Category: Africa

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President El-Sisi Meets the Prime Minister and the Minister of Justice

Source: APO

Today in New Alamein City, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi met with Prime Minister, Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, and Minister of Justice, Counselor Mahmoud Helmy El-Sherif.

Spokesman for the Presidency, Ambassador Mohamed El-Shennawy, stated that the meeting reviewed a number of portfolios within the Ministry of Justice, starting with assessing the completion rates of the “Justice City” project in the New Capital. This included reviewing the digital infrastructure, components of the digital transformation system, and modern technological applications scheduled for operation within the city’s judicial facilities.

In this regard, President El-Sisi affirmed that the objective of the “Justice City” is to establish an integrated digital judicial environment befitting the New Republic, ensuring streamlined and expeditious justice and providing citizens with distinguished judicial services. The President directed that the specified timelines for completing the project be strictly adhered to, with a high degree of technical precision to be commensurate with the status of Egypt’s long-established judiciary.

During the meeting, the President followed-up on the latest developments regarding the modernization of real estate registration and notarization services. Counsellor El-Sherif noted that the Ministry of Justice signed two joint cooperation protocols with the National Bank of Egypt and Banque Misr to open 11 premium notarization branches within the premises of each bank. He added that additional modernized mobile notarization vehicles operating on a one-stop-shop system were deployed to provide all real estate registration and notarization services with high productivity, speed, and full efficiency anywhere. The Minister of Justice highlighted the opening of two new notarization branches in the governorates of Sohag and Minya, which allow remote services through the “I Want to Make a Power of Attorney” application.

Furthermore, the Minister of Justice reviewed efforts to improve family court and lawsuit services, including the launch of an electronic integration system to suspend certain government services for individuals failing to pay alimony across 38 offices in primary courts, ensuring the protection of family rights. Minister El-Sherif also reviewed the latest developments regarding measures taken to expedite the resolution of lawsuits, noting the Ministry’s keenness to achieve prompt justice by providing a suitable working environment for judges and litigants. This environment shall contribute to the accuracy and regularity of work across all courthouses in the Republic, with a commitment to the speedy resolution of cases.

The Minister highlighted the launch of a package of measures and initiatives aimed at upgrading the judicial system, reducing burdens, expediting the settlement of pending cases, and increasing completion rates. These include establishing an integrated tech system to manage proceedings before criminal courts electronically, as well as signing the “Unified Digital Justice Strategy” document and the official launch of the “Collaborative Data Platform for Judicial Entities and Bodies” to achieve information and procedural integration between the Ministry of Justice and all pillars of the judicial system.

During the meeting, the Minister of Justice reviewed the ongoing measures to implement the new Criminal Procedure Law, which will take effect starting October 1, 2026. He reviewed the executive status of increasing the efficiency of collecting state revenues and the Ministry of Justice’s self-generated resources.

In this regard, the President directed the expansion of advanced service offerings, affirming the state’s commitment to building an integrated government services system worthy of the Egyptian citizen. President El-Sisi also emphasized the necessity to advance efforts toward upgrading the judicial system, ease burdens, expedite the resolution of pending cases, and increase completion rates, thereby strengthening citizen trust in state institutions.

The President also stressed the importance of applying the highest standards of cybersecurity and digital sovereignty to protect litigants’ data, as well as the vital need to take all measures to guarantee the swift execution of rulings issued in alimony lawsuits.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Presidency of the Arab Republic of Egypt.

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United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) Patrol to Pading Finds Displaced Families Struggling to Rebuild After Conflict

Source: APO – Report:

Across Jonglei, communities are struggling to rebuild their lives in the wake of persistent conflict which has cost lives, caused widespread displacement, and the destruction of homes and livelihoods.

Many of those forced to flee their homes have found refuge in Pading, Nyirol County.

They are calling for an end to the fighting, increased humanitarian support, restoration of basic services, and a united effort to secure peace so they can begin the process of rebuilding their lives.

“We are tired of conflict and displacement. We urge the Government to convene a meeting between organized forces to discuss a ceasefire and lasting peace. We cannot achieve this peace alone,” explained Paramount Chief, Mabil Hoth Bol.

During a patrol to the area, United Nations Mission in South Sudan peacekeepers assessed the security situation and engaged with local authorities and communities to hear their concerns and work together to identify solutions.

“It was an important opportunity to interact with a wide range of stakeholders who were welcoming and happy to share information with us,” said UNMISS Senior Military Observer, Vinay Kumar Singh. “We found that Pading remains generally calm and stable, although insecurity in surrounding areas continues to create humanitarian and protection concerns.”

Those concerns were echoed by Nyien Dut Deng, a women’s representative, who has spent four days without food after being displaced from neighbouring Lankien.

“As a mother of five, I am in pain. During the fighting, I lost my son who had to go on the run. I don’t know whether he is alive or dead. Please stop the bleeding in Nyirol.”

The Relief and Rehabilitation Commission says that 2,405 displaced families have fled fighting in the area and arrived at the county headquarters since January. The World Food Programme is endeavoring to support them, but the continued arrival of new families has created shortages of food, clean water and shelter.

“The situation could worsen with the ongoing rains given communities are not expecting a good harvest this year. Many displaced people, including women and children, are sheltering under trees and becoming sick,” says Bol Kay, from the Relief and Rehabilitation Commission.

“We urgently need help to avoid the situation reaching catastrophic levels.”

– on behalf of United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).

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First Lady calls for regional action to give children a stronger start in life

Source: Government of South Africa

First Lady calls for regional action to give children a stronger start in life

First Lady Dr Tshepo Motsepe has called for greater regional cooperation to expand access to quality Early Childhood Development (ECD), highlighting that millions of young children in South Africa remain outside early learning programmes.

Motsepe was speaking at a spousal luncheon hosted for First Ladies from Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) countries on the margins of the 46th SADC Summit in Durban on Monday, where she emphasised the importance of investing in young children as a foundation for the region’s long-term social and economic development.

“Early Childhood Development is not simply a social investment; it is one of the most powerful foundations for human development, economic growth, and social cohesion,” she said.

Motsepe said South Africa had made progress in expanding access to early learning opportunities, but significant challenges remained.

“Today, approximately 3.5 million young children in our country are not accessing early learning programmes. Behind this number are children whose potential remains untapped and families who require greater support to ensure that every child has the opportunity to thrive,” she said.

A shared regional responsibility

Welcoming the First Ladies to South Africa and KwaZulu-Natal, Motsepe said their presence reflected the strength of regional solidarity and a shared commitment to improving the lives of women and children across Southern Africa.

“As leaders and advocates, we understand that the future of our region depends on the opportunities we create for our youngest citizens today,” she said.

Motsepe said the recognition of ECD as a national priority in South Africa’s National Development Plan 2030 provided a strong foundation for collaborative action.

She said investment in young children was critical to breaking cycles of poverty, reducing inequality and building a more prosperous and inclusive society.

“By working together, and by building on the commitments outlined in South Africa’s National Development Plan 2030 and similar regional aspirations, we can ensure that every child has the opportunity to learn, grow, and realise their full potential,” she said.

The First Lady stressed that quality early childhood development should be viewed as a right rather than a privilege.

“As we engage today, let us be guided by our shared vision for Africa’s children and by the conviction that quality early childhood development is not a privilege, but a right,” she said.

Strengthening partnerships

Motsepe acknowledged the work of the Department of Basic Education in transforming and expanding the ECD sector, particularly efforts to improve quality, registration, funding and access.

She also recognised the contribution of civil society organisations working in communities to support children, families, practitioners and early learning programmes.

Local government structures and private sector partners, she said, also had an important role to play in creating enabling environments and expanding opportunities for young children.

“This collective effort demonstrates what is possible when we unite around a common purpose: ensuring that every child, regardless of where they are born or the circumstances of their family, has access to quality care, protection, nutrition, and early learning,” Motsepe said.

‘A call to action’

The luncheon provided an opportunity to spotlight the work of the Early Care Foundation, a South African non-profit organisation focused on improving the quality of ECD services, particularly in underserved communities.

Motsepe highlighted the foundation’s work in training, mentoring and capacity-building for ECD principals and practitioners, noting that it had worked for more than 35 years to strengthen early learning opportunities.

Motsepe expressed hope that the engagement among the First Ladies would strengthen partnerships across the region, promote the sharing of knowledge and best practices, and inspire greater action to advance the wellbeing of young children throughout SADC.

“Together, let us reaffirm our commitment to giving every child the strongest possible start in life,” she said. – SAnews.gov.za

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President Herminie Delivers Maiden Address at 46th Ordinary Southern African Development Community (SADC) Summit, Calls for African-Led Industrial Transformation

Source: APO

President Dr. Patrick Herminie delivered his maiden address to Heads of State and Government at the Official Opening Ceremony of the 46th Ordinary SADC Summit today, calling on the region to seize what he described as “Africa’s moment” to transform the continent’s resources into shared prosperity.

Speaking under the Summit’s theme of resilience, sustainable and inclusive industrialization through infrastructure development, agriculture and critical minerals transformation in pursuit of a just world, President Herminie told the Assembly of 16 African countries that the generation before had secured political liberation and laid the foundations for regional cooperation, and that the present generation was now called to convert Africa’s potential into tangible prosperity for its people.

The President stressed that industrialization, infrastructure, agricultural transformation and the responsible development of critical minerals were not separate priorities, but formed the foundation of a resilient, competitive and prosperous Southern Africa. He noted that as an island nation, Seychelles felt the effects of global disruptions directly, through the cost of food, fuel and essential goods, and through pressures on its tourism-dependent economy, underscoring that the resilience of every Member State depends on the resilience of the Community as a whole.

President Herminie called for deeper regional integration, describing it not as an aspiration but as an economic necessity, and urged Member States to connect their complementary strengths, in agriculture, critical minerals and trade gateways, into a single integrated regional economy. He further emphasised that industrialization was fundamentally about dignity and opportunity for Africa’s young people, and that the continent should no longer export raw materials only to import finished products at a premium.

The President concluded by affirming that history would judge the current generation not by the speeches delivered or declarations adopted, but by whether resources were transformed into opportunity, integration into prosperity, and shared vision into tangible progress for the people of the region. He reaffirmed that Seychelles stands ready to play its part in this shared endeavour.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of State House Seychelles.

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Eritrea: Training on Social Science in Northern Red Sea

Source: APO

The PFDJ office in the Northern Red Sea Region provided training in social science to its members with the aim of enhancing their capacity.

The training, which was conducted at Mai-Habar, was attended by 190 members, including 106 females, from 10 sub-zones in the region.

The training covered the history and development of ideology and its meaning, the history and development of Eritrean identity, as well as psychological warfare.

Noting that the objective of the training was to nurture committed citizens with an awareness of social science, Mr. Idris Ali, head of Political Affairs at the PFDJ office in the region, called for sustained and organized support for the families of martyrs.

The representative of the trainees, underlining that they had received extensive training in politics, economics, culture and diplomacy, called for the continuation of the program.

Noting the significance of the training programs being organized in raising public awareness and understanding, as well as participation in national development programs, Ms. Asmeret Abraha, Governor of the region, expressed the regional administration’s readiness to play its part.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.

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Warsai-Yikealo School Officially Begins Academic Year

Source: APO

Students who went to Sawa from high schools across the country to pursue their 12th-grade education and fulfil their national service obligations as members of the 39th round have officially begun the 2026/2027 academic year.

At the opening event conducted on 16 August, the director of the school, Mr. Russom Gebrehiwet, provided detailed information regarding the school’s regulations and guidelines. He also called on the students to take advantage of the opportunities provided by the school and excel in their studies.

Noting that the number of students has increased by 20% compared with last year, Mr. Russom confirmed that the school and the national service training center have made all the necessary preparations.

Mr. Russom went on to say that, alongside its regular academic program, the school also conducts various activities, including sports and cultural activities, general knowledge competitions, debates and discussions, programs aimed at empowering females, seminars, entertainment programs and popular campaigns.

Commending the detailed information provided, the students expressed their readiness to make the best use of the opportunities available to them.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.

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East African Community (EAC) to Convene 2nd Regional Education Conference in Nairobi to Drive Education Transformation

Source: APO


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The East African Community (EAC) will convene the 2nd EAC Regional Conference on Education in Nairobi, Kenya from 24th to 28th August 2026 to accelerate practical action towards transforming education systems in the region.

The Conference will be held under the theme, “Transforming Education in East Africa: From Commitments to Impact, Fostering Resilience and Future-Ready Systems for Sustainable Development.”

It will bring together high-level government officials, policymakers, education practitioners, teachers, students, youth representatives, academia and research institutions, civil society organisations and development partners from the EAC Partner States and beyond.

Register for the 2nd EAC Regional Conference on Education

The Conference will provide a strategic regional platform for stocktaking, policy dialogue, knowledge exchange and collective action, with a strong focus on moving from commitments to measurable and sustainable impact.

Participants will review progress since the 1st EAC Regional Conference on Education held in August 2024, identify systemic and implementation gaps and agree on priority actions to accelerate education transformation at national and regional levels.

The 2nd Conference comes at a critical time when education systems across East Africa continue to face persistent inequalities in access and quality, weak transitions across levels of education, skills mismatches and limited links between Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and industry.

Speaking ahead of the Conference, EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Infrastructure, Productive and Social Sectors, Hon. Aguer Ariik Malueth, said the Conference will focus on strengthening foundational learning and teacher capacity as well as promoting inclusive education.

“Particular attention will be given to future-ready skills, leveraging digitalisation and innovation and improving education financing and governance,” said Hon. Ariik.

The Conference will also advance the East African Common Higher Education and Research Area (EACHEA), with emphasis on harmonisation, innovation and partnerships to improve the quality and relevance of higher education.

Hon. Ariik said the Conference is expected to generate practical policy recommendations and implementation actions. It is also expected to produce a Conference communiqué or roadmap outlining agreed commitments, flagship initiatives, timelines and next steps.

The Conference builds on the outcomes of the 1st EAC Regional Conference on Education, held in August 2024 at the EAC Headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania. It follows the approval by the 15th Meeting of the EAC Sectoral Council on Education, Science and Technology, Culture and Sports to establish an EAC Regional Forum on Education, anchored in Articles 102 and 103 of the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community, which provide for cooperation in education and training, and science and technology.

Dr. Mary Goretti Nakabugo, Co-Chair of the Conference Organising Committee, called on stakeholders across the region to participate in the Conference and strengthen collective action towards transforming education systems.

“We call upon all stakeholders – governments, academia, civil society and development partners – to join us in Nairobi. Together, we can foster resilient and future-ready education systems that drive East Africa’s transformation,” she said.

The five-day Conference will feature pre-conference co-workshops, keynote addresses, plenary and roundtable discussions, policy dialogues, country exhibitions, fireside chats and interactive question-and-answer sessions designed to facilitate evidence-based dialogue, cross-country learning and the co-creation of solutions.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of East African Community (EAC).

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Welcome remarks by Dr Tshepo Motsepe at the Spousal Luncheon, 46th Ordinary SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government, Dube House, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal

Source: President of South Africa –

Programme Director,
Our honoured guests, the First Ladies of SADC, 
Representatives of the KwaZulu-Natal provincial government,
Chief Executive Officer of the Early Care Foundation, Ms. Ipeleng Mohlala,
Representatives of civil society organisations,
Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good Afternoon.

Allow me to begin by extending a warm welcome to you all to South Africa, and to the beautiful province of KwaZulu-Natal, as we gather on the margins of the 46th SADC Summit.

I extend a special and heartfelt welcome to the First Ladies. 

Your presence here today reflects the strength of our regional solidarity and our shared commitment to improving the lives of women and children across Southern Africa.

As leaders and advocates, we understand that the future of our region depends on the opportunities we create for our youngest citizens today. Early Childhood Development (ECD) is not simply a social investment; it is one of the most powerful foundations for human development, economic growth, and social cohesion.

In South Africa, we have made important progress in expanding access to early learning opportunities. However, we remain acutely aware of the challenges that still confront us. 

Today, approximately 3.5 million young children in our country are not accessing early learning programmes. Behind this number are children whose potential remains untapped and families who require greater support to ensure that every child has the opportunity to thrive.

Encouragingly, there is strong political will in South Africa to address these challenges. 

Early Childhood Development has been recognised as a national priority in our National Development Plan 2030, which acknowledges that investing in young children is critical to breaking cycles of poverty, reducing inequality, and building a more prosperous and inclusive society. 

This recognition provides a powerful foundation for collaborative action and demonstrates our country’s commitment to ensuring that every child receives the best possible start in life.

As we engage today, let us be guided by our shared vision for Africa’s children and by the conviction that quality early childhood development is not a privilege, but a right. By working together, and by building on the commitments outlined in South Africa’s National Development Plan 2030 and similar regional aspirations, we can ensure that every child has the opportunity to learn, grow, and realise their full potential.

I would like to acknowledge the remarkable leadership and dedication of South Africa’s Department of Basic Education, which continues to drive the transformation and expansion of the early childhood development sector. Through its commitment to improving quality, registration, funding, and access, the Department is helping to create pathways for more children to benefit from quality early learning experiences.

I also wish to recognize the invaluable contribution of civil society organisations, many of whom work tirelessly in communities every day to support children, families, practitioners, and early learning programmes. Their innovation, commitment, and deep community connections have been instrumental in advancing the ECD agenda.

We are equally grateful to local government structures that play a critical role in creating enabling environments for ECD services, as well as to private sector partners whose investments and collaborations continue to strengthen and expand opportunities for young children.

This collective effort demonstrates what is possible when we unite around a common purpose: ensuring that every child, regardless of where they are born or the circumstances of their family, has access to quality care, protection, nutrition, and early learning.

I will now hand over to Ms. Ipeleng Mohlala from the Early Care Foundation, a South African non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of Early Childhood Development (ECD) services for young children, particularly in underserved communities.
 
Through training, mentoring, and capacity-building programmes, the Foundation supports ECD principals and practitioners to provide safe, nurturing, and stimulating learning environments. 

For over 35 years, Early Care Foundation has worked to strengthen early learning opportunities, empowering children to reach their full potential and laying a strong foundation for lifelong success.

Our nation’s founding father, President Nelson Mandela, whose birthday we celebrated last month, reminded us that “there can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than the way in which it treats its children.”

These words ring as true today as when he said them. They are an inspiration, but above all they are a call to action.

It is my hope that our discussions will strengthen partnerships across our region, encourage the sharing of knowledge and best practices, and inspire greater action to advance the wellbeing of young children throughout the SADC region.

Once again, thank you for joining us and for your continued dedication to building a brighter future for Africa’s children.

Together, let us reaffirm our commitment to giving every child the strongest possible start in life.

I thank you.  
 

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Cabo Verde: Primeiro Ministro recebe em audiência Encarregado de Negócios da Embaixada dos Os Estados Unidos da América (EUA)

Source: Africa Press Organisation – Portuguese –

Primeiro Ministro recebe em audiência Encarregado de Negócios da Embaixada dos EUA

O Primeiro-Ministro, Francisco Carvalho, recebeu em audiência de cortesia o Encarregado de Negócios da Embaixada dos Estados Unidos da América em Cabo Verde, Dr. Mark Weinberg. O encontro serviu para abrir canais de diá. sobre projectos futuros e reforçar a parceria estratégica entre as duas nações em áreas de interesse mútuo.

Cabo Verde e os Estados Unidos mantêm uma relação histórica de amizade, alicerçada numa vasta comunidade residente naquele país e numa cooperação sólida em sectores como a segurança, a educação e o desenvolvimento económico.

Distribuído pelo Grupo APO para Governo de Cabo Verde.

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In Madagascar, Gen-Z overthrew a corrupt regime but the battle against state capture has barely begun

Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Tom Shipley, Research Fellow, Centre for the Study of Corruption, University of Sussex

Youth-led demonstrations that shook Madagascar in late 2025 began as protests over water and electricity shortages. They quickly evolved into bigger demands for political change, forcing president Andry Rajoelina into exile. The Gen-Z protesters (most born between 1997 and 2012) spoke of dignity, corruption and a broken social contract.

A military-led transitional government took advantage of the turmoil to take power. In a new book chapter and co-authored paper published by the GI-ACE research programme at the University of Sussex, Ketakandriana Rafitoson and Tom Shipley argue that the protesters overthrew a captured state.

But what is state capture? What does it look like in Madagascar? And what could happen next?

What is state capture?

State capture is a harmful corruption phenomenon. It involves powerful political and business networks reshaping the rules – laws and institutions – to serve their own ends.

Originally conceived by economists at the World Bank, state capture has the distinct idea of “shaping the rules of the game”. This is in contrast to everyday forms of corruption, which involve breaking the rules. It’s the difference between the pharmaceutical firm that uses its political connections to lower regulatory standards and the bribe paid to a nurse by a patient to secure vital treatment.

During protests in countries as diverse as Bangladesh, Serbia and Madagascar, the language of state capture provided a powerful mobilising force. This has brought new attention to a concept which for many years was a niche academic term.

What does state capture look like in Madagascar?

It is no accident that Madagascar was ranked among 10 countries at the bottom of the UN Human Development Index in 2025. Access to basic public services is low, holding back the economic prospects of young protesters.

State capture helps explain why.

Our colleague Liz Dávid-Barrett at the Centre for the Study of Corruption has developed a helpful framework that unbundles state capture into three pillars.

The first pillar is about fixing the rules governing key aspects of economic and political life. In Madagascar, the constitution has formed the bedrock of capture. Enacted amid a political crisis in 2010, it grants the presidency extensive powers. These include the right to appoint one-third of the members of the senate, a power relentlessly exploited by former president Rajoelina (2009-2014 and 2019-2025) to build patronage networks.

The second pillar is about controlling the implementation of public policy. Madagascar’s state bureaucracy is packed with political loyalists. Captors have also zeroed in on certain institutions, such as the national power and water utility, where there are opportunities to profit from corruption. This has had disastrous economic consequences. For instance, Madagascar’s electrification rates are among the lowest globally and power cuts are common.

The third pillar is about deflecting accountability by controlling or attacking institutions like the judiciary, the media and civil society. As an example, captors cleverly manipulated the design of an anti-corruption court to ensure their own immunity from prosecution. A High Court of Justice was created in 2018 to try senior officials. It has made zero prosecutions despite 37 cases being brought before the court. Threats of violence and legal action against activists were constant, repressing democratic activism.

Control of central state structures is only part of the story, however.

Captor networks have generated vast profits in vacuums of state authority, giving them powerful incentives to resist efforts to regulate those sectors.

At an early stage illegal rosewood logging helped captor networks under Rajoelina build the wealth used to control state institutions. Over time, these networks adapted as new economic opportunities emerged. They shifted from rosewood to vanilla and gold. Madagascar is the world’s leading producer of vanilla, while illegal gold exports have been a major source of profits for captor networks.

This economic activity in the shadows illustrates a conundrum that also applies to other countries where there is not much of a functioning state. Captor networks do not always need state institutions to control resources and retain power. They use formal rules when those rules serve their interests – and bypass them when they don’t.

Madagascar’s Gen Z-led protests brought these questions of concentrated political and economic power into focus.

How likely is change?

This isn’t the first time the Malagasy people have created a window of opportunity for change. Street protests against the rising cost of living and corruption facilitated Rajoelina’s entry into power in 2009. These windows have been shut without much achieved, however.

Exploiting the most recent upheaval, a transitional military government headed by Colonel Michael Randrianirina seized power in late 2025. It made commitments to a two-year transition period before elections.

But concerns the timetable will slip are merited. This is especially given growing Russian influence around Randrianirina which could lead to the postponement, or even cancellation, of elections in 2027.

The protest movement faces complications of its own. A recent survey found that 52% of citizens don’t trust the movement. The military government and old networks have also sought to infiltrate and intimidate activist groups.

The Concertation Nationale (national dialogue) – scheduled to begin in August 2026 but repeatedly delayed – will be a test of the direction of travel.

A national dialogue is an inclusive process for building consensus at a time of crisis. In theory, then, it could be a valuable forum for re-defining the rules of the game in a captured state. Constitutional change is expected to be on the table in a process overseen by church groups, but there are concerns about their independence.

What needs to happen instead?

The main focus of European governments now is the elections timetable. These donors retain influence but are in competition with Russia for the transition government’s ear.

Elections are important, of course, but likely to be flawed if structural issues around how they run are not addressed. Political finance, for example, has long been a black hole, which works to the advantage of established powerbrokers.

On anti-corruption, measures supported by international donors tend to focus on law enforcement efforts – going after the bad guys – over systemic reform. In a situation of state capture where corruption is systemic, this carries risks and can be counterproductive. Enforcement bodies can be captured and used to pursue political opponents.

Ultimately, breaking the cycle of state capture requires more than reshuffling elites.

Gen-Z reformers, civil society organisations and supportive foreign donors need to push for measures that can deliver quick and tangible benefits for citizens. For instance, strengthening the governance of the state power utility to improve basic public service provision. Other countries have made progress in tackling corruption in critical development sectors, like health.

Gen-Z protesters created an opening in Madagascar. But it is the months leading up to elections in late 2027 that will determine whether that leads to meaningful and lasting reform.

– In Madagascar, Gen-Z overthrew a corrupt regime but the battle against state capture has barely begun
– https://theconversation.com/in-madagascar-gen-z-overthrew-a-corrupt-regime-but-the-battle-against-state-capture-has-barely-begun-289407