The Consequences of The ANC’s Electoral ‘Misfortunes’ Beyond South Africa: A Silver Lining
The Consequences of The ANC’s Electoral ‘Misfortunes’ Beyond South Africa: A Silver Lining
BY CHARLES ONYANGO OBBO
South Africa’s latest vote count puts ANC at 40.14%, its worst electoral performance since it came to power in 1994. I will now have to govern with a coalition. With results from 97% of voting centres, the main opposition party, the Democratic Alliance, was at 21.7%, while uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK), a new party led by former president Jacob Zuma, had picked up 14.8%.
Though technically it hasn’t been beaten, the ANC is the third liberation party in Africa in the last 25 years to lose a majority or be routed in a vote. The first was the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC) in the 1999–2000 elections. The most spectacular liberation party vanishing act happened in Ethiopia in 2019 with the dissolution of one of the most dominant of them, the EPRDF.
It needs to be recognised that the ANC’s loss is partly a result of something laudatory – it the Africa’s liberation party that most believes in things like traditional multiparty politics. With this election, an election political psychological barrier in broader African politics has been crossed: the reality that a liberation party can be beaten, and the world won’t end. In its humiliation, the ANC might have done African democracy one of its greatest services.
Geopolitically, the most far-reaching impact could be in DR Congo, where South Africa leads a regional SADC intervention force in the eastern part of Africa’s second-largest country. South Africa’s opposition has denounced its intervention and called for its army to be withdrawn. That now looks like the likely outcome. Led by South Africa again, SADC is set to withdraw from Mozambique in July, where it was helping fight Islamist rebels in the northern Cabo Delgado. It will leave Rwanda, which has increased its troop presence by over 2,000 personnel, the sole external state player.
SADC’s northern flank could become more exposed than before, and with South Africa’s retreat, several actors will step in to fill the vacuum. It’s too soon to say if that will be for better or worse.
Without a majority, the ANC might govern better, become more accountable, and less corrupt. SA might just recover its mojo, and be the tide that lifts all African boats.
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Ugandan Citizen Abducted, Held in Secret Detention for Three Months, Sparks Outrage and Calls for Justice
A disturbing new case of unlawful detention has surfaced, highlighting the ongoing human rights crisis in Uganda. A Ugandan citizen was reportedly abducted and held in a secret facility, known as a “safe house,” for three months, only to be released without charge or explanation. This incident, reported by NTV Uganda, has sparked widespread condemnation and renewed calls for accountability regarding human rights abuses in the country.
While the details surrounding the abduction remain unclear, reports indicate that the individual was taken without due process and held incommunicado—an action that has long been condemned by human rights organizations. The victim’s release, with no charges filed and no clear justification, has angered activists and citizens, who view this as yet another case of egregious abuse of power by the state.
“This is a recurring pattern,” said one human rights activist. “Abductions, secret detentions, and unexplained releases have become all too common in Uganda. These acts violate fundamental human rights and erode public trust in the justice system.”
The use of “safe houses,” unregistered detention facilities reportedly operated by security forces, has been a focal point in numerous allegations of torture and illegal imprisonment. Despite repeated calls from both local and international organizations for their closure and accountability for those involved, little action has been taken to address these violations.
This case underscores the urgent need for reform within Uganda’s security apparatus and greater accountability for human rights abuses. Observers hope that drawing attention to these injustices will spur concrete action to bring those responsible to justice and ensure the protection of basic human rights.
As frustration mounts, calls for both domestic and international pressure to hold the government accountable for such crimes grow louder. “One day, there must be accountability for all these crimes against our people,” stated one social media user, reflecting the sentiments of many Ugandans.
National Unity Platform (NUP) President Robert Kyagulanyi has accused Ugandan security forces of using excessive force to disrupt a planned NUP gathering. The allegations were detailed in a statement shared on Twitter, following an event held to honor children of NUP supporters who were killed, disappeared, or detained for their political beliefs.
According to Kyagulanyi, security personnel, under the command of an officer identified as Asiimwe, carried out a preemptive operation early in the morning upon learning of the NUP’s plans. The forces allegedly stormed the premises, arrested workers, and deployed tear gas to disperse those present.
“The criminals under the command of one Asiimwe deployed early morning, arrested our workers, and threw tear gas into our premises. They’ve cordoned off the premises and blocked all people from accessing the place,” Kyagulanyi wrote.
Among those reportedly arrested were Saava Peter, Mudenya Samson, and Turyasingura Samson. Kyagulanyi claimed the detained workers were subjected to beatings and interrogated about their political affiliations, with security operatives labeling them as terrorists.
“These JATT operatives asked the workers who they support politically, branding them terrorists and criminals—their only crime being that they work with us. You can imagine the indignity!” Kyagulanyi lamented.
This incident adds to the growing tension in Uganda’s political climate, where opposition parties frequently accuse the government of stifling dissent. Despite the challenges, Kyagulanyi ended his statement with a message of defiance and optimism, proclaiming, “UGANDA WILL BE FREE.”
NUP Gathering Disrupted: Kyagulanyi Alleges Security Force Harassment and Arrests
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Sudan Demands Apology from Uganda Over Army Chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s Threat to Invade Khartoum
Sudan has demanded an official apology from Uganda over “offensive and dangerous” comments made by the chief of Uganda army staff, who threated to invade Khartoum, the Sudan Tribune has reported.
General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, son of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and CDF of the Ugandan army, posted two comments on the X platform on Tuesday in which he threatened “to capture Khartoum” with the support of the US President elect Donald Trump after he takes office. The posts were deleted later.
“The government of Sudan demands and official apology from the Ugandan government for the offensive and dangerous comments of the army commander,” Sudan’s foreign ministry said in a statement that the Sudan Tribune said it has seen.
Sudan Demands Apology from Uganda Over Army Chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s Threat to Invade Khartoum