Tag Archives: Democratic Republic of Congo

25Jan/26

A Democratic Sea Change: Africa’s 2026 Election Calendar

January 25, 2026PoliticsBenin, Bobi Wine, Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Denis Sassou Nguesso, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Hakainde Hichilema, Libya, Morocco, Presidents of Zambia, Somalia, Uganda, United Party for National Development, UPND Alliance, Yoweri Museveni, Zambiaadmin

Jan. 25, 2026 /Mpelembe Media/ — The year 2026 represents a critical juncture for African democracy as numerous nations across the continent prepare for high-stakes elections. While countries like Zambia and Benin face tests of institutional integrity and leadership transitions, others such as Uganda and Ethiopia continue to struggle with political suppression and internal conflict. Long-standing leaders in the Republic of the Congo and Djibouti maintain their grip on power, whereas nations like Libya and South Sudan face deep uncertainty regarding their ability to hold votes at all. These upcoming polls occur against a backdrop of regional instability and varying levels of public trust in the electoral process. Ultimately, the collective results of these contests will determine if the continent is moving toward a systemic democratic shift or further entrenched authoritarianism. Through this comprehensive calendar, the source highlights the diverse political challenges and socioeconomic factors shaping the future of African governance. Continue reading →

15Jan/24

Beyond the Minerals: Uncovering the Vibrant Tapestry of DR Congo and Zambia

January 15, 2024EconomyBenda Bilili, Chansa, Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Emmanuel Iduma, Joseph Conrad, Least developed countries, Lusaka, Member states of the African Union, Member states of the United Nations, Zambezi, Zambiaadmin

Sept. 15, 2023 /Economy/ — While the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Zambia are indeed known for their mineral wealth, particularly copper and cobalt, their identities extend far beyond these resources. Let’s dive deeper into the rich tapestry of these fascinating African nations: Continue reading →

29Apr/23

Sudan: questions about Wagner Group involvement as another African country falls prey to Russian mercenaries

April 29, 2023Conflict and WarAbdalla, Africa Corps, Alexander Bikantov, Antony Blinken, Belarus, Bobby Payne, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Chad, Creative Commons, Dan Lomas, Democratic Republic of Congo, Faustin, Faustin-Archange Touadéra, Freya De Santis, Khalifa Hafter, Khartoum, Kristian Gustafson, Laura Collins, Libya, Mali, Mercenary, Moldova, Muammar Gaddafi, Neveen S Abdalla, Private military contractors, Rapid Support Forces, Russia, Russian mercenaries, S Abdalla, Separatist forces of the war in Donbas, Serbia, Steven Wagner, Sudan, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States, Vladimir Putin, Wagner Group, Wagner Group activities in Africa, Wagner Group activities in the Central African Republic, Warlords, Washington, Yevgeny Prigozhinadmin

Kristian Gustafson, Brunel University London; Dan Lomas, Brunel University London; Neveen S Abdalla, Brunel University London, and Steven Wagner, Brunel University London

After more than a week of intense fighting between Sudanese government troops and paramilitary forces in Khartoum, many western countries – including the US and UK – are evacuating their nationals from the strife-torn city.

While the conflict has been billed as a clash between rival warlords, there are questions about the role played by the private Russian mercenary company, the Wagner Group. This group, allegedly associated with Russian president Vladimir Putin’s ally Yevgeny Prigozhin – although he has denied any involvement – is heavily engaged in several African countries, exacerbating regional instability.

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11Apr/23

‘It’s like you’re a criminal, but I am not a criminal.’ First-hand accounts of the trauma of being stuck in the UK asylum system

April 11, 2023PoliticsAngela, Anne Burghgraef, Asylum seeker, Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, Australia, Creative Commons, Cultural globalization, Democratic Republic of Congo, Demography, Dostoevsky, Ebele, Edward, Edward Crawford, European migrant crisis, Farah, Forced migration, George, Gloria, Guinea, Haram, Imani, Immigration, Immigration detention, International law, Iran, Joy, Lagos, Leeds, Leon, Mariama, Nigeria, Pete Maclaine, Peter William Walsh, Refugee, Refugees, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Steve Taylor, United Kingdom, Unity, Wakefield, West Yorkshire, Zimbabweadmin

Steve Taylor, Leeds Beckett University

Warning: this story contains graphic descriptions of violence. Pseudonyms are used to protect the interviewees’ identities.

Angela had already been in the UK as an asylum seeker for nine years and four months when we interviewed her. She was still in a state of limbo, unsure whether asylum would be granted, and her story was disturbing to hear.

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