Politcal Risks |

What South Africa’s Main Political Parties Are Promising Voters

JOHANNESBURG (Capital Markets in Africa) – South Africa is gearing up for elections on May 8 that will serve as a referendum on whether the African National Congress has rehabilitated itself in the eyes of voters after former leader Jacob Zuma’s scandal-marred rule. The ruling party’s two main challengers are the pro-business Democratic Alliance and the populist Economic Freedom Fighters, which favors the nationalization of mines, banks and land. The ANC, led by President Cyril Ramaphosa, aims to…

Rising Star of South African Politics Entangled in Scandal

Posted on by The Editorial Team

JOHANNESBURG (Capital Markets in Africa) – Once a rising star in South Africa’s ruling African National Congress and mentioned as a possible future presidential contender, Malusi Gigaba is now fighting for political survival. Anti-graft ombudsman Busisiwe Mkhwebane has given President Cyril Ramaphosa 20 days to take disciplinary action against the former finance minister for lying under oath. Her finding comes seven months after the High Court said Gigaba, now home affairs minister, committed perjury when he denied authorizing a company owned…

Ivory Coast Coalition Partner Rejects Merger Before Elections

Posted on by The Editorial Team

ABIDJAN (Capital Markets in Africa) – The main partner in President Alassane Ouattara’s ruling coalition won’t go ahead with a proposal to unify their parties before presidential elections in two years and plans to field its own candidate. The announcement is a setback for Ouattara and plans to merge the six parties that make up the ruling coalition, which would have consolidated its grip on power in the world’s biggest cocoa producer and forced the two…

Ivory Coast President Ouattara Says He May Seek Third Term

Posted on by The Editorial Team

ABIDJAN (Capital Markets in Africa) – Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara may seek re-election in 2020 after the West African nation adopted a new constitution two years ago that he said allows him to extend his two terms in power. Since assuming office in 2011 after almost a decade of political instability, Ouattara repeatedly said he would step down after completing a second term, which he won in 2015. While his ruling Rally of Houphouetists for Democracy and…