An American diplomat once remarked that African aspiration to copy America is proof that imitation is the most sincere compliment. So America watchers from our coup-prone continent noted with alarm reports of military unease with the last months of the Trump administration. Even more concerning were the reports of far-right activists calling for civil war at the news of the FBI search of Trump's Mar-a-Largo residence.

Military coups are not unknown in Africa, and Presidents who seek to remain in power are not uncommon. So too is the practice of raising crowds to support or destabilize political initiatives. The ex-President of South Africa, Jacob Zuma, was judged in contempt of the Constitutional Court as he attempted to evade justice, a Stalingrad campaign he has dragged out for seventeen years. His supporters threatened mayhem, and when an arrest warrant was executed in June 2021, wide-scale public arrest followed, resulting in multiple deaths, wide-scale destruction of property, and damage to infrastructure. 

At long last, twenty instigators have been arrested and will soon appear in court on charges including conspiracy to commit public violence, incitement to commit public violence, and arson. One wonders if those charged would include close relatives of the ex-President, who had been vociferous on social media at the time of the unrest, calling for the ex-President to return to power. 

These developments come at a time when vicious factional struggles within the ruling party between supporters of  Zuma and supporters of his successor, Cyril Ramaphosa, threaten the delivery of services to the public. The latest series of party conferences gave little room for hope that corruption would be rooted out or that the needs of the poor would enjoy any priority. 

Zuma had weaponized the security services in his time in office. So when ex-spy boss Arthur Frazer revealed a suspicious burglary at President Ramaphosa's far and laid charges of money laundering, concealment of evidence, and more critics were quick to call for investigation of political plots against Ramaphosa. And while policy conferences seemingly ignore rising poverty and increasing public protest against lack of service delivery, the South African military issued a notice to troops to be on standby given the gradually deteriorating security situation.

And now for the good news: Kenya's elections have been a pleasant surprise. For the first time, no candidate campaigned on a purely ethnic basis. Platforms called for national unity. And while the turnout was disappointingly low, so was the level of violence.

At the time of writing (Friday 12 August at 10 am), the main contenders were neck and neck, with Raila Odinga at 49.7% and Ruto 49.08. Around 65% of the votes were validated. Final results were expected over the weekend. Observers, while expressing concern at the low turnout, social media misinformation and apathy among the youth, complimented the police on securing polling stations and ensuring peaceful polls. The electoral Commission also earned praise for its work.