Editor's note

Zimbabwe’s economic and political crisis shows no signs of abating. Inflation is out of control; crippling power cuts and water shortages are a daily reality. The country’s main opposition party has put its faith in a wave of public mass demonstrations to try and depose President Emmerson Mnangagwa. But Tapiwa Chagonda argues that such an approach is doomed to fail, and sets out why forming a second government of national unity might be the best option for the flailing nation.

There are fears that the death of Senegal’s Socialist Party Secretary General, Ousmane Tanor Dieng, will intensify divisions in the party’s leadership. This threatens the future of an organisation that has shaped Senegalese politics for over 70 years. Moussa Diaw explains what has brought the Socialist Party to this point.

Also today:

Thabo Leshilo

Politics + Society Editor

Top Stories

Many Zimbabweans have turned to hawking to keep the wolf from the door as the economic crisis in the country deepens. EFE-EPA

Zimbabwe’s deepening crisis: time for second government of national unity?

Tapiwa Chagonda, University of Johannesburg

It's time for a new approach as it becomes increasingly clear that protests won't topple the Zanu-PF government.

Ousmane Tanor Dieng. EPA/LUCAS DOLEGA

Senegal: is the Socialist Party set for a leadership battle?

Moussa Diaw, Université Gaston Berger

Aside from wrangles over leadership, there's now a face-off between two movements within one of Senegal's most influential political parties

Politics + Society

South Africa’s new economic proposals highlight the role of services

Justin Visagie, Human Sciences Research Council; Ivan Turok, Human Sciences Research Council

Services have not featured strongly in the economic strategies of developing countries. However, South Africa's recently published economic reform proposals point to a greater role for services.

How the skull of humanity’s oldest known ancestor is changing our understanding of evolution

Hester Hanegraef, Natural History Museum

The hominin known as Lucy may not be the direct ancestor of humans.

En español

Cómo la tecnología digital puede ayudar a los pequeños agricultores de África

Abdul-Rahim Abdulai, University of Guelph; Emily Duncan, University of Guelph; Evan Fraser, University of Guelph

Se han dado pasos positivos para involucrar a los pequeños productores en la agricultura digital en África

El violador que actúa en grupo es más joven y agresivo que el solitario

César San Juan, Universidad del País Vasco / Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea

Aunque es difícil conocer la cifra exacta por el carácter social del delito, el número de casos de violaciones en grupo va mucho más allá de las conocidas "manadas". El perfil de estos violadores es, además, completamente distinto al de los violadores solitarios.

From our international editions

Tiny specks in space could be the key to finding martian life

Andrew Tomkins, Monash University

It's established Mars was once a planet with surface-level water. So with multiple MARS missions starting next year, the key to seeking out martian life may instead lie in the contents of its 'dust'.

Explainer: what exactly do musical conductors do?

Warwick Potter, The University of Queensland

A conductor's role is about communication with performers and their audience. They do so using eye contact, dress, and of course, the fabled waving of the arms.

Middle East tensions: what Lebanese border strikes mean for Israel, Iran and Saudi Arabia

Abdulaziz Alghashian, University of Essex

Saudi Arabia and Israeli in balancing act after strikes on Iran-backed militias.

Hong Kong: how the police trained for riots – and why their response to protesters has been so violent

Carol Anne Goodwin Jones, University of Birmingham

Police tactics in Hong Kong have not helped the cycle of protest, repression and further protest.

 
 
 
 

Would you like to republish any of these articles?

It’s free to republish, here are the guidelines. Contact us on africa-republish@theconversation.com in case you need assistance.