🎬Matter of formality

Good morning. Here are a few quick tips to prepare for your weekend;

• Make plans for an all-nighter on Friday.

• Stock up on snacks and drinks for the weekend

• Prepare a fun playlist

• Take an early break from work on Friday

• Send in a leave request from work on Monday.

If you took the above advice seriously, then maybe it’s time to reconsider changing jobs. - Anonymous.

— Edna Akanni, Tayo Davies

POLITICS

Algeria has never seen a smooth transfer of power. There won’t even be one this time.

A stroll down the streets of Algiers will have you notice empty billboards, few campaign posters, and next to no enthusiasm as Algerians head to the polls this Saturday to decide who their next president will be.

A charged military history that has seen three coups and two forced resignations has left Algerians as excited about the elections as they would about resuming work on a Monday morning.

Why the apathy?

Presidential incumbent, Abdelmajid Tebboune will be running against two rather obscure and unpopular candidates; Hassani Cherif and Youcem Aouchiche, both of who many suspect are just figureheads whose participation would lend legitimacy to the elections.

The military-backed Tebboune presidency has been notorious for repressing political opponents, banning political and civilian protests, and jailing dissenting journalists. Despite the risks, up to 30 candidates had hoped to dethrone Tebboune. Ultimately, authorities approved only two, while pursuing fraud charges against the rest. According to analysts, voter apathy has peaked, with only 10% of registered voters expected to vote, a far cry from the 14% turnout in 2019.

Disillusioned masses…President Tebboune’s record in office hasn’t been great either.

• While COVID-19 ravaged the country, he fled to Germany for treatment when he contracted the virus.

• His love for social spending shot inflation up, making essentials like potatoes and coffee unaffordable.

• His policies denied Algeria entry into the BRICS coalition, much to his people’s dismay.

But many commentators have come to the defense of the soon-to-be repeat president. Algeria’s recent cash influx happened on the back of Ukraine’s woes where European leaders flocked to Algiers to sign oil and gas deals as Europe scrambled to secure alternatives to Russian oil.

In sum. Tebboune is nearly certain to win an overwhelming majority on the first vote, eliminating the need for a second round. As Algerians aren’t likely to see their first normal handover of power in 2024—the military won’t let them.

DIGITS

SNIPPETS

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Bringing the heat. Ugandan opposition leader, Bobi Wine, has been reported shot in the leg following a clash with Ugandan police during a protest he organized against sitting president, Museveni.

Again, not a prank: The Democratic Republic of Congo, the current mpox outbreak's epicenter, has yet to receive any vaccines. Other countries with smaller disease burdens have received limited doses in the form of aid.

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