Foreign Digest: Algeria, Sudan and Protests around the World

Algeria

            Algeria conducted presidential elections last week, the first after the resignation of the longtime President earlier this year.  Although there were no reports of significant irregularities, the opposition had boycotted the election between candidates close to the previous regime.

Sudan

            The longtime Islamist tyrant of Sudan who was overthrown earlier this year has been sentenced to prison for corruption and money laundering.  A military/civilian transitional government will lead Sudan to elections within three years.

Protesters

            The “Person of the Year” Time magazine chose as the one who affected the news the most in 2019 was a Swedish environmental advocate, who, other than raising awareness, has admitted not to having accomplished anything substantial.  Around the world this year, however, peaceful protesters, often in mass demonstrations, have been able not only to raise awareness about corruption or authoritarianism, but to effect major changes, of which I have posted about many.  

As mentioned above, protesters in Algeria succeeded in preventing the longtime president from seeking another term and in resigning, and in Sudan in overthrowing the Islamist tyrant.  The authoritarian Chavist President of Bolivia was forced from power by protests after claiming to have won a fourth term, despite a two-term constitutional limit.  The Prime Minister of Lebanon resigned after mass demonstrations.  The President of Chile made concessions in the face of protests, as did the Peking-backed territorial government of Hong Kong, which withdrew a proposed extradition law.  Peaceful protesters in Venezuela, Russia and Iran, among other States around the globe, gave witness to repression. 

May such popular efforts be fruitful in advancing liberty in the years to come.