Rift Valley Institute

Latest Episodes:

Sudan Elections Project- Discussion with Professor Justin Willis Sep 27, 2021

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In this audio series we discuss, among other things, election models adopted in Sudan's modern history. It will also discuss the key choices available for policymakers who are involved in election design.

Inside Somalia's Elections I Aug 11, 2021

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After a period of political impasse, leaders in Somalia— under the leadership of Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble— have agreed to a timetable for indirect elections in 2021. Elections for the Upper House are now scheduled for 25 July, for the Lower House between 10 August and 10 September, with the presidential election scheduled for 10 October. Though easing tensions, especially in the capital Mogadishu where armed forces had confronted each other in April, the agreement left several crucial elements of the electoral process unaddressed, including the selection process of delegates and the mechanism for ensuring the 30 percent quota for women’s seats in the Parliament, security management and electoral funding. At the same time, Puntland Federal State is testing a one-person-one vote electoral model for local council elections in three districts - Qardho, Eyl, and Ufeyn. This is a significant development, because a successfully managed electoral process in Puntland could provide a model for a broader democratization process across Somalia. On 15 July 2021, the Rift Valley Institute in collaboration with Heinrich Boll Foundation and The Elephant hosted a panel discussion to examine these issues and prospects for peaceful elections. The webinar also explored what the democratization process in Puntland could mean for Somalia’s long term democratic trajectory. Speakers Moderator- Mary Harper BBC Panelists Abdinassir Yusuf-Puntland Development & Research Centre (PDRC) Idil Ibrahim - Life and Peace Institute Ruqia Botan - LeadNow Omar Mahmood - International Crisis Group

Inside Somalia's Elections II Aug 11, 2021

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Inside Somalia's Elections III Aug 11, 2021

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Inside Ethiopia's Election Pt I Aug 11, 2021

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On 15 June 2021, the Rift Valley Forum in conjunction with The Elephant and the Heinrich Boll Foundation hosted a webinar to explore the prospects for holding successful elections in Ethiopia and what success would look like. The virtual forum focused on the impact of the ongoing conflict and violence; online activism and the media’s role; the participation of women; and what this election means for the longer-term democratization process in Ethiopia. Moderator Muriithi Mutiga - Horn of Africa Project Director, International Crisis Group Panelists Abdeta Beyene- Executive Director, Centre for Dialogue, Research and Cooperation Dr Adem Abebe- Programme Officer, International IDEA Tsedale Lemma- Founder, Addis Standard Magazine

Inside Ethiopia's Elections Pt II Aug 11, 2021

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Inside Ethiopia's Elections Pt III Aug 11, 2021

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2020–21 Elections in the Horn and East Africa - Part 3 Apr 15, 2021

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On 30 March 2021, the Rift Valley Forum, in collaboration with Heinrich Boll Foundation and The Elephant, brought together experts from the region to discuss lessons from the 2020 elections in Uganda and Tanzania and prospects for successful elections in Somalia and Ethiopia in 2021. The discussion highlighted how these countries tend to mirror each other in numerous ways, with cyclical and an often slow pace of reforms in electoral justice as a predominant issue. Moderator Patrick Gathara Journalist, The Elephant Discussants Fatma Karume Former President, Tanganyika Law Society Omar Mahmood Senior Analyst, Somalia, International Crisis Group Adem Abebe Programme Officer, Elections and Constitutional Governance, Ethiopia and Africa, International IDEA Kalundi Serumanga Journalist, Filmmaker and Cultural Activist

2020–21 Elections in the Horn and East Africa - Part 2 Apr 15, 2021

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2020–21 Elections in the Horn and East Africa - Part 1 Apr 15, 2021

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