Africa Insiders' Newsletter #73 Africa for insiders We hope you enjoy this week's free segment. If you want to receive the full newsletter every week, consider subscribing, from $8.33/month:
| | | Click here if you are a student or have otherwise limited income to request our discounted $2/month or $20/year subscription. | | What everyone is talking about | | Malawi's president under siege
The essentials: Malawi's streets have been clogged with protesters and its courts filled with various attempts to dislodge recently elected President Peter Mutharika. Opponents claim that Mutharika's allies rigged the May elections, which ended in his slim victory. Now a hearing is moving forward in the country's top court to overturn the results.
The background: Mutharika took the presidency with just 39 percent of the vote in a wide field. His opponents, led by runner-up Lazarus Chakwera, accused Mutharika's Democratic Progressive Party of tampering with results in some parts of the country.
Efforts to block Mutharika's inauguration failed and protesters have been on the street ever since. In some instances their activities have turned violent, but the court has upheld their right to demonstrate despite regime efforts to shut down the protests.
Though Mutharika has managed to hold onto power, his ability to actually accomplish anything is being eroded in the face of the persistent protests and court challenges.
The good: This shows that Malawi's democratic institutions — or at least some of them, depending on your perspective on the election — work. Protests have been allowed to continue. Court challenges have moved forward. And though there has been some violence and looting, it has been contained.
The bad: The country has essentially been at a three-month standstill as people wait to see what comes of these efforts to remove Mutharika from office.
The future: Much of it hinges on the current court challenge. It's hard to imagine Mutharika stepping down, but it might prompt some kind of conciliation with the opposition. A victory for the administration, though, could spur more people to take to the streets.
Discuss with @_andrew_green on Twitter | | What we are talking about | | Tanzania takes on a journalist The essentials: As Tanzania moves forward with its prosecution of investigative journalist Erick Kabendera, the international community is sending signals that it is concerned he will not receive a fair trial.
The background: Kabendera was arrested in July and charged with money laundering, tax evasion and leading organized criminal activities. He is not eligible for bail.
For more insights into Kabendera's case and Tanzania:
| | Continental health corner | | Is Burundi ignoring a malaria epidemic?
The number of malaria cases in Burundi has reached epidemic proportions, according to the World Health Organization. Nearly half of the population has reported being infected with the disease and about 1,800 people have died this year. For insight into the health, political and social implications: | | Climate Change and Land - Africa in focus
The UN IPCC released another blockbuster climate report, this time focusing on the relationships and interactions between climate change and land use.
The report covers many issues of critical importance to the African continent. Africa's population still predominantly lives in rural areas and while the rural population in many other parts of the world is stagnating or declining, especially sub-saharan Africa still experiences significant population growth in rural areas. Subsistence and cash crop agriculture, as well as livestock are the bedrock of most livelihoods on the continent.
To get more insights into this report:
| | If you got the time, read these!
There's always more, so for weekly finely curated insights on Africa:
| | The Africa Insiders' Newsletter is a collaboration between AfricanArguments.org and @PeterDoerrie, with contributions from @_andrew_green and @Shollytupe and assistance from Stella Nantongo. Part of the subscription revenue is funding in-depth and freely accessible reporting and analysis on African Arguments. | | | | |
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{UAH} Shared from Amos Wekesa’s timeline. (Poets and public speakers, we could use this advice).
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