“NO ELECTRICITY, NO VOTE,” SOUTH AFRICANS THREATEN TO SHUN RULING PARTY ANC. (PHOTO)

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 “No electricity, no vote,” South Africans threaten to shun ruling party ANC Residents in Katlehong, a township outside Johannesburg, have resolved to boycott South Africa's upcoming local elections on November 4 due to long-standing failures by authorities to provide basic services like electricity. For over 20 years, around 180 households in the community have relied on illegal electrical connections pulled from neighboring areas to power their homes. Angry over the lack of formal grid infrastructure, residents are directing their frustration at the ruling African National Congress (ANC). "We have made a collective decision: no electricity, no vote," said community leader Lesiba Rankapole, 59. "We know it is illegal, but we had no choice because we cannot live without electricity. Our children cannot progress without electricity." "I was born ANC, but today I do not want anyone to tell me about the ANC because I am suffering," added 57-year-old resid...

DENMARK SHUTS EMBASSY IN MALI, BURKINA FASO. (PHOTO).


 Denmark shuts embassy in Mali, Burkina Faso


Denmark is shutting down its embassies in Mali and Burkina Faso as part of its new Africa strategy, as military coups have "severely limited the scope for action in the Sahel region," authorities said.


Denmark said it would open embassies in Senegal, Tunisia, and Rwanda and bolster diplomatic staff at its embassies in Egypt, Kenya, South Africa, Nigeria, and Ghana, according to AFP.


Following the closures in Bamako and Ouagadougou, a special representative will be appointed for the African Great Lakes and Sahel region, it said.


Mali and Burkina Faso have turned to Russia and its Wagner mercenary group for support since military leaders seized power in 2020 and 2022, respectively.


Mali's relations with European countries have deteriorated recently.


Earlier this month, its military junta ordered the Swedish ambassador to leave the country after a Swedish minister criticised Malian support for Russia.


Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said his country's reorganisation of priorities in Africa came as Denmark and the European Union aimed to be Africa's "preferred partner" as the continent faces whether to "orient itself more towards the East or the West."


"We have a clear interest in the African countries looking towards us in Europe as they chart the course for their future," he said.


"We must demonstrate that we offer an attractive alternative to the increasing Chinese and Russian influence on the continent," he added.


The new Danish strategy will focus heavily on increasing trade and on water initiatives.


In the coming years, Denmark plans to provide one billion kroner ($150 million) in development assistance to new bilateral water initiatives in Africa, and 425 million kroner in 2025 alone.

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