

Sifiso Buthelezi, who voted in Johannesburg’s Joubert Park – the biggest polling station in South Africa – told the BBC: “Freedom is great but we need to tackle corruption.”

Change has been a recurring sentiment, especially among young voters.

“The turnout amongst them was high, and they voted against the ANC,” Prof Gumede said.

Ayanda Hlekwane, one of South Africa’s “born-free” generation, meaning he was born after 1994, said despite having three degrees he still did not have a job.

“I’m working on my PhD proposal so that I go back to study in case I don’t get a job,” he tells the BBC in Durban.

But Mr Hlekwane said he was optimistic that things would change.

Support for the ANC is expected to be higher among the older generation.

One 89-year-old woman, Elayne Dykman, told the BBC she hoped that young people in South Africa did not take their vote for granted.

A record 70 parties and 11 independents were running, with South Africans voting for a new parliament and nine provincial legislatures.

The DA has signed a pact with 10 of them, agreeing to form a coalition government if they get enough votes to dislodge the ANC from power.

But this is highly unlikely, with the ANC expected to remain the biggest party, putting it in pole position to lead a coalition.

Despite leading South Africa’s election ANC set to lose majority

Africa

Rwanda-backed M23 rebels capture crucial town in DR Congo

Published

2 days ago

June 29, 2024

Trends Admin

Rwanda-backed M23 rebels capture crucial town in DR Congo

M23 rebels, supported by Rwanda, have taken control of a significant town in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s tumultuous eastern region, a local official reported on Saturday.

“Kanyabayonga has been under M23 control since Friday evening,” stated the official, who wished to remain anonymous.

Kanyabayonga is strategically located on the northern front of the conflict in North Kivu province. This region has been plagued by violence since 2021, when the M23 (March 23 Movement) reignited its insurgency.

The town serves as a gateway to major commercial hubs, Butembo and Beni, in the north.

Kanyabayonga, which houses over 60,000 residents, has also become a refuge for thousands of people who have fled their homes due to the rebel advance.

Situated in Lubero territory, Kanyabayonga is the fourth territory in North Kivu that the M23 has infiltrated, following Rutshuru, Nyiragongo, and Masisi.

“The people in Kanyabayonga, especially those who had relocated from Rutshuru to Lubero, have no place left to go. It’s a situation of complete despair, and the population is exhausted,” the official added.

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A resident mentioned that during a meeting led by M23 spokesperson Willy Ngoma on Saturday, the rebels encouraged residents to stay in Kanyabayonga, promising peace.

“They claim they will reach Kinshasa. How long can we keep running?” the resident asked, expressing skepticism about the rebels’ promises.

Colonel Alain Kiwewa, the military administrator of Lubero territory, observed an influx of displaced individuals from Miriki, Kirumba, and Luofu heading north. “This situation is deeply concerning,” he stated.

Local sources reported escalating clashes between Congolese forces and the M23 around Kanyabayonga on Friday, with fighting also heard in nearby towns.

“A night filled with gunfire,” described a youth leader from Kayna, located 17 kilometers (10 miles) north of Kanyabayonga. He noted that people fleeing from Kanyabayonga “spent the night under the stars,” overwhelmed with fear.

In Kirumba, 25 kilometers (15 miles) from Kanyabayonga, the population is gripped by panic, a civil society leader disclosed on condition of anonymity. “We can’t move. We have no idea where to go,” he said.

The United Nations Joint Human Rights Office, in its monthly report, highlighted that the clashes are causing significant civilian displacement. “Humanitarian organizations providing aid to the displaced have halted their operations due to security concerns,” the report stated.

Rwanda-backed M23 rebels capture crucial town in DR Congo

(AFP)

Africa

Kenya’s President Ruto withdraws finance bill after deadly protests

Published

5 days ago

June 26, 2024

Trends Admin

Kenyan President William Ruto

Kenya’s President Ruto withdraws finance bill after deadly protests

Kenyan President William Ruto said Wednesday that a bill containing contentious tax hikes would “be withdrawn”, dramatically reversing course after more than 20 people died and parliament was ransacked by protesters opposed to the legislation.

But he warned that the withdrawal of the finance bill would mean a significant shortfall in funding for development programmes designed to help farmers and schoolteachers, among others, as the East African nation struggles to lower its foreign debt burden.

“I concede and therefore I will not sign the 2024 finance bill and it shall subsequently be withdrawn,” Ruto told a press briefing, adding: “The people have spoken.”

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Ruto’s administration has been taken by surprise by the intensity of opposition to its tax hikes, with protests breaking out across the country last week.

The largely peaceful rallies turned violent on Tuesday when lawmakers passed the legislation and police fired live rounds into crowds that ransacked the partly ablaze parliament complex.

The state-funded Kenya National Commission on Human Rights said it had recorded 22 deaths and 300 injured victims, adding that they would launch an investigation.

Frustration over the rising cost of living spiralled last week as lawmakers began debating the bill containing the tax hikes.

Ruto’s cash-strapped government said the increases were needed to service the country’s massive debt of some 10 trillion shillings ($78 billion), equal to roughly 70 per cent of Kenya’s GDP.

Kenya’s President Ruto withdraws finance bill after deadly protests

Africa

Kenya investigates police conduct in protests over new tax plan

Published

1 week ago

June 22, 2024

Trends Admin

Kenya investigates police conduct in protests over new tax plan

Nairobi, Kenya – An investigation has been initiated in Kenya concerning police conduct during protests against a government plan to implement new taxes, the country’s police watchdog announced on Friday.

Anne Makori, chairperson of Kenya’s Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), praised the peaceful nature of the protesters and urged police restraint. She acknowledged the tragic killing of a protester and the injuries sustained by both demonstrators and police officers.

Protest Details and Casualties

On Thursday, thousands of protesters marched through Nairobi and other major cities and towns across Kenya. They demanded that legislators reject a finance bill that proposes new taxes. The peaceful protests were marred by violence, leading to casualties.

The mother of Rex Munyao, a 29-year-old man killed during the protests, recounted the events leading to his death. Gillian Munyao stated her son was returning from work when tear gas was fired in his direction, and police opened fire on fleeing protesters. Rex was struck in the leg and, despite pleas for assistance, police allegedly refused to help him, leading to his death from heavy bleeding.

The Kenya Red Cross Society reported 39 injuries, with 8 individuals in critical condition. However, a joint statement by several organizations, including the Law Society of Kenya and Amnesty International, indicated that at least 200 people were injured during the protests.

Calls for Accountability

The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) called on the IPOA to investigate instances of police violence during the demonstrations. ICJ Chairperson Protas Saende emphasized that using live bullets against protesters is “disproportionate and unlawful.”

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Despite the documented injuries and the death of Rex Munyao, the police have not commented on the casualties. Inspector General Japhet Koome released a statement affirming that officers would not tolerate attempts by demonstrators to occupy critical government infrastructure.

Protesters attempting to reach the parliament buildings, where the finance bill debate was ongoing, were met with water cannons, tear gas, and either rubber or live bullets.

Finance Bill Controversy

The contentious finance bill proposes several new taxes, including medical insurance levies, taxes on vegetable oil, and an additional fuel levy. The bill passed its second reading, with a final vote expected next week. The government has made some amendments to the bill, removing a value-added tax on bread and an eco-levy on goods that would have increased the prices of sanitary towels and diapers.

Broader Implications

The protests reflect widespread dissatisfaction with the proposed tax measures, which many Kenyans see as an additional burden in an already challenging economic environment. The ongoing investigation and subsequent findings by the IPOA will be critical in addressing public concerns about police conduct and ensuring accountability.

As Kenya navigates this period of political and social unrest, the government’s response to both the protests and the concerns raised about police actions will be closely watched by both domestic and international observers.