Africa's upcoming elections 2018
In addition to some local, parliamentary, and regional elections, keep up to date to the most important upcoming elections in Africa:
- Mali: The President´s election will take place on 29 july (1st round): current President Boubacar Keita will run for a second term. The main opposition candidate will be Somaila Cisse, a former finance minister. The election has been overshadowed by political unrest and violence.
The government doesn't have effective control over some parts of the country, where Islamist groups and ethnic militias are present. As some polling stations may not be able to open in all places, it is expected to have rigged elections.
- Zimbabwe: a general presidential election will also take place at the end o f july. After a big political turmoil with Robert Mugabe forced to resign, President Mnangagwa and the ruling ZANU-PF are considered favorites, however, as there is a considerable percentage of population undecided on whom to vote, one shouldn't ignore a possible runoff.
At the same time the country will hold the national assembly and senate elections.
- Comoros: Referendum on presidential term limits. President Azali Assoumani has callen a referendum on 30 July to change the constitution to allow for two 5-year presidential terms, instead of the current maximum one 5-year term. This would allow him to stay in power until 2029, instead of leaving after his current term ends in 2021
With the constitutional court suspended and prominent opposition politicians in jail or under house arrest, a transparent and credible referendum is in doubt.
- South Sudan: South Sudan's main opposition group rejected plans to extend President Salva Kiir's tenure by another three years (2021). Yet, 'The Khartoum Declaration of Agreement between Parties of the South Sudan Conflict', signed just a few days ago, stated that South Sudanese parties will share power for three years after which elections will be held.
Many doubts remain in the newest country of Africa despite progresses made in recent peace talks.
- Cameroon: President Paul Biya is one of the longest-serving African leaders still in power. He has been in power since 1982, and though the election is scheduled in principle for October this year, authorities in Cameroon appear to want to postpone October's general election to a later date.
Tensions have repeatedly flared in the French-speaking majority country where separatist rebels in its anglophone regions have been fighting government forces since proclaiming an autonomous republic of "Ambazonia" last year.
- The Democratic Republic of Congo: after two delays, voters in the DRC are expected to head to the polls next December. However, there are several questions unanswered.
For instance, President Joseph Kabila constitutionally isn't ineligible for the upcoming poll, yet there is no guarantee he will respect the constitution.
Furthermore, this country is constantly on the brink regarding military conflicts, human rights, migration issues and so on.
- Lybia: In a joint statement "The parties have committed to set the constitutional basis for elections and adopt the necessary electoral laws by September 16, 2018, and hold parliamentary and presidential elections on December 10, 2018".
The North African nation has been divided into competing political and military factions based in Tripoli and the east. Thus, after the collapse of this oil-rich country, the United Nations is trying to organize national elections.
- Lastly, the legislative elections in the Portuguese-speaking countries: Sao Tome and Principe (7 October) and Guinea Bissau (November 18), as well as the municipal elections in Mozambique, which are scheduled for October 10.