Shock Upsets and Political Milestones Shake Up Africa in 2024

African voters participated in more than a dozen elections in 2024, including presidential, parliamentary, and local elections, writes Mariama Diallo for VOA. Many of Africa's longstanding ruling parties failed to retain power, while others suffered devastating defeats.

Comoros was the first African country to hold presidential elections in 2024, with former military officer Azali Assoumani reelected to power for a fourth term. Election results were immediately rejected by the opposition triggering violent protests. Mozambique's Frelimo party retained power amid youth-driven opposition protests. Namibia made history with the election of its first female president, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, despite electoral challenges.

Botswana has, however, ushered in a new era, electing a leader from the opposition for the first time in nearly 60 years. The African National Congress failed to secure an outright majority in South Africa, forming a coalition government due to internal party disagreements and public discontent.

In East Africa, Rwandan President Paul Kagame retained power with almost unanimous support, despite doubts about his popularity at home. In West Africa, Ghana saw John Mahama make a political comeback, focusing on economic reform, while Senegal elected Bassirou Diomaye Faye as the youngest president in Africa, promising corruption reforms and unity.

In the Sahel region, elections have been postponed in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger as a result of military juntas' desire to maintain control and tighten information restrictions, as reported by Reporters Without Borders in their rankings for 2024.