In 2011 the Arab Spring claimed three of Africa’s Big Men, but their countries weren’t the only ones affected. There were the governments that endured the turbulent times of protests and strikes yet somehow managed to hold on, be it through violent suppression of protestors, suspension of various forms of communication, proposing reforms or simply ignoring protest and hoping that it goes away.
Election fever
So it was that 2011 was the year of presidential elections in Africa. There were a total of 18 scheduled elections at the start of the year, by the end there were a total of 19. In Tunisia elections took place to replace ousted leader Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, and elections that were meant to take place in Zimbabwe and Madagascar have been moved to 2012.
The new leaders:
In 2011 the Arab Spring claimed three of Africa’s Big Men, but their countries weren’t the only ones affected. There were the governments that endured the turbulent times of protests and strikes yet somehow managed to hold on, be it through violent suppression of protestors, suspension of various forms of communication, proposing reforms or simply ignoring protest and hoping that it goes away.
Election fever
So it was that 2011 was the year of presidential elections in Africa. There were a total of 18 scheduled elections at the start of the year, by the end there were a total of 19. In Tunisia elections took place to replace ousted leader Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, and elections that were meant to take place in Zimbabwe and Madagascar have been moved to 2012.
The new leaders: