African nations prepare for 2026 electoral and academic cycles

Various African nations are navigating significant administrative and social transitions ahead of the 2026-2027 academic and electoral cycles.

In Senegal, the Collectif Ñoo Lank has petitioned the Supreme Court to compel the state to set dates for upcoming territorial elections, citing legal deadlines that have already passed. Meanwhile, in Algeria, preparations for the 2026 local elections are underway under the leadership of Saïd Arous, newly appointed to head the National Independent Election Authority (Anie).

In Morocco, political tensions have risen between the PAM and RNI parties ahead of the September 23 legislative elections, with PAM rejecting accusations of political poaching. The Ministry of Interior has also begun notifying voters of their polling stations.

Educational sectors face diverse challenges: Côte d'Ivoire is implementing a unified textbook list to ensure pedagogical consistency, while in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, officials are addressing teachers' social security rights. Conversely, in the Republic of the Congo, schools face issues ranging from fire damage in Sibiti to disputes over the legality of mandatory school supplies and fees. In Cameroon, the government is increasing security measures for the upcoming school year to counter terrorism and urban crime.