2023: 9 key elections to watch in Africa

 

You may be right to call 2023 a “year of elections” because it promises to be a busy year for African politics as some in Africa prepare to hold their General Elections. The upcoming elections will include those of Sierra Leone, Zimbabwe, Liberia, Gabon, Madagascar, Democratic Republic of Congo, Libya, Sudan and Africa's biggest, happening in Nigeria.

Nigeria

The election train will first stop in Nigeria as former Lagos state governor Bola Tinubu, People's Democratic Party's Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi battle it out as frontrunners in the race to succeed President Buhari.

Nigeria's February general election promises to be an interesting one as it has raised a great deal of expectation among young voters who are eager to see the end of President Muhammadu Buhari's rule. Particularly due to the fact that, the country is currently grappling with economic downturn and heightened insecurity.

Sierra Leone

In June, Sierra Leone will hold its presidential and parliamentary elections. President Julius Maada Bio is expected to seek a second term. His Sierra Leone People's Party will be hoping to retain its majority in the national assembly, which has been threatened by rising discontent over the high cost of living.

Zimbabwe

The third stop of the election train will be in Zimbabwe where President Emmerson Mnangagwa will be hoping to overcome a new challenge by opposition leader Nelson Chamisa whose Citizens Coalition for Change outfit has sought to galvanize the opposition and to correct the mistakes of 2018.

Liberia

As though the twits and turns in Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Zimbabwe won’t be enough, in October, Africa's oldest republic will hold its presidential and parliamentary polls in what will be a milestone for a country still recovering from years of civil war and a devastating epidemic. President George Weah has faced criticism for failing to tackle rampant corruption and for being away from the country to watch the World Cup in Qatar while the country faced an economic downturn.

Gabon

Meanwhile, President Ali Bongo looks set for re-election in Gabon after tacit endorsement by members of his Gabonese Democratic Party. Despite suffering a stroke which left him struggling to walk, the ruling party appears unwilling to retire its 63-year-old leader. The Bongo family has ruled over oil-rich Gabon since 1967.

Madagascar

In November, citizens in Madagascar will put their democratic system of governance to test. 48-year-old President Andry Rajoelina is vying for his second consecutive 5-year term in office. Rajoelina will be competing against Ravalomanana and Hery Rajaonarimampianina, Madagascar’s President from 2014 to 2018. The two opposition figures are expected to form a united platform in the effort to improve their prospects of defeating Rajoelina. The extent to which they can mount a coordinated campaign will determine how seriously they can challenge the incumbent.

Regardless of which candidate emerges victorious from Madagascar’s election, strengthening the mechanisms of popular participation, power sharing, and accountability enabled by institutions like an independent legislature, judiciary, and media will be the real priority of Madagascar’s democratic development.

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Similarly, in December, the Democratic Republic of Congo will hold a general election to choose a new president, national assembly and senate. In power since 2019, President Felix Tshisekedi is expected to seek a second term. Having fallen out with his predecessor whose support secured the presidency for him, Tshisekedi will have to find new allies to face an opposition which has long been doing its preps. Moise Katumbi has already declared intent to run. With the east of the country embroiled in conflict, Tshisekedi might struggle to convince the Congolese he's the change they seek.