Features

HARARE (Capital Markets in Africa) – For the first time since white minority rule ended in 1980, Zimbabweans won’t have the option of voting for Robert Mugabe when they choose their next leader. After driving the southern African nation to economic ruin, Mugabe unsuccessfully tried to line up his wife to succeed him and was forced to quit in November when the military briefly seized power and the ruling party threatened to impeach him. His former deputy…

JOHANNESBURG (Capital Markets in Africa) – Former South African President Jacob Zuma is seeking to ensure that his corruption case is never heard by applying for a permanent stay of prosecution over charges related to an arms deal two decades ago. Zuma appeared in the High Court in the eastern city of Pietermaritzburg on Friday where the case was provisionally postponed until Nov. 30. Lawyers for Thint, the company that was the South African unit of French…

LAGOS (Capital Markets in Africa) – After a series of missteps on economic and security issues, one of the things Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari could pin his re-election hopes on was a feeble opposition. Not anymore. More than fifty lawmakers and a state governor quit Buhari’s ruling All Progressives Congress this week, with the vast majority switching allegiances to the People’s Democratic Party. While both parties have struggled with internal divisions, the mass defections are breathing new…

YAOUNDE (Capital Markets in Africa) – Sama Jude knew it was time to flee his home town in western Cameroon when he heard the sound of gunfire ringing above the roof of the University of Buea where he’s taught for four years. As clashes between the nation’s army and separatist rebels intensified, the 41-year-old lecturer packed his bags and fled to the commercial capital, Douala, about 60 kilometers (37 miles) to the east. “You never…