As Americans prepare to vote in congressional elections and South Africans head to the polls in municipal elections, Paula Slier examines how electoral boundaries in the US and coalition deals in South Africa can shape political power, often leaving voters with less influence than they might expect.
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In Abidjan, the economic hub of Côte d’Ivoire, women politicians from across West Africa gathered for a forum on women in politics, organised by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (FNF). The forum, now in its second year, was designed as a two-way exchange. It offered politically active West African women a space to deepen…
Since Brazil’s return to democracy in 1989, no presidential candidate has ever won the runoff election after losing in the first round of voting. But on 25 October, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva did just that, defeating Flávio Bolsonaro by a margin of more than four million votes.
Trade, energy and investment will be among central issues as delegations from 48 African countries visit Russia Elena Teslova 28 October 2026•Update: 28 October 2026 MOSCOW
Every couple of years, the same false stories come back. A claim that an election was rigged before a single vote was cast. An old video of violence, stripped of its date and place, presented as breaking news.
South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada, second right, celebrates with teammates the wicket of Australia’s Mitchell Starc on day five of the second cricket test match between South Africa and Australia, in Gqeberha, South Africa. AP/PTI(AP10_22_2026_000306B) South Africa’s innings-and-31-run victory over Australia in the second Test in Gqeberha has made the race for the World Test Championship…
In June 2025, in Lagos, I sat down with custodians of Yoruba masquerading traditions, and I asked each of them a version of the same question: “What do you think about masquerades appearing in Nigerian films?” Each time, the answer was a flat no.
When it comes to the future direction of the global economy there is a bit of a tug of war going on.
Over the past decades, as Africa’s startup scene has grown, many African-founded companies have moved their parent companies to foreign locations such as Delaware, California, London and Paris.
A Balli Walirafudhu handover ceremony held by the Borana Oromo people in Southern Ethiopia and northern Kenya. They have long practiced rotational, peaceful leadership transfer, known as the Borana Gadaa system. Photo used with permission.
