Namibia elected its first female president, Vice President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, who won 57% of the vote in a controversial election. The vote was delayed by three days due to technical issues, including ballot shortages, leading opposition parties to label the extension unconstitutional and vow to challenge the results in court. Despite these challenges, Nandi-Ndaitwah’s ruling…
After a week of intense discussions, Sierra Leone’s Parliament wrapped up the 2025 national budget hearing on November 29, 2024. Leaders from both the ruling SLPP and opposition APC delivered their closing remarks, highlighting contrasting views on the fiscal plan’s impact on the nation. Opposition leader Hon. Abdul Kargbo commended the government for stabilizing the…
Aminata Wurie, Governance Specialist with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Sierra Leone, recently shared her assessment of the 2023 elections, highlighting key challenges and successes during an event at Fourah Bay College. Key Challenges Notable Successes Recommendations for Future ElectionsWurie proposed expanding biometric voter registration, deploying mobile registration units to underserved areas, and…
The National Safeguarding Community of Practice (CoP) was officially launched on November 28, 2024, at the New Brookfields Hotel in Freetown, marking a key step toward protecting children, young people, and vulnerable adults in Sierra Leone. The CoP brings together professionals from various sectors, including I/NGOs, CBOs, OPDs, and government bodies, to foster a unified…
Congo’s main opposition leaders on Wednesday urged nationwide protests against President Felix Tshisekedi’s plans to draft a new constitution, citing fears of potential changes to presidential term limits. Last month, Tshisekedi announced the creation of a national commission in 2025 to draft a revised constitution, raising concerns from opposition figures, including former President Joseph Kabila,…
Provisional results released on Tuesday confirm a sweeping victory for Senegal’s ruling Pastef party in Sunday’s snap legislative elections. The party triumphed in 40 of 46 departments and 7 of 8 diaspora constituencies, outperforming key opposition groups. President Bassirou Faye’s party also made gains in regions considered strongholds of former President Macky Sall. Only six…
Finance Minister Sheku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura has unveiled the 2025 budget, outlining a total expenditure of NLe35.3 billion, representing 18.3% of Sierra Leone’s GDP. Presented in Parliament on November 15, 2024, the budget focuses on stabilizing the economy and enhancing the well-being of Sierra Leoneans under the theme: “Improving the Well-Being and Quality of Life…
On November 14, 2024, President Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye of Senegal formally received Letters of Credence from Sierra Leone’s newly appointed Ambassador, H.E. Ibrahim Turay, at the Palais de la République in Dakar. Ambassador Turay, a seasoned professional with over eight years of experience in Senegal, previously served as a Fisheries Expert and Monitoring Specialist…
Haiti’s new interim Prime Minister, Alix Didier Fils-Aimé, was sworn in on Monday amid escalating violence in Port-au-Prince. Shortly after his inauguration, gunfire erupted at Toussaint Louverture International Airport as gangs targeted a Spirit Airlines flight from Fort Lauderdale. A flight attendant was injured, but the plane was diverted to the Dominican Republic for safety….
Mauritius Prime Minister, Pravind Jugnauth has acknowledged his coalition, L’Alliance Lepep, suffered a “huge defeat” in Sunday’s parliamentary elections. Jugnauth, who was seeking a second term, conceded that the electorate chose rival Navin Ramgoolam’s Alliance of Change coalition. Ramgoolam is poised to become the next leader of the Indian Ocean nation. The election was marred…