· January, 2011

Stories about Elections from January, 2011

Guatemala: The Left Unites During Election Year

  31 January 2011

Central American Politics reports that leaders from Guatemalan left-leaning parties have met with “representatives from the country's social organizations, unions, and peasant and environmental groups” to try to form a Broad Front for this year's legislative and presidential elections.

Africa: Has African Union become a group of jokers?

  31 January 2011

Mac-Jordan wonders why Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe is included in Cote d'Ivoire's mediation?: “Instantly, I become very angry and annoyed at the decision of the African Union in appointing a dictator to mediate in the on-goings in Ivory Coast. Has the African Union become that much of a group of...

Haiti: Candidates on Twitter

  28 January 2011

“With a measly 199 followers, @Judecelestin10's campaign seems to have underestimated Twitter as a communications tool”: kiskeacity looks at the popularity of Haitian political candidates on Twitter.

Cote d'Ivoire: Lessons for international community

  28 January 2011

Laura's thoughts and links on Cote d'Ivoire: “After a nearly two-month stand off between former President Gbagbo, who refuses to admit defeat, and newly-elected President Ouattara, who is sequestered in a U.N.-fortified hotel, the situation for civilians is grave and looks likely to become even more dire.

Sudan: What will be the new name for Southern Sudan?

  27 January 2011

A referendum took place in Southern Sudan from 9 January to 15 January 2011 on whether the region should remain a part of Sudan or become Africa's new independent state. As of 27 January 2011, preliminary results showed that 98.81% of voters are in favor of secession while 1.19% are in favor of unity. Final results will be announced early February. This is our latest roundup of posts related to the referendum.

Gabon: Opposition Leader Takes Oath as New President

  26 January 2011

The double presidential power struggle in Côte d'Ivoire seems to have inspired Gabon's political opposition as well. This afternoon on January 26, 2011, former Gabonese presidential election candidate André Mba Obame - regarded by many as the probable winner of the 2009 election - has taken oath as President and formed his own 'unofficial' government.

Cote d'Ivoire: Who are the fools in Ivorian crisis?

  24 January 2011

Novis identifies “the fools” in the political crisis in Cote d'Ivoire:”The basic fact is that Ouattara's claim of victory is no less disputable as that of Gbagbo. on the other hand, Gbagbo's claim of electoral fraud by his opponent is no more credible than that of Ouattara. So there's clear...

Haiti: Time for a Change

  20 January 2011

“I thought that after Duvalier left, things in Haiti were going to improve. What I never imagined was that the leaders who came after Duvalier were going to take Duvalier's concepts and use them to their own benefits”: Changing Perspectives republishes an interesting take on Haitian politics by Richard Morse...

Sudan: Southern Sudan Referendum: Africa (Dis)United?

  19 January 2011

In our latest roundup of Southern Sudan Referendum 2011, Dr. James Okuk offers his “advance billion congratulation” to the people of Southern Sudan for choosing to form a new nation while Leon Nyerere, a Sudanese based in Canada, believes that there is no rational justification for the separation of Southern Sudan. The quest for separation, Leon argues, was informed by emotions than rational thinking.

Poland: Initial Reactions to Russian Report on Polish Air Force One Plane Crash

  19 January 2011

The Interstate Aviation Committee's report on the crash of TU-154M airplane near Smolensk on April 10, 2010, has generated an outburst of strong opinions about the validity and objectivity of the document, as well as the effect it might have on the Polish politics in 2011. Most discussions in various social media are highly negative of the document's content, but gradually bloggers are beginning to elaborate on the topic.

D.R. of Congo: Are we prepared for elections?

  18 January 2011

Is the Democratic Republic of Congo prepared for elections this year?: “We have yet to see the new electoral commission (CENI) inaugurated, as legislators are still bickering about its composition. The revision of the electoral roll is ongoing in the provinces, but there have been many complaints about the lack...

Haiti: Duvalier Visit Political Red Herring?

  17 January 2011

A little more than a year after a debilitating earthquake practically leveled the Haitian capital and destroyed innumerable surrounding towns, killing thousands and leaving survivors homeless (tent cities are still full, despite millions of dollars in relief aid pledged), exiled dictator Jean-Claude “Baby Doc” Duvalier returned to his homeland. Many bloggers are still stunned at this latest political development and remain unclear as to the motive behind his visit.

Sudan: Peaceful referendum comes to a close

  17 January 2011

Peaceful referendum in Southern Sudan comes to a close: “On the closing day of the elections the lines had all but vanished, wind whipped up dust that blew past the signs at almost empty polling stations. Rare were the southern Sudanese who had left their electoral duties for the last...