Sameera Casmod | sameerac@radioislam.co.za
22 August 2023 | 11:23am SAST
2-min read

Picture: Radio Islam International

In this week’s Africa Report on Radio Islam International, Dr Christopher Isike, a distinguished professor of African politics and international relations at the University of Pretoria, discussed the Zimbabwean elections, the Niger coup, and South Africa’s evolving foreign policy.

With the Zimbabwean elections on the horizon, Dr Isike shed light on the significance of the upcoming polls. Scheduled for tomorrow, these elections hold crucial implications for the nation’s trajectory. Dr Isike highlighted that among the 11 candidates vying for the presidency, two have emerged as the main contenders: the incumbent, 80-year-old Emmerson Mnangagwa of the ZANU-PF party, and the opposition leader, Nelson Chamisa, 45, from the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC).

Dr Isike provided insights into the context surrounding these candidates, noting Mnangagwa’s leadership since the military-driven resignation of Robert Mugabe in 2017. Mnangagwa’s tenure has included a disputed election victory in 2018. In contrast, Chamisa secured a notable 44% of the votes in the 2018 poll but was disqualified due to legal challenges. Concerns regarding voter suppression and the state’s control of the election process raised questions about the fairness of the upcoming elections.

Switching focus to the Niger coup, Dr Isike expressed hope that the situation could be resolved without bloodshed. He discussed ongoing talks between the coup leaders and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). These discussions aim to prevent further instability and violence. Dr Isike emphasised the involvement of the African Union in seeking an African-led solution to the crisis.

Dr Isike also analysed South African President Ramaphosa’s recent foreign policy speech, which placed Africa at the centre of the nation’s global strategy. In his speech, President Ramaphosa outlined the country’s non-alignment stance, its response to the Ukraine crisis, and its commitment to an Afrocentric foreign policy. Dr Isike appreciated this decisive step as a clear vision for South Africa’s role on the international stage.

The professor highlighted South Africa’s influential position, evident through its G20 membership and upcoming hosting of the G20 summit in 2025, a historic first for an African nation. As a member of BRICS, South Africa has also advocated for African countries to join this economic alliance, thereby expanding market opportunities and representing the continent’s interests. Dr Isike applauded the president’s emphasis on acting in alignment with the foreign policy white paper and press posts, affirming South Africa’s pivotal role in advocating for Africa’s global engagement.

Listen to the full interview on Sabaahul Muslim with Moulana Sulaiman Ravat here.