For Rwanda’s Kagame, critics including foreign nationals have to worry

On 31 December 2013, Patrick Karegeya, a former Rwandan intelligence chief was mysteriously assassinated in his hotel chamber at Michelangelo Hotel in Sandton, Johannesburg. Must it be the finger of Rwanda’s strong man–Paul Kagame? Hard to tell.

South Africa (SA) timidly but painfully launched an investigation whose result never came out.The truth, it seems, was simply buried—deep under the moving sand of realpolitik. No one will ever know why.

No place on earth for regime critics

Soon afterwards however, Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame, who had earlier denied any role in the assassination of the former spy chief, came out from his reserve and warns in no uncertain terms that those who betray him today will perish tomorrow. He then adds he wished he killed the man himself. 

For Kagame, there will be no place on earth for those who criticize his regime. His statement raises eyebrows but little diplomatic outcry.  Read full article on News24

Zille - Ramphele Rift Favors ANC as Elections Near

the Zille-Ramphele break-up ahead of the 2014 elections reminds me of  celebrity  marriages at Hollywood. Hollywood marriages seldom last. Some have lasted as short as55 hours while others lasted longer–as long as 52 days. That is it! If we can learn anything from Hollywood celebrities, it is that anything can become a dramatic film.

Glamorous, dramatic, thoughtless and short-lived, the breakup of the partnership between the Democratic Alliance headed by Helen Zille and Agang SA’s leader Mamphela Ramphele seems to have followed this pattern. That this happens only weeks ahead of the pending elections is ominous.  Who will be the winners and losers from this unexpected divorce? Read full article on News24

Can the ANC redeem its fading glory?

The South African ruling party, the African National Congress (ANC) has been enjoying more than 60% of voters’ support at virtually every election since 1994, the year that marked the beginning of democratic rule in the country.

South Africa: Is there any alternative to the ANC?

This is no time to leave the ANC alone. NO. Not when its controversial legacy is giving rise to so many legitimate concerns. As the 2014 election is up in the offing for the nation to set the sail for a new chapter in the country’s democracy, the natural question  for many  South Africans has been whether the ANC leadership can still be trusted after so many failures. Read full article on News24

South Africa cannot unproblematically afford to ignore the EFF

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) is composed of a bunch of losers and malcontents. The EFF is broke and cannot win elections. Malema, the head of the EFF, is a danger. And so goes the narrative as long as we feel justified in our vilification. Can informed South Africans afford to allow this vilification to unproblematically marginalize the EFF indefinitely?

If the EFF is so bad, why on earth are so many people identifying with or joining it? These perceived malcontent land-grabbing fellows might not be all right in their claims but can they be all wrong in their cause? How has Malema turned their grievances into opportunities? What might happen next if we keep ignoring them? Read full article on News24