🎬Electoral Bloom

January 24, 2025

TGIF. Nominations for the 97th Annual Oscars were announced yesterday at 14:30 WAT. No matter who wins, Dune 2 others as others Dune 2 you.

— Ayomide Obafemi.

CURRENCIES

Currency exchange rates against the US dollar as of market close. Here’s what these numbers mean

POLITICS
Gabon finally returns to the polls

Yet another proof that brogue shoes will always be more fashionable than chunky boots. This week, Gabon’s transitional leader, Gen. Brice Nguema announced that the country will conduct presidential elections on April 12th, less than two years after toppling former President, Ali Bongo in a bloodless coup.

In no similar way to the US, the country’s electoral college convened last week to draft a new electoral code to govern the country’s electoral process moving forward. Of the many changes announced, the most talked about were;

  • The removal of the prime minister’s office, granting only the president executive rights.

  • Placing a two-term limit on the presidency.

  • Lifting the ban on military personnel wanting to contest for president.

Opposition leader, Albert Ondo Ossa described the amendments to the bill as ‘favorable’ to the transition leader, Brice Nguema, who is currently seen as the prime candidate to replace Ali Bongo during this year’s elections.

Freedom either way

The current transitional regime took over from the longstanding Bongo dynasty which had seen both father and son, Omar and Ali Bongo respectively rule for a combined 55 years. Both men had dismal approval ratings during their tenures even with Gabon being one of the richest in countries per capita income. Francois Obiang, a former opposition to the Bongos described the country as being “in tatters in terms of infrastructure, education, and health” adding that many people viewed Nguema as a ‘savior’.

Better than most. Of the eight transitional governments installed through coups across Africa in the past five years, only Gabon is touting a transition back to civilian rule. Most of the rest have cemented a military government and intentionally delayed returning to civilian rule at least for now. -OA

TRENDING
Netflix and not-so-chill

James Martin/CNET

Netflix is increasing the prices of its monthly ad-free, ad-supported, and premium memberships in its latest hike. The streaming juggernaut saw its largest-ever jump in subscribers in the last quarter of 2024, with 19m new subscribers — bringing its total to 302m globally. Netflix’s revenue also increased 16% last quarter, surpassing $10B for the first time. What’s behind their recent success? The company cited November’s very bad boxing match between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul — the most-streamed sporting event in history, with 108m global viewers — as well as its two Christmas Day NFL games and “Squid Game” season two.

SHOWER THOUGHTS

“When you walk around pretending to be crazy, eventually, you’ll meet someone pretending to be normal.”

NEWS
Round the continent

Belga/BRUZZ

  • Ossama al-Masri, the Libyan warlord captured by Italy, has been repatriated to Libya instead of the International Criminal Court.

  • South Sudan has suspended social media platforms in the country for the next 30 days due to fears of videos capturing the violence in neighboring Sudan being shared.

  • Veron Mosengo-Omba, the CAF Secretary General has been cleared of fraud allegations levied against him since September.

  • Rokia Traore, the Malian artist, and UNHCR Ambassador detained in Rome over a child custody battle is set to be released.

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