This is the Weekly World News from Anthropological Inquiry, highlighting news stories from around the world that are being under-reported in American media, through local reporters and sources expressing their own perspectives in their own words.
In the fourth week of January, 2024, American media has been covering our own Presidential Election, but around the world, 2024 is shaping up to be a contentious election year, with many countries struggling with questions of inclusion, fairness, and the fine line between justice for all and political persecution. In Senegal, opposition leaders are in prison and some are calling for elections to be postponed. In Pakistan, after the collapse of the old government and the arrest of the Prime Minister, rival parties lay out starkly different visions for their country's future. And in the island nation of Tuvalu, voters rejected a Prime Minister who brokered a controversial treaty with Australia which many felt bartered away Tuvalu’s sovereignty in exchange for migration rights, as the nation’s population is soon expected to be displaced by Global Warming, and Tuvaluans debate how they can maintain their nation even after their islands are gone.
AFRICA:
Democracy on the Brink in West Africa
In Brief
The political situation is on edge in Africa as the new year begins with several contentious elections. Most importantly, there have been calls to postpone the upcoming Presidential Election in Senegal after the government removed from the ballot several popular opposition leaders, including Ousmane Sonko, a whistleblower and activist who has been repeatedly imprisoned by the government in moves his supporters insist are politically motivated. With many of the largest opposition parties dissolved and their leaders imprisoned, many fear that the coming election will serve as merely a coronation for current Prime Minister Amadou Ba, the chosen successor to current President Macky Sall. The questions of whether or not a prosecution is political, and whether or not certain people should be allowed on the ballot are ones that for better or worse America too is wrestling with, so it is very important to pay attention of how Senegal handles this, or botches it.
At the same time, Sierra Leone is facing an electoral crisis of its own, with an election marred by accusations of fraud, however, there is a sliver of good news, as Liberia celebrated its second consecutive peaceful transfer of power.
Présidentielle au Sénégal : le Conseil constitutionnel valide 20 candidats, Ousmane Sonko écarté
Presidential Election in Senegal: the Constitutional Council validates 20 candidates, omits Ousmane Sonko.
January 21, 2024 | France24 | France
Le Conseil constitutionnel sénégalais a publié, samedi 20 janvier, une liste définitive de 20 candidats à la présidentielle du 25 février sur laquelle ne figurent pas deux opposants notables: Ousmane Sonko, actuellement emprisonné, et Karim Wade, fils et ministre de l'ex-président Abdoulaye Wade, a constaté l'AFP.
On Saturday, January 20, The Senegalese Constitutional Council published a final list of 20 candidates for the Presidential Election on February 25th. This did not include two notable opposition leaders: Ousmane Sonko, currently imprisoned, and Karim Wade, the son and minister to the ex-president, Abdoulaye Wade, according to the AFP. [Translated by A.M. Kramer]
Senegal: Pre-Election Crackdown
January 22, 2024 | Human Rights Watch | International
The authorities in Senegal have cracked down on the opposition, media, and civil society, ahead of general elections scheduled for February 25, 2024, Human Rights Watch said today. The authorities should effectively investigate all violence by the security forces, release people arbitrarily detained, including on politically motivated grounds, and guarantee the rights to freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly, essential to genuinely free and fair elections.
Amadou Ba sur un éventuel report : «Toutes les dispositions sont prises pour une élection le 25 février»
Amadou Ba on Potential Postponement: “All the arrangements have been made for an election on February 25.”
January 27, 2024 | Le Quotidien | Senegal
Dans son prologue, le Premier ministre a tenté d’éclaircir son double rôle de chef de gouvernement et de candidat à la Présidentielle. Pour lui, cela ne handicape point l’un de ces postes. Il en veut pour exemple les Législatives de 2017 où il était candidat, mais que cela n’a empiété sur aucun de ces postes. «Je suis convaincu que ce dont le Sénégal a le plus besoin, ce sont des personnes, des responsables dévoués au travail», lâche-t-il.
During his introduction, the Prime Minister attempted to clarify his dual role as leader of the government and as Presidential candidate. For him, neither of these positions are in conflict. He gave the example of the 2017 legislative elections, when he was a candidate, but this did not encroach on any of his official duties. “I am convinced that what Senegal needs most are people - leaders dedicated to work,” he said. [Translated by A.M. Kramer]
La PFPC appelle à la tenue d’une élection présidentielle apaisée
The PFPC Calls for a Peaceful Presidential Election
January 27, 2024 | Sud Quotidien | Senegal
«Nous militons pour une élection présidentielle transparente, apaisée, inclusive et démocratique», a déclaré, vendredi, la présidente de la plateforme des femmes pour la paix en Casamance, Ndeye Marie Diedhiou. Elle a invité tous les acteurs du processus électoral au »sens de responsabilité, au civisme et à la citoyenneté ». »Notre pays, le Sénégal a connu un climat délétère en 2023 et la région de Ziguinchor fut l’une des plus touchées lors de ces événements », a t-elle rappelé, faisant allusion aux manifestations violentes consécutives à la condamnation de l’opposant et maire de Ziguinchor Ousmane Sonko dans une affaire de »viol ».
“We are fighting for a transparent, peaceful, inclusive and democratic presidential election,” declared Ndeye Marie Diedhiou, President of the Women’s Platform for Peace in Casamance on Friday. She invited all those involved in the electoral process to show a “sense of responsibility, civic-mindedness, and citizenship.” “The political environment in our country, Senegal, deteriorated in 2023, and the Ziguinchor region was among those most affected by these events,” she said, alluding to the violent demonstrations following the conviction of opposition leader and former mayor of Ziguinchor, Ousmane Sonko, in a sexual assault case. [Translated by A.M. Kramer]
EU report on rigged elections in Sierra Leone makes for uncomfortable reading for President Bio
by Abdul Rashid Thomas
January 20, 2023 | The Sierra Leone Telegraph | Sierra Leone
As elections crisis in Sierra Leone rumbles on following the controversial declaration of President Bio as the winner for another term of office, pressure is mounting on the country’s electoral body to publish all Results Reconciliation Forms (RRFs) for all polling stations to prove that Julius Maada and his ruling SLPP won the elections. In the meantime, the international community operating in the country are refusing to endorse the elections results.
Achievement For Liberia, Hope for The Region: ANC Political Leader Alexander Cummings Lauds President Weah for the Peaceful Transfer of Power
January 23, 2024 | Front Page Africa | Liberia
Liberia celebrated a historic milestone on Monday as the nation witnessed its second peaceful transfer of power since the end of the civil war. The inauguration of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai marked a significant moment for the West African nation, providing hope for a region grappling with the threat of undemocratic disruptions and authoritarianism.
ASIA:
In a Tense Pakistan, Parties offer Stark Contrasts
In Brief
While Pakistan has been in the American news lately for its alarmingly escalating exchange of missile attacks with Iran in the region of Balochistan, the country is also currently under the governance of a caretaker government while it waits for a general election after the previous government collapsed and former Prime Minister Imran Khan was arrested. In the coming elections, Khan remains broadly popular, but he is on trial rather than on the ballot, and his supporters have been clashing with police, while his party calls for constitutional reforms to allow for the direct election of the Prime Minister. Meanwhile the Bilawal Bhutto Zardari of the PPP is calling for a Truth and Reconciliation committee to investigate the many violent political upheavals in Pakistan’s history. His mother, Benazir Bhutto, and his grandfather, Zulfikar Ali Bhuto, were both Prime Ministers before him, and both were assassinated. Meanwhile, Nawaz Sharif of the populist PML-N has released a radical new manifesto calling for drastic economic reforms to empower workers and farmers, while conservative Islamic voices have accused the PML, which stands for Pakistani Muslim League, of becoming a secular party. To what extent any of these factions can deliver on their grand visions remains to be seen, but most observers agree Pakistani society is more politically polarized now than ever before.
More of the same?
by Maleeha Lodhi
January 29, 2024 | Dawn | Pakistan
Is the general election this time any different from previous ones? Or is it more of the same? There are several significant similarities with past polls. The same parties are contesting — some reincarnations of older ones while others cobbled together by defectors from another party. … But there are also several departures from the past which have been obscured in much of the commentary about the elections. For a start, the polls are taking place against the backdrop of the most serious economic crisis the country has ever faced. This itself is distinct from the past as it has involved far-reaching repercussions for people, in the form of a cost-of-living crisis, rising unemployment and increased poverty. … A second difference is the intensely polarised atmosphere in which the election is taking place. Polarised politics is of course not new. But the extent of polarisation today is unprecedented, dividing people and society along intensely partisan lines. There is much less tolerance than in the past for political opponents, while a toxic quality has been injected into the political conversation and debased what passes for debate.
Almost 51pc polling stations are sensitive: ECP
by Mumtaz Alvi
January 29, 2024 | The News International | Pakistan
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has declared almost 51 percent 46,065 of the total 90,675 polling stations being established for the upcoming general elections as sensitive and 18,437 highly sensitive ones. … A senior official conceded that over 150,000 less polling booths are being established then required under the law, which will make it almost impossible at various places for all present to vote, if the turn-out is high.
Crackdown on PTI rallies amid election trail
January 28, 2024 | The Express Tribune | Pakistan
Law enforcement and police agencies launch a widespread crackdown on Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers and candidates across multiple cities on Sunday, following calls for rallies by imprisoned former prime minister Imran Khan ahead of the February 8 general elections. … PTI Central Punjab General Secretary Hammad Azhar, took to X (formerly Twitter) and stated, "My 82-year-old father was arrested. He wanted to lead a rally as per his democratic and constitutional rights”. “Pakistan has today been reduced to a total fascist state with zero human rights or rule of law. One Nawaz Sharif and his daughter calling the shots and ruining the country,” he added.
Bilawal steps up election rhetoric
January 29, 2024 | Business Recorder | Pakistan
Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has said that PPP would steer the country out of the multi-faceted crises after coming into power. Addressing a public gathering in Liaquat Bagh here on Sunday, he said: “This is the same city where Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto were martyred. I have come to this city because the country is in danger,” he said. … The society is plagued with the politics of hatred and division, and the PPP is the only party that aims to bury it forever, he added. The PPP resolves to establish a truth and reconciliation commission to help unify the country so that the country can progress and prosper, Bilawal added.
Nawaz Sharif unveils PML-N’s development-oriented manifesto
January 28, 2024 | The Nation | Pakistan
Finally, Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PMLN) Quaid Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif on Saturday unveiled his party’s manifesto ahead of the general elections. … Following are the salient features of PML-N’s manifesto. Farmer’s prosperity through smart agriculture, building a climate resilient Pakistan, mapping judicial constitutional governance and local government reforms, inclusive growth, equality of opportunity through quality education, affordable and sustainable electricity, navigating peace across borders, reshaping healthcare, unleashing growth through digital Pakistan, rights and prosperity for those who build Pakistan, ushering Pakistan into a new era of information film drama and music, resilience and sovereignty, ensuring country’s energy security, sustainable population roadmap, overseas Pakistani: together rebuild Pakistan, unity and diversity, reinventing tourism, trade through exports, efficient infrastructure, protection and empowerment, water security, empower women, youth our collective future.
ن لیگ آئین کی اسلامی شقوں کی مخالف بن گئی
The PML-N has become an Opponent of the Islamic Provisions of the Constitution!
by Ansar Abbasi
January 29, 2024 | Daily Jang | Pakistan
مسلم لیگ نواز نے بالآخر اپنا الیکشن منشور پیش کر دیا جس پر میرا سب سے بڑا اعتراض اس وعدہ پر ہے کہ ن لیگ اگر الیکشن جیت گئی تو آئین کے آرٹیکل 62-63 کو اپنی اصل شکل میں بحال کرے گی۔ اس کا مطلب یہ کہ آرٹیکل 62-63 کی اسلامی شقوں کا ن لیگ اقتدار میں آ کر خاتمہ کرنا چاہتی ہے…پاکستان کا سیکولراور لبرل طبقہ ایک عرصہ سے آئین میں موجود اسلامی شقوں کے خاتمے کیلئے مختلف حیلے بہانےاستعمال کرتا رہا ہے۔ ن لیگ جو کبھی پاکستان کے اسلامی نظریہ کی بات کرتی تھی گزشتہ کئی سال کے دوران ایک سیکولر جماعت بن کرسامنے آئی ہے اور اسی لیے اب اس کو آئین کی اسلامی شقوں پر اعتراض ہونا شروع ہو گیا ہے۔
PML-N has finally presented its election manifesto, on which my biggest objection is the promise that PML-N will restore Article 62-63 of the Constitution in its original form if it wins the election. This means that the PML-N wants to abolish the Islamic clauses of Article 62-63 after coming to power … The secular and liberal class of Pakistan has been using various pretexts to eliminate the Islamic clauses in the constitution for a long time. The PML-N, which used to talk about the Islamic ideology of Pakistan, has emerged as a secular party in the last several years and that is why now it has started objecting to the Islamic provisions of the constitution. [Translation by Google Translate]
Analysts sceptical of PPP, PML-N ‘impractical’ manifestos
by Noman Awan
January 28, 2024 | The Express Tribune | Pakistan
The electoral manifestos recently unveiled by Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) just two weeks ahead of the general elections have left political analysts and observers unconvinced. Critics argue that both parties' manifestos lack substance and fail to address the pressing realities of Pakistan, adding that they rely on promises without offering concrete implementation plans.
PACIFIC:
Tuvalu Voters Reject Prime Minister amid Sovereignty Concerns
In Brief
The island nation of Tuvalu is facing destruction. Rising sea levels are already inundating the country, and it is expected to be uninhabitable by the end of the century. Last year, the world was surprised when Tuvalu’s Prime Minister announced a treaty with Australia that secured rights for Tuvaluans to migrate to Australia, in exchange for giving Australia veto power over Tuvalu’s national security decisions, implicitly, to guard against the influence of China. While many around the world heralded this as a victory for climate justice and a strategic victory over China, the people of Tuvalu themselves had concerns about how much of their sovereignty they were giving up, and this week, they voted Prime Minister Kausea Natano out of office.
Climate threatened Tuvalu holds election watched by Taiwan, China
by Kristy Needham
January 25, 2024 | Reuters | International
Voting began on Friday in the tiny Pacific Island nation of Tuvalu in a national election that is being closely watched by China, Taiwan, the US and its ally Australia, amid a tussle for influence in the region. Tuvalu, with a population of about 11,200 spread across nine islands, has campaigned at international conferences for greater action to help low-lying nations address climate change, because science shows its capital Funafuti risks being inundated by tides by 2050. … Tuvalu signed a security and migration agreement with Australia in November that allows Canberra to vet security ties. Sopoaga has rejected the Australia deal, while Kofe said some aspects should be revised.
More than just a climate deal: The Australia-Tuvalu Falepili Union treaty and the EU’s potential contribution to the Pacific
by Frédéric Grare & Manisha Reuter
December 6, 2023 | European Council on Foreign Relations | International
In early November, on the sidelines of the Pacific Islands Forum in the Cook Islands, Australia’s prime minister Anthony Albanese and Kausea Natano, his counterpart from Tuvalu, a Polynesian archipelago, announced that they would elevate their bilateral relationship to a more integrated partnership known as the Falepili Union. … European officials have focused on the significance of the agreement in the context of the climate crisis, arguing that it highlights the need for all countries to drastically reduce carbon emissions. In the media, the treaty has sometimes been referred to as a strategic victory by Australia over China, though little if any attention has been paid to the actual security provisions. But the partnership holds important lessons about how to engage with potential partners in the Indo-Pacific.
‘Another form of colonialism’: Academics react to Tuvalu-Australia treaty
November 16, 2023 | Pacific Media Network | New Zealand (Tuvalu)
A Samoan academic in Australia describes the country's recently signed treaty with Tuvalu as "unbelievable". The historic pact between Tuvalu and Australia, gives Tuvalu visas, land reclamation and $16.9 million in climate funding, and Australia gets veto rights on any security agreements Tuvalu is considering with other countries. University of Adelaide research fellow Maualaivao Maima Koro questions whether both countries are on the same page. “This is just another form of colonialism. Going back to this agreement, the wording … much of the language is about dignity, much of the language is around sovereignty, but is there an alignment of understanding of how this works and the details about how this is going to be implemented?”
Tuvalu’s prime minister reportedly loses his seat in crucial elections on the Pacific island nation
January 27, 2024 | Associated Press | International
Prime Minister Kausea Natano reportedly lost his seat in parliament in elections on the tiny Pacific island nation of Tuvalu. … A proposed security treaty between Tuvalu and Australia could also hang in the balance. The treaty commits Australia to help Tuvalu in response to major natural disasters, health pandemics and military aggression. The treaty gives also Australia veto power over any security or defense-related agreement Tuvalu wants to make with any other country, including China.
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