15th 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 fifteenth 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?}

• Russia’s Putin meets Chad junta leader in Moscow 

• Six sentenced to death in Ghana following coup plot

• Zimbabwe’s main opposition leader quits his CCC party

• Namibian President diagnosed with cancer

• Algeria prepares for Presidential election year

^{What does this mean?}

President Putin welcomed Chadian leader Mahamat Idriss Deby to the Kremlin following Russia’s recent interest and outreach in Africa’s Sahel region. Following coups in recent times, Russia has been vying for influence after the rejection of the former colonial power in West Africa and Sahel, France.

Mr Mahamat Deby took power in 2021 following a coup after his father Idriss Deby, the longest serving president of Chad was killed whilst commanding his forces against rebels from the Front for Change and Concord in Chard (FACT).

The junta leader promised an 18-month transition to elections, but then delayed election until October 2024. Putin congratulated Mr Mahamat Deby for “stabilising the situation” in his country and that Russia was “ready to help”.

According to the Kremlin website, Russia doubled the quota for students from Chad to study in Russia with government grants and is ready to double it again in the next two years.

For decades, Chad was seen as the enduring bastion of French influence in Africa, but in recent times, Russia’s own influence was spearheaded by Moscow’s Wagner Group mercenary army, led by one-time Putin close ally Yevgeny Prigozhin. He was killed in a plane crash last year two months after he led Wagner in failed ousting of top military officers in the Russian military.

Russia has since seized control of Wagner’s networks in Africa with idea of incorporating its operations under the states apparatus.

Did you know…

Junta - a military or political group that rules a country after taking power by force

Mr Deby’s visit comes a week after the Prime Minister of Niger also a junta leader visited Moscow.

In a highly publicised trial that captivated the Ghanaian population, six Ghanaians, among them three military personnel have been sentenced to death by hanging for their role in a coup conspiracy in 2021.

The High Court in Accra, capital of Ghana, sentenced the six Ghanaians after they were arrested in 2021 while experimenting with weapons with an alleged intent to overthrow the government. Despite the severity of the charge, the six member group maintained their innocence throughout the court proceedings.

Others which included a senior office and two military officers were acquitted. The High Court found the six guilty of high treason and conspiracy to commit high treason. During their arrest, police found manufactured guns, explosive devices and AK-47 rifles.

Prosecutors believe the group had planned to organise protests and to topple President Nana Akufo-Addo’s government ahead of the general elections.

Defence lawyers said they would appeal against the ruling in the Supreme Court.

Did you know… 🤔🤔

Ghana has been under democratic rule since 1992

Ghana recently abolished the death penalty for ordinary crimes. But the new law replaces capital punishment with a life sentence.

Current President Nana Akufo-Addo attended Lancing College which charges £10,150 per term and also attended Oxford University.

Nelson Chamisa is Zimbabwe’s main opposition leader and was current President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s main rival in the 2018 and 2023 disputed elections. Mr Chamisa announced that he has quit his party, after accusing the country’s ruling party known as ZANU-PF of hijacking his CCC party.

In a 13 page statement in which he criticised the country’s record of authoritarianism, Chamisa said;

“With immediate effect, I no longer have anything to do with CCC party.”

The Citizens Coalition for Change which was formed by Mr Chamisa in 2022 breaking from the country’s main and oldest opposition party, the Movement for Democratic Change known as the MDC.

The accusations of the ZANU-PF party come after the removal of dozens of CCC members of parliament and councillors.

Following the 2023 general elections, Nelson Chamisa of the CCC won 44% of the vote and current President Mnangagwa won 52% of the vote, an election Mr Chamisa described as a “gigantic fraud”. But the CCC took control of all major cities and towns and won enough parliamentary seats to deny the ruling party ZANU-PF a two-thirds majority.

The two-third majority would allow the ruling party the power to change the constitution to possibility allow President Mnangagwa a third term.

So what happened? You won’t believe this….. 🤔

A man claiming to be the secretary general of the CCC began removing elected officials with support from parliamentary authorities, the government and the courts. However, Mr Chamisa said his party DID NOT even have a position of secretary general and described the man as an “imposter” and “fraudster”

Sengezo Tshabangu is the accused “imposter and fraudster” ⬇️

In interviews with local media, Sengezo Tshabangu said he took over the post on an interim basis after Chamisa “failed to create party positions”. In Oct/Nov 2023, Mr Sengezo recalled 15 parliamentarians, 26 councillors, 2 mayors and a deputy mayor citing they were no longer party members.

The ruling party has since denied any involvement in the recalls and any changes to the constitution.

Did you know… 🤔🤔

As a former ally, President Mnangagwa replaced long-term ruler the late President Robert Mugabe after 37 years in power

President Mnangagwa took charge after the army-backed 2017 coup with promises of democratic reforms

He won his first term, narrowly beating Chamisa in a disputed election in 2018

The Namibian Presidency has announced President Hage Geingob will travel to the United States to undergo cancer treatment. Earlier in the month, following a regular check-up, it was revealed the 82-year old had cancer. His office refused to give more details about his condition.

In a statement, the President accepted an offer by medical professionals in LA, California to undergo novel therapy to deal with the cancerous cells. As prime minister in 2014, Mr Geingob told the public that he had survived prostate cancer.

He became the president the following year in 2015. The Vice President is due to take over presidential duties until Mr Geingob’s return.

Did you know… 🤔🤔

In year of elections, Namibia will hold presidential and parliamentary elections at the end of 2024

The largest African nation Algeria is gearing up for elections as mounting political and economic challenges leads to ever more dissatisfaction. It remains unclear whether Algeria’s presidential election will inspire serious campaigning.

The oil-rich north African country is led by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune who succeeded the late Abdelaziz Bouteflika, the longest-serving president who resigned in 2019 amid protests.

The Rally for Culture and Democracy, among the rare opposition parties maintaining public presence called on the government to “put in place political conditions for a debate to find a way out of the crisis.”

With no opposition yet to present a candidate and the incumbent maintaining an air of mystery said, “the people will decided the right moment for such announcement.”

However, the country’s leading army general, Said Chengriha, has offered support to the President whilst praising the projects implemented over the past 4 years and the importance of continuation.

In Algeria, the army plays a key role. The former army general, Ahmed Gaid Salah, helped push the late President Abdelaziz Bouteflika from office in 2019, following his 20 year rule after months of protests and marches.

^{The Year of Elections 2024 ⬇️}

In 2024, more voters than ever in history will head to the polls representing 40% of the world’s population (1.5 billion people) including 7 of the world’s 10 most populous nations:

• Bangladesh, India , United States, Indonesia, Pakistan, Russia and Mexico

• To see the rest of the list click the link - 🔗 ➡️ Election Guide 2024

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