South Africa Repeals Expropriation Act 63 of 1975

 

South Africa is engaging in a new policy of land reform. The repeal of the Expropriation Act 63 of 1975 represents an effort to eliminate the remains of the Apartheid regime. Land distribution was made unequal by racist laws and practices from 1948 to 1994. The majority of South Africans want to see land distribution. White farmers in the past exploited land and labor, while the black majority was impoverished. The repeal of the Expropriation Act 63 of 1975 is constitutional. A concern about property rights have been discussed by those who oppose reforms. The land was stolen by the Afrikaners and similar to Zimbabwe many were displaced. The expropriation of land under the new law is not to enrich or displace populations. It is giving justice to those who were under colonial rule and racial segregation. The debate over compensation will be contentious. The South African Constitution and courts have to determine if compensation is to be given. Section 12 explains the conditions for transactions. Some object to this on the basis of the basis of the oppression that was inflicted by the white minority ruled regime. Afrikaners continue to benefit from past violence and discriminatory practices of the past. Repeal old laws and new legislation might not be enough. The ANC must embark on wider economic empowerment programs. Strengthening the rand and expanding trade across Africa ensures a better future. Land reform and distribution is the first step to South Africa's economic improvement. 

Senegal's Presidential Election Postponed

 

Senegal's presential election has been postponed. President Macky Sall stated the reason for the decision was related to the list of candidates. The dispute arose from the actions of the Constitutional Council . They excluded a number of opposition candidates. The legality of this is brought into question. While there are some qualifications candidates have to meet to run for office, it appears these actions are designed to favor President Macky Sall. Having free and fair elections is not possible, if citizens are not given options. The Senegalese Democratic Party did request the election to be postponed, so they could get Karim Wade to run. Wade was an opposition figure that was excluded. The PASTEF Party is the most vocal critic of the postponement of the presidential election. President Macky Sall expressed that he has no desire to run for a third term. The address to the public did not make mention what the new date for the  presidential election would be. President Macky Sall might be attempting to extend his term by extralegal means. Senegal currently has 20 candidates running for the office of president. There could be those who conspire to reduce competition by postponing the election. The announcement caused demonstrations to break out . Dakar is seeing a growing number of protests by Senegalese who feel the government is becoming quasi-authoritarian. Senegal's stable democratic structure shielded it from the turbulence of its neighbors. Depending of the actions of President Macky Sall, ECOWAS could get involved. The West African region is going through political transformation. Senegal is just one country undergoing change.    

Coretta Scott King Supports Gay Rights

 

Coretta Scott King was a civil rights activist, singer, and author who fought for equality in American society. When her husband was assassinated, she continued his work in the fight for social justice. Gay rights were controversial in American society. Coretta Scott King was an ally of the LGBTQ community at a time when most Americans viewed them as deviants. A portion of homophobic sentiment came from Churches. Coretta Scott King's argument was that discrimination  against gays and lesbians was unjust. A free and democratic society should not discriminate against people based on race, religion, nationality, or sexual orientation. One of the criticisms directed at civil rights leaders was that should focus solely on racial justice. When any group is singled out for discrimination all who are concerned about human rights should come to their aid. Coretta Scott King spent her life fighting for those who could not fight for themselves. By the early 21st century marriage equality was attained. While progress had been made, conservative backlash remained. 

The Donald Trump Indictment

 

Donald Trump has become the first former US president to be indicted. The changes relate to payments given to an adult film star. The payments were given to Stormy Daniels during the 2016 presidential campaign. The case at best is not strong enough to imprison the former president. If there was a serious attempt to do so, Donald Trump would be investigated for tax evasion. There has been reason to believe that for a long period of time the former president has not paid taxes. The New York grand jury decided to vote and proceed with the indictment. No consideration was taken into the political  and law related consequences. Donald Trump has framed this as political persecution from the Democratic establishment. Other might come to the conclusion it is a means of damaging his  campaign for the 2024 presidential election. While there is a strong argument he abused power in office, these criminal charges are frivolous in comparison. The concern is that other former presidents could be targeted in the future. The criminal justice system should not be weaponized or directed at political opponents. The indictment could backfire against the Democrats, who are struggling to counter a more aggressive Republican Party. The legal complications are numerous. The biggest question is if the former president can get a fair trial in Manhattan. Donald Trump is not the most popular figure in the state and the jury could have bias. Ensuring due process would be even more difficult. A trial might not happen immediately. Through a series of appeals it could be delayed from two to three years. News of the indictment has caused more division among the American public.   

The Biden Administration And The Uncovered Classified Documents

 

The Biden administration has another concern. Classified documents were found in the residence and offices of President Biden. Most are from the period when he served as vice president from 2009 to 2017. The second set was uncovered in his residence in Wilmington, Delaware. This has generated controversy. Former President Trump had his home raided in order to get classified documents. Critics accuse a bias in application of the law. The minor difference is that so far the Biden administration has been cooperative with investigations. Donald Trump claimed that he gave all the documents he had. The classified documents of the second set have been transported to National Archives. The Justice Department has been altered. It cannot be ignored that President Biden mishandled documents. What this appears to be is more so incompetence, than genuine criminal intent. The case of former president Trump was that he was resisting the Department of Justice. That can be interpreted as obstruction of justice. The Biden administration is still guilty in mishandling classified documents and it is clear that the law will not be equally applied. Although what President Biden has done would be deemed a crime, it is not enough to be an impeachable offense. The US Justice Department has a policy in which a president is immune from indictment and criminal prosecution. The policy was reaffirmed in the year 2000. The reason it came into existence was due to the Watergate scandal in 1973. The concern was that prosecuting a president in office would give the judicial branch too much power. The revelation about classified documents exposes that both political parties have become more corrupt. 

The End of Roe v. Wade

 

The Supreme Court has overturned Roe v. Wade. This means women will not have access to safe abortion. The ruling could induce a large public health crisis. Women might seek more dangerous methods to terminate pregnancy. Considering the US healthcare system is of low quality overtime the result of this ruling will overwhelm it. The Democratic Party's failure to codify the law demonstrates it was never a liberal party. Reproductive rights were not defended even when the Democrats had a majority during the Obama administration. Political centrists that dominate the party allowed this to happen. Protests have erupted, but this will not be as effective as legal action. The role of religious fundamentalism in this ruling cannot be underestimated. Organized religion has become so incompatible with a democratic political structure it undermines rights and freedoms. The Republican triumph was engineered by the Federalist Society. The organization was responsible for getting a number of conservatives on the Supreme Court.  Other rulings might be a target regarding voting rights and gay marriage. President Joseph Biden stated he was going to codify Roe v. Wade, but took no measures to make that possible. More legal challenges will be heading to the Supreme Court. Roe v. Wade however seems to have reached its end. 

F.W. de Klerk's Last Public Statement (2021)

 F.W. de Klerk (1936-2021) released a  public statement before his death. The last president of Apartheid South Africa made an apology for the damage the system caused to the African, Colored, and Indian population.The question remains why this was not done earlier. Guilt could have been the motivation. The regime killed and abused the black majority in order to preserve the political and economic dominance of whites. The National Party continued to be active even with the end of the Apartheid regime in 1994. The party would dissolve in 1997. It then formed into the New National Party in attempt to improve its image. Klerk won a Nobel Prize, which he shared with Nelson Mandela. Although seen as a peaceful mediator , he did not confront the numerous human rights abuses by the security services  during his presidency. The public statement he released expresses the need to uphold the constitution and maintain the independence of the judiciary. The need for job creation and economic empowerment is critical to South Africa's future. F.W. de Klerk discussion on the rule of law seemed contradictory. He presided over a regime that did not acknowledge it and was not happy that the Truth and Reconciliation Commission formed to investigate abuses. F.W. de Klerk will remain a controversial figure in South African history.       

Blaise Compaore Charged With The Murder of Thomas Sankara

 

The former president of Burkina Faso has been charged with murder. Campaore deposed the revolutionary Pan-Africanist leader Thomas Sankara in 1987. Campaore would remain in power until 2014, when he was removed by a mass uprising. Since then, he has lived in exile. Sources claim Blaise Compaore remains in Ivory Coast. There some indications that he wanted to make a return to the country. The country has in recent years undergone turbulence from insurgencies and terrorist organizations. The charges are complicity in the murder and undermining state security. Campaore was most likely more involved in the assassination than previously thought. The former president denies the charges and if he does return will fight them in court. Ivory Coast will not extradite him. Former authoritarian leaders have in the past avoided punishment for crimes in the past, However, some have convicted. Hissene Habre of Chad  was arrested in 2016. Blaise Campaore may be able to escape trial or prison. He has the benefit of protection. Unlike the ICC, which has questionable legitimacy this tribunal is the product of Africans. If Burkina Faso is to punish leaders it should be done under their legal system, not an international one. Blaise Campaore  although out of power still has relevance in the politics of Burkina Faso. His trial will allow for a tragic chapter in Burkina Faso's history to be closed.