30th Edition

Good Afternoon folks! 😁😁

Delighted to have you here. And if you joined us this week, it’s great to finally connect with you… so here we go!

Welcome to The Friday Briefing, your weekly brief on geopolitics.

This is our 30th edition. It’s still a bit of a test, so if something does go wrong be sure to let us know… but anyway, we plan to send out your brief every Friday lunchtime 12pm GMT.

Our goal is to provide you with a balanced and insightful overview, allowing you to stay informed without being overwhelmed with information. But above all, we understand the value of your time. With our summaries, you can quickly grasp the major events shaping our world, deepen your understanding and be on your way in no time!

Our starting point…yes…Africa, but our vision extends beyond the boundaries of a single continent.

Oh don’t forget, feel free to leave behind any feedback, suggestions or further ideas you would like us to run with 🙂 

^{Why Africa? maybe because we don’t hear much…}

Back in 2013, the 42nd President of the United States tweeted the above tweet, “Just touched down in Africa…” ⬆️

Although Mr Clinton’s tweet was true, despite the brazen mistruths our leaders spout these days, he nonetheless could’ve worded it a lot better.

But the tweet tells us a lot more. It exposes an attitude that many of us may have towards Africa, either through ignorance or laziness or maybe because we don’t hear enough about African countries in our national news media.

This is a continent as diverse as it is complex, a continent home to over 1.4 billion people and 54 countries, making it the second-most populated continent in the world.

Events in Africa aren't isolated, they hold global importance too. Political transitions, economic developments and conflicts in Africa have ripple effects that stretch far beyond its borders.

And yes, while we begin with Africa, we’re dedicated to expanding our weekly round-ups to other continents in due course, taking our mission to new frontiers by connecting the dots between nations and continents.

So stay tuned! 👌

^{So, what’s been happening this week?}

• South Africa seeks ICJ order to halt Rafah assault

• Voters in South Africa brace for a defining election

^{What does this mean?}

South Africa urged the International Court of Justice (ICJ) yesterday to issue an order for an effective ceasefire in Gaza during hearings over emergency measures to halt Israel’s military operation in the southern city of Rafah.

This is the third time the ICJ held hearings on Gaza since South Africa filed proceedings accusing Israel of genocide in December. South Africa’s ambassador to the Netherlands, Mr Madonsela urged the panel of 15 international judges to order Israel to “totally and unconditionally withdraw” from Gaza.

Judges at the court have broad powers to order a ceasefire and issue other measures, although the court does not have its own enforcement apparatus. An example of this is the order issued in 2022 demanding that Russia halt its full-scale invasion of Ukraine has so far gone unheeded.

South Africa argues that the military operation that Israel is conducting has far surpassed justified self-defence. In fact, South Africa believes Israel’s actions in Rafah are part of the end game and the last step in the destruction of Gaza.

However, Israel told the ICJ today that South Africa’s claims about its military operation “makes a mockery of the heinous charge of genocide.” Israel believes the allegations made on Thursday were “completely divorced from the facts and circumstances.”

Before closing the hearing today, the ICJ asked Israel to provide information about humanitarian condition in its declared “evacuation zones” and asked for it be submitted no later than tomorrow, May 18, at 4pm.

The ICJ is not expected to deliver a ruling on the genocide case for several years.

Did you know…

Most of Gaza’s population of 2.3 million people have been displaced since fighting began.

Libya, Nicaragua, Colombia have filed formal requests to join South Africa in the case.

Turkey also announced its desire a few weeks with Egypt being the latest country to announce its plans to join the case too.

After 30 years of dominating South African politics, the current ruling party, African National Congress otherwise known as the ANC will face its toughest election this month which is scheduled for May 29th.

A party once led by Nelson Mandela, and regarded as a beacon of hope by the Black majority following the fall of apartheid in 1994, the ANC’s reputation has been battered by record levels of unemployment, widespread poverty, the collapse of some government services and a series of corruption scandals.

However, President Cyril Ramaphosa hopes the ballot will lead to his re-election or otherwise he must face the prospect of forming a coalition which will be a first for the county and something that may well complicate policy-making.

Who are the runners and riders? 🤔🤔

Candidates 🔽🔽

Current President Cyril Ramaphosa, 71 - ANC Party

Senior figure in the ANC since the early 1990s and was once seen as a protege of Mandela.

Left politics to become a successful businessman before returning as Deputy President of South Africa in 2014.

Became President in 2018 after Jacob Zuma resigned under a cloud of corruption allegation.

Main Opposition Leader John Steenhuisen, 48 - Democratic Alliance (DA)

The only white leader among South Africa’s main political parties.

The centrist DA party has promised to “rescue” South Africa from what it says is the corruption and mismanagement of the ANC but has never come close to winning a national election

The DA only won 22% in the last general election in 2019 compared to the ANC’s 62%.

The DA entered a pre-election agreement with small opposition parties, hoping their combined vote might clinch a majority and remove the ANC.

Julius Malema, 43 - The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) ,

The EFF has risen rapidly to become South Africa’s third biggest party in Parliament since it was formed in 2013 by Julius Malema.

A former ANC youth leader who was expelled from the party became South Africa’s most contentious politician with his fiery, viral, far-left messages.

His message has gained traction with poor black South Africans especially with unemployed and disaffected young people.

Former President Jacob Zuma, 81 - UnMkhonto WeSizwe (MK Party)

The former president announced in December that he was turning his back on the ANC, a party he once led. Click here to find out why he left.

The MK Party is not expected to challenge the top three, but it is expected to further erode the ANC’s vote.

Mr Zuma still commands and maintains widespread support, especially in his home province, KwaZulu-Natal.

Did you know…

South Africans do not elect their president directly, but instead vote for parties that get assigned 400 seats in Parliament according to their share of the vote. Lawmakers then choose the head of state within 30 days of the general election.

^{Book of the week…. DEAL IN THE WORKS!}

The idea is every week we will hold a poll on our social media pages, asking our readers to recommend a book for the week…

STAY TUNED!

You’re done for the week. Follow us on our socials and see you next Friday!