{"id":11255,"date":"2017-01-24T16:10:41","date_gmt":"2017-01-24T16:10:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/africaresearchinstitute.org\/wordpress\/?p=11255"},"modified":"2018-01-22T14:07:51","modified_gmt":"2018-01-22T14:07:51","slug":"2017-elections-africa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/africaresearchinstitute.org\/wordpress\/2017-elections-africa\/","title":{"rendered":"2017: Elections in Africa"},"content":{"rendered":"

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2017 AFRICAN ELECTIONS RESOURCE<\/div>\n
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  • Election map<\/a> – click on highlighted countries on the map for pop-up fact boxes and links to recommended reading<\/li>\n
  • Timeline<\/a> – scroll through for a chronological view of the year’s elections<\/li>\n
  • Further reading<\/a> – browse a variety of articles, from survey reports to ambassadorial blog posts, by country<\/li>\n
  • Expert briefings<\/a> –\u00a0read insightful background and analysis<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

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    Africa will have at least three new presidents in 2017. In Liberia<\/strong>,<\/a> Ellen Johnson Sirleaf will stand down after two six-year terms. She has endorsed Vice-President Joseph Boakai as her successor, but the final decision will rest with voters. In Angola<\/strong><\/a>, Jos\u00e9 Eduardo dos Santos has pledged to hand over to defence minister Jo\u00e3o Louren\u00e7o after 38 years in power. However, dos Santos will remain leader of the MPLA, which assuming it remains the largest parliamentary party, will be responsible for selecting Angola\u2019s president.<\/p>\n

    In Somaliland<\/strong><\/a>, President Silanyo has ruled out standing for another term; but with a severe drought affecting the self-declared state it may struggle to adhere to its electoral timetable. In the Democratic Republic of Congo<\/strong><\/a>, Joseph Kabila\u2019s mandate has expired. A transitional deal has raised hope for elections in 2017 \u2013 assuming the necessary resources and political will can be mustered. In neighbouring Rwanda<\/strong><\/a>, Paul Kagame will stand for his third seven-year term as president. This was legalised by a constitutional referendum in December 2015.<\/p>\n

    Kenya<\/strong><\/a> will stage nearly 2,000 electoral contests for county assemblies and governors, the Senate and National Assembly, and the presidency. Uhuru Kenyatta hopes to remain in State House for another term. Opposition coalitions are still being finalised, but his most likely main opponent is Raila Odinga, a former prime minister. A snap election will also be held in Lesotho<\/a> in June.<\/p>\n

    Use the resources below to explore analysis on upcoming votes\u00a0and review the\u00a0outcomes of concluded elections\u00a0across the continent. We are\u00a0updating this page on a rolling basis.
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    Election map<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Click on the countries highlighted on the map to browse resources assembled by ARI.<\/p>\n