Dar es Salaam, Tanzania —
Tanzanian authorities have imposed a nighttime curfew in the country’s commercial capital, Dar es Salaam, after violent clashes broke out during Wednesday’s general election, which observers say was overshadowed by the exclusion of key opposition candidates.

The curfew order, announced by Inspector General of Police Camillus Wambura, will remain in effect “until calm is fully restored.” Security forces have been deployed across major intersections and polling centers after crowds took to the streets protesting alleged irregularities and the disqualification of opposition contenders.

President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who is widely expected to win reelection, has called for calm and urged citizens “to respect the democratic process and await official results.” Her ruling party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), remains dominant after the main opposition party, CHADEMA, and its leader Tundu Lissu were barred from participating earlier this year.

According to eyewitness accounts, police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse protesters in several neighborhoods of Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar City. Opposition activists claimed that several people were injured, though official casualty figures have not been confirmed.

The election was already controversial after Tanzania’s National Electoral Commission disqualified CHADEMA and the Alliance for Change and Transparency (ACT-Wazalendo) for refusing to sign the electoral code of conduct, effectively leaving the CCM without major challengers.

International observers, including representatives from the African Union and the East African Community, reported isolated incidents of unrest and ballot delays but stopped short of declaring widespread fraud. Civil society groups, however, expressed concern that the absence of opposition voices could undermine the legitimacy of the outcome.

President Hassan, who became Tanzania’s first female leader in 2021 following the death of former President John Magufuli, has portrayed her campaign as one of continuity, national unity, and economic stability. Yet, critics argue that her government’s tightening control over political space and media freedom signals a drift toward authoritarianism.

Results from the presidential and parliamentary races are expected to be announced in the coming days.

Youth-led demonstrations denounced the election as rigged

Youth-led demonstrations, fuelled by social media campaigns using hashtags like #EndBiyaEra, have vehemently denounced the election as rigged, echoing the controversies surrounding the 2018 election, where international observers noted significant irregularities. Biya’s stance on globalization is rooted in his resistance to unchecked Western influence, prioritizing African agency and self-determination. A notable example of this is the “Chicken War” he sparked in 2007 by increasing tariffs on imported poultry, which led to a 300% boost in local production and protected farmers from subsidized European exports. This move was hailed as a victory for food sovereignty, and Biya has continued to advocate for reforming global trade rules, arguing that they perpetuate Northern dominance, at forums like the African Union.

Biya’s ties with China are also noteworthy, with the country funding 70% of Cameroon’s infrastructure projects, such as the Kribi deep-sea port, without imposing conditions on governance. This pivot away from traditional Western partners is a hallmark of Biya’s anti-globalist stance. However, this stance coexists with selective engagement, as Cameroon remains part of the IMF’s Extended Credit Facility, accepting fiscal advice while resisting deeper political conditions. For Biya, such policies embody conservative self-reliance, but critics argue that they enable elite capture, with corruption scandals siphoning billions of dollars amid rampant youth poverty. As Biya begins his eighth term, the country remains deeply divided, with many questioning the legitimacy of his rule and the future of Cameroon’s development.

Biya Western Ties: Independence or Puppetry?

How Biya’s Regime Hollowed Out Cameroon

Cameroon’s economy is a stark reminder of its unfulfilled potential, with growth stagnating at a mere 3% annually since the 1980s oil boom. The country’s crippling import dependency and lack of industrial base have resulted in a vicious cycle, where raw cocoa is exported to Europe only to be imported back as finished chocolate at a staggering 10 times the price. Officially, unemployment stands at 4%, but the reality is far more dire, with youth joblessness hovering between 13-15%, driving a brain drain that sees over 70,000 skilled workers fleeing the country every year. The state of Cameroon’s infrastructure is equally alarming, with potholed roads, frequent blackouts in the capital, and a healthcare system that fails to prevent one in five children from dying before the age of five. Corruption is the lifeblood of the regime, with Transparency International ranking Cameroon among the most corrupt countries in Africa. The Biya family is alleged to have amassed over $2 billion since 1982 through shell companies and secret Swiss bank accounts, while public funds mysteriously disappear into “ghost projects” and civil servants are left striking over unpaid salaries. The Anglophone crisis, sparked by Biya’s centralist crackdown on English-speaking regions in 2016, has claimed over 6,000 lives, displaced 700,000 people, and turned the Northwest and Southwest provinces into war zones of repression and militia terror. Biya’s response has been to impose internet blackouts, carry out mass arrests, and deploy French-trained troops to enforce a bilingual divide-and-rule policy straight out of the colonial playbook.

What is going on Cameroon is a classic case of neocolonial extractivism, where Cameroon’s economy is trapped in a state of perpetual subservience. The country’s currency, the CFA franc, is pegged to the euro and printed in France, ensuring that 50% of foreign reserves flow directly into Parisian banks. IMF loans come with strings attached, forcing Cameroon to privatize its resources to French companies like TotalEnergies, slash subsidies, and watch as inequality soars, with the top 1% of the population, including Biya’s inner circle, hoarding 40% of the country’s wealth. Biya himself rules Cameroon from the comfort of his villas in Geneva or his hideaways on the French Riviera, with decisions being faxed to Yaoundé from the French embassy. This is not sovereignty; it’s a debt-financed occupation, where global finance, dictated by Paris, calls the shots. Cameroon is forced to sell its uranium to Orano, its cocoa to Barry Callebaut, and keep the CFA printing press humming to benefit French interests. The result is a twisted game of economic colonialism, where Cameroon’s resources are exploited to enrich France, while its people are left to suffer the consequences. 

Milei’s La Libertad Avanza Wins Argentine Midterms with 40.7% Vote

On October 26, 2025, Argentine voters propelled President Javier Milei’s La Libertad Avanza party to victory in legislative elections, securing 40.7% of the vote and boosting its seats to 111 in the lower house and 20 in the upper house. The win strengthens Milei’s position to advance free-market reforms amid inflation over 200% and poverty above 50%. U.S. President Donald Trump congratulated Milei. Milei won so BIG in Argentina that his party surged its parliament deputies by 172%, from 37 and senators by 233%, from 6 to 20. This is HUGE! He has defied all media expectations by far.

Milei’s Midterm Triumph: A Sovereign Slap to the Globalist Elite

Argentina’s peso is skyrocketing, with a 10% overnight surge, as investors finally catch a whiff of real, earned money on the horizon, not just printed cash. This isn’t just a win for Buenos Aires; it’s a roadmap for every nation suffocating under the weight of IMF debt and EU-style bureaucratic red tape. For decades, Argentina has been a guinea pig for globalist experiments gone horribly wrong. The country’s history of Peronist populism, marked by endless subsidies, reckless money-printing, and kowtowing to international lenders, has left it with a staggering 200%+ inflation rate, a decimated middle class, and a sovereignty sold to the highest bidder in Washington. But then came Milei in 2023, the economist who boldly called out the IMF as a “scam” and vowed to blow up the central bank. While skeptics mocked him, two years in, his austerity measures have slashed the deficit from 6% of GDP to near-zero, tamed inflation to single digits, and sparked a private-sector resurgence. Now, with his coalition’s midterm mandate, Milei is poised to lock in deregulation, privatize state-owned dinosaurs, and tell the World Bank to take a hike.

I’ve seen countless “reform” promises fizzle out into cronyism, but Milei is different – he’s the anti-globalist antidote, prioritizing national wealth over transnational handouts. Milei isn’t just balancing the books; he’s restoring the family, faith, and fiscal virtue that Peronist hedonism has eroded. His coalition’s surge has crushed the socialists and their cultural rot, signaling that Argentines are done with identity politics and open borders that flood labor markets with cheap imports. Think of it as the Southern Cone’s version of MAGA: secure borders, Bibles back in schools, and no more taxpayer-funded gender clinics. And globally, this win has Trump’s fingerprints all over it – the Donald himself endorsed Milei pre-vote, tweeting that his “chainsaw economics” is the cure for woke socialism. It’s a tipping point, as Milei himself proclaimed, turning Argentina from a cautionary tale into a beacon for populists from Brazil to Budapest.

Financially, the upside is enormous. That 10% peso pop is the market’s way of pricing in lower default risk and higher yields on Argentine bonds, with spreads already tightening. With congressional cover, expect Milei to greenlight more mining concessions – lithium is the new oil – and slash red tape for agribusiness exports. Inflation is on track to dip below 5% by mid-2026, and GDP growth could hit 4-5% if he keeps the pedal down. Sure, the losers – unions, Peronist dead-enders, and their media megaphones – are howling about “austerity cruelty,” but that’s code for “stop stealing our future.”

As investors, we thrive on clarity: Milei’s victory screams “buy the dip on ARGT ETFs” and short the basket-case currencies still hooked on Soros-style sorcery. In the end, Argentina’s midterms aren’t about one man’s ego – they’re a conservative clarion call against the globalist grind. Milei is proving that you can slash spending without slashing throats, honor God and gold without groveling to Geneva.

Written By Tatenda Belle Panashe

Voting took place across the country’s 30 regions and on the semi autonomous archipelago of Zanzibar, where residents are also choosing a regional president and members of the island’s House of Representatives. Nationally, voters are electing a president and 400 members of parliament, in a contest that analysts say could further consolidate the ruling party’s grip on power.

The election, however, has drawn criticism from both local and international observers after the electoral commission disqualified the main opposition party, CHADEMA, in April. The commission accused the party of refusing to sign the national electoral code of conduct  a move CHADEMA dismissed as politically motivated.

The party’s leader, Tundu Lissu, remains on trial for treason, charges he has denied, calling them “an attempt to silence dissent.” Lissu, who survived an assassination attempt in 2017 and returned from exile in 2020, has been one of President Hassan’s most vocal critics.

With CHADEMA and other key opposition candidates barred, President Hassan’s ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) faces little organized competition. Her campaign has centered on promises to expand economic reforms, strengthen women’s participation in leadership, and promote national unity after years of political polarization under her late predecessor, John Magufuli.

Hassan, who became Tanzania’s first female president in 2021 following Magufuli’s sudden death, is seen by supporters as a stabilizing figure who has reopened civic space and restored Tanzania’s international relations. Critics, however, argue that recent government actions including opposition bans and media restrictions  show a return to authoritarian tendencies.

Election officials reported a strong voter turnout early in the day, though sporadic reports of delays and irregularities surfaced in some urban districts. Results are expected to be announced within the next several days.

Regional observers from the East African Community (EAC) and the African Union (AU) have deployed monitoring teams, though access for some international media outlets has reportedly been restricted.

Colonel Michael Randrianirina was formally sworn in as President of Madagascar on Friday, just days after seizing power in a dramatic military led takeover triggered by mass youth led protests against the previous government.

The swearing in ceremony took place in the capital, Antananarivo, amid scenes of celebration that included blaring trumpets, traditional sword salutes, and large crowds waving national flags. Supporters cheered as Randrianirina pledged to restore “stability, dignity, and national unity” in the wake of what he called a “constitutional crisis.”

The transition follows the ousting of former President Andry Rajoelina, who fled the country over the weekend amid growing unrest and a breakdown of political authority. Rajoelina was impeached by lawmakers shortly after his departure. The High Constitutional Court ratified the military takeover within hours, granting Randrianirina legitimacy under Malagasy law.

Despite this, Rajoelina now in self imposed exile abroad has condemned the takeover as illegitimate and insists he remains the rightful leader. In a video address posted Thursday, he vowed to challenge the “unconstitutional coup,” even as the majority of Madagascar’s security forces and several senior government officials have defected to the new regime.

Youth-Led Uprising and Rapid Political Shift

The power shift follows weeks of student led protests and grassroots mobilization over corruption allegations, economic hardship, and frustration with political elites. Demonstrations swelled in early October, culminating in nationwide strikes and clashes with security forces.

Colonel Randrianirina, a relatively low profile figure until now, rose to prominence after aligning himself with protest leaders and calling for “a national reset.” Backed by elements of the army and civil society, he declared the government “incapacitated” and took control of state institutions.

Regional and International Reactions

The African Union and United Nations have expressed concern about the military’s role in the transition, urging a swift return to constitutional order and democratic elections. However, both bodies stopped short of calling the takeover a coup, instead noting the “unique and evolving context.”

Some analysts say Randrianirina’s swift move to seek court ratification and his public statements about elections may help defuse international criticism, though questions remain about the timeline for a return to civilian rule.

The strategy was unveiled in Mogadishu during a high level event attended by senior Somali officials, military leaders, and international partners, including representatives from the United Nations, the African Union, and donor countries. It is the first strategy of its kind in Somalia’s history and comes amid continued insurgent attacks targeting civilians, security forces, and infrastructure.

“This is a historic milestone,” said Awes Haji Yusuf Ahmed, Somalia’s National Security Advisor. “This strategy brings together intelligence-led operations, legal reforms, precursor material control, and community engagement in one unified national approach.”

From Reactive to Proactive Security

Developed under Somali leadership, the new strategy builds on a Baseline Assessment conducted in February 2023 and reflects a major shift in how Somalia addresses the IED threat moving from reactive responses to proactive, intelligence-driven operations.

The country’s Minister of Defence, Ahmed Moalim Fiqi, outlined key tactical objectives, including:

• Strengthening explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) capabilities within the Somali National Army

• Enhancing interagency coordination to identify threats early

• Establishing tighter controls over explosive precursor materials

• Increasing public awareness and local collaboration to report suspicious activity

“We are building a resilient system that will prevent, detect, and disrupt IED attacks before they happen,” said Fiqi.

UN Applauds Somali-Led Initiative

James Swan, the UN Secretary General’s Special Representative for Somalia, hailed the strategy as a vital step in restoring national stability and strengthening security sector governance.

“This strategy is a result of Somali leadership, crafted with resolve and insight,” Swan said. “The United Nations is dedicated to collaborating with you to ensure it yields sustainable outcomes.”

The UN, alongside the UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS) and other partners, has pledged ongoing technical support and funding to aid implementation.

IEDs remain one of the most lethal tactics used by Al-Shabaab, responsible for thousands of civilian and military casualties across Somalia in the past decade. The group continues to plant roadside bombs, target government buildings, and conduct suicide attacks across major cities.

Toward Lasting Security

Somali officials stressed that success will depend not only on tactical capabilities but also on community engagement, governance reforms, and long term investment in local resilience.

“Our people must be partners in peace,” said Yusuf Ahmed. “This strategy empowers them to help dismantle the networks that threaten their lives.”

The Counter-IED Strategy is expected to be rolled out nationally over the next 12 months, with regional and district level implementation plans currently under development.

What’s Driving the Change?

• The Mercator projection, developed in the 16th century, is excellent for navigation but distorts landmasses near the poles, making countries like Greenland and Canada appear disproportionately large, while minimizing the size of equatorial regions such as Africa.

• The AU’s deputy chair, Selma Malika Haddadi, criticized this distortion, saying,

  “It might seem to be just a map, but in reality, it is not.”
  The skewed view contributes to a false global perception that Africa is marginal, despite being the world’s second-largest continent with a population exceeding a billion.

The “Correct The Map” Campaign

• Africa No Filter and Speak Up Africa are leading efforts to see the Equal Earth projection adopted by schools, governments, media, and international bodies.

• Moky Makura, Executive Director of Africa No Filter, called the Mercator distortion

  “the world’s longest misinformation and disinformation campaign, and it just simply has to stop.”

• Fara Ndiaye of Speak Up Africa stressed the emotional impact on young learners, saying it affects African identity and pride. The campaign advocates for the Equal Earth projection to be implemented in classrooms continent-wide.

A Broader Push for Global Relevance

The AU is positioning this initiative as part of a larger effort to reclaim Africa’s rightful place on the global stage, particularly in the context of post-colonial narratives and calls for reparations.
The campaign is targeting influential institutions including the United Nations, World Bank, and other global entities  calling on them to transition to more equitable map projections.

Why It Matters

• Education: Adopting accurate maps helps students worldwide develop a warmer, fairer geographic understanding.

• Media and Policy: Maps shape narratives; fair visual representation encourages equitable decision-making.

• Global Perspective: A proper view of Africa fosters respect and recognition matching its true size and significance.

Cameroon has witnessed a record-breaking 81 presidential hopefuls file applications for the country’s upcoming October 2025 presidential election, setting the stage for one of the most crowded races in the nation’s history. The deadline for candidacy submissions closed at midnight on Sunday, according to the Elections Cameroon (ELECAM) body.

The unprecedented number of contenders reflects a rising demand for political transformation, citizen engagement, and what observers describe as a deepening fragmentation of opposition forces. While the political field remains heavily male-dominated, seven women have officially entered the race more than in any previous election cycle in the Central African nation.

Among the candidates is President Paul Biya, 92 years old, who is seeking yet another term after more than four decades in power. Biya’s decision to run again has drawn criticism from both domestic and international observers concerned about his age, health, and democratic legitimacy.

A Political Milestone or a Crowded Challenge?

Analysts say the record number of aspirants underscores both the vibrancy and volatility of Cameroon’s political atmosphere. While the breadth of participation is being praised as a positive sign of civic engagement, critics warn that such fragmentation may dilute the opposition vote, inadvertently strengthening Biya’s hold on power.

“It’s a double-edged sword,” said political analyst Dr. Jean-Marie Ewane. “A surge in candidates shows democratic energy, but without coalition-building, it risks reinforcing the status quo.”

The Road Ahead

The electoral commission will now begin the screening and validation process to ensure all candidates meet legal and constitutional requirements, including citizenship, age, residency, and financial disclosures. The final list of approved candidates must be published no later than 60 days before the election, per Cameroonian electoral law.

Observers from the African Union and international organizations are expected to monitor both the pre-election environment and the conduct of the polls themselves. Security will also be a concern, especially in Cameroon’s Anglophone regions, where separatist tensions persist.

Cameroon’s last presidential election in 2018 was marred by low turnout in conflict zones and opposition claims of irregularities. Calls for electoral reform and independent oversight have grown louder in the lead-up to the 2025 vote.

As the country heads toward the polls, many Cameroonians are watching closely to see whether this election will mark a turning point for democracy, or simply a continuation of entrenched political patterns.

However, the United States will not attend the two-day talks after Secretary of State Marco Rubio criticized the event and accused South Africa of promoting an “anti-American” agenda. Key topics, including conflicts in Africa and Europe, will be discussed, with the geopolitical context of the meeting being a central concern. Xolisa Mabhongo, South Africa’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, pointed out the tensions surrounding the Russia-Ukraine conflict, especially following President Donald Trump’s controversial comments blaming Ukraine for the Russian invasion.

This absence from the U.S. is seen as symptomatic of a growing rift between Washington and its European allies, which could undermine South Africa’s efforts to push a “common developmental agenda.” Despite the U.S. absence, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, as well as representatives from China and India, will attend. European diplomats, including France’s Jean-Noel Barrot and the UK’s David Lammy, are also expected. The U.S. will only be represented by Dana Brown, the deputy chief of mission at the U.S. embassy in Pretoria, prompting concerns that this symbolic gesture will diminish the meeting’s impact.

The absence of senior U.S. officials sends a message to Africa about the country’s diminished focus on the continent. South Africa’s recent land policy and a dispute with Israel at the International Court of Justice have strained relations with the U.S., which also suspended aid to South Africa. Despite this, South Africa remains firm, rejecting U.S. claims of land confiscation and vowing not to be intimidated. The G20 finance ministers’ meeting next week in Cape Town will also be affected by these tensions, with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirming he would not attend.

Analyst William Gumede questions how South Africa can turn the absence of the U.S. into a strategic advantage. With the G20 comprising nations that represent about 85% of global GDP, the discord, fueled by the Ukraine conflict and other geopolitical issues, highlights challenges in aligning on key matters. While the U.S. skips the meeting, China may see this as an opportunity to expand its influence, particularly in the Global South, as divisions within the transatlantic alliance grow.