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Politics are in shambles across the world. Populism and political gambles are making headlines from London to Washington. Southern Africa is no exception. If its any comfort, this suggests that theres nothing genuinely typical about African versions of political populism. Nor are the flaws in democracy typically African.

This might put some events into wider perspective. But its nonetheless worrying to follow the current political turmoil in some southern Africa countries.

The regional hegemon, South Africa, is embroiled in domestic policy tensions of unprecedented proportions since it became a democracy. And the situation in the sub-region is not much better.

The state of opposition politics and democracy is in a shambles too. The fragile political climate and the mentality of most opposition politicians hardly offer meaningful alternatives. This is possibly an explanation but no excuse for the undemocratic practices permeating almost every one of the regions democracies.

Beyond multi-party systems with regular elections, they resemble very little of true democracies.

SOUTH AFRICAN HICCUPS

At the end of May the dimensions of state capture in South Africa were set out in a report published by an academic team.

It shows how deeply the personalised systematic plundering of state assets is entrenched. Additional explosive evidence was presented only days later through thousands of leaked e-mails. Dubbed the Gupta Leaks, they document a mafia-like network among Zuma-loyalists and the Indian Gupta family.

The evidence points to massive influence, if not control, over political appointments, the hijacking of higher public administration and embezzlement of enormous proportions.

Some 65% of South Africans want Zuma to resign. An all-time low approval rating of 20% makes him less popular among the electorate than even US President Donald Trump. Despite this combined with growing demands from within the party that he steps down the ANC still backs its president.

But divisions within the party are deepening, with some in its leadership demanding an investigation into the Gupta patronage network.

For his part, Zuma is focused on pulling strings to secure Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma as his successor as president of the party. The other front-runner candidate is Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Zumas assumption appears to be that, once in office, his former wife would not endorse any legal prosecution of the father of her children.

But the countrys official opposition party, Democratic Alliance (DA), isnt reaping the benefits of the ANCs blunders. It has its own problems, which are constraining the gains it might otherwise be making from the ANCs mess.

The party is divided over what to do about its former leader and Premier of the Western Cape province, Helen Zille following a tweet in which she defended the legacy of colonialism. The comment whipped up a storm of protest and for weeks the party had been at pains on how to deal with the scandal.

DA leader Mmusi Maimane finally announced that Zille had been suspended from the party and that a disciplinary hearing would decide what further political consequences she might face. But a resilient Zille immediately challenged the decision.

Whatever the outcome, the DAs image is damaged. Its aspirations to be the countrys new majority party has been dealt a major blow.

REGIONAL WOES

In Angola, 74-year-old Jose Eduardo dos Santos, who has been in office since 1979, has decided to select a successor. The scenario will secure that the family oiligarchy will remain in control of politics and the countrys economy, while the governing Peoples Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) uses the state apparatus to ruthlessly suppress any meaningful social protests.

In contrast Robert Mugabe reigning in Zimbabwe since independence in 1980 - shows no intention of retiring. He was nominated again as the Zimbabwe African Nation Union/Patriotic Fronts (Zanu/PF) candidate for the 2018 presidential elections. But everyone is anxiously following the partys internal power struggles over the ailing autocrats replacement. Fears are that the vacuum created by his departure might create a worse situation.

While the regimes constant violation of human rights is as in Angola geared towards preventing any form of meaningful opposition, there are concerns that the unresolved succession might add another violent dimension to local politics.

Zambias democracy also looks sad. The countrys main opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema of the United Party for National Development (UPND) is on trial for high treason. Hichilema has been embroiled in a personal feud with President Edgar Lungu of the governing Patriotic Front (PF) for years. He was arrested in early April after obstructing the presidents motor cavalcade. The charge of high treason is based on the accusation that he wilfully put President Lungus life in danger.

The trial is feeding growing concerns over an increasingly autocratic regime. The once praised democracy, which allowed for several relatively peaceful transfers of political power since the turn of the century, is now in decline.

Lesotho is also in a mess. It provides a timely reminder that competing parties seeking to obtain political control over governments are by no means a guarantee for better governance. Aptly described as a Groundhog Day election, citizens in the crisis-ridden country went to the polls for the third time since 2012 with no new alternatives or options.

Their limited choice is between two former prime ministers aged 77 (Tom Thabane) and 72 (Pakalitha Mosisili). The likely election result is another fragile coalition government provided the military accepts the result.

Meanwhile, the biggest challenge for relative political stability in the region might still be in the making: President Joseph Kabila, whose second term in office in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) ended in December 2016, is still hanging on with the promise that hell vacate the post by end of this year.

Despite a constitutional two-term limit, his plans remain a matter of speculation. In a recent interview, he was characteristically evasive. He refused to give a straight answer on whether hes still considering another term and flatly denied that he had promised anything, including elections.

Kabilas extended stay in office threatens to exacerbate an already explosive and violent situation, with potentially devastating consequences.

His continued reign would not only provoke further bloodshed at home. Any spill-over will challenge the Southern African Development Communitys willingness and ability to find solutions to regional conflicts in the interests of relative stability. A stability which is at best fragile and indicative of the crisis of policy in most of the regional bodys member states.

Henning Melber is extraordinary professor, Department of Political Sciences, University of Pretoria.

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[OPINION] Democracy is looking sickly across southern Africa - Eyewitness News

This year, therell be four pivotal elections across the continentnamely, in Kenya, Rwanda, Angola (all in August) , and Liberia (October). These general and presidential elections could reshape not only the political institutions in these nations but are also likely to have an impact on peace and security, governance, development and economic growth.

The fear of ethnic-induced violence in Kenya, the angst around the succession plan in Rwanda, the end of the worlds longest running presidencies in Angola, and the task of replacing Africas first female president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf in Liberia will all be significant milestones, indicative of where Africas electoral politics goes from here.

In late May, president Paul Kagame gave his strongest hint yet that he could step down after the upcoming August elections. Elected in 2003 with more than 95% of the vote, Kagame has in the past promised to leave office, especially if he didnt build national institutions that would allow him to preside over a peaceful transfer of power. But that will be a step easier said than done.

Some Rwandans assert a third term would allow Kagame to consolidate the socioeconomic and technological progress the country has achieved under his leadership. Others argue that Kagame and his party, the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF), have used the memory of the genocide to limit competitive politics and undermine dissent. In fact, other observers have warned that keeping Kagame in office could produce violence in the future, and could push rivals to extricate him.

Edward Paice, the director of the Africa Research Institute, says the situation will become clearer closer to the 2024 elections. A Putin-Medvedev-style shuffle was speculated, Paice says, but nothing was put into effectshowing that even if he stands down, Kagame will still remain a central figure in [Rwandan] politics.

As a regional economic powerhouse, transport hub with a relatively open democracy, Kenyas elections attract attention well beyond its borders. In its 2013 election, more than 23,000 local and international observers monitored the Kenyan election.

The 2017 Kenyan presidential elections will be another two-horse race between Raila Odinga and the incumbent Uhuru Kenyatta. Since the bloody aftermath of the 2007 elections, Kenya has adopted a progressive constitution that devolved the system of power and mandated the distribution of resources to counties. But the biggest challenge facing the country, observers say, is the weakness of key institutions like the electoral commission. The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission was only sworn in Januarya breach of recommendations that outlined commissioners be in office two years in advance. Polls also show that the Kenyan public doesnt trust the Supreme Court to handle an election petition if the results are contested by either party.

Murithi Mutiga, senior Horn of Africa analyst with the International Crisis Group, says that this means the potential for a contested outcome resulting in inter-communal conflict or violent street protests remain high.

On Saturday (June 3), thousands of Angolans protested in the streets of the capital Luanda to demand free and fair elections. After 38 years in power, president Jose Eduardo dos Santos will step down, with defense minister Joo Lourenco emerging as the chosen successor.

The election is set to mark a significant turn for the oil-rich nation, which has been ruled by one party since independence in 1975. Since he ascended to the presidency, dos Santos has been accused of crushing dissent, appointed his daughterAfricas richest womanto lead the state oil company, and his son to head the nations $5 billion sovereign wealth fund.

But Lourenco is set to inherit a country struggling with low oil prices, rising inflation rates, and increasing poverty. And those expecting radical change might be disappointed. Power in the country will remain in the hands of the military because Lourenco is a general, Nuno Dala, an opposition activist, said.

Africas oldest republic heads to the polls in October to elect a leader to succeed president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. So far, 11 candidates have registered including Alexander Cummings, a former Coca-Cola executive; vice president Joseph Boakai; and former football star George Weah. All the candidates say they want to deal with poverty and unemployment, tackle widespread health problems including Ebola risk, and improve infrastructural development.

The race also features one woman, an ex-model who wants to be the countrys second female president. MacDella Cooper is running on a five-point platform that hopes to provide free education for all, universal health care, electricity in every home, decentralizing governance, and dealing with land ownership.

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Kenya, Rwanda, Angola, and Liberia elections could show where ... - Quartz

Divisive discourse. Trumps tweets. Fake news.

The 2016 Election revealed the surprising ways the internet can shape Americans political views. Voters were exposed to strategically placed misinformation, propaganda posts composed by automated programs and an increased volume on hate speech and hostile political rhetoric.

Stanford law professor Nate Persily has written about this phenomenon in a journal article called Can Democracy Survive The Internet?

If what we saw in 2016 was just the beginning, what can we expect the next national election to be like? With all the political noise the internet is generating, can true democracy still be heard?

GUESTS

Nate Persily, James B. McClatchy professor of law, Stanford University

Zeynep Tufekci, Author, Twitter and Tear Gas: The Power and Fragility of Networked Protest; associate professor, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hills School of Information and Library Science; faculty associate at the Harvard Berkman Klein Center

Wael Ghonim, Internet activist

Aaron Sharockman, Executive director, Politifact

For more, visit http://the1a.org.

2017 WAMU 88.5 American University Radio.

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Can The Democracy Survive The Internet?: Lessons From 2016 - NPR Illinois | 91.9 UIS

Okay, I have kept silent long enough. I have had to change the Band-Aids on my tongue at least four times this week and at this rate I am going to need some stitches. Isaac Asimov once said something about democracy that for years I didnt understand. But today I think get it and perhaps you will too. Heres what he said; There is a cult of ignorance in the United States, and the strain of anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge. Theres an old childrens song with the lyrics something like this; Oh be careful little eyes what you see, oh be careful little ears what you hear, oh be careful little feet where you go I havent heard that song in a great long while. Nor have I heard a contemporary song with a similar message.

That great French comedian and humorist, Joseph de Maistre, okay he was actually a philosopher, said; Every country has the government they deserve. Later in the same document he said; In a democracy people get the leaders they deserve. Im just like you, I thought Abraham Lincoln said that and maybe, but if he did, he was quoting Joseph de Maistre. (pronounced Mys tray) Oh yeah, Joseph was quite a corker, a laugh a minute. Heres another rich one; False opinions are like false money, struck first of all by guilty men and thereafter circulated by honest people who perpetuate the crime without knowing what they are doing. I dont know about you but when I read that statement I instantly thought of every talking head I have seen on the news programs and several coffee break conversations I have ever had.

Here are some things that I do understand about our government. It is designed to encourage debate and the balance of power. I feel certain that no democracy cannot survive operating as a feud. Here in Kentucky most of us understand the zero sum game of a feud. Democracy requires discussion; not sound bites, collaboration not shouting matches and clear judgement not rash hysteria. Democracy should be focused upon how we all can win, not on how we make certain the others lose. And another thing Democracy needs is each of us having a practicing respect for all our laws.

Getting back to our new acquaintance and guest comedian, Joseph de Maistre. He nailed it again with this whopper. All grandeur, all power, all subordination to authority rest upon the executioner: He is the horror and the bond of human association. Remove this incomprehensible agent from the world and at that very moment order gives way to chaos, thrones topple and society disappears. Can you imagine a world where no one expects repercussions for their actions? Why, people would be texting while their driving, double parking on Main Street. Children would adorn themselves with ink and perforations. Ignorance would be a point of pride; no need to know that; no concern to me as long as I can watch my TV, iPad, electronic device of choice.

Our news commentators, radio, TV or papers are most often overflowing with bile and bitterness. Soon, no one will respect any office or voice of government. No one will care if we all suffer just so long as our supposed enemies dont get to succeed.

Instead of being a country of individuals we have become glops of demographics. I can prove that. I can prove that we have all happily clumped ourselves into nice little boxes of hims, hers, Dems, libs, indys, Repubs and this list goes on. Just look at the things that are being celebrated in the beautiful month of June. I cant list them all, I have over four double-sided pages of celebrations. Sixty celebrations claim the whole month.

Today, June 3rd is I repeat day. Today, June 3rd is I repeat day.

June 18th International Panic Day, National Splurge Day, and June 19th World Sauntering Day, you know; maybe that joker Joseph de Maistre has it right. After reviewing this massive list of celebrations, things that are important enough to claim a whole month, perhaps he is absolutely right. Perhaps, we do have the government we deserve.

One final thing; We can change that government by participation, education, attention to details, a refusal to accept half-truths, sound bites and of course; we all should vote. Now, does anyone have another Band-Aid? My tongue is bitten again.

Don Buck P. Creacy can be reached at doncreacy@gmail.com

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Democracy and June; a step too far? - News- Graphic (subscription)

The Tory party has been accused by Labour of using fake news ads on Facebook to attack Jeremy Corbyn, seen here at a campaign event in Blyth, north-east England, on 5 June. Photograph: Scott Heppell/AFP/Getty Images

Im not a Labour voter, but your front-page article (Labour accuses Tories of using fake news ads to attack Corbyn, 3 June) brought a physical reaction I dont often experience from a newspaper: faintness, dizziness, a feeling of suffocation. Of course I knew that the Tories twist the truth at every opportunity, but I had naively supposed that nowadays they preferred to leave the outright dishonesty to their friends the press barons. Such shenanigans are not unknown at constituency level, but it comes as an urgent wake-up call to see the party rolling out this poisonous fabrication nationally in the middle of an election campaign, and via a channel (Facebook) that ensures it is unchallengeable by the regulators.

This smear campaign is not so much an attack on Jeremy Corbyn as an assault on democracy a fat middle finger raised to the electorate by a sneering bully in blue. It seems there are few depths to which this party will not sink to cement its loosening grip on power. Insofar as she has a direction at all, Theresa May seems desperate to drag our country towards totalitarianism. We have to stop her. Rob Sykes Oxford

Many thanks for exposing the moral vacuum in which the Tory campaign is being planned and carried out. It is to be hoped that Theresa May, who spoke on TV on Friday night about the need for trust in public life, will fire the individuals responsible for this cyber-slander. Is it too late to remind your readers that a new Tory government will implement the constituency boundary changes quickly to ensure a Tory victory in 2022 and for several elections thereafter? The possibility of the UK becoming de facto a one-party state is frighteningly real.

Secondly, I am saddened that you have not respectfully marked the demise of the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. In Scotland we are being asked to vote for Ruth Davidsons Conservatives. My local candidate bills herself as Ruth Davidsons candidate, and Ms Davidson herself in an election TV broadcast asked us to Vote for me and my team. A rampant personality cult is developing here. Move over Kim Jong-un. Peter Simmons North Berwick, East Lothian

It was interesting to read Zoe Williams account of her short visit to North East Hampshire villages (Prosperity in search of a steady hand, 1 June). Those of us who live in the constituency but do not have any sympathies for, or inclination to vote for, the Tory party know only too well that so many of our friends, who we love dearly, would not normally think of voting any other way. But we also know that things can and do change. There are enough of us subversives lurking in the background to make us believe that things could turn out very differently this year. My Lib Dem poster stands out bravely in a cul de sac where only residents and dog walkers will see it, but I am still confident that this election will surprise.

In response to a taxi driver who said quite correctly, regarding Brexit negotiations, Were not at war with Europe, Zoe asked Arent we, though? If she really believes this, it is one of the most depressing asides I have read since the referendum vote. If whoever is in power goes into the Brexit negotiations with the attitude that we are at war with Europe, there is no hope whatsoever for the future of this country. Janet Davies Resident of a North East Hampshire village

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Conservatives' fake news ads are an assault on democracy - The Guardian