In Africa, the recent erosion of term limits does not happen in isolation, but is instead part of a pattern to weaken democratic checks and balances and evade the rule of law. In this week’s Africa Watch post, guest writer Joe Siegle, from the Africa Center for Strategic Studies, sheds light on this issue and its broader international ramifications.

In Djibouti, Ismail Omar Guelleh is going to extreme lengths to secure a life presidency. His 22-year rule has been marked by endemic corruption, human rights abuses and thoroughly rigged elections, most recently in April 2021. In this guest post, Daher Ahmed Farah writes about this “emergency situation” that demands attention, and requisite action, from Djibouti’s friends and partners, including in Washington.

Vanguard Africa and the Human Rights Foundation have sent a joint letter to multi-platinum selling artist, producer, entrepreneur, and philanthropist Akon, requesting that he clarify his business relationship with the dictatorship of Uganda.

The humanitarian catastrophe in Cabo Delgado, Mozambique is shocking. Major international agencies estimate that the conflict has conservatively displaced more than 700,000 people. What is more, at least 1300 civilians have so far been killed in the violence. How did we get to this point, and what must be done to stem the tide? Mozambican researcher Tomas Queface sheds some much-needed light and context on the unfolding situation.

Zambia’s Cyber Security and Cyber Crimes Law — pass in parliament this week — is an assault on basic freedoms and democracy. Furthermore, it’s indicative of the insecurities that prevail among the country’s ruling elite. Activist Fumba Chama writes that this law is wholly incompatible with human freedom and must be rejected.

Vanguard Africa joins a host of international civil society groups in an open letter to all Commonwealth Heads of Government to demand an independent investigation into the death of Kizito Mihigo, one among many critics of President Paul Kagame who have died under exceedingly suspect circumstances in recent years.

In this guest Africa Watch post, activist Maria Tsehai argues that Tanzanians are living in a “world gone mad,” one in which Tanzania’s elected officials, led by President John Magufuli, are steering the country toward pandemic disaster.

On Thursday, February 4, MTV announced that it had decided to “postpone” their upcoming music awards showcase in Uganda. While this move is certainly a welcome one, Uganda should not play host to any sort of celebration or awards show until the Museveni dictatorship duly reforms and human rights are finally respected.

The West African nation of Benin was long lauded as a beacon of democracy. Over the past few years, however, there has been a sustained assault on the political opposition and human rights more broadly. It’s time to take a stand, writes former high-ranking Beninese diplomat, Rogatien Biaou.

Guinea is home to one of the starker examples of a rapid decline in terms of respect for democracy and human rights. And while the country’s October 2020 election was verifiably stolen, this does not mean the battle for democracy is over. In fact, the battle is just beginning, writes guest blogger Nadia Nahman.

To save Cameroon from its evident tailspin, both the government and Anglophone leaders need to take a hard look at the freefall, and their own roles in it, writes our founding director Jeffrey Smith. A genuinely inclusive dialogue must begin, and the U.S. Government – buoyed by a bipartisan U.S. Senate resolution – can help to fill the leadership void.

With a fourth presidential term secured in 2020, Togo’s authoritarian president, Faure Gnassingbe, now has increasingly free reign to clamp down on the country’s political opposition, media and civil society. He is also inspiring other would-be autocrats across the region, writes activist Farida Nabourema.

At Vanguard Africa, we have found that elevating the profile of an activist or a political leader adds an additional layer of personal security. For Bobi Wine, this strategy has worked so far. But it is clearly not enough, writes our founding director Jeffrey Smith. More needs to be done to hold the military regime of General Museveni accountable.

In this special edition of Africa Watch, Cameroonian journalist Mimi Mefo looks at issues of electoral fraud and post-election violence — issues that are often associated with countries in Africa and ‘third world’ nations. However, as Americans head to the polls, President Trump has indicated that these ills are indeed features of the current U.S. system. How does that affect America’s standing as a global champion of democracy?

The situation in Tanzania has moved from bad to worse under President John Magufuli. As an intelligence officer, I participated in the 1995, 2000 and 2005 elections. We were deeply involved in rigging those elections. Now, the same scenario is playing out ahead of Wednesday’s vote.

During the ongoing deadly conflict in Cameroon, women bear the brunt. Journalist Comfort Mussa writes on the exhaustion of covering the daily tragedies, the threats against journalists that have now become normalized, and the emotional toll that the war has taken on Cameroonians.

“The belief that politics is simply for politicians and elites alone has contributed to the dire state of Tanzania,” writes activist Mwanahamisi Singano. “The massive disconnect between the people and our politics is real. And it is a weakness that the ruling party has used effectively to its sole advantage.”

The Government of Cameroon may hold the ignominious distinction of holding the record for the most lobbying and PR contracts terminated in recent memory. However, those inclined to prioritize profit over principle are legion in Washington, DC, and that is unlikely to end anytime soon.

The lessons of history are readily available to all of us as Zimbabweans. These acts of supposed goodwill by an incompetent, repressive and corrupt government will not change the grim reality for the majority of Zimbabweans.

Regional leaders have a key role to play in ensuring a peaceful and workable solution to the crisis in Mali. However, they must listen to and include the concerns of ordinary Malians — their voices bring credibility to the process and will help ensure a sustainable peace.