The African National Congress (ANC), the party which has dominated government since the end of apartheid in 1994, is a mélange of democratic and "liberation" assumptions and procedures. Once multiracial, the ANC is now largely a Black political party. During the 2009–2018 presidency of Jacob Zuma, it became deeply ensnarled in corruption and steadily lost the support of the electorate. Zuma is widely regarded as personally corrupt. Cyril Ramaphosa, a close associate of Nelson Mandela, campaigned within the party to unseat Zuma and clean up the corruption, not least to stimulate foreign and domestic investment in the economy.

Nigerien President Mahamadou Issoufou, set to step down after two terms as president, was last week awarded the Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership.

Ten people who passed away this year who shaped world affairs for better or worse.

South Africa's African National Congress' National Executive Council, led by Cyril Ramaphosa, appears to have taken meaningful steps against corruption while at the same time strengthening the president's position within the party.   

U.S. agencies release report on Chinese malware tool used for over a decade; TikTok saga continues with likely sale to Microsoft after intervention from President Trump; EU opens antitrust probe into…