Politics | - Part 19

President Zuma Turmoil Leaves South Africa’s Economy Down But Not Out

Johannesburg, Capital Market in Africa: At first glance, South Africa appears on a road to nowhere, mired in leadership turmoil and economic stagnation that are rolling back many of the hard-won gains of 22 years of multiracial rule. President Jacob Zuma, who’s lurched from one scandal to the next, is warring with his finance minister over control of the National Treasury. Government and ruling-party officials are at each other’s’ throats over policy, appointments and alleged cronyism. And the…

Luster Wears off Tanzanian President’s Anti-Corruption Drive

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Dar es Salam, Capital Markets in Africa: Tanzanian President John Magufuli’s quick action to stem corruption and government waste won praise from so many graft-weary East Africans that it triggered the internet meme #WhatWouldMagufuliDo. Now, there are growing concerns that the man nicknamed “bulldozer” is going too far. This year, the government has banned three newspapers for reasons including “inflammatory” reporting and ordered the closure of two radio stations for allegedly broadcasting seditious content. In June, police outlawed all protests…

Zambia, IMF Reach ‘Broad Consensus’ on Deal, Lungu Says

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LIUSAKA, Capital Markets in Africa: Zambia has made “great progress and reached broad consensus” with the International Monetary Fund on a planned support package, President-elect Edgar Lungu said. Yields on the nation’s Eurobonds fell to the lowest in more than a year. Lungu, who narrowly won a Aug. 11 presidential election in Africa’s second-biggest copper producer, said in an e-mailed statement that having been elected for a whole term has given him time to implement difficult decisions he…

Chaos Looms in South Africa Local Councils as Malema Holds Veto

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JOHANNESBURG, Capital Markets in Africa: Sporting a slimmed-down physique and a newly earned university degree, South Africa’s political provocateur Julius Malema has emerged as the kingmaker in several key cities where the ruling party has lost outright control. The result may be chaotic. With neither the ruling African National Congress nor the main opposition Democratic Alliance winning a majority in 27 towns in Aug. 3 elections, Malema, 35, and his Economic Freedom Fighters may wield a veto…

Mozambique Says Deal With Opposition Was Imposed by Mediators

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MAPUTO, Capital Markets in Africa: The Mozambican government’s delegation at peace talks with the main opposition party said it was forced by mediators to agree to a proposal that the ruling party cedes control in provinces where its rival had won elections. The Mozambique National Resistance, or Renamo, has been fighting to govern six provinces where it garnered more support than the ruling Front for the Liberation of Mozambique, or Frelimo, in elections in 2014. The opposition…

South Africa’s ANC Sticks With Zuma, Risking Eroding Support

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Johannesburg, South Africa, Capital Markets in Africa: The African National Congress’s senior leaders absolved South African President Jacob Zuma of blame for the ruling party’s worst performance in an election, choosing to take collective responsibility and risking further eroding support before a national vote in less than three years. Still, targeting him could have exposed factions within the party, leading to infighting and a possible split, analysts say. “Taking collective responsibility is a refusal to take responsibility,” Aubrey Matshiqi, an…

Zambia Votes After Violence Mars Close-Run Presidential Race

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LUSAKA, Zambia, Capital Markets in Africa: Zambians began voting Thursday in elections that are set to be a rematch of last year’s neck-and-neck contest between President Edgar Lungu and his main rival, Hakainde Hichilema, following a violence-marred campaign. Less than 28,000 votes separated the two men the last time they squared off in a snap poll 19 months ago, after President Michael Sata died in office. While incumbent Lungu, 59, has enjoyed blanket state-media coverage of his campaign, an economic…

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