Afrigather Within the intricate tapestry of African politics, post-election authorized battles in Africa have turn into nearly as predictable because the elections.
Elections in lots of African nations are often marred by irregularities, starting from electoral malpractice and vote-buying to outright violence.
These points usually culminate in intense authorized confrontations that may form the political panorama for years to return.
This text delves into 5 such infamous authorized battles following main elections throughout the continent.
The Gambia 2016 Presidential Election
The 2016 presidential election in Gambia noticed long-time ruler Yahya Jammeh face off in opposition to Adama Barrow. After the election, Jammeh conceded defeat. He, nevertheless, later reversed his stance, plunging the nation right into a political disaster.
Jammeh who was the incumbent President refused at hand over to Barrow. Jammeh’s refusal to step down led to a petition within the Supreme Court docket difficult the election outcomes.
The ECOWAS (Financial Group of West African States) intervened, threatening navy motion if Jammeh didn’t step down. Beneath vital worldwide strain and the specter of navy intervention, Jammeh ultimately left for exile, permitting Barrow to take workplace.
Kenya’s 2017 Presidential Election
The competition between incumbent Uhuru Kenyatta and opposition chief Raila Odinga was fraught with pressure and allegations of irregularities.
Printed outcomes confirmed that the incumbent President Uhuru Kenyatta of the Jubilee Social gathering had been reelected with 54% of the vote.
Odinga who refused to simply accept the outcomes petitioned the Supreme Court docket, claiming the election was neither clear nor verifiable. The court docket, in a historic determination, annulled the election outcomes.
A re-run was ordered, which Kenyatta received after Odinga boycotted, citing an absence of reforms within the electoral fee.
Zimbabwe’s 2018 Presidential Election
The post-Mugabe period election noticed Emmerson Mnangagwa narrowly defeating Nelson Chamisa.
Chamisa claimed the election was rigged and took his grievances to the Constitutional Court docket.
Mnangagwa’s inauguration, which had been scheduled for the twelfth of August, 2018 was delayed after Chamisa petitioned to problem the election ends in court docket, with a ruling due by the top of the month.
The court docket upheld Mnangagwa’s victory, stating that Chamisa failed to supply enough proof of malpractice.
Malawi’s 2019 Presidential Elections
Incumbent Peter Mutharika was declared the winner, however opposition events alleged vital irregularities.
The Constitutional Court docket was petitioned, and after an intensive overview, the court docket discovered that widespread irregularities marred the election.
The court docket nullified the election outcomes, and a contemporary election was held in 2020, which Lazarus Chakwera received.
Nigeria’s 2023 Presidential Elections
Background: The 2023 elections noticed a fierce contest between the candidates, Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressive Congress, APC, Peter Obi of the Labour Social gathering and Atiku Abubakar of the Individuals Democratic Social gathering, PDP.
The Impartial Nationwide Electoral Fee, INEC declared Tinubu because the winner, however Atiku and Obi filed appeals difficult the election outcomes.
After a number of litigations, the Supreme Court docket dismissed their appeals, affirming Tinubu’s election because the President of Nigeria.
It rejected the appliance of Atiku, in search of to present Tinubu’s credentials obtained from the CSU. The Supreme Court docket additionally famous that the problems raised by Obi had been handled within the Atiku’s enchantment.
