ECOWAS is 'ready to go anytime the order is given’ for a military intervention in Niger. That's what the bloc’s commissioner for peace and security said on the second day of a military meeting in Ghana. West African defence chiefs discussed strategy for a possible intervention and came up with a plan to restore democracy in Niger, although no specific date was given. A diplomatic effort is not excluded as the bloc could send a delegation to Niger on Saturday.
A coalition of seven political parties in South Africa has signed a pact in a bid to unseat the governing African National Congress (ANC) in the 2024 election. The alliance is urging other parties to join them in an effort to secure enough votes. The ANC is at risk of losing its parliamentary majority, and therefore the presidency, for the first time since democracy was established in 1994. This comes against a backdrop of growing discontent with corruption, an unprecedented energy crisis and high unemployment.
Zimbabwe will be heading to the polls on Wednesday amid one of the world’s highest rates of inflation and accusations of a crackdown on the opposition. Just a few days ago, police arrested 40 members of the leading opposition party for blocking traffic and disrupting order during a campaign event. A court denied the opposition CCC access to the final voters' roll.
