Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

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President Mahama Ends ‘Thank You’ Tour: Calls for Unity, Economic Transformation, and Peace

Source: APO – Report:

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President John Dramani Mahama on Friday concluded his national ‘Thank You’ Tour triumphantly in Dambai, Oti Region. The tour, a journey of appreciation and dialogue, saw the President reaffirm his commitment to governing Ghana with sincerity, dedication, vision, and integrity.

Throughout his engagements across the 16 regions, President Mahama emphasised the crucial role of traditional leaders. He reiterated his dedication to strengthening traditional governance frameworks and improving the capacity of Chiefs to actively and meaningfully participate in national decision-making processes.

Addressing a lively and colourful durbar in Dambai, President Mahama gave an encouraging update on his administration’s flagship economic plan.

“I am pleased to report that our Reset Agenda is firmly on track,” he declared. “We have begun a bold and necessary journey—to reset our economy, rebuild national institutions, and restore hope. This is the Reset Agenda, grounded in fairness, discipline, inclusion, and accountability.”

He encouraged Ghanaians to embrace a new mindset and actively engage in the transformative national journey.

President Mahama called for collective action to unlock the potential of the country:
“The time to act is now. I urge you to embrace the opportunities presented by our flagship initiatives—from the 24-Hour Economy to the National Apprenticeship Programme, Free Primary Healthcare, Digital Governance, and Export-Led Industrialisation.”

A significant portion of the President’s address was dedicated to the indispensable role of peace in fostering national development. He expressed deep concern over the recent insecurity in Nkwanta, condemning the “unfortunate killing, maiming of innocent people and destruction to property over disagreements” as utterly unacceptable.

Mr Mahama said, “All these things I’ve talked about, all this infrastructure development I’ve talked about, cannot take place if we do not have peace. And that’s why the development in Nkwanta is troubling.”

He made a fervent appeal to all parties involved, “I wish to appeal to all those in Nkwanta who are involved in the conflict to please lay down your arms.”

Responding to an appeal by Nana Soglo Alloh IV, Paramount Chief of the Likpe Traditional Area and President of the Oti Regional House of Chiefs, for a military barracks in Nkwanta, President Mahama stated that there is a need for local, sustainable solutions over military intervention.

He argued that resources dedicated to a military camp could be better invested in life-changing development projects.

“It’s completely unacceptable,” he stated firmly. “Let’s use our traditional mechanisms to establish peace. We should be fighting poverty, not fighting each other. We should be asking for hospitals and schools and jobs and things, not military camps.”

The President shared positive feedback from the 2025 Mid-year Budget Review, indicating Ghanaians are satisfied with the government’s economic management so far.

He defined the “Reset Agenda” as a bold journey to reset our economy, rebuild national institutions, and restore hope, all grounded in fairness, discipline, inclusion, and accountability.

President Mahama urged everyone to seize opportunities from flagship initiatives like the 24-Hour Economy, National Apprenticeship Programme, Free Primary Healthcare, Digital Governance and Export-Led Industrialisation

The President expressed deep concern about the insecurity in Nkwanta, appealing for an end to the conflict.

“All this development cannot take place if we do not have peace,” he stressed. “We should be fighting poverty, not fighting each other. We should be asking for hospitals and schools and jobs and things, not military camps.”

– on behalf of The Presidency, Republic of Ghana.

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Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation Discusses Future Economic, Trade, and Investment Relations with British Minister for International Development Between The Two Countries

Source: APO – Report:

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H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, held a discussion session with Baroness Jenny Chapman, UK Minister of State for International Development, during the G20 Development Ministers’ Meeting in South Africa. The meetings witnessed extensive discussions on the future of economic, trade, and investment relations between the two countries in light of their close partnership, as well as joint coordination in international forums to advance efforts to restructure the global financial system and review proposed efforts to restructure the working mechanisms of the United Nations, as well as discussing the outcomes of the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development in Seville.

During the meeting, both sides expressed their anticipation of the upcoming visit to Cairo announced by the UK Prime Minister’s Office, which will represent a qualitative shift in bilateral Egyptian-British relations, elevating them to a strategic partnership level, in addition to its role in opening up avenues for cooperation across various levels between the two sides. It is also an extension of the strategic partnership between Egypt and the European Union, which was announced in 2024. 

During the meeting, the two ministers agreed on the need to activate the recommendations issued by various international forums to restructure the global financial system, ensuring a more efficient and fair financial architecture, especially for developing countries, achieving greater transparency in financing mechanisms, and expanding concessional financing. They also discussed proposals for restructuring the working mechanisms of the United Nations system to make it more influential in the global economy, emphasizing the need to adopt comprehensive coordination and follow-up mechanisms to ensure sustainability and enhance national participation in UN efforts.

The meeting witnessed extensive discussions on various aspects of the partnership between the Arab Republic of Egypt and the United Kingdom, particularly in terms of trade exchange, British investments in Egypt, economic relations, and development cooperation. H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat reaffirmed Egypt’s keenness to develop these relations and build on the pioneering results achieved over the past years, particularly in food security, support for start-ups, and small and medium enterprises.

The two sides reviewed frameworks for bilateral cooperation in the field of development finance, the UK’s contribution to financing development policies through the World Bank, as well as the role of UK Export Finance (UKEF) which supports project financing in Egypt, and the financing mechanisms provided by British International Investment (BII), which considers Egypt one of its priority markets. 

In this context, the Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation reviewed preparations for launching the “National Narrative for Economic Development,” which is an executive program to promote structural transformation in the Egyptian economy toward tradable sectors, encourage foreign direct investment, industrial development, and support labor market and employment. H.E. noted that since March 2024, the government has implemented economic and structural reforms that have contributed to macroeconomic stability and created a favorable investment climate and business environment.

The two sides also discussed close cooperation within the framework of the Egyptian National Platform for Green Projects, the “NWFE” program, which focuses on linking water, food, and energy nexus, particularly through BII and its financing to support energy and green hydrogen projects. In addition to the UK’s role in providing support and assistance to global climate funds, represented by the Climate Investment Funds (CIF) and the Green Climate Fund (GCF). Additionally, the meeting highlighted the launch of the “Green Growth: Egypt–UK” campaign in June 2025, which will continue until COP30 Climate Conference to accelerate green economy partnerships.

Given that the UK is one of the largest investors in Egypt in sectors in the energy, telecommunications, pharmaceuticals, and consumer goods, and in light of the Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2024 between the Egyptian General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI) and UKEF to strengthen investment relations, the two ministers explored the significant role of the Egyptian-British Business Association (BEBA) and the Egyptian-British Chamber of Commerce (EBCC) in connecting companies, facilitating investment, and enhancing trade exchange between the two countries.

For her part, the British Minister emphasized the diverse historical relations between the two countries, which share close ties and cooperation across various fields. H.E. also praised Egypt’s significant efforts in addressing the humanitarian crisis facing Palestinians in Gaza and the role of the Egyptian leadership in delivering humanitarian aid to the Strip, affirming her country’s full support for these efforts. She expressed her hope for reaching an immediate and sustainable ceasefire that would allow safe and regular delivery of aid.

– on behalf of Ministry of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation – Egypt.

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Parliament calls for accelerated action on gender equality

Source: Government of South Africa

Parliament has called for an acceleration in gender equality and women’s empowerment across the African continent.

Addressing Parliament’s G20 special engagement between Parliament and the Pan-African Parliament’s (PAP) women and young parliamentarians, held in Johannesburg on Friday, Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane, challenged parliamentarians to lead an “epistemic shift” by unlearning the colonial ideologies that continue to shape public policy, and to build a new legislative framework grounded in equity, reparations and dignity for all.

“Parliamentary diplomacy must be used not to mimic old power, but to dismantle the logics of exclusion, logics that sort bodies by race, gender and class, and determine who matters and who doesn’t,” Mtshweni-Tsipane said.

With South Africa preparing to host the G20 Parliamentary Speakers’ Summit (P20) in October 2025, the Chairperson urged women and young African parliamentarians to seize this historic moment to speak with a united, unapologetically African voice that brings gender justice, feminist solidarity and people-first reforms to the centre stage.

“The rights of women and girls cannot live on paper alone, they must be seen in courtrooms, in clinics, in classrooms and in every village across Africa. We must move from ratification to realisation and from symbolic gestures to systemic change,” she said.

Echoing Mtshweni-Tsipane’s sentiments, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr Annelie Lotriet said the policy frameworks are already in place.

“The frameworks are in place, the statistics are known, and what remains is deliberate and determined action that is driven by political will,” Lotriet said.

As South Africa is presiding over the Group Twenty (G20) Presidency, Parliament will hold the P20 Summit, a high-level gathering of Speakers and Presiding Officers from G20 member countries. 

The summit serves as the parliamentary dimension of the G20, aiming to strengthen global legislative collaboration on key development issues. –SAnews.gov.za

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PRASA welcomes developments in tender corruption case

Source: Government of South Africa

Sunday, July 27, 2025

The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) has welcomed developments in the investigation into allegations of corruption involving multi-billion-rand tenders for train signalling equipment.

On Wednesday, 23 July 2025, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) presented a search warrant at PRASA’s Braamfontein offices to obtain various information and electronic devices, as part of its ongoing investigation.

In a statement issued on Friday, PRASA reaffirmed its support for the investigation, emphasising its commitment to transparency and accountability.

“The agency has nothing to hide and stands ready to provide complete cooperation to law enforcement authorities,” PRASA said.

The agency said it had initiated an independent forensic investigation after receiving a submission from a whistleblower. 

“Documents and information related to this matter were secured through this proactive forensic investigation. This demonstrates PRASA’s commitment to acting on information received via its whistleblower process. This independent report has been handed to the shareholder.

“This information was readily available for sharing with the law enforcement authorities. PRASA remains committed to its mandate of providing safe, reliable, and efficient rail services to the South African public.”

The agency said it will continue to implement robust governance measures and maintain the highest standards of accountability while fully supporting all legitimate investigative processes.

PRASA will provide further updates as appropriate, while respecting the integrity of the ongoing investigation. – SAnews.gov.za

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L’Agence Emploi Jeunes : le dispositif améliore l’employabilité des jeunes

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French


L’AEJ propose un guichet unique, une plateforme digitale pour des stages, des formations, des financements de projets, et des partenariats avec les collectivités et le secteur privé. L’objectif est d’orienter les jeunes vers l’emploi salarié ou l’auto-emploi. 

« Grâce à l’Agence Emploi Jeunes, nous recevons régulièrement des stagiaires que nous formons. Aujourd’hui, notre entreprise compte 14 jeunes en contrat à durée déterminée ou indéterminée », confie Oscar Essis, responsable d’une agence de microfinance à Katiola.     

« J’ai obtenu un prêt de 960 000 FCFA pour développer mon activité d’élevage de poulets. Aujourd’hui, j’emploie une personne et je produis jusqu’à six bandes par an, contre trois avant le financement », se réjouit Andréa Konan, rencontrée dans sa ferme à Grand-Lahou. Avant d’ajouter : « C’est un vrai soulagement, pour nous les jeunes, de savoir que le gouvernement nous accompagne ». 

Soutenue par le Programme Jeunesse du Gouvernement (PJGouv) depuis 2023, l’AEJ s’impose comme un levier fort d’insertion professionnelle et d’autonomisation des jeunes.

Dans cette dynamique, la Foire Nationale de l’Emploi et du Recrutement (FNER) a été lancée pour renforcer l’employabilité des jeunes. Sa première édition, en mars 2025, a réuni plus de 42 000 opportunités pour les jeunes.

La deuxième édition, qui se tient du 24 au 26 juillet 2025, propose plus de 62 052 opportunités d’insertion professionnelle.

Distribué par APO Group pour Portail Officiel du Gouvernement de Côte d’Ivoire.

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Mahama attends Liberia’s 178th independence anniversary

Source: APO – Report:

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President John Dramani Mahama, on Saturday, joined President Joseph Nyuma Boakai and the people of Liberia to celebrate their 178th Independence Day celebration in Monrovia.

The event held at the Centennial Memorial Pavilion in Monrovia, Montserrado County, was attended by heads of states from the subregion including the Presidents of Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Guinea Bissau. There were also representatives of the governments of Cote D’Ivoire, Nigeria, and Gambia.

Liberia used the occasion to recognise ECOWAS member states that contributed troops to the multinational peacekeeping force, ECOMOG, which played a key role in ending the civil war as well as securing humanitarian corridors during the Liberian war.

President Mahama received Ghana’s honour from the Liberian President on behalf of the Ghana Armed Forces and the people of Ghana for the contribution of its gallant soldiers.

President Boakai in a spirit of national reconciliation said Liberia must heal itself, unite for a common purpose and inspire all for a faster development of the country.

He called on all his citizens to leverage on technology to transform Liberia.

The celebration as on the theme “One people, one destiny, healing the past and building the future the ceremony reflected on the past, need for stock taking, reconciliation, a united national identity to rebuild a peaceful Liberia, endowed with rich natural resources”.

The President was accompanied by the Minister for Defence, Dr Edward Omane Boamah, the Chief of Defence Staff of the Ghana Armed Forces, Lt. General William Agyapong and Deputy Chief of Staff, Operations, Stanislav Xoese Dogbe.

– on behalf of The Presidency, Republic of Ghana.

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Second Africa Climate Summit Takes Shape with Clear Focus on Real Outcomes and African Leadership

Source: APO – Report:

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The Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (GoE), in collaboration with the African Union Commission (AUC), is pleased to share key updates on preparations for the Second Africa Climate Summit (ACS2), taking place 8-10 September 2025, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. 

The Government of Ethiopia and the African Union Commission are mobilizing the dignitaries at all levels: Heads of State, ministers, technical experts towards the successful summit that aims Africa’s priorities at the center of the global climate negotiations.     

About ACS2
The Second Africa Climate Summit (ACS2) builds on the legacy of the inaugural 2023 Nairobi Summit (ACS1) and aims to position Africa as a leader and solutions provider in the global climate agenda under the theme: “Accelerating Global Climate Solutions: Financing for Africa’s Resilient and Green Development”.  

Building on the momentum of ACS1, the summit will highlight African-led solutions, track progress on commitments, and define a roadmap for implementation. It will also focus on strengthening systems and institutions to drive impacts, with sessions dedicated to climate finance, just transitions, adaptation, resilience, trade, innovation and technology.

ACS2 is strategically timed between the G20, UNGA, and COP30, providing Africa with a platform to shape the global climate and finance agendas around its priorities and realities. The Summit will showcase successful initiatives, launch new partnerships, and align regional action with international processes.

The Summit will feature high-level plenary sessions, ministerial roundtables, side events and exhibitions, youth forums, and regional pavilions, while spotlighting successful African initiatives in energy, food systems, innovation, and climate-smart infrastructure, among others.

“The urgent need for global cooperation has never been clearer, as Africa strives to combat various climate-related challenges. “The ACS2 provides a pivotal moment for us to show leadership in climate actions and showcase the continent as a solution provider. I urge our partners to support us and our member states in building a climate-resilient and green development agenda for the Africa We Want”. H.E. Moses Vilakati, Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment, African Union Commission. 

“Africa needs a platform that reflects its priorities and drives real outcomes. ACS2 is that platform. It brings voices together, builds alignment and alliances, and creates the space to turn ambition into action on our terms.” H.E Dr. Fitsum Assefa, Minister of Planning and Development, Ethiopia. 

Key Highlights:

Engagement with Major Stakeholders
Over the past two weeks, the ACS2 teams have been successfully convening targeted roundtable and briefing sessions with key stakeholders; including, AU Member States, high-level diplomatic missions, UN agencies, philanthropies and foundations, Africa Ministerial Conference on Environment (AMCEN) member states, and non-state actors. These sessions have helped align expectations and deepen support for the summit’s collaborative approach.

45+ African Heads of State and Government expected to attend:
With this landmark summit, African and global climate leaders together with all stakeholders will gather to make an actionable climate dialogue, showcase proven African led Climate Solutions and decide the future of Africa in the global climate regime.   

Overwhelming Response to Side Events
The online portal has already received over 100 side event proposals, representing thematic diversity and regional balance across Africa. The organizing committee continues to process submissions and encourages early application to secure space.

Pavilion Space in High Demand
Of the dedicated thematic pavilions planned for the venue, more than 50% have already been secured. Governments, institutions, and partners are encouraged to express interest early, as availability is becoming limited.

Continued call for Partnership 
Ethiopia and the African Union Commission invite further financial and in-kind contributions from partners and stakeholders in support of the ACS2 delivery, visibility, and impact. Contributions will help scale innovations in logistics, technology, youth engagement, and sustainability. The GoE and AUC call upon all member States, stakeholders and partners to join forces in supporting for the preparations of the Summit from now to the Summit dates and prepare themselves for a meaningful engagement through the three days of the Summit.

– on behalf of African Union (AU).

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Sierra Leone’s President Bio Honoured at Liberia Independence Celebrations, as he Delivers Inspiring Keynote on Shared History and Regional Unity

Source: APO – Report:

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His Excellency Dr. Julius Maada Bio, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone and Chairperson of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, has been honoured with a plaque of recognition by the Government of Liberia in appreciation of Sierra Leone’s critical contribution to the peacekeeping efforts that helped restore stability during Liberia’s civil conflict.

The presentation took place during the celebration of Liberia’s 178th Independence Anniversary at the Centennial Memorial Pavilion in Monrovia. The commemorative plaque acknowledged the sacrifices of Sierra Leonean men and women, both in and out of uniform, who served through the ECOWAS Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) during Liberia’s most difficult years.

In a powerful keynote address themed “One People, One Destiny: Healing the Past, Building the Future,” President Bio reflected on his own role as a young officer in the Sierra Leone Armed Forces deployed to Liberia with ECOMOG. “I once stood on this sacred soil not as a visitor, but as a peacemaker,” he said. “I remember walking the streets of White Plains, Gardnersville, and Monrovia Freeport during a time of great hardship. Even then, I could sense the deep endurance of the Liberian people.”

President Bio described the recognition as a deeply personal and humbling moment. “To be honoured on this day is not just a diplomatic courtesy, it is a homecoming. We receive this honour with pride and renewed commitment to regional unity, democratic stability, and shared peace.”

Also addressing the gathering, Liberia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Mme. Sara Beysolow Nyanti, expressed profound gratitude to all ECOMOG troop-contributing countries, singling out President Bio for his personal role during the conflict. “You stood with us in our most difficult time,” she said. “The true legacy of ECOMOG is not only found on the battlefield or in treaties signed, but in the peace we enjoy today.”

The celebration brought together Heads of State and representatives from across the region, including President Joseph Nyuma Boakai of Liberia, President John Dramani Mahama of Ghana, President Umaro Sissoco Embaló of Guinea-Bissau, and President Bassirou Diomaye Faye of Senegal.

President Bio emphasized the deep cultural and historical ties between Sierra Leone and Liberia, calling the two nations “twin souls” bound by shared rivers, languages, and struggles. “When Liberia trembled under the weight of war, Sierra Leone felt the tremors too. And when we cried out in our own agony, you mourned with us. This is not coincidence. This is kinship,” he declared.

In his capacity as ECOWAS Chair, President Bio also used the moment to outline key regional priorities, including revitalizing regional security cooperation, strengthening democracy, unlocking economic integration, and building institutional credibility. “Let us align our goals in trade, education, and security and let the Mano River Union become a living promise of solidarity. Let our borders bind, not divide.”

He called on West African nations to recommit to regional cooperation not only in times of crisis but as a daily practice of development and peacebuilding. “Our youth are crossing borders in search of opportunity. Let us build systems that allow them to do so safely, legally, and with dignity,” he urged.

President Bio concluded his keynote with a heartfelt tribute to the people of Liberia. “Thank you for reminding the world that peace is not only possible. it is powerful. May God bless the Republic of Liberia, may God bless the Republic of Sierra Leone, and may God bless the deep, enduring friendship that binds us.”

President Bio arrived in Monrovia by road this morning and is scheduled to return to Sierra Leone later today via the same route.

– on behalf of State House Sierra Leone.

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Uganda’s land eviction crisis: do populist state measures actually fix problems?

Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Rose Nakayi, Senior Lecturer of Law, Makerere University

Populism is rife in various African countries. This political ideology responds to and takes advantage of a situation where a large section of people feels exploited, marginalised or disempowered. It sets up “the people” against “the other”. It promises solidarity with the excluded by addressing their grievances. Populism targets broad social groups, operating across ethnicity and class.

But how does populism fare when it informs state interventions to address long-standing societal issues under capitalism? Do populist state measures – especially when launched by a politically powerful leader – deliver improvements for the stated beneficiaries?

As academics who have researched populism for years, we were interested in the implementation and outcomes of such policies and programmes. To answer these questions, we analysed a populist intervention by President Yoweri Museveni in Uganda to address rampant land conflicts. In 2013 he set out to halt land evictions.

What good came of this? Did it help the poor?

We analysed land laws, court cases, government statements and media reports and found that, for the most part, the intervention offered short-term relief. Some people returned to the land, but the underlying land conflict was unresolved.

This created problems that continue to be felt today, including land disputes and land tenure insecurity. The intervention also increased the involvement of the president and his agents personally in providing justice.

It didn’t make pro-poor structural changes to address the root of the problem.

Yet, the intervention had several political benefits:

  • it enhanced the political legitimacy of the president and state

  • it offered a politically useful response to a land-related crisis and conflict

  • it addressed broader criticisms over injustice and poverty by sections of the public and opposition leaders, some of whom (like Robert Kyagulanyi) also relied on populist rhetoric.

The promise to deal with land evictions “once and for all” has yet to be realised over a decade later. During Heroes Day celebrations on 9 June 2024, Museveni’s speech repeated his promise to stop evictions.

Such promises of getting a grip on and ending evictions via decisive state actions, including proposed new legal guidelines, were also made more recently, for example during Heroes Day 2025. This indicates that evictions – and state responses to them – remain a top issue on the political agenda ahead of Uganda’s 2026 election.

Persistent evictions

Evictions were rampant in the 2010s, especially in central Uganda’s Buganda region. They were driven by increased demand for land amid a growing population and legal reforms that seemed to protect tenants over landlords. Some landlords, desperate to free their land of tenants, were carrying out the evictions themselves.

The president condemned the evictions, but they continued. Soon, the number of evictees was in the thousands.

In response, Museveni set up a land committee within the presidency. He announced at a press conference in early 2013 that:

all evictions are halted. There will be no more evictions, especially in the rural areas. All evictions involving peasants are halted.

The dynamics of populism-in-practice

Museveni’s attempts to personally deal with evictions illustrate a continued power shift in Uganda, from institutions to the president’s executive units.

Despite its shortcomings, such as case backlogs, the judicial system offers an opportunity to present cases in a more neutral environment. It also allows parties to appeal decisions. This way, higher courts can correct errors where necessary.

The presidential land committee, we found, tended to be biased in favour of tenants, paying less attention to the landlords’ cases.

The president’s intervention wasn’t adequate to address the immediate causes and effects of the evictions, nor the root causes.

Those included land tenure insecurities. Due to legal reforms, land-rich landlords were unable to get rent at market value from tenants. Neither could they evict them lawfully where rent was in arrears.

In some cases, legal options such as land sales between landlords and tenants were applied. This was often to the detriment of tenants, especially where there was no neutral actor to oversee negotiations.

Land reforms need to be institutionalised and funded to deliver the intended outcomes. Otherwise, unlawful sales and evictions become a quick option for landlords.

Museveni’s populist initiative also unleashed new problems for beneficiaries. Some secured land occupancy in the interim but lived in fear of a relapse of conflict. Mistrust and scarred interpersonal relationships hampered cohesion in some communities. Disputes over land put political actors who would ideally be working together to restore calm at loggerheads.

Populism as power

The creation of populist presidential units has become routine in Uganda. More recently, Museveni created a unit to protect investors, which has resolved some investment-related land disputes. Another one was established to fight corruption. Both units remain very active.

Our research finds that the government needs these units and interventions for a number of reasons. It uses them to govern the country’s conflict-ridden economy and society. They allow the government to assemble a politically useful response to crises and to address some on-the-ground problems. They make the state look concerned and responsive to people’s needs. And they allow ruling party political actors to increase their popularity locally.

Museveni and his ruling party, the National Resistance Movement, therefore, benefit from a key aspect of populism. It allows the merging of disparate, competing and contradictory views, interests and demands of members of various societal classes and groups into a significantly simplified and uniform narrative that (potentially) speaks to all. This could mean: end corruption, end evictions, wealth for all, and so on.

A general election is due in early 2026. The steps Museveni has taken on evictions, and the units set up to fight corruption or protect investors, need to be seen with this political context in mind.

Museveni has put protecting people from evictions high on his government’s agenda. Speaking to party members in August 2024, he emphasised

the importance of adhering to the mass line, which prioritises the needs and rights of the masses over those of the elite.

In our view, this pre-election narrative signifies the continued political and social relevance of populism in today’s Uganda. This could result in heightened populist state activity in the run-up to and after the election.

– Uganda’s land eviction crisis: do populist state measures actually fix problems?
– https://theconversation.com/ugandas-land-eviction-crisis-do-populist-state-measures-actually-fix-problems-260512

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Young Nigerians learn about democracy at school: how it’s shaping future voters

Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Leila Demarest, Associate Professor, Institute of Political Science, Leiden University

Democratic consolidation is a continuing struggle, in Africa as elsewhere. The turn to democracy gained momentum in Africa in the late 1980s and early 1990s but has petered out since. Can new generations turn the tide?

The need to prepare young people to become democratically minded is well established. In western societies, school-based civic education has been considered the means to do it since as early as the 1960s. The assumption is that better knowledge about the democratic functioning of the state promotes stronger democratic values and norms. It is also thought to increase trust in institutions and a willingness to participate in politics in the future.

Research in western settings indeed shows that classroom instruction strengthens political attitudes and behaviour. Yet can we expect civic education to work in the same way in newer democracies? In weak democracies studies have found that civic education could actually lead young people away from political participation. Young people may become more aware of the flaws of their own system and turn away from politics.

Nigeria made the move from military rule to multiparty democracy in 1999 but remains a flawed democracy struggling with political corruption, vote buying and episodic violence. Individual liberties are only weakly protected.

As Africa’s most populous democracy, with a big young population, Nigeria needs young people to participate in democratic politics. And they have done so, as can be seen from events like the #EndSARS protests. Nevertheless many youths also show voter apathy. Or they engage in the country’s well-known cycles of election violence.

As scholars, we have conducted extensive research on how young people in African countries can overcome some dark legacies, like violent conflict, ethnic tensions and authoritarianism. In a recent study, we focused on democratic engagement among young Nigerians and how formal education could strengthen it.

Our research among secondary school students in Lagos state shows promising results. A survey of over 3,000 final year students found that those with greater political knowledge and stronger democratic values were more likely to express intent to vote, contact officials, or protest in the future.

However, these same students rejected party membership and campaigning, which are commonly associated with corruption and violence in Nigeria. In contrast, students with lower levels of knowledge and democratic values remained inclined to participate in party activities. This might be to gain economic benefits.

These findings show that the core objectives of civic education are not likely to lead youth to abandon democratic politics. Fostering knowledge about how the system (ideally) works and strengthening democratic attitudes remains a valuable approach to achieving democracy.

Our findings

Ten years after the transition from military to democratic rule, the Nigerian government made civic education mandatory in primary and secondary schools. The curriculum covers issues such as Nigeria’s independence, the structures of the state, civic rights, political parties and national unity. It also covers corruption and clientelism (the exchange of political support for economic benefits).

After learning how the government works and gaining awareness of civic rights and responsibilities, would young Nigerians remain committed to political participation with all the country’s democratic flaws?

We conducted a survey among final year secondary school students in Lagos state in 2019. About 3,000 students across 36 randomly selected schools answered our questions. The results revealed three political participation profiles:

  • disengaged youth – those who do not wish to take part in any type of political activity

  • non-party activists – intent on voting, contacting politicians or officials and protesting, but they reject party membership and campaigning

  • party activists – interested in joining a political party and campaigning as well as voting, contacting politicians or officials and protesting.

Disengaged youths tended to come from richer socio-economic backgrounds. They showed low trust in institutions. Non-party activists were more informed and held stronger democratic values than party activists. This is likely because they saw political parties as corrupt or violent.

In a democracy where party politics are often tainted by corruption, the youths’ selective engagement may be a sign not of apathy but of a thoughtful and principled rejection of flawed party politics.

Despite a growing distrust in political parties, civic education does not appear to discourage pro-democratic political behaviour overall.

A ‘reverse’ participation gap

Schools are not the only shapers of youths’ political behaviour. Caregivers and peers play a role. In a large number of countries, youth from richer socio-economic backgrounds are more politically informed, more trusting of institutions, and active. This results in a so-called participation gap between richer and poorer citizens.

Where democracy is yet to take root, research shows that middle- and higher-middle class citizens also have higher levels of knowledge and stronger democratic norms. But they have lower levels of institutional trust and are less likely to participate in institutional politics. This presents a “reverse” participation gap, so to speak.

In our research, we found partial evidence of this “reverse participation gap”. Students from wealthier backgrounds were less likely to participate, but not necessarily because they had stronger democratic norms. One possible explanation is that these students were less economically dependent on the state. With no need to rely on public institutions for jobs or welfare, they might feel less of a need to engage with them.

Retreat from political participation

In non-established democracies, research shows that more educated citizens often are more critical of their governments. In Ghana and Zimbabwe, these citizens were less likely to participate in elections.

Concerning civic education programmes specifically, an intervention in the Democratic Republic of Congo showed that these programmes might increase political knowledge and commitment to democratic values, but also decrease satisfaction with democracy in their country.

School-based research from the continent is lacking. But studies examining school-based civic education in electoral democracies elsewhere also show a retreat from institutionalised political participation. This spans voting, party membership, campaigning, and contacting politicians.

Our study finds more optimistic results for civic education programmes in Africa. Youths with high knowledge and values – the core objectives of civic education – remain committed to democratic political behaviour.

– Young Nigerians learn about democracy at school: how it’s shaping future voters
– https://theconversation.com/young-nigerians-learn-about-democracy-at-school-how-its-shaping-future-voters-261030