Retrospective: Sub-Saharan Africa in 2016

By Mohamed Abdellaoui and Felix Tih

TUNIS, Tunisia (AA) - Africa is a land of great talents, abundant ideas, social and cultural dynamics, youth bursting with energy, and fledgling democracy, as well as people who want change and peaceful democratic changeover, amid staggering conflicts.

The year 2016 was another major chapter in the history of a continent often described as the future of the world economy. Here are some events and dates that marked 2016 in Africa.

I. Main political crises

- December (The Democratic Republic of Congo)

On Dec. 19 popular demonstrations broke out against the president of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Joseph Kabila, whose second and final constitutional mandate came to an end the same day.

The radical opposition gathered around Etienne Tshisekedi and the former governor of Katanga, Moses Katumbi (currently in voluntary exile). Clashes between police and demonstrators in four cities claimed 56 lives, according to the UN.

Since then negotiations have continued between the outgoing president, accused of maneuvering in order to hold onto power beyond his last constitutional mandate, and an upbeat opposition. But chaos is still ongoing in the Great Lakes region country. Sociologist and essayist Franz Fanon once said: "Africa is shaped like a gun, and Congo is the trigger."

- Gambia:

In Gambia, President Yahya Jammeh, who has been in power for 22 years, rejected election results a week after conceding defeat to Adama Barrow, who was elected on Dec. 1 with 45.54 percent of the votes.

With little concern for the people’s demand for change through the ballot box, the outgoing president seems to brushing off ongoing international condemnations, in particular those of the African Union, Economic Community of West Africa (ECOWAS), and the UN representatives in West Africa.

They asked him to respect the verdict of the ballot box, but Jammeh seems to be determined to stick to his position. This has made his critics consider military intervention.

But in a recent televised statement, he said: "The intervention of foreign powers would not change my decision." He also said he would "not tolerate any protests in the streets" and would block a plane carrying an ECOWAS mission from landing in the capital Banjul.

- August (Gabon):

In Gabon, a political crisis broke out after the main opposition leader, Jean Ping, refused to recognize the results of the Aug. 27 presidential election won by Ali Bongo with over 50 percent of the vote.

Bongo was reelected for a second seven-year term, but the opposition challenged the results, saying it was marred by fraud, especially in the Haut-Ogooue Province, Bongo’s stronghold.

According to records, Bongo won 95.4 percent of the votes in Haut-Ogooue. Several international organizations and observers denounced the unreliable electoral process, but he was unmoved.

The turmoil and instability caused by this political stalemate is still ongoing in this oil-rich Central African state. On Dec. 23, Ping called on the police and army to join in his fight against Bongo’s contested reelection.

- March (Congo):

In Congo, after a controversial constitutional referendum, Denis Sassou-Nguesso won the March 20 presidential election with over 60 percent of the vote.

Sassou-Nguesso has been in power for almost 32 years and faces weak but persistent opposition in a country which is experiencing increasing insecurity in the southeastern region.

Armed attacks have been perpetrated, resulting in numerous deaths and displacements. The government blames these attacks on the “ninja” militia of Frederic Bitsamou, alias Pastor Ntumi. This chaotic security situation does not favor Sassou-Nguesso’s five-year target: To boost the economy and reduce unemployment.

- Since January (Burundi)

In Burundi, clashes and violence began in April 2015, when President Pierre Nkurunziza announced his candidacy for a third mandate, and continued through 2016.

Despite pressure from the international community, the political and security situation in Burundi does not seem to be abating. The radical opposition and some unknown groups continue to protest and the government has maintained its repression of these groups.

The violence that erupted in April 2015 has led to the death of about 1,000 people and forced over 310,000 people to flee the country and seek refuge in neighboring countries, according to a report this November by the International Federation of Human Rights (FIDH).

II. Successful political transitions

But 2016 was not only dark for Africa. The continent also saw good news in some countries.

- December (Ghana)

In Ghana, Ghanaian opposition leader Nana Akufo-Addo won the Dec. 7 presidential election against outgoing President John Dramani Mahama with over 53 percent of the votes.

In a statement to French daily Le Monde, Manji Cheto, a sub-Saharan Africa specialist and vice president of Teneo Intelligence, a London-based risk analysis company, said: "Once again, Ghanaians believe that their report [example] is an effective way to be heard and to show their dissatisfaction."

- March (Benin):

Benin is another example of democracy in Africa. Businessman Patrice Talon won the March 26 presidential election with over 65 percent of the vote, versus 34.6 percent for Lionel Zinsou, then-prime minister and candidate of the ruling party.

Former President Boni Yayi withdrew from power, as he could not run for a third term due to constitutional term limits. The tiny West African state has thus confirmed itself as a bastion of electoral democracy.

- February (Central African Republic):

In 2013 the war-torn Central African Republic plunged into conflict in 2013 after Seleka rebels ousted President Francois Bozize from power.

Faustin-Archange Touadera was elected president in February 2016 with over 62 percent of the vote.

Sectarian violence between Christians and Muslims slowed down after the elections.

III. African countries quit the ICC

Burundi, Gambia, and South Africa have recently said they were withdrawing from the International Criminal Court

In October Burundi officially withdrew from the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, according to a presidential decree. Burundi became the first African country to leave the ICC.

Opposition parties and civil society members have criticized the country’s withdrawal from the ICC, saying it reflects the country’s alleged involvement in crimes against humanity and violations of human rights.

Also in October, Gambia became the second African country to announce its withdrawal from the Hague-based International Criminal Court

Critics of Gambian President Yahya Jammeh believe he is withdrawing from the ICC because he wants to evade justice.

Jammeh has been accused of human right abuses in his country, including torture and disappearances of political opponents and journalists.

South African Justice Minister Michael Masutha announced in November that his country had begun a formal process to withdraw from the ICC.

The move follows a 2015 dispute over the visit of Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir to South Africa – despite being wanted by the ICC.

Experts now fear numerous African countries could join the list of those defecting.

2016 for Africa was a glass half-empty, half-full year. What will 2017 look like?