{"id":243,"date":"2024-09-09T13:01:22","date_gmt":"2024-09-09T13:01:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ahead.africa\/?page_id=243"},"modified":"2026-07-14T09:49:19","modified_gmt":"2026-07-14T09:49:19","slug":"research","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/ahead.africa\/en\/research\/","title":{"rendered":"Research"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<section class=\"wp-block-group hero research has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained has-background\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--80);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--80);background-image:url(&apos;https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/shapes-tile-yellow.svg&apos;);background-position:100% 100%;background-size:cover;\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-tertiary-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-edc250c02ab14a552a174023f487e940\">Research<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"691\" src=\"https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/research-hero-1024x691.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-279\" style=\"width:441px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/research-hero-1024x691.webp 1024w, https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/research-hero-300x202.webp 300w, https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/research-hero-768x518.webp 768w, https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/research-hero-1536x1036.webp 1536w, https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/research-hero-2048x1381.webp 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<section id=\"2024-PEA-SADC\" class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">AHEAD Africa will build its evidence base and support advocacy efforts through the production of<strong> <span class=\"highlight-text\">long and short publications.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n  <div class=\"coming-soon-divider wp-block-tn-section-divider\" style=\"background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--link);\">\n          <div \n        style=\"fill: var(--wp--preset--color--tertiary-alt);\" \n        class=\"svg-wrapper\"\n        data-flip-x=\"false\"\n        data-flip-y=\"false\"\n      >\n        <svg viewBox=\"0 0 1449 74\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" preserveAspectRatio=\"none\" xml:space=\"preserve\" style=\"fill-rule:evenodd;clip-rule:evenodd;stroke-linejoin:round;stroke-miterlimit:2\"><g transform=\"scale(1 1.03736)\"><path d=\"M266 70 1449 0v91H0V0l266 70Z\" style=\"fill-rule:nonzero\" transform=\"scale(1 .96399)\"><\/path><\/g><\/svg>      <\/div>\n    \n    \n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large shape animate-slide-from-right\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"208\" height=\"252\" src=\"https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Polygon-1.svg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-251\"\/><\/figure>\n\n  <\/div>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-group coming-soon advocacy has-tertiary-alt-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--80)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-heading stk-block-heading stk-block-heading--v2 stk-block stk-3da4b69\" id=\"strong-publications-strong\" data-block-id=\"3da4b69\"><style>.stk-3da4b69 {margin-bottom:0px !important;}<\/style><h3 class=\"stk-block-heading__text has-text-align-center\"><strong>Publications<\/strong><\/h3><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-31488ac4 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\" style=\"margin-bottom:0\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-columns stk-block-columns stk-block stk-05b2bd9 stk-block-background\" data-block-id=\"05b2bd9\"><style>.stk-05b2bd9 {background-color:var(--clr-tertiary-alt) !important;padding-top:0px !important;padding-bottom:0px !important;margin-top:-10px !important;margin-bottom:-10px !important;}.stk-05b2bd9:before{background-color:var(--clr-tertiary-alt) !important;}.stk-05b2bd9-column{--stk-columns-spacing:20px !important;--stk-column-gap:5px !important;}<\/style><div class=\"stk-row stk-inner-blocks stk-block-content stk-content-align stk-05b2bd9-column\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-d2fa8a8\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"d2fa8a8\"><style>.stk-d2fa8a8:hover{bottom:4px !important;}.stk-d2fa8a8 {bottom:0 !important;}<\/style><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-d2fa8a8-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-d2fa8a8-inner-blocks\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-image stk-block-image has-text-align-right stk-block stk-ddeadeb\" data-block-id=\"ddeadeb\"><style>.stk-ddeadeb {border-top-left-radius:0px !important;border-top-right-radius:0px !important;border-bottom-right-radius:0px !important;border-bottom-left-radius:0px !important;overflow:hidden !important;padding-top:0px !important;padding-right:0px !important;padding-bottom:0px !important;padding-left:0px !important;margin-bottom:0px !important;right:10px !important;z-index:10 !important;}.stk-ddeadeb .stk-img-wrapper{width:13% !important;}<\/style><figure><a class=\"stk-link\" href=\"https:\/\/ahead.africa\/en\/the-cost-of-politics-for-youth-in-africa\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><span class=\"stk-img-wrapper stk-image--shape-stretch\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"stk-img wp-image-10648\" src=\"https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/AA-x-EDH-Spotlight-Content-1.png\" width=\"2048\" height=\"2560\" alt=\"Democratic shockwaves in Southern Africa\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/AA-x-EDH-Spotlight-Content-1.png 2048w, https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/AA-x-EDH-Spotlight-Content-1-240x300.png 240w, https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/AA-x-EDH-Spotlight-Content-1-819x1024.png 819w, https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/AA-x-EDH-Spotlight-Content-1-768x960.png 768w, https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/AA-x-EDH-Spotlight-Content-1-1229x1536.png 1229w, https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/AA-x-EDH-Spotlight-Content-1-1638x2048.png 1638w, https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/AA-x-EDH-Spotlight-Content-1-10x12.png 10w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><\/span><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-columns stk-block-columns stk-block stk-6579b48\" data-block-id=\"6579b48\"><style>.stk-6579b48 {top:-35px !important;}<\/style><div class=\"stk-row stk-inner-blocks stk-block-content stk-content-align stk-6579b48-column\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-3597095 stk-block-background stk--has-background-overlay\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"3597095\"><style>.stk-3597095 {background-image:url(https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Spotlight-Cost-of-youth-in-politics.jpg) !important;border-top-left-radius:10px !important;border-top-right-radius:10px !important;border-bottom-right-radius:10px !important;border-bottom-left-radius:10px !important;overflow:hidden !important;box-shadow:0 5px 30px -10px #123f524d !important;}.stk-3597095:before{background-color:#000000 !important;opacity:0.4 !important;}<\/style><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-3597095-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-3597095-inner-blocks\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-text stk-block-text stk-block stk-aa7c2c9\" data-block-id=\"aa7c2c9\"><style>.stk-aa7c2c9 {padding-right:0px !important;padding-bottom:15px !important;margin-top:15px !important;margin-bottom:-10px !important;}<\/style><p class=\"stk-block-text__text\"><span style=\"color: var(--clr-tertiary);\" class=\"stk-highlight\">Jamie Hitchen, Daniel Ekomo and Evelyn Mantoiu<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-background-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-0fd82b3ba9183fe8b00578658c9fdf70 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:clamp(14px, 0.875rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 0.408), 18px);line-height:1.3\"><strong>The cost of politics for youth in Africa<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-spacer stk-block-spacer stk--no-padding stk-block stk-1246f3d\" data-block-id=\"1246f3d\"><style>.stk-1246f3d {height:71px !important;}<\/style><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-text stk-block-text stk-block stk-bc759b2\" data-block-id=\"bc759b2\"><style>.stk-bc759b2 {padding-top:15px !important;padding-right:0px !important;margin-bottom:-15px !important;}.stk-bc759b2 .stk-block-text__text{color:#fffffe !important;}<\/style><p class=\"stk-block-text__text has-text-color\">10.07.2026<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-spacer stk-block-spacer stk--no-padding stk-block stk-bfdb1bb\" data-block-id=\"bfdb1bb\"><style>.stk-bfdb1bb {height:30px !important;}<\/style><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-button-group stk-block-button-group stk-block stk-b5440c4\" data-block-id=\"b5440c4\"><style>.stk-b5440c4 {padding-bottom:5px !important;margin-bottom:0px !important;}<\/style><div class=\"stk-row stk-inner-blocks stk-block-content stk-button-group\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-button stk-block-button stk-block stk-b2aeda2\" data-block-id=\"b2aeda2\"><style>.stk-b2aeda2 .stk-button{min-height:0px !important;padding-top:7px !important;padding-right:15px !important;padding-bottom:7px !important;padding-left:15px !important;background:var(--clr-tertiary) !important;border-top-left-radius:50px !important;border-top-right-radius:50px !important;border-bottom-right-radius:50px !important;border-bottom-left-radius:50px !important;}.stk-b2aeda2 .stk-button:hover:after{background:var(--clr-tertiary-alt) !important;opacity:1 !important;}.stk-b2aeda2 .stk-button__inner-text{color:var(--clr-text) !important;}.stk-b2aeda2 .stk-button:hover .stk-button__inner-text{color:var(--clr-text) !important;}<\/style><a class=\"stk-link stk-button stk--hover-effect-darken\" href=\"https:\/\/ahead.africa\/en\/the-cost-of-politics-for-youth-in-africa\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><span class=\"has-text-color stk-button__inner-text\">Read more<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><a class=\"stk-link stk-block-link stk--transparent-overlay\" href=\"https:\/\/ahead.africa\/en\/the-cost-of-politics-for-youth-in-africa\/\" aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><a class=\"stk-link stk-block-link stk--transparent-overlay\" href=\"https:\/\/ahead.africa\/en\/the-cost-of-politics-for-youth-in-africa\/\" aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-27c258b\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"27c258b\"><style>.stk-27c258b {border-style:solid !important;border-color:#0f0e17 !important;border-top-width:0px !important;border-right-width:0px !important;border-bottom-width:0px !important;border-left-width:0px !important;bottom:0 !important;}.stk-27c258b:hover{bottom:4px !important;}<\/style><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-27c258b-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-27c258b-inner-blocks\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-image stk-block-image has-text-align-right stk-block stk-407b330\" data-block-id=\"407b330\"><style>.stk-407b330 {border-top-left-radius:0px !important;border-top-right-radius:0px !important;border-bottom-right-radius:0px !important;border-bottom-left-radius:0px !important;overflow:hidden !important;padding-top:0px !important;padding-right:0px !important;padding-bottom:0px !important;padding-left:0px !important;margin-bottom:0px !important;right:10px !important;z-index:10 !important;}.stk-407b330 .stk-img-wrapper{width:13% !important;}<\/style><figure><a class=\"stk-link\" href=\"https:\/\/ahead.africa\/the-clock-is-ticking-for-south-sudan\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><span class=\"stk-img-wrapper stk-image--shape-stretch\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"stk-img wp-image-10648\" src=\"https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/AA-x-EDH-Spotlight-Content-1.png\" width=\"2048\" height=\"2560\" alt=\"Democratic shockwaves in Southern Africa\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/AA-x-EDH-Spotlight-Content-1.png 2048w, https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/AA-x-EDH-Spotlight-Content-1-240x300.png 240w, https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/AA-x-EDH-Spotlight-Content-1-819x1024.png 819w, https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/AA-x-EDH-Spotlight-Content-1-768x960.png 768w, https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/AA-x-EDH-Spotlight-Content-1-1229x1536.png 1229w, https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/AA-x-EDH-Spotlight-Content-1-1638x2048.png 1638w, https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/AA-x-EDH-Spotlight-Content-1-10x12.png 10w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><\/span><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-columns stk-block-columns stk-block stk-2ee1f6c\" data-block-id=\"2ee1f6c\"><style>.stk-2ee1f6c {top:-35px !important;}<\/style><div class=\"stk-row stk-inner-blocks stk-block-content stk-content-align stk-2ee1f6c-column\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-838a985 stk-block-background stk--has-background-overlay\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"838a985\"><style>.stk-838a985 {background-image:url(https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/The-clock-is-ticking-for-South-Sudan.jpg) !important;border-top-left-radius:10px !important;border-top-right-radius:10px !important;border-bottom-right-radius:10px !important;border-bottom-left-radius:10px !important;overflow:hidden !important;box-shadow:0 5px 30px -10px #123f524d !important;border-style:solid !important;border-color:#0f0e17 !important;}.stk-838a985:before{background-color:#000000 !important;opacity:0.6 !important;}<\/style><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-838a985-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-838a985-inner-blocks\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-text stk-block-text stk-block stk-36cddb0\" data-block-id=\"36cddb0\"><style>.stk-36cddb0 {padding-right:0px !important;padding-bottom:15px !important;margin-top:15px !important;margin-bottom:-10px !important;}<\/style><p class=\"stk-block-text__text\"><span style=\"color: #fffffe;\" class=\"stk-highlight\"><span style=\"color: var(--clr-tertiary);\" class=\"stk-highlight\">Standard Action Liaison Force<\/span><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-background-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-41e9bda798696acd9ee0edc6ee2b1e95 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:clamp(14px, 0.875rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 0.408), 18px);line-height:1.3\"><strong>Is South Sudan ready for 2026 elections?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-spacer stk-block-spacer stk--no-padding stk-block stk-cde3da6\" data-block-id=\"cde3da6\"><style>.stk-cde3da6 {height:70px !important;}<\/style><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-text stk-block-text stk-block stk-708ecaf\" data-block-id=\"708ecaf\"><style>.stk-708ecaf {padding-top:15px !important;padding-right:0px !important;margin-bottom:-15px !important;}.stk-708ecaf .stk-block-text__text{color:#fffffe !important;}<\/style><p class=\"stk-block-text__text has-text-color\">22.06.2026<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-spacer stk-block-spacer stk--no-padding stk-block stk-fc9269a\" data-block-id=\"fc9269a\"><style>.stk-fc9269a {height:30px !important;}<\/style><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-button-group stk-block-button-group stk-block stk-3961ec6\" data-block-id=\"3961ec6\"><style>.stk-3961ec6 {padding-bottom:5px !important;margin-bottom:0px !important;}<\/style><div class=\"stk-row stk-inner-blocks stk-block-content stk-button-group\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-button stk-block-button stk-block stk-478429d\" data-block-id=\"478429d\"><style>.stk-478429d .stk-button{min-height:0px !important;padding-top:7px !important;padding-right:15px !important;padding-bottom:7px !important;padding-left:15px !important;background:var(--clr-tertiary) !important;border-top-left-radius:50px !important;border-top-right-radius:50px !important;border-bottom-right-radius:50px !important;border-bottom-left-radius:50px !important;}.stk-478429d .stk-button:hover:after{background:var(--clr-tertiary-alt) !important;opacity:1 !important;}.stk-478429d .stk-button__inner-text{color:var(--clr-text) !important;}.stk-478429d .stk-button:hover .stk-button__inner-text{color:var(--clr-text) !important;}<\/style><a class=\"stk-link stk-button stk--hover-effect-darken\" href=\"https:\/\/ahead.africa\/the-clock-is-ticking-for-south-sudan\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><span class=\"has-text-color stk-button__inner-text\">Read more<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><a class=\"stk-link stk-block-link stk--transparent-overlay\" href=\"https:\/\/ahead.africa\/the-clock-is-ticking-for-south-sudan\/\" aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><a class=\"stk-link stk-block-link stk--transparent-overlay\" href=\"https:\/\/ahead.africa\/the-clock-is-ticking-for-south-sudan\/\" aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-e7cdebd\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"e7cdebd\"><style>.stk-e7cdebd {border-style:solid !important;border-color:#0f0e17 !important;border-top-width:0px !important;border-right-width:0px !important;border-bottom-width:0px !important;border-left-width:0px !important;bottom:0 !important;}.stk-e7cdebd:hover{bottom:4px !important;}<\/style><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-e7cdebd-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-e7cdebd-inner-blocks\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-image stk-block-image has-text-align-right stk-block stk-42852df\" data-block-id=\"42852df\"><style>.stk-42852df {border-top-left-radius:0px !important;border-top-right-radius:0px !important;border-bottom-right-radius:0px !important;border-bottom-left-radius:0px !important;overflow:hidden !important;padding-top:0px !important;padding-right:0px !important;padding-bottom:0px !important;padding-left:0px !important;margin-bottom:0px !important;right:10px !important;z-index:10 !important;}.stk-42852df .stk-img-wrapper{width:13% !important;}<\/style><figure><a class=\"stk-link\" href=\"https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Report-Change-in-the-Sahel-Hashtags-and-Power.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><span class=\"stk-img-wrapper stk-image--shape-stretch\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"stk-img wp-image-10648\" src=\"https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/AA-x-EDH-Spotlight-Content-1.png\" width=\"2048\" height=\"2560\" alt=\"Democratic shockwaves in Southern Africa\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/AA-x-EDH-Spotlight-Content-1.png 2048w, https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/AA-x-EDH-Spotlight-Content-1-240x300.png 240w, https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/AA-x-EDH-Spotlight-Content-1-819x1024.png 819w, https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/AA-x-EDH-Spotlight-Content-1-768x960.png 768w, https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/AA-x-EDH-Spotlight-Content-1-1229x1536.png 1229w, https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/AA-x-EDH-Spotlight-Content-1-1638x2048.png 1638w, https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/AA-x-EDH-Spotlight-Content-1-10x12.png 10w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><\/span><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-columns stk-block-columns stk-block stk-f19f824\" data-block-id=\"f19f824\"><style>.stk-f19f824 {top:-35px !important;}<\/style><div class=\"stk-row stk-inner-blocks stk-block-content stk-content-align stk-f19f824-column\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-5a7e6e9 stk-block-background stk--has-background-overlay\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"5a7e6e9\"><style>.stk-5a7e6e9 {background-image:url(https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Change-in-the-Sahel_Hashtags-and-Power-Research.jpg) !important;border-top-left-radius:10px !important;border-top-right-radius:10px !important;border-bottom-right-radius:10px !important;border-bottom-left-radius:10px !important;overflow:hidden !important;box-shadow:0 5px 30px -10px #123f524d !important;border-style:solid !important;border-color:#0f0e17 !important;}.stk-5a7e6e9:before{background-color:#000000 !important;opacity:0.5 !important;}<\/style><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-5a7e6e9-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-5a7e6e9-inner-blocks\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-text stk-block-text stk-block stk-abb0596\" data-block-id=\"abb0596\"><style>.stk-abb0596 {padding-right:0px !important;padding-bottom:15px !important;margin-top:15px !important;margin-bottom:-10px !important;}<\/style><p class=\"stk-block-text__text\"><span style=\"color: #fffffe;\" class=\"stk-highlight\"><span style=\"color: var(--clr-tertiary);\" class=\"stk-highlight\">Research ICT Africa<\/span><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-background-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-e3abe876b370e541dbdaca774666cacd wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:clamp(14px, 0.875rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 0.408), 18px);line-height:1.3\"><strong>Change in the Sahel: Hashtags and Power<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-spacer stk-block-spacer stk--no-padding stk-block stk-63ffd84\" data-block-id=\"63ffd84\"><style>.stk-63ffd84 {height:93px !important;}<\/style><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-text stk-block-text stk-block stk-4cb0b08\" data-block-id=\"4cb0b08\"><style>.stk-4cb0b08 {padding-top:15px !important;padding-right:0px !important;margin-bottom:-15px !important;}.stk-4cb0b08 .stk-block-text__text{color:#fffffe !important;}<\/style><p class=\"stk-block-text__text has-text-color\">04.06.2026<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-spacer stk-block-spacer stk--no-padding stk-block stk-98785a5\" data-block-id=\"98785a5\"><style>.stk-98785a5 {height:30px !important;}<\/style><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-button-group stk-block-button-group stk-block stk-925c45d\" data-block-id=\"925c45d\"><style>.stk-925c45d {padding-bottom:5px !important;margin-bottom:0px !important;}<\/style><div class=\"stk-row stk-inner-blocks stk-block-content stk-button-group\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-button stk-block-button stk-block stk-9327dca\" data-block-id=\"9327dca\"><style>.stk-9327dca .stk-button{min-height:0px !important;padding-top:7px !important;padding-right:15px !important;padding-bottom:7px !important;padding-left:15px !important;background:var(--clr-tertiary) !important;border-top-left-radius:50px !important;border-top-right-radius:50px !important;border-bottom-right-radius:50px !important;border-bottom-left-radius:50px !important;}.stk-9327dca .stk-button:hover:after{background:var(--clr-tertiary-alt) !important;opacity:1 !important;}.stk-9327dca .stk-button__inner-text{color:var(--clr-text) !important;}.stk-9327dca .stk-button:hover .stk-button__inner-text{color:var(--clr-text) !important;}<\/style><a class=\"stk-link stk-button stk--hover-effect-darken\" href=\"https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Report-Change-in-the-Sahel-Hashtags-and-Power.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><span class=\"has-text-color stk-button__inner-text\">Read more<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><a class=\"stk-link stk-block-link stk--transparent-overlay\" href=\"https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Report-Change-in-the-Sahel-Hashtags-and-Power.pdf\" aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><a class=\"stk-link stk-block-link stk--transparent-overlay\" href=\"https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Report-Change-in-the-Sahel-Hashtags-and-Power.pdf\" aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-d9e9566\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"d9e9566\"><style>.stk-d9e9566 {border-style:solid !important;border-color:#0f0e17 !important;border-top-width:0px !important;border-right-width:0px !important;border-bottom-width:0px !important;border-left-width:0px !important;bottom:0 !important;}.stk-d9e9566:hover{bottom:4px !important;}<\/style><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-d9e9566-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-d9e9566-inner-blocks\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-image stk-block-image has-text-align-right stk-block stk-ed19025\" data-block-id=\"ed19025\"><style>.stk-ed19025 {border-top-left-radius:0px !important;border-top-right-radius:0px !important;border-bottom-right-radius:0px !important;border-bottom-left-radius:0px !important;overflow:hidden !important;padding-top:0px !important;padding-right:0px !important;padding-bottom:0px !important;padding-left:0px !important;margin-bottom:0px !important;right:10px !important;z-index:10 !important;}.stk-ed19025 .stk-img-wrapper{width:13% !important;}<\/style><figure><a class=\"stk-link\" href=\"https:\/\/democracy-reporting.org\/en\/office\/global\/publications\/benins-2026-elections-a-test-for-democracy-in-west-africa\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><span class=\"stk-img-wrapper stk-image--shape-stretch\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"stk-img wp-image-10648\" src=\"https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/AA-x-EDH-Spotlight-Content-1.png\" width=\"2048\" height=\"2560\" alt=\"Democratic shockwaves in Southern Africa\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/AA-x-EDH-Spotlight-Content-1.png 2048w, https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/AA-x-EDH-Spotlight-Content-1-240x300.png 240w, https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/AA-x-EDH-Spotlight-Content-1-819x1024.png 819w, https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/AA-x-EDH-Spotlight-Content-1-768x960.png 768w, https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/AA-x-EDH-Spotlight-Content-1-1229x1536.png 1229w, https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/AA-x-EDH-Spotlight-Content-1-1638x2048.png 1638w, https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/AA-x-EDH-Spotlight-Content-1-10x12.png 10w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><\/span><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-columns stk-block-columns stk-block stk-178a3c1\" data-block-id=\"178a3c1\"><style>.stk-178a3c1 {top:-35px !important;}<\/style><div class=\"stk-row stk-inner-blocks stk-block-content stk-content-align stk-178a3c1-column\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-e81d9f2 stk-block-background stk--has-background-overlay\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"e81d9f2\"><style>.stk-e81d9f2 {background-image:url(https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/President_Patrice_Talon.jpg) !important;border-top-left-radius:10px !important;border-top-right-radius:10px !important;border-bottom-right-radius:10px !important;border-bottom-left-radius:10px !important;overflow:hidden !important;box-shadow:0 5px 30px -10px #123f524d !important;border-style:solid !important;border-color:#0f0e17 !important;}.stk-e81d9f2:before{background-color:#000000 !important;opacity:0.7 !important;}<\/style><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-e81d9f2-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-e81d9f2-inner-blocks\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-text stk-block-text stk-block stk-f479c5a\" data-block-id=\"f479c5a\"><style>.stk-f479c5a {padding-right:0px !important;padding-bottom:15px !important;margin-top:15px !important;margin-bottom:-10px !important;}<\/style><p class=\"stk-block-text__text\"><span style=\"color: #fffffe;\" class=\"stk-highlight\"><span style=\"color: var(--clr-tertiary);\" class=\"stk-highlight\">Democracy Reporting International<\/span><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-background-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-d2a00be84ef6fb0e4c34920577850d31 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:clamp(14px, 0.875rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 0.408), 18px);line-height:1.3\"><strong>What was at risk in Benin&#8217;s presidential elections?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-spacer stk-block-spacer stk--no-padding stk-block stk-f895d6f\" data-block-id=\"f895d6f\"><style>.stk-f895d6f {height:45px !important;}<\/style><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-text stk-block-text stk-block stk-0d23aa9\" data-block-id=\"0d23aa9\"><style>.stk-0d23aa9 {padding-top:15px !important;padding-right:0px !important;margin-bottom:-15px !important;}.stk-0d23aa9 .stk-block-text__text{color:#fffffe !important;}<\/style><p class=\"stk-block-text__text has-text-color\">09.04.2026<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-spacer stk-block-spacer stk--no-padding stk-block stk-b9801a6\" data-block-id=\"b9801a6\"><style>.stk-b9801a6 {height:30px !important;}<\/style><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-button-group stk-block-button-group stk-block stk-90768dc\" data-block-id=\"90768dc\"><style>.stk-90768dc {padding-bottom:5px !important;margin-bottom:0px !important;}<\/style><div class=\"stk-row stk-inner-blocks stk-block-content stk-button-group\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-button stk-block-button stk-block stk-eb2d463\" data-block-id=\"eb2d463\"><style>.stk-eb2d463 .stk-button{min-height:0px !important;padding-top:7px !important;padding-right:15px !important;padding-bottom:7px !important;padding-left:15px !important;background:var(--clr-tertiary) !important;border-top-left-radius:50px !important;border-top-right-radius:50px !important;border-bottom-right-radius:50px !important;border-bottom-left-radius:50px !important;}.stk-eb2d463 .stk-button:hover:after{background:var(--clr-tertiary-alt) !important;opacity:1 !important;}.stk-eb2d463 .stk-button__inner-text{color:var(--clr-text) !important;}.stk-eb2d463 .stk-button:hover .stk-button__inner-text{color:var(--clr-text) !important;}<\/style><a class=\"stk-link stk-button stk--hover-effect-darken\" href=\"https:\/\/democracy-reporting.org\/en\/office\/global\/publications\/benins-2026-elections-a-test-for-democracy-in-west-africa\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><span class=\"has-text-color stk-button__inner-text\">Read more<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><a class=\"stk-link stk-block-link stk--transparent-overlay\" href=\"https:\/\/democracy-reporting.org\/en\/office\/global\/publications\/benins-2026-elections-a-test-for-democracy-in-west-africa\" aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><a class=\"stk-link stk-block-link stk--transparent-overlay\" href=\"https:\/\/democracy-reporting.org\/en\/office\/global\/publications\/benins-2026-elections-a-test-for-democracy-in-west-africa\" aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-columns stk-block-columns stk-block stk-ebc1815 stk-block-background\" data-block-id=\"ebc1815\"><style>.stk-ebc1815 {background-color:var(--clr-tertiary-alt) !important;padding-top:0px !important;padding-bottom:0px !important;margin-top:-10px !important;margin-bottom:0px !important;}.stk-ebc1815:before{background-color:var(--clr-tertiary-alt) !important;}.stk-ebc1815-column{--stk-columns-spacing:20px !important;--stk-column-gap:5px !important;}<\/style><div class=\"stk-row stk-inner-blocks stk-block-content stk-content-align stk-ebc1815-column\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-0396d97\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"0396d97\"><style>.stk-0396d97:hover{bottom:4px !important;}.stk-0396d97 {bottom:0 !important;}<\/style><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-0396d97-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-0396d97-inner-blocks\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-image stk-block-image has-text-align-right stk-block stk-79ddc8f\" data-block-id=\"79ddc8f\"><style>.stk-79ddc8f {border-top-left-radius:0px !important;border-top-right-radius:0px !important;border-bottom-right-radius:0px !important;border-bottom-left-radius:0px !important;overflow:hidden !important;padding-top:0px !important;padding-right:0px !important;padding-bottom:0px !important;padding-left:0px !important;margin-bottom:0px !important;right:10px !important;z-index:10 !important;}.stk-79ddc8f .stk-img-wrapper{width:13% !important;}<\/style><figure><a class=\"stk-link\" href=\"https:\/\/ahead.africa\/en\/citizen-election-observers-in-an-era-of-global-autocratisation\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><span class=\"stk-img-wrapper stk-image--shape-stretch\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"stk-img wp-image-10648\" src=\"https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/AA-x-EDH-Spotlight-Content-1.png\" width=\"2048\" height=\"2560\" alt=\"Democratic shockwaves in Southern Africa\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/AA-x-EDH-Spotlight-Content-1.png 2048w, https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/AA-x-EDH-Spotlight-Content-1-240x300.png 240w, https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/AA-x-EDH-Spotlight-Content-1-819x1024.png 819w, https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/AA-x-EDH-Spotlight-Content-1-768x960.png 768w, https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/AA-x-EDH-Spotlight-Content-1-1229x1536.png 1229w, https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/AA-x-EDH-Spotlight-Content-1-1638x2048.png 1638w, https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/AA-x-EDH-Spotlight-Content-1-10x12.png 10w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><\/span><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-columns stk-block-columns stk-block stk-0e28fe1\" data-block-id=\"0e28fe1\"><style>.stk-0e28fe1 {top:-35px !important;}<\/style><div class=\"stk-row stk-inner-blocks stk-block-content stk-content-align stk-0e28fe1-column\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-4f9becc stk-block-background stk--has-background-overlay\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"4f9becc\"><style>.stk-4f9becc {background-image:url(https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Citizen-Election-Observers-in-an-Era-of-Global-Autocratisation.jpg) !important;border-top-left-radius:10px !important;border-top-right-radius:10px !important;border-bottom-right-radius:10px !important;border-bottom-left-radius:10px !important;overflow:hidden !important;box-shadow:0 5px 30px -10px #123f524d !important;}.stk-4f9becc:before{background-color:#000000 !important;opacity:0.7 !important;}<\/style><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-4f9becc-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-4f9becc-inner-blocks\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-text stk-block-text stk-block stk-8535ba3\" data-block-id=\"8535ba3\"><style>.stk-8535ba3 {padding-right:0px !important;padding-bottom:15px !important;margin-top:15px !important;margin-bottom:-10px !important;}<\/style><p class=\"stk-block-text__text\"><span style=\"color: #fffffe;\" class=\"stk-highlight\"><span style=\"color: var(--clr-tertiary);\" class=\"stk-highlight\">Rebecca Wagner<\/span><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-background-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-32d63fe2ed185f496ef256cfeacbdbc2 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:clamp(14px, 0.875rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 0.408), 18px);line-height:1.3\"><strong>Citizen Election Observers in an Era of Global Autocratisation<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-spacer stk-block-spacer stk--no-padding stk-block stk-a7dc3e4\" data-block-id=\"a7dc3e4\"><style>.stk-a7dc3e4 {height:71px !important;}<\/style><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-text stk-block-text stk-block stk-5e31fa8\" data-block-id=\"5e31fa8\"><style>.stk-5e31fa8 {padding-top:15px !important;padding-right:0px !important;margin-bottom:-15px !important;}.stk-5e31fa8 .stk-block-text__text{color:#fffffe !important;}<\/style><p class=\"stk-block-text__text has-text-color\">05.03.2026<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-spacer stk-block-spacer stk--no-padding stk-block stk-1521043\" data-block-id=\"1521043\"><style>.stk-1521043 {height:30px !important;}<\/style><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-button-group stk-block-button-group stk-block stk-c4c4548\" data-block-id=\"c4c4548\"><style>.stk-c4c4548 {padding-bottom:5px !important;margin-bottom:0px !important;}<\/style><div class=\"stk-row stk-inner-blocks stk-block-content stk-button-group\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-button stk-block-button stk-block stk-c644575\" data-block-id=\"c644575\"><style>.stk-c644575 .stk-button{min-height:0px !important;padding-top:7px !important;padding-right:15px !important;padding-bottom:7px !important;padding-left:15px !important;background:var(--clr-tertiary) !important;border-top-left-radius:50px !important;border-top-right-radius:50px !important;border-bottom-right-radius:50px !important;border-bottom-left-radius:50px !important;}.stk-c644575 .stk-button:hover:after{background:var(--clr-tertiary-alt) !important;opacity:1 !important;}.stk-c644575 .stk-button__inner-text{color:var(--clr-text) !important;}.stk-c644575 .stk-button:hover .stk-button__inner-text{color:var(--clr-text) !important;}<\/style><a class=\"stk-link stk-button stk--hover-effect-darken\" href=\"https:\/\/ahead.africa\/en\/citizen-election-observers-in-an-era-of-global-autocratisation\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><span class=\"has-text-color stk-button__inner-text\">Read more<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><a class=\"stk-link stk-block-link stk--transparent-overlay\" href=\"https:\/\/ahead.africa\/en\/citizen-election-observers-in-an-era-of-global-autocratisation\/\" aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><a class=\"stk-link stk-block-link stk--transparent-overlay\" href=\"https:\/\/ahead.africa\/en\/citizen-election-observers-in-an-era-of-global-autocratisation\/\" aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-f9d4dc4\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"f9d4dc4\"><style>.stk-f9d4dc4:hover{bottom:4px !important;}.stk-f9d4dc4 {bottom:0 !important;}<\/style><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-f9d4dc4-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-f9d4dc4-inner-blocks\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-image stk-block-image has-text-align-right stk-block stk-f13b422\" data-block-id=\"f13b422\"><style>.stk-f13b422 {border-top-left-radius:0px !important;border-top-right-radius:0px !important;border-bottom-right-radius:0px !important;border-bottom-left-radius:0px !important;overflow:hidden !important;padding-top:0px !important;padding-right:0px !important;padding-bottom:0px !important;padding-left:0px !important;margin-bottom:0px !important;right:10px !important;z-index:10 !important;}.stk-f13b422 .stk-img-wrapper{width:13% !important;}<\/style><figure><a class=\"stk-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.esn-sa.org\/gender-checklist-for-free-and-credible-elections-in-sadc\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><span class=\"stk-img-wrapper stk-image--shape-stretch\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"stk-img wp-image-10648\" src=\"https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/AA-x-EDH-Spotlight-Content-1.png\" width=\"2048\" height=\"2560\" alt=\"Democratic shockwaves in Southern Africa\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/AA-x-EDH-Spotlight-Content-1.png 2048w, https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/AA-x-EDH-Spotlight-Content-1-240x300.png 240w, https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/AA-x-EDH-Spotlight-Content-1-819x1024.png 819w, https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/AA-x-EDH-Spotlight-Content-1-768x960.png 768w, https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/AA-x-EDH-Spotlight-Content-1-1229x1536.png 1229w, https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/AA-x-EDH-Spotlight-Content-1-1638x2048.png 1638w, https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/AA-x-EDH-Spotlight-Content-1-10x12.png 10w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><\/span><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-columns stk-block-columns stk-block stk-02de15e\" data-block-id=\"02de15e\"><style>.stk-02de15e {top:-35px !important;z-index:-10 !important;}<\/style><div class=\"stk-row stk-inner-blocks stk-block-content stk-content-align stk-02de15e-column\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-1dfdf9c stk-block-background stk--has-background-overlay\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"1dfdf9c\"><style>.stk-1dfdf9c {background-image:url(https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/ESN-SA-Gender-Checklist-in-SADC.jpg) !important;border-top-left-radius:10px !important;border-top-right-radius:10px !important;border-bottom-right-radius:10px !important;border-bottom-left-radius:10px !important;overflow:hidden !important;box-shadow:0 5px 30px -10px #123f524d !important;}.stk-1dfdf9c:before{background-color:#000000 !important;opacity:0.6 !important;}<\/style><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-1dfdf9c-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-1dfdf9c-inner-blocks\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-text stk-block-text stk-block stk-98f2ed3\" data-block-id=\"98f2ed3\"><style>.stk-98f2ed3 {padding-right:0px !important;padding-bottom:15px !important;margin-top:15px !important;margin-bottom:-10px !important;}<\/style><p class=\"stk-block-text__text\"><span style=\"color: var(--clr-tertiary);\" class=\"stk-highlight\">ESN-SA<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-background-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-70fdcb8c886662a4c6187c3bb3634108 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:clamp(14px, 0.875rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 0.408), 18px);line-height:1.3\"><strong>Gender Checklist for Free and Credible Elections in Southern Africa<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-spacer stk-block-spacer stk--no-padding stk-block stk-b2cf127\" data-block-id=\"b2cf127\"><style>.stk-b2cf127 {height:47px !important;}<\/style><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-text stk-block-text stk-block stk-af1bf7b\" data-block-id=\"af1bf7b\"><style>.stk-af1bf7b {padding-top:15px !important;padding-right:0px !important;margin-bottom:-15px !important;}.stk-af1bf7b .stk-block-text__text{color:#fffffe !important;}<\/style><p class=\"stk-block-text__text has-text-color\">06.11.2025<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-spacer stk-block-spacer stk--no-padding stk-block stk-a28b375\" data-block-id=\"a28b375\"><style>.stk-a28b375 {height:30px !important;}<\/style><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-button-group stk-block-button-group stk-block stk-79406c4\" data-block-id=\"79406c4\"><style>.stk-79406c4 {padding-bottom:5px !important;margin-bottom:0px !important;}<\/style><div class=\"stk-row stk-inner-blocks stk-block-content stk-button-group\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-button stk-block-button stk-block stk-0cc0ec8\" data-block-id=\"0cc0ec8\"><style>.stk-0cc0ec8 .stk-button{min-height:0px !important;padding-top:7px !important;padding-right:15px !important;padding-bottom:7px !important;padding-left:15px !important;background:var(--clr-tertiary) !important;border-top-left-radius:50px !important;border-top-right-radius:50px !important;border-bottom-right-radius:50px !important;border-bottom-left-radius:50px !important;}.stk-0cc0ec8 .stk-button__inner-text{color:var(--clr-text) !important;}<\/style><a class=\"stk-link stk-button stk--hover-effect-darken\" href=\"https:\/\/www.esn-sa.org\/gender-checklist-for-free-and-credible-elections-in-sadc\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><span class=\"has-text-color stk-button__inner-text\">Read more<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><a class=\"stk-link stk-block-link stk--transparent-overlay\" href=\"https:\/\/ahead.africa\/en\/democratic-shockwaves-in-southern-africa\/\" aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><a class=\"stk-link stk-block-link stk--transparent-overlay\" href=\"https:\/\/www.esn-sa.org\/gender-checklist-for-free-and-credible-elections-in-sadc\/\" aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-e03dc21\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"e03dc21\"><style>.stk-e03dc21:hover{bottom:4px !important;}.stk-e03dc21 {bottom:0 !important;}<\/style><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-e03dc21-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-e03dc21-inner-blocks\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-image stk-block-image has-text-align-right stk-block stk-b560049\" data-block-id=\"b560049\"><style>.stk-b560049 {border-top-left-radius:0px !important;border-top-right-radius:0px !important;border-bottom-right-radius:0px !important;border-bottom-left-radius:0px !important;overflow:hidden !important;padding-top:0px !important;padding-right:0px !important;padding-bottom:0px !important;padding-left:0px !important;margin-bottom:0px !important;right:10px !important;z-index:10 !important;}.stk-b560049 .stk-img-wrapper{width:13% !important;}<\/style><figure><span class=\"stk-img-wrapper stk-image--shape-stretch\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"stk-img wp-image-10648\" src=\"https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/AA-x-EDH-Spotlight-Content-1.png\" width=\"2048\" height=\"2560\" alt=\"Democratic shockwaves in Southern Africa\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/AA-x-EDH-Spotlight-Content-1.png 2048w, https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/AA-x-EDH-Spotlight-Content-1-240x300.png 240w, https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/AA-x-EDH-Spotlight-Content-1-819x1024.png 819w, https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/AA-x-EDH-Spotlight-Content-1-768x960.png 768w, https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/AA-x-EDH-Spotlight-Content-1-1229x1536.png 1229w, https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/AA-x-EDH-Spotlight-Content-1-1638x2048.png 1638w, https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/AA-x-EDH-Spotlight-Content-1-10x12.png 10w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><\/span><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-columns stk-block-columns stk-block stk-a3ce627\" data-block-id=\"a3ce627\"><style>.stk-a3ce627 {top:-35px !important;z-index:-10 !important;}<\/style><div class=\"stk-row stk-inner-blocks stk-block-content stk-content-align stk-a3ce627-column\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-42a5187 stk-block-background stk--has-background-overlay\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"42a5187\"><style>.stk-42a5187 {background-image:url(https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Democratic-Shockwaves-in-Southern-Africa-1.jpg) !important;border-top-left-radius:10px !important;border-top-right-radius:10px !important;border-bottom-right-radius:10px !important;border-bottom-left-radius:10px !important;overflow:hidden !important;box-shadow:0 5px 30px -10px #123f524d !important;}.stk-42a5187:before{background-color:#000000 !important;opacity:0.6 !important;}<\/style><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-42a5187-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-42a5187-inner-blocks\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-text stk-block-text stk-block stk-6c9a570\" data-block-id=\"6c9a570\"><style>.stk-6c9a570 {padding-right:0px !important;padding-bottom:15px !important;margin-top:15px !important;margin-bottom:-10px !important;}<\/style><p class=\"stk-block-text__text\"><span style=\"color: var(--clr-tertiary);\" class=\"stk-highlight\">Dr. Nicole Beardsworth<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-background-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-6e52c4738538e7098e00da2439d52e42 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:clamp(14px, 0.875rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 0.408), 18px);line-height:1.3\"><strong>Democratic Shockwaves in Southern Africa<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-spacer stk-block-spacer stk--no-padding stk-block stk-3ba4527\" data-block-id=\"3ba4527\"><style>.stk-3ba4527 {height:71px !important;}<\/style><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-text stk-block-text stk-block stk-c13c859\" data-block-id=\"c13c859\"><style>.stk-c13c859 {padding-top:15px !important;padding-right:0px !important;margin-bottom:-15px !important;}.stk-c13c859 .stk-block-text__text{color:#fffffe !important;}<\/style><p class=\"stk-block-text__text has-text-color\">28.10.2025<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-spacer stk-block-spacer stk--no-padding stk-block stk-3b1e8e7\" data-block-id=\"3b1e8e7\"><style>.stk-3b1e8e7 {height:30px !important;}<\/style><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-button-group stk-block-button-group stk-block stk-aeb4cae\" data-block-id=\"aeb4cae\"><style>.stk-aeb4cae {padding-bottom:5px !important;margin-bottom:0px !important;}<\/style><div class=\"stk-row stk-inner-blocks stk-block-content stk-button-group\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-button stk-block-button stk-block stk-bb6052a\" data-block-id=\"bb6052a\"><style>.stk-bb6052a .stk-button{min-height:0px !important;padding-top:7px !important;padding-right:15px !important;padding-bottom:7px !important;padding-left:15px !important;background:var(--clr-tertiary) !important;border-top-left-radius:50px !important;border-top-right-radius:50px !important;border-bottom-right-radius:50px !important;border-bottom-left-radius:50px !important;}.stk-bb6052a .stk-button__inner-text{color:var(--clr-text) !important;}<\/style><a class=\"stk-link stk-button stk--hover-effect-darken\" href=\"https:\/\/ahead.africa\/en\/democratic-shockwaves-in-southern-africa\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><span class=\"has-text-color stk-button__inner-text\">Read more<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><a class=\"stk-link stk-block-link stk--transparent-overlay\" href=\"https:\/\/ahead.africa\/en\/democratic-shockwaves-in-southern-africa\/\" aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><a class=\"stk-link stk-block-link stk--transparent-overlay\" href=\"https:\/\/ahead.africa\/en\/democratic-shockwaves-in-southern-africa\/\" aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-1bed2bf\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"1bed2bf\"><style>.stk-1bed2bf:hover{bottom:4px !important;}.stk-1bed2bf {bottom:0 !important;}<\/style><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-1bed2bf-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-1bed2bf-inner-blocks\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-image stk-block-image has-text-align-right stk-block stk-495b2e6\" data-block-id=\"495b2e6\"><style>.stk-495b2e6 {border-top-left-radius:0px !important;border-top-right-radius:0px !important;border-bottom-right-radius:0px !important;border-bottom-left-radius:0px !important;overflow:hidden !important;padding-top:0px !important;padding-right:0px !important;padding-bottom:0px !important;padding-left:0px !important;margin-bottom:0px !important;right:10px !important;z-index:10 !important;}.stk-495b2e6 .stk-img-wrapper{width:13% !important;}<\/style><figure><span class=\"stk-img-wrapper stk-image--shape-stretch\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"stk-img wp-image-10648\" src=\"https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/AA-x-EDH-Spotlight-Content-1.png\" width=\"2048\" height=\"2560\" alt=\"Democratic shockwaves in Southern Africa\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/AA-x-EDH-Spotlight-Content-1.png 2048w, https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/AA-x-EDH-Spotlight-Content-1-240x300.png 240w, https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/AA-x-EDH-Spotlight-Content-1-819x1024.png 819w, https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/AA-x-EDH-Spotlight-Content-1-768x960.png 768w, https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/AA-x-EDH-Spotlight-Content-1-1229x1536.png 1229w, https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/AA-x-EDH-Spotlight-Content-1-1638x2048.png 1638w, https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/AA-x-EDH-Spotlight-Content-1-10x12.png 10w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><\/span><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-columns stk-block-columns stk-block stk-3383f73\" data-block-id=\"3383f73\"><style>.stk-3383f73 {top:-35px !important;z-index:-10 !important;}<\/style><div class=\"stk-row stk-inner-blocks stk-block-content stk-content-align stk-3383f73-column\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-88e4566 stk-block-background stk--has-background-overlay\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"88e4566\"><style>.stk-88e4566 {background-image:url(https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Strengthening-how-democratic-progress-is-measured-in-Africa-News-scaled.jpg) !important;border-top-left-radius:10px !important;border-top-right-radius:10px !important;border-bottom-right-radius:10px !important;border-bottom-left-radius:10px !important;overflow:hidden !important;box-shadow:0 5px 30px -10px #123f524d !important;}.stk-88e4566:before{background-color:#000000 !important;opacity:0.6 !important;}<\/style><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-88e4566-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-88e4566-inner-blocks\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-text stk-block-text stk-block stk-20e6c34\" data-block-id=\"20e6c34\"><style>.stk-20e6c34 {padding-right:0px !important;padding-bottom:15px !important;margin-top:15px !important;margin-bottom:-10px !important;}<\/style><p class=\"stk-block-text__text\"><span style=\"color: var(--clr-tertiary);\" class=\"stk-highlight\">Andrew Songa and Makda Tessema<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-background-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-c1e7994c5cb9c38a2e17e5d444590a86 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:clamp(14px, 0.875rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 0.408), 18px);line-height:1.3\"><strong>Strengthening Democratic Governance in Africa through ACDEG Reporting<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-spacer stk-block-spacer stk--no-padding stk-block stk-2068411\" data-block-id=\"2068411\"><style>.stk-2068411 {height:23px !important;}<\/style><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-text stk-block-text stk-block stk-11c8f18\" data-block-id=\"11c8f18\"><style>.stk-11c8f18 {padding-top:15px !important;padding-right:0px !important;margin-bottom:-15px !important;}.stk-11c8f18 .stk-block-text__text{color:#fffffe !important;}<\/style><p class=\"stk-block-text__text has-text-color\">13.02.2025<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-spacer stk-block-spacer stk--no-padding stk-block stk-7e9206e\" data-block-id=\"7e9206e\"><style>.stk-7e9206e {height:30px !important;}<\/style><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-button-group stk-block-button-group stk-block stk-33c0eab\" data-block-id=\"33c0eab\"><style>.stk-33c0eab {padding-bottom:5px !important;margin-bottom:0px !important;}<\/style><div class=\"stk-row stk-inner-blocks stk-block-content stk-button-group\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-button stk-block-button stk-block stk-41f76c4\" data-block-id=\"41f76c4\"><style>.stk-41f76c4 .stk-button{min-height:0px !important;padding-top:7px !important;padding-right:15px !important;padding-bottom:7px !important;padding-left:15px !important;background:var(--clr-tertiary) !important;border-top-left-radius:50px !important;border-top-right-radius:50px !important;border-bottom-right-radius:50px !important;border-bottom-left-radius:50px !important;}.stk-41f76c4 .stk-button__inner-text{color:var(--clr-text) !important;}<\/style><a class=\"stk-link stk-button stk--hover-effect-darken\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ahry.up.ac.za\/en\/songa-a-tessema-mm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><span class=\"has-text-color stk-button__inner-text\">Read more<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><a class=\"stk-link stk-block-link stk--transparent-overlay\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ahry.up.ac.za\/en\/songa-a-tessema-mm\" aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><a class=\"stk-link stk-block-link stk--transparent-overlay\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ahry.up.ac.za\/en\/songa-a-tessema-mm\" aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-columns stk-block-columns stk-block stk-e641738 stk-block-background\" data-block-id=\"e641738\"><style>.stk-e641738 {background-color:var(--clr-tertiary-alt) !important;padding-top:0px !important;padding-bottom:0px !important;margin-top:-10px !important;margin-bottom:0px !important;}.stk-e641738:before{background-color:var(--clr-tertiary-alt) !important;}.stk-e641738-column{--stk-columns-spacing:20px !important;--stk-column-gap:5px !important;}<\/style><div class=\"stk-row stk-inner-blocks stk-block-content stk-content-align stk-e641738-column\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-502d8c6\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"502d8c6\"><style>.stk-502d8c6:hover{bottom:4px !important;}.stk-502d8c6 {bottom:0 !important;}<\/style><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-502d8c6-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-502d8c6-inner-blocks\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-image stk-block-image has-text-align-right stk-block stk-ce31e5f\" data-block-id=\"ce31e5f\"><style>.stk-ce31e5f {border-top-left-radius:0px !important;border-top-right-radius:0px !important;border-bottom-right-radius:0px !important;border-bottom-left-radius:0px !important;overflow:hidden !important;padding-top:0px !important;padding-right:0px !important;padding-bottom:0px !important;padding-left:0px !important;margin-bottom:0px !important;right:10px !important;z-index:10 !important;}.stk-ce31e5f .stk-img-wrapper{width:13% !important;}<\/style><figure><a class=\"stk-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.esn-sa.org\/2024-in-retrospect-political-economy-analysis-of-2024-national-elections-in-sadc-region\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><span class=\"stk-img-wrapper stk-image--shape-stretch\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"stk-img wp-image-10648\" src=\"https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/AA-x-EDH-Spotlight-Content-1.png\" width=\"2048\" height=\"2560\" alt=\"Democratic shockwaves in Southern Africa\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/AA-x-EDH-Spotlight-Content-1.png 2048w, https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/AA-x-EDH-Spotlight-Content-1-240x300.png 240w, https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/AA-x-EDH-Spotlight-Content-1-819x1024.png 819w, https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/AA-x-EDH-Spotlight-Content-1-768x960.png 768w, https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/AA-x-EDH-Spotlight-Content-1-1229x1536.png 1229w, https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/AA-x-EDH-Spotlight-Content-1-1638x2048.png 1638w, https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/AA-x-EDH-Spotlight-Content-1-10x12.png 10w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><\/span><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-columns stk-block-columns stk-block stk-53329e2\" data-block-id=\"53329e2\"><style>.stk-53329e2 {top:-35px !important;}<\/style><div class=\"stk-row stk-inner-blocks stk-block-content stk-content-align stk-53329e2-column\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-0ed588a stk-block-background stk--has-background-overlay\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"0ed588a\"><style>.stk-0ed588a {background-image:url(https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Botswana-2024-elections-4.jpg) !important;border-top-left-radius:10px !important;border-top-right-radius:10px !important;border-bottom-right-radius:10px !important;border-bottom-left-radius:10px !important;overflow:hidden !important;box-shadow:0 5px 30px -10px #123f524d !important;}.stk-0ed588a:before{background-color:#000000 !important;opacity:0.6 !important;}<\/style><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-0ed588a-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-0ed588a-inner-blocks\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-text stk-block-text stk-block stk-ca7c62a\" data-block-id=\"ca7c62a\"><style>.stk-ca7c62a {padding-right:0px !important;padding-bottom:15px !important;margin-top:15px !important;margin-bottom:-10px !important;}<\/style><p class=\"stk-block-text__text\"><span style=\"color: var(--clr-tertiary);\" class=\"stk-highlight\">ESN-SA<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-background-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-fe2d5efb8d821f79bbc3ac6513d9f9e7 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:clamp(14px, 0.875rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 0.408), 18px);line-height:1.3\"><strong>2024 National Elections in Southern Africa<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-spacer stk-block-spacer stk--no-padding stk-block stk-9b9d1e6\" data-block-id=\"9b9d1e6\"><style>.stk-9b9d1e6 {height:94px !important;}<\/style><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-text stk-block-text stk-block stk-f19599a\" data-block-id=\"f19599a\"><style>.stk-f19599a {padding-top:15px !important;padding-right:0px !important;margin-bottom:-15px !important;}.stk-f19599a .stk-block-text__text{color:#fffffe !important;}<\/style><p class=\"stk-block-text__text has-text-color\">25.01.2025<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-spacer stk-block-spacer stk--no-padding stk-block stk-b204a8b\" data-block-id=\"b204a8b\"><style>.stk-b204a8b {height:30px !important;}<\/style><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-button-group stk-block-button-group stk-block stk-3f2adce\" data-block-id=\"3f2adce\"><style>.stk-3f2adce {padding-bottom:5px !important;margin-bottom:0px !important;}<\/style><div class=\"stk-row stk-inner-blocks stk-block-content stk-button-group\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-button stk-block-button stk-block stk-b232316\" data-block-id=\"b232316\"><style>.stk-b232316 .stk-button{min-height:0px !important;padding-top:7px !important;padding-right:15px !important;padding-bottom:7px !important;padding-left:15px !important;background:var(--clr-tertiary) !important;border-top-left-radius:50px !important;border-top-right-radius:50px !important;border-bottom-right-radius:50px !important;border-bottom-left-radius:50px !important;}.stk-b232316 .stk-button:hover:after{background:var(--clr-tertiary-alt) !important;opacity:1 !important;}.stk-b232316 .stk-button__inner-text{color:var(--clr-text) !important;}.stk-b232316 .stk-button:hover .stk-button__inner-text{color:var(--clr-text) !important;}<\/style><a class=\"stk-link stk-button stk--hover-effect-darken\" href=\"https:\/\/www.esn-sa.org\/2024-in-retrospect-political-economy-analysis-of-2024-national-elections-in-sadc-region\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><span class=\"has-text-color stk-button__inner-text\">Read more<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><a class=\"stk-link stk-block-link stk--transparent-overlay\" href=\"https:\/\/www.esn-sa.org\/2024-in-retrospect-political-economy-analysis-of-2024-national-elections-in-sadc-region\/\" aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-5507021\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"5507021\"><style>.stk-5507021:hover{bottom:4px !important;}.stk-5507021 {bottom:0 !important;}<\/style><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-5507021-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-5507021-inner-blocks\"><\/div><a class=\"stk-link stk-block-link stk--transparent-overlay\" href=\"https:\/\/www.esn-sa.org\/gender-checklist-for-free-and-credible-elections-in-sadc\/\" aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-6b06ae6\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"6b06ae6\"><style>.stk-6b06ae6:hover{bottom:4px !important;}.stk-6b06ae6 {bottom:0 !important;}<\/style><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-6b06ae6-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-6b06ae6-inner-blocks\"><\/div><a class=\"stk-link stk-block-link stk--transparent-overlay\" href=\"https:\/\/ahead.africa\/en\/democratic-shockwaves-in-southern-africa\/\" aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-96832fa\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"96832fa\"><style>.stk-96832fa:hover{bottom:4px !important;}.stk-96832fa {bottom:0 !important;}<\/style><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-96832fa-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-96832fa-inner-blocks\"><\/div><a class=\"stk-link stk-block-link stk--transparent-overlay\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ahry.up.ac.za\/en\/songa-a-tessema-mm\" aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-heading stk-block-heading stk-block-heading--v2 stk-block stk-d4bd75f\" id=\"meet-the-authors\" data-block-id=\"d4bd75f\"><style>.stk-d4bd75f {padding-top:60px !important;margin-bottom:0px !important;}<\/style><h2 class=\"stk-block-heading__text has-text-align-center\">Meet the authors<\/h2><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-columns stk-block-columns stk-block stk-d8711ac\" data-block-id=\"d8711ac\"><style>.stk-d8711ac {padding-top:0px !important;padding-right:40px !important;padding-left:40px !important;}.stk-d8711ac-column{--stk-columns-spacing:10px !important;--stk-column-gap:10px !important;}<\/style><div class=\"stk-row stk-inner-blocks stk-block-content stk-content-align stk-d8711ac-column\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-f6757d2\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"f6757d2\"><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-f6757d2-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-f6757d2-inner-blocks\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-columns stk-block-columns stk-block stk-917891c\" data-block-id=\"917891c\"><div class=\"stk-row stk-inner-blocks stk-block-content stk-content-align stk-917891c-column\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-2b9ad35\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"2b9ad35\"><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-2b9ad35-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-2b9ad35-inner-blocks\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-image stk-block-image stk-block stk-b6124f8\" data-block-id=\"b6124f8\"><style>.stk-b6124f8 {margin-bottom:0px !important;z-index:10 !important;}.stk-b6124f8 .stk-img-wrapper{width:60% !important;}.stk-b6124f8 .stk-img-wrapper img{transform:scale(1) !important;object-position:45% 7.000000000000001% !important;}.stk-b6124f8 .stk-img-wrapper img, .stk-b6124f8 .stk-img-wrapper::after, .stk-b6124f8 .stk-img-wrapper::before{mask-image:url('data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxMDAgMTAwIj48Y2lyY2xlIGN4PSI1MCIgY3k9IjUwIiByPSI1MCI+PC9jaXJjbGU+PC9zdmc+') !important;-webkit-mask-image:url('data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxMDAgMTAwIj48Y2lyY2xlIGN4PSI1MCIgY3k9IjUwIiByPSI1MCI+PC9jaXJjbGU+PC9zdmc+') !important;}<\/style><figure><span class=\"stk-img-wrapper stk-img--shape\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"stk-img wp-image-11147\" src=\"https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Author-Nicole-Beardsworth.jpg\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1862\" alt=\"Nicole Beardsworth\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Author-Nicole-Beardsworth.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Author-Nicole-Beardsworth-300x218.jpg 300w, https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Author-Nicole-Beardsworth-1024x745.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Author-Nicole-Beardsworth-768x559.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Author-Nicole-Beardsworth-1536x1117.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Author-Nicole-Beardsworth-2048x1490.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Author-Nicole-Beardsworth-16x12.jpg 16w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><\/span><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group card card-3 has-tertiary-background-color has-background is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\" style=\"margin-top:-40px\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized shape no-drag-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"147\" height=\"166\" src=\"https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Polygon-1-1.svg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-254\" style=\"width:auto;height:200px\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-expand stk-block-expand stk-block stk-f0f5343\" data-block-id=\"f0f5343\"><style>.stk-f0f5343 {margin-bottom:0px !important;}<\/style><div class=\"stk-inner-blocks stk-block-content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-text stk-block-text stk-block stk-9ede670 stk-block-expand__short-text\" aria-hidden=\"false\" data-block-id=\"9ede670\"><style>.stk-9ede670 {margin-top:30px !important;margin-bottom:5px !important;}<\/style><p class=\"stk-block-text__text\"><strong>Dr Nicole Beardsworth<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-button stk-block-button is-style-link stk-block-expand__show-button stk-block stk-4f7c65d\" data-block-id=\"4f7c65d\"><a aria-hidden=\"false\" role=\"button\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"stk-link stk-button stk--hover-effect-darken\" href=\"#\"><span class=\"stk-button__inner-text\">Profile<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-text stk-block-text stk-block stk-3c09763 stk-block-expand__more-text\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-block-id=\"3c09763\"><style>.stk-3c09763 {padding-top:30px !important;}<\/style><p class=\"stk-block-text__text\"><strong>Dr Nicole Beardsworth<\/strong> is a lecturer in Politics at the University of the Witwatersrand and an honorary research fellow in Politics and International Studies (PAIS) at the University of Warwick. Nicole holds a PhD in Politics from the University of Warwick, an MA in International Relations from the University of the Witwatersrand and an MSc in African Studies from the University of Oxford. Her PhD research focused on opposition parties and electoral coordination in Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Her broader research is on the history and politics of sub-Saharan Africa, with a focus on political parties, governance, democratisation and elections in Southern and Eastern Africa. Nicole is a regular writer for several academic blogs and newspapers and tweets from @nixiib.<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-button stk-block-button is-style-link stk-block-expand__hide-button stk-block stk-4831dc3\" data-block-id=\"4831dc3\"><a aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"button\" aria-expanded=\"true\" class=\"stk-link stk-button stk--hover-effect-darken\" href=\"#\"><span class=\"stk-button__inner-text\">Close profile<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-a67d52c\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"a67d52c\"><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-a67d52c-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-a67d52c-inner-blocks\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-columns stk-block-columns stk-block stk-84571e7\" data-block-id=\"84571e7\"><div class=\"stk-row stk-inner-blocks stk-block-content stk-content-align stk-84571e7-column\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-f3462b3\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"f3462b3\"><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-f3462b3-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-f3462b3-inner-blocks\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-image stk-block-image stk-block stk-c19c6f7\" data-block-id=\"c19c6f7\"><style>.stk-c19c6f7 {margin-bottom:0px !important;z-index:10 !important;}.stk-c19c6f7 .stk-img-wrapper{width:60% !important;}.stk-c19c6f7 .stk-img-wrapper img{transform:scale(1) !important;object-position:45% 7.000000000000001% !important;}.stk-c19c6f7 .stk-img-wrapper img, .stk-c19c6f7 .stk-img-wrapper::after, .stk-c19c6f7 .stk-img-wrapper::before{mask-image:url('data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxMDAgMTAwIj48Y2lyY2xlIGN4PSI1MCIgY3k9IjUwIiByPSI1MCI+PC9jaXJjbGU+PC9zdmc+') !important;-webkit-mask-image:url('data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxMDAgMTAwIj48Y2lyY2xlIGN4PSI1MCIgY3k9IjUwIiByPSI1MCI+PC9jaXJjbGU+PC9zdmc+') !important;}<\/style><figure><span class=\"stk-img-wrapper stk-img--shape\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"stk-img wp-image-13247\" src=\"https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Daniel-Ekomo.jpg\" width=\"2200\" height=\"1600\" alt=\"Nicole Beardsworth\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Daniel-Ekomo.jpg 2200w, https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Daniel-Ekomo-300x218.jpg 300w, https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Daniel-Ekomo-1024x745.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Daniel-Ekomo-768x559.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Daniel-Ekomo-1536x1117.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Daniel-Ekomo-2048x1489.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Daniel-Ekomo-18x12.jpg 18w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2200px) 100vw, 2200px\" \/><\/span><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group card card-3 has-tertiary-background-color has-background is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\" style=\"margin-top:-40px\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized shape no-drag-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"147\" height=\"166\" src=\"https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Polygon-1-1.svg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-254\" style=\"width:auto;height:200px\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-expand stk-block-expand stk-block stk-5fcd3d9\" data-block-id=\"5fcd3d9\"><style>.stk-5fcd3d9 {margin-bottom:0px !important;}<\/style><div class=\"stk-inner-blocks stk-block-content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-text stk-block-text stk-block stk-9010031 stk-block-expand__short-text\" aria-hidden=\"false\" data-block-id=\"9010031\"><style>.stk-9010031 {margin-top:30px !important;margin-bottom:5px !important;}<\/style><p class=\"stk-block-text__text\"><strong>Daniel Ekomo<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-button stk-block-button is-style-link stk-block-expand__show-button stk-block stk-f4fcd4b\" data-block-id=\"f4fcd4b\"><a aria-hidden=\"false\" role=\"button\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"stk-link stk-button stk--hover-effect-darken\" href=\"#\"><span class=\"stk-button__inner-text\">Profile<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-text stk-block-text stk-block stk-91afeaf stk-block-expand__more-text\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-block-id=\"91afeaf\"><style>.stk-91afeaf {padding-top:30px !important;}<\/style><p class=\"stk-block-text__text\"><strong>Daniel Ekomo-Soignet<\/strong> is a programme assistant at the European Partnership for Democracy. With a background in peacebuilding and research, Daniel holds an MA in International Conflict &amp; Security with a specialisation in Foreign Policy from the University of Kent&#8217;s Brussels School of International Studies. The geographic focus of his work has been the Central African region, where he has been regularly working with local civil society.<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-button stk-block-button is-style-link stk-block-expand__hide-button stk-block stk-dce2e7a\" data-block-id=\"dce2e7a\"><a aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"button\" aria-expanded=\"true\" class=\"stk-link stk-button stk--hover-effect-darken\" href=\"#\"><span class=\"stk-button__inner-text\">Close profile<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-c4d2b6f\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"c4d2b6f\"><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-c4d2b6f-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-c4d2b6f-inner-blocks\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-columns stk-block-columns stk-block stk-ea8365d\" data-block-id=\"ea8365d\"><div class=\"stk-row stk-inner-blocks stk-block-content stk-content-align stk-ea8365d-column\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-29a0255\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"29a0255\"><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-29a0255-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-29a0255-inner-blocks\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-image stk-block-image stk-block stk-4cf8cc9\" data-block-id=\"4cf8cc9\"><style>.stk-4cf8cc9 {margin-bottom:0px !important;z-index:10 !important;}.stk-4cf8cc9 .stk-img-wrapper{width:60% !important;}.stk-4cf8cc9 .stk-img-wrapper img{transform:scale(1) !important;object-position:45% 7.000000000000001% !important;}.stk-4cf8cc9 .stk-img-wrapper img, .stk-4cf8cc9 .stk-img-wrapper::after, .stk-4cf8cc9 .stk-img-wrapper::before{mask-image:url('data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxMDAgMTAwIj48Y2lyY2xlIGN4PSI1MCIgY3k9IjUwIiByPSI1MCI+PC9jaXJjbGU+PC9zdmc+') !important;-webkit-mask-image:url('data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxMDAgMTAwIj48Y2lyY2xlIGN4PSI1MCIgY3k9IjUwIiByPSI1MCI+PC9jaXJjbGU+PC9zdmc+') !important;}<\/style><figure><span class=\"stk-img-wrapper stk-img--shape\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"stk-img wp-image-13276\" src=\"https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Jamie-Hitchen-Author.jpg\" width=\"2200\" height=\"1600\" alt=\"Nicole Beardsworth\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Jamie-Hitchen-Author.jpg 2200w, https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Jamie-Hitchen-Author-300x218.jpg 300w, https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Jamie-Hitchen-Author-1024x745.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Jamie-Hitchen-Author-768x559.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Jamie-Hitchen-Author-1536x1117.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Jamie-Hitchen-Author-2048x1489.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Jamie-Hitchen-Author-18x12.jpg 18w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2200px) 100vw, 2200px\" \/><\/span><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group card card-3 has-tertiary-background-color has-background is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\" style=\"margin-top:-40px\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized shape no-drag-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"147\" height=\"166\" src=\"https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Polygon-1-1.svg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-254\" style=\"width:auto;height:200px\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-expand stk-block-expand stk-block stk-80bb5e3\" data-block-id=\"80bb5e3\"><style>.stk-80bb5e3 {margin-bottom:0px !important;}<\/style><div class=\"stk-inner-blocks stk-block-content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-text stk-block-text stk-block stk-9b635c1 stk-block-expand__short-text\" aria-hidden=\"false\" data-block-id=\"9b635c1\"><style>.stk-9b635c1 {margin-top:30px !important;margin-bottom:5px !important;}<\/style><p class=\"stk-block-text__text\"><strong>Jamie Hitchen<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-button stk-block-button is-style-link stk-block-expand__show-button stk-block stk-f4df83c\" data-block-id=\"f4df83c\"><a aria-hidden=\"false\" role=\"button\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"stk-link stk-button stk--hover-effect-darken\" href=\"#\"><span class=\"stk-button__inner-text\">Profile<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-text stk-block-text stk-block stk-78ee1d0 stk-block-expand__more-text\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-block-id=\"78ee1d0\"><style>.stk-78ee1d0 {padding-top:30px !important;}<\/style><p class=\"stk-block-text__text\"><strong>Jamie Hitchen&nbsp;<\/strong>is an independent researcher and analyst with fifteen years of experience working across West Africa, particularly in Sierra Leone, Nigeria, The Gambia and Liberia, on themes of governance, corruption, accountability and digital democratic engagement. As an associate with the Westminster Foundation for Democracy, Jamie oversees the organisation&#8217;s&nbsp;growing portfolio of work on the cost of politics and its implications for democracy.<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-button stk-block-button is-style-link stk-block-expand__hide-button stk-block stk-39bc6e5\" data-block-id=\"39bc6e5\"><a aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"button\" aria-expanded=\"true\" class=\"stk-link stk-button stk--hover-effect-darken\" href=\"#\"><span class=\"stk-button__inner-text\">Close profile<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-columns stk-block-columns stk-block stk-0f19c11\" data-block-id=\"0f19c11\"><style>.stk-0f19c11 {padding-top:0px !important;padding-right:40px !important;padding-left:40px !important;}.stk-0f19c11-column{--stk-columns-spacing:10px !important;--stk-column-gap:10px !important;}<\/style><div class=\"stk-row stk-inner-blocks stk-block-content stk-content-align stk-0f19c11-column\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-d341163\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"d341163\"><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-d341163-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-d341163-inner-blocks\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-columns stk-block-columns stk-block stk-541b7ee\" data-block-id=\"541b7ee\"><div class=\"stk-row stk-inner-blocks stk-block-content stk-content-align stk-541b7ee-column\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-f8e9ab0\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"f8e9ab0\"><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-f8e9ab0-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-f8e9ab0-inner-blocks\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-image stk-block-image stk-block stk-0de6aad\" data-block-id=\"0de6aad\"><style>.stk-0de6aad {margin-bottom:0px !important;z-index:10 !important;}.stk-0de6aad .stk-img-wrapper{width:60% !important;}.stk-0de6aad .stk-img-wrapper img{transform:scale(1) !important;object-position:45% 7.000000000000001% !important;}.stk-0de6aad .stk-img-wrapper img, .stk-0de6aad .stk-img-wrapper::after, .stk-0de6aad .stk-img-wrapper::before{mask-image:url('data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxMDAgMTAwIj48Y2lyY2xlIGN4PSI1MCIgY3k9IjUwIiByPSI1MCI+PC9jaXJjbGU+PC9zdmc+') !important;-webkit-mask-image:url('data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxMDAgMTAwIj48Y2lyY2xlIGN4PSI1MCIgY3k9IjUwIiByPSI1MCI+PC9jaXJjbGU+PC9zdmc+') !important;}<\/style><figure><span class=\"stk-img-wrapper stk-img--shape\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"stk-img wp-image-13253\" src=\"https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Evelyn-Mantoui-1.jpg\" width=\"2200\" height=\"1600\" alt=\"Nicole Beardsworth\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Evelyn-Mantoui-1.jpg 2200w, https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Evelyn-Mantoui-1-300x218.jpg 300w, https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Evelyn-Mantoui-1-1024x745.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Evelyn-Mantoui-1-768x559.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Evelyn-Mantoui-1-1536x1117.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Evelyn-Mantoui-1-2048x1489.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Evelyn-Mantoui-1-18x12.jpg 18w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2200px) 100vw, 2200px\" \/><\/span><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group card card-3 has-tertiary-background-color has-background is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\" style=\"margin-top:-40px\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized shape no-drag-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"147\" height=\"166\" src=\"https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Polygon-1-1.svg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-254\" style=\"width:auto;height:200px\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-expand stk-block-expand stk-block stk-4c7e79a\" data-block-id=\"4c7e79a\"><style>.stk-4c7e79a {margin-bottom:0px !important;}<\/style><div class=\"stk-inner-blocks stk-block-content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-text stk-block-text stk-block stk-89a1e29 stk-block-expand__short-text\" aria-hidden=\"false\" data-block-id=\"89a1e29\"><style>.stk-89a1e29 {margin-top:30px !important;margin-bottom:5px !important;}<\/style><p class=\"stk-block-text__text\"><strong>Evelyn Mantoui<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-button stk-block-button is-style-link stk-block-expand__show-button stk-block stk-8c53c4a\" data-block-id=\"8c53c4a\"><a aria-hidden=\"false\" role=\"button\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"stk-link stk-button stk--hover-effect-darken\" href=\"#\"><span class=\"stk-button__inner-text\">Profile<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-text stk-block-text stk-block stk-f2dc467 stk-block-expand__more-text\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-block-id=\"f2dc467\"><style>.stk-f2dc467 {padding-top:30px !important;}<\/style><p class=\"stk-block-text__text\"><strong>Evelyn Mantoiu<\/strong> is a Research and Data Manager at the European Partnership for Democracy where she focuses on researching democracy support, with a focus on European Democracy aid and democracy support policies. Evelyn holds an MSc in Democracy and Comparative Politics from University College London and a BA in International Relations and Politics from the University of Sheffield. Her research interests include democratisation and democratic renewal.<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-button stk-block-button is-style-link stk-block-expand__hide-button stk-block stk-ccb81bf\" data-block-id=\"ccb81bf\"><a aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"button\" aria-expanded=\"true\" class=\"stk-link stk-button stk--hover-effect-darken\" href=\"#\"><span class=\"stk-button__inner-text\">Close profile<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-c0c826e\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"c0c826e\"><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-c0c826e-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-c0c826e-inner-blocks\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-columns stk-block-columns stk-block stk-3126e2d\" data-block-id=\"3126e2d\"><div class=\"stk-row stk-inner-blocks stk-block-content stk-content-align stk-3126e2d-column\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-8bf26a1\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"8bf26a1\"><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-8bf26a1-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-8bf26a1-inner-blocks\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-image stk-block-image stk-block stk-f20c260\" data-block-id=\"f20c260\"><style>.stk-f20c260 {margin-bottom:0px !important;z-index:10 !important;}.stk-f20c260 .stk-img-wrapper{width:60% !important;}.stk-f20c260 .stk-img-wrapper img{transform:scale(1) !important;object-position:45% 7.000000000000001% !important;}.stk-f20c260 .stk-img-wrapper img, .stk-f20c260 .stk-img-wrapper::after, .stk-f20c260 .stk-img-wrapper::before{mask-image:url('data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxMDAgMTAwIj48Y2lyY2xlIGN4PSI1MCIgY3k9IjUwIiByPSI1MCI+PC9jaXJjbGU+PC9zdmc+') !important;-webkit-mask-image:url('data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxMDAgMTAwIj48Y2lyY2xlIGN4PSI1MCIgY3k9IjUwIiByPSI1MCI+PC9jaXJjbGU+PC9zdmc+') !important;}<\/style><figure><span class=\"stk-img-wrapper stk-img--shape\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"stk-img wp-image-12332\" src=\"https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Rebeca-WAGNER.jpg\" width=\"1100\" height=\"800\" alt=\"Nicole Beardsworth\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Rebeca-WAGNER.jpg 1100w, https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Rebeca-WAGNER-300x218.jpg 300w, https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Rebeca-WAGNER-1024x745.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Rebeca-WAGNER-768x559.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Rebeca-WAGNER-18x12.jpg 18w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1100px) 100vw, 1100px\" \/><\/span><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group card card-3 has-tertiary-background-color has-background is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\" style=\"margin-top:-40px\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized shape no-drag-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"147\" height=\"166\" src=\"https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Polygon-1-1.svg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-254\" style=\"width:auto;height:200px\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-expand stk-block-expand stk-block stk-7adb2cd\" data-block-id=\"7adb2cd\"><style>.stk-7adb2cd {margin-bottom:0px !important;}<\/style><div class=\"stk-inner-blocks stk-block-content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-text stk-block-text stk-block stk-b43aa25 stk-block-expand__short-text\" aria-hidden=\"false\" data-block-id=\"b43aa25\"><style>.stk-b43aa25 {margin-top:30px !important;margin-bottom:5px !important;}<\/style><p class=\"stk-block-text__text\"><strong>Dr Rebecca Wagner<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-button stk-block-button is-style-link stk-block-expand__show-button stk-block stk-cb792a8\" data-block-id=\"cb792a8\"><a aria-hidden=\"false\" role=\"button\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"stk-link stk-button stk--hover-effect-darken\" href=\"#\"><span class=\"stk-button__inner-text\">Profile<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-text stk-block-text stk-block stk-c3581b6 stk-block-expand__more-text\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-block-id=\"c3581b6\"><style>.stk-c3581b6 {padding-top:30px !important;}<\/style><p class=\"stk-block-text__text\">Dr. <strong>Rebecca Wagner<\/strong> has over 15 years of experience in international democracy promotion, autocratization, civil society, and elections. She earned her PhD at the Peace Research Institute Frankfurt (PRIF) and Goethe University Frankfurt on civil society resilience in autocratization processes. Earlier, she worked more than seven years in human rights and democracy support in Brussels and Berlin and joined election observation missions with OSCE\/ODIHR.<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-button stk-block-button is-style-link stk-block-expand__hide-button stk-block stk-416e554\" data-block-id=\"416e554\"><a aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"button\" aria-expanded=\"true\" class=\"stk-link stk-button stk--hover-effect-darken\" href=\"#\"><span class=\"stk-button__inner-text\">Close profile<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-89d4367\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"89d4367\"><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-89d4367-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-89d4367-inner-blocks\"><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n  <div class=\"coming-soon-divider wp-block-tn-section-divider\" style=\"background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--background-alt);\">\n          <div \n        style=\"fill: var(--wp--preset--color--tertiary-alt);\" \n        class=\"svg-wrapper\"\n        data-flip-x=\"true\"\n        data-flip-y=\"true\"\n      >\n        <svg viewBox=\"0 0 1449 74\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" preserveAspectRatio=\"none\" xml:space=\"preserve\" style=\"fill-rule:evenodd;clip-rule:evenodd;stroke-linejoin:round;stroke-miterlimit:2\"><g transform=\"scale(1 1.03736)\"><path d=\"M266 70 1449 0v91H0V0l266 70Z\" style=\"fill-rule:nonzero\" transform=\"scale(1 .96399)\"><\/path><\/g><\/svg>      <\/div>\n    \n      <\/div>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-group more-news has-background-alt-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\" style=\"padding-top:0px;padding-right:0rem;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0rem\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\" style=\"font-size:clamp(18.959px, 1.185rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 1.127), 30px);\">Latest on our <span style=\"color: var(--clr-tertiary);\" class=\"stk-highlight\">Research<\/span> activities<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-query animate-staggered-post-wrapper is-layout-flow wp-block-query-is-layout-flow\"><ul class=\"columns-4 wp-block-post-template is-layout-grid wp-container-core-post-template-is-layout-f2782ee7 wp-block-post-template-is-layout-grid\"><li class=\"wp-block-post post-8075 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-research tag-commentary region-continental\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group blog-card is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\" style=\"padding-top:30px;padding-right:30px;padding-bottom:30px;padding-left:30px\"><div class=\"taxonomy-post_tag wp-block-post-terms has-p-2-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ahead.africa\/en\/tag\/commentary\/\" rel=\"tag\">Commentary<\/a><\/div>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ahead.africa\/en\/does-ai-know-who-will-you-vote-before-you-do\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1500\" height=\"1000\" src=\"https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/IPE2025-commentary-Does-AI-know-who-will-you-vote-before-you-do-1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"Does AI know who will you vote before you do?\" style=\"object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/IPE2025-commentary-Does-AI-know-who-will-you-vote-before-you-do-1.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/IPE2025-commentary-Does-AI-know-who-will-you-vote-before-you-do-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/IPE2025-commentary-Does-AI-know-who-will-you-vote-before-you-do-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/IPE2025-commentary-Does-AI-know-who-will-you-vote-before-you-do-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/IPE2025-commentary-Does-AI-know-who-will-you-vote-before-you-do-1-18x12.jpg 18w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<h3 style=\"font-size:clamp(14px, 0.875rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 0.408), 18px)\" class=\"wp-block-post-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ahead.africa\/en\/does-ai-know-who-will-you-vote-before-you-do\/\" target=\"_self\" >Does AI know who will you vote before you do?<\/a><\/h3>\n\n<div class=\"has-link-color wp-elements-3dc6367f4433c9255fdc969bec36a821 wp-block-post-date has-text-color has-quaternary-color has-p-2-font-size\"><time datetime=\"2025-04-03T08:00:00+00:00\">04.03.2025<\/time><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"has-link-color wp-elements-f236ea5e4c29ac86b2ca22faf2139a0a wp-block-post-excerpt has-text-color has-primary-color\"><p class=\"wp-block-post-excerpt__excerpt\">A review of the IPE2025 report and how AHEAD Africa will address its gaps. <\/p><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button underline\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ahead.africa\/en\/does-ai-know-who-will-you-vote-before-you-do\/\" rel=\"bookmark\" class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\">Read more<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-7962 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-advocacy category-research tag-journal-article region-continental\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group blog-card is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\" style=\"padding-top:30px;padding-right:30px;padding-bottom:30px;padding-left:30px\"><div class=\"taxonomy-post_tag wp-block-post-terms has-p-2-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ahead.africa\/en\/tag\/journal-article\/\" rel=\"tag\">Journal article<\/a><\/div>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ahead.africa\/en\/improving-how-democratic-progress-is-measured-in-africa\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" src=\"https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Strengthening-how-democratic-progress-is-measured-in-Africa-News-scaled.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"Improving how democratic progress is measured in Africa\" style=\"object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Strengthening-how-democratic-progress-is-measured-in-Africa-News-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Strengthening-how-democratic-progress-is-measured-in-Africa-News-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Strengthening-how-democratic-progress-is-measured-in-Africa-News-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Strengthening-how-democratic-progress-is-measured-in-Africa-News-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Strengthening-how-democratic-progress-is-measured-in-Africa-News-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Strengthening-how-democratic-progress-is-measured-in-Africa-News-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/ahead.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Strengthening-how-democratic-progress-is-measured-in-Africa-News-18x12.jpg 18w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<h3 style=\"font-size:clamp(14px, 0.875rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 0.408), 18px)\" class=\"wp-block-post-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ahead.africa\/en\/improving-how-democratic-progress-is-measured-in-africa\/\" target=\"_self\" >Improving how democratic progress is measured in Africa<\/a><\/h3>\n\n<div class=\"has-link-color wp-elements-3dc6367f4433c9255fdc969bec36a821 wp-block-post-date has-text-color has-quaternary-color has-p-2-font-size\"><time datetime=\"2025-02-20T09:00:00+00:00\">02.20.2025<\/time><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"has-link-color wp-elements-f236ea5e4c29ac86b2ca22faf2139a0a wp-block-post-excerpt has-text-color has-primary-color\"><p class=\"wp-block-post-excerpt__excerpt\">Actionable steps to enhance state reporting under the ACDEG. <\/p><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button underline\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ahead.africa\/en\/improving-how-democratic-progress-is-measured-in-africa\/\" rel=\"bookmark\" class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\">Read more<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Research AHEAD Africa will build its evidence base and support advocacy efforts through the production of Publications Jamie Hitchen, Daniel Ekomo and Evelyn Mantoiu The cost of politics for youth in Africa 10.07.2026 Read more Standard Action Liaison Force Is South Sudan ready for 2026 elections? 22.06.2026 Read more Research ICT Africa Change in the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-243","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ahead.africa\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/243","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ahead.africa\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ahead.africa\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ahead.africa\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ahead.africa\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=243"}],"version-history":[{"count":738,"href":"https:\/\/ahead.africa\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/243\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13304,"href":"https:\/\/ahead.africa\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/243\/revisions\/13304"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ahead.africa\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=243"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}