Africa
PETER OBI CHALLENGES ECOWAS OVER PERCEIVED DOUBLE STANDARDS ON ELECTION GLITCHES
Labour Party leader and 2023 Presidential standard-bearer, Peter Obi, has reacted to the Economic Community of West African States’ condemnation of the recent military coup disruption in Guinea-Bissau, accusing the regional body of double standards. Obi questioned why ECOWAS remained silent on the technology glitch that marred Nigeria’s 2023 election while being quick to condemn the military-arranged glitch in Guinea-Bissau.
Writing on his X handle on Sunday in an article titled ‘Reflecting on the ‘Coup Glitches’ in Guinea-Bissau’, the foremost opposition leader stated that glitches of any type should be condemned because they undermine democracy. He recounted his distress upon learning that former President Goodluck Jonathan was caught up in the reported coup situation in Guinea-Bissau, where he was serving as an election monitor.
Obi revealed that he immediately reached out to Jonathan, who assured him of his safety. The Labour Party leader noted that he was further relieved to hear that Jonathan had returned safely to Nigeria. Obi said he listened carefully to Jonathan’s press briefing about the incident, where the former president noted that the so-called coup appeared suspicious, especially because it was the president himself who announced the coup and shared details with the international community.
Obi highlighted that the situation was particularly striking because the election was reportedly peaceful, with the only remaining step being the formal announcement of the results. He drew a parallel between the two nations’ electoral challenges, stating, “It is safe to say that while Nigeria’s own election was marred by a ‘technical glitch,’ the election in Guinea-Bissau seems to have suffered from a ‘coup glitch.’ Yet, to this day, no one has clearly explained the nature of Nigeria’s glitch.”
The former presidential candidate directly challenged ECOWAS’s inconsistent approach, asking, “ECOWAS was quick to sanction Guinea-Bissau, but what does ECOWAS do when democracy is subverted not by soldiers, but by technology? What is the punishment for countries that announce ‘glitches’ at critical moments during an election? Do we only condemn coups that are visible with guns and ignore those carried out through a designed technological failure?”
Obi emphasized that whether technical or political, these challenges can undermine democracy, hinder progress, and obstruct the rights of African citizens to freely elect their leaders. He asserted that true democracy flourishes in environments of transparency and accountability, where the voice of the people is paramount and not interrupted by unforeseen glitches or political maneuverings.
He concluded by stating that the Guinea-Bissau scenario represents two faces of the same crisis, where in one case ballots are discarded by force and in another ballots are obstructed by convenient technical issues. “In both cases, the people suffer, democracy is undermined, and the region sinks deeper into instability. The outcome remains the same: the citizens are denied their mandate,” Obi stated. He reaffirmed his belief that a New Nigeria is possible through addressing these issues constructively.
At least 13 people have been confirmed dead in Malawi following days of heavy rainfall that triggered widespread flooding across several parts of the country, authorities have said.
According to disaster management officials, the relentless downpour caused rivers to overflow, sweeping away homes, farmlands, and critical infrastructure. Many families have been displaced, with emergency responders working to rescue stranded residents and provide temporary shelter.
The Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) in Malawi reported that the floods have affected multiple districts, particularly low-lying communities that are prone to seasonal flooding. Several people remain missing, raising fears that the death toll could increase as search and rescue operations continue.
Local authorities say roads and bridges have been severely damaged, complicating relief efforts and cutting off access to some rural areas. Humanitarian agencies have begun mobilizing aid, including food supplies, clean water, and medical assistance for affected communities.
Weather experts have warned that more rainfall is expected in the coming days, heightening the risk of further flooding and landslides. The government has urged residents in vulnerable areas to relocate to higher ground as a precaution.
Flooding is a recurring challenge in Malawi during the rainy season, often worsened by poor drainage systems, deforestation, and the impacts of climate change.
Authorities say efforts are ongoing to assess the full scale of the damage and coordinate long-term recovery plans for affected communities.
*South Africa’s Water Crisis Worsens as Criminal Gangs Exploit Shortages
By Ezinne Obah
South Africans are raising concerns that criminal gangs are taking advantage of the country’s deepening water crisis, turning a basic service failure into a growing public safety threat.
In parts of Johannesburg, residents say prolonged water outages; some lasting over a month, have left communities desperate, creating an opportunity for organised criminal networks to step in and profit. Locals report that gangs are exploiting the shortages by controlling access to water supplies and forcing residents to pay for services that should be publicly provided.
The crisis, driven by ageing infrastructure, poor maintenance, and years of underinvestment, has already strained daily life. But the emergence of so-called “water mafias” has added a dangerous dimension, with reports suggesting that some criminal groups manipulate supply systems or insert themselves into distribution channels for financial gain.
Authorities have acknowledged the presence of organised networks linked to water tanker operations. Law enforcement officials say these groups sometimes demand payments from contractors or interfere with water delivery systems, further complicating efforts to provide relief to affected communities.
The growing crisis has triggered protests in several areas, with residents demanding reliable access to water, a right guaranteed under South Africa’s constitution. The situation has also intensified political pressure on the government, which has already identified organised crime and failing service delivery as major national challenges.
Analysts warn that if the crisis continues, it could deepen inequality, as poorer communities; unable to afford alternative water sources, remain the most vulnerable to both shortages and exploitation.
The developments highlight how infrastructure failures, when left unresolved, can create opportunities for criminal activity, turning essential services into commodities controlled by illicit networks.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda have agreed to take steps toward easing tensions following high-level talks held in Washington, D.C., signalling a renewed push to stabilise one of Africa’s most volatile regions.
According to a joint statement released after the March 17–18 meeting, both countries committed to “concrete steps” aimed at de-escalating the ongoing conflict in eastern Congo and advancing the implementation of a previously signed peace agreement.
The talks, hosted by the United States, come amid escalating violence in eastern Congo, where fighting involving the M23 rebel group has continued despite earlier peace efforts. The conflict has strained relations between Kinshasa and Kigali, with the Congolese government accusing Rwanda of backing the rebels, an allegation Rwanda denies.
As part of the new understanding, both sides are expected to take measures addressing key security concerns, including the withdrawal of forces from contested areas and action against armed groups operating along their shared border.
The renewed diplomatic push follows mounting international pressure, including recent U.S. sanctions on Rwandan military officials over their alleged involvement in the conflict.
Despite the agreement, analysts caution that the path to lasting peace remains uncertain, as previous ceasefire deals have repeatedly collapsed amid continued fighting and mutual distrust.
Eastern Congo remains one of the world’s most complex conflict zones, with armed groups competing for control of mineral-rich territories, contributing to a prolonged humanitarian crisis.