In the wake of losing its 30-year majority in last week’s election, South Africa’s African National Congress (ANC) has initiated exploratory talks with five other parties to discuss the possibility of forming a coalition government. Despite remaining the largest party, the ANC faced an election deadlock as no party managed to secure a majority.

ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri revealed that the party had engaged in preliminary discussions with the main opposition Democratic Alliance, the far-left Economic Freedom Fighters, and three smaller parties. However, she noted that the talks were still in the early stages, and no decisions had been made.

Bhengu-Motsiri also mentioned that the ANC had repeatedly reached out to former President Jacob Zuma’s newly formed MK Party for talks but had received no positive response. Zuma, a former ANC leader, has become a fierce critic of current President Cyril Ramaphosa.

The ANC has framed these discussions as an attempt to form a government of “national unity,” with a formal coalition being just one of the options on the table. The party is open to engaging with any of the more than 50 parties that contested the election to find a solution. Parliament must convene by June 16 to elect a president, with Ramaphosa seeking a second term, and an agreement needs to be in place for that to happen.

In its worst-ever electoral showing, the ANC secured only 159 of the 400 parliamentary seats. The Democratic Alliance followed with 87 seats, the MK Party with 58 seats, the Economic Freedom Fighters with 39 seats, and the Inkatha Freedom Party with 17 seats.

Analysts have cautioned that the ANC risks alienating some of its traditional base by forming a coalition with the three main opposition parties, two of which were formed by leaders who broke away from the ANC in recent years.

The prospect of an ANC-Democratic Alliance coalition is expected to face opposition from some ANC members and alliance partners, including the Congress of South African Unions (Cosatu) and the South African Communist Party. Cosatu spokesman Matthew Parks emphasized the importance of a coalition led by the ANC and President Ramaphosa that prioritizes the needs of the working class, defends workers’ rights, grows the economy, creates jobs, tackles crime and corruption, invests in public services, and unites the nation.

Tensions are already apparent between the ANC and the MK Party, with an MK Party spokesman stating that the party would not negotiate with Ramaphosa’s ANC. Some senior ANC members, such as former Defence Minister Siphiwe Nyanda, have publicly warned against a coalition with Zuma’s MK Party, accusing Zuma of trying to destroy the ANC from within.

As coalition talks continue, the future of South Africa’s government hangs in the balance, with the ANC facing the challenge of finding a solution that satisfies its members, alliance partners, and the diverse needs of the nation.

Credit: AP

Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has announced that his country is seeking an agreement with the United States to deport asylum-seekers and migrants directly to their countries of origin, instead of returning them to Mexico. This statement comes in response to US President Joe Biden’s recently unveiled executive action, which would bar people who cross the US-Mexico border illegally from requesting asylum during periods of high illegal crossings.

Under Biden’s proclamation, asylum-seekers who do not meet certain exemptions would be turned away to Mexico or returned to their home countries. The plan, however, still allows for the normal flow of commerce and legal immigration across the border.

When asked about the potential impact of Biden’s plan on Mexican border towns, López Obrador expressed confidence in his country’s ability to handle the situation, stating, “They come to Mexico. We have no problem. We treat them all very well (…) but why not a direct agreement?” He emphasized Mexico’s desire for the US to deport asylum-seekers directly to their countries of origin.

Critics of Biden’s measure argue that it could endanger vulnerable people by effectively closing the border to asylum seekers. Tonatiuh Guillén, a professor at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) and former commissioner of the National Migration Institute of Mexico, warned that the new rule would create a “virtual wall,” leaving thousands of refugees in Mexico without the possibility of shelter.

However, Mexican authorities have largely downplayed any expected impact on their country. A source at Mexico’s asylum commission COMAR told CNN that the agency is not very concerned about a potential increase in refugee applications, as migrants who reach the northern border of Mexico are generally not interested in seeking asylum there.

López Obrador and Biden held a phone call on Tuesday, which the Mexican president described as “respectful” and “very amicable.” They discussed the need to support Latin American nations, and López Obrador expressed his appreciation for the US’ plan to build three new border bridges, stating that this would greatly help economic and commercial development throughout the region.

As the situation at the US-Mexico border continues to evolve, the two countries will need to work together to find solutions that balance the need for border security with the protection of vulnerable asylum-seekers and refugees.

Credit: CNN

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced on Wednesday that Russia will increase the number of military instructors in Burkina Faso, a West African nation currently under military rule following a coup d’état in July 2022. During his visit to the capital city of Ouagadougou, Lavrov stated that Russian instructors are already working in the country and that their numbers will grow, while also training Burkinabe armed forces and law enforcement personnel in Russia.

In addition to providing military training, Russia plans to supply Burkina Faso with military products to bolster the country’s defense capabilities. Lavrov’s trip, during which he was accompanied by Russian Deputy Defense Minister Yevkurov, included a meeting with acting President Ibrahim Traoré, as reported by Russia’s Foreign Ministry.

Burkina Faso has been grappling with an ongoing and deadly internal conflict, with violence-related deaths doubling in the past year, according to the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC). In 2024 alone, hundreds of civilians have lost their lives in attacks, including around 170 in three villages in March and approximately 30 in separate mosque and church attacks in February.

The NRC has named Burkina Faso the world’s most neglected displacement crisis for the second consecutive year, with 6.3 million people in need of humanitarian assistance and over two million internally displaced.

US officials have long warned that both Russia and China are working to expand their influence in Africa. In 2019, Gen. Thomas Waldhauser, then-head of US Africa Command, stated that Russia was using mercenaries and arms sales to gain access to natural resources on the continent. More recently, in March 2024, Africa Command cautioned Congress that Russia was aggressively working to expand its foothold in Africa, with several countries at risk of falling under its influence.

Lavrov also expressed gratitude to Burkinabe leaders for their assistance in resolving issues that allowed Russia to resume the activities of its embassy in Ouagadougou, noting that Burkina Faso was the first country to do so quickly and effectively as part of a program to reestablish Russian diplomatic missions in Africa.

As Russia faces isolation from much of the world due to its invasion of Ukraine, the country appears to be renewing its overtures in Africa, raising concerns among US officials about the potential geopolitical implications of growing Russian influence in the region.

Credit: CNN