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South African President Cyril Ramaphosa delivered his Opening of Parliament Address in which he unveiled the government of national unity's priorities for the next five years, Reuters reported on July 18.

South Africa: Ramaphosa Unveils Coalition Government's Priorities

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Shipping activity off the coast of southern Africa steeply dropped in the second week of July amid extreme weather events that caused one ship to run aground and resulted in the loss and damage of over 70 containers, Bloomberg reported on July 11. 

Africa: Shipping Disruptions off African Shores Grow Amid Extreme Weather Events, Piracy

Energy

South African state-owned utility company Eskom announced that it had imposed localized rolling blackouts known as "load reduction," News24 reported on July 9. 

South Africa: Eskom Imposes Local Power Cuts Due to Electricity Theft 

The former transmission division of state-owned utility company Eskom began trading independently as the National Transmission Company of South Africa (NTCSA), Smart Energy International reported July 2.

South Africa: Unbundled Electricity Transmission Company Starts Trading 

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa's new Cabinet will include 32 ministries and 43 deputy ministers, with the center-right Democratic Alliance, or DA, receiving six ministerial portfolios and the conservative Inkatha Freedom Party receiving two ministerial positions, News24 reported on June 30. 

South Africa: Ramaphosa Unveils New Cabinet 

South Africa's center-right Democratic Alliance party, or DA, agreed to continue negotiations with the center-left African National Congress party, or ANC, on the formation of South Africa's next Cabinet despite President Cyril Ramaphosa's alleged retraction of an offer to grant the DA the trade and industry ministry portfolio, Reuters reported on June 28.

South Africa: Negotiations Over Cabinet Formation Remain Deadlocked Despite DA Pledges for More Talks 

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa was inaugurated for a second term on June 19, Reuters reported the same day.

South Africa: Tensions Over Cabinet Formation Emerge Following Ramaphosa's Inauguration 

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to be reelected by the country's National Assembly, Reuters reported on June 14. 

South Africa: Ramaphosa To Be Reelected President as Democratic Alliance Joins Government of National Unity

Assessments

Photograph of the Union Buildings in Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa, at night. 

The government will likely face intra-coalition challenges and strong pushback from trade unions, but early signs of compromise from both the DA and ANC suggest it could successfully pass several structural reforms in the coming years.

The Challenges Facing South Africa's New Coalition Government 

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U.S. President Joe Biden speaks during a press conference at the 75th NATO Summit in Washington, D.C., on July 11, 2024. 

Israel-Hamas Conflict

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Biden's exit from the U.S. presidential race will free him to pursue more aggressive action against Russia over Ukraine and increase pressure on Israel to end its war with Hamas. 

What To Expect from Biden's Foreign Policy Farewell Tour

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Parc des Champions on July 4, 2024, at the foot of the Eiffel Tower at the Trocadero in Paris.

A look at what the coming week will bring -- and a list of recommended RANE articles from the week that was.

The Weekly Rundown: The Paris Olympics, Netanyahu Addresses Congress

Japan

The European Commission in Brussels. On July 18, incumbents Roberta Metsola and Ursula von der Leyen are expected to be confirmed for a second term as presidents of the European Parliament and the European Commission, respectively.

The Weekly Rundown: A New European Commission President, the Third Plenary Session of the CPC

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A map illustrating Turkey (in red) and the BRICS countries (in blue).

Joining BRICS would underscore Turkey's balancing act between the West and the Global South, but the organization's weaknesses will limit its potential for economic growth.

For Turkey, BRICS Is Far From a Political and Economic Panacea

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President Cyril Ramaphosa is sworn in as member of parliament during the first sitting of the new South African parliament on June 14 in Cape Town, South Africa. Ramaphosa will be inaugurated to a second term in a ceremony scheduled to take place June 19 in Pretoria.

The Weekly Rundown: Ukraine's Peace Summit, South Africa's Inauguration

South African President and leader of the African National Congress (ANC) Cyril Ramaphosa (center) delivers his remarks after the official announcement of the results of South Africa's general election at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand, on June 2, 2024. 

Global Elections

To secure a parliamentary majority, President Ramaphosa appears likely to seek an agreement with the center-right Democratic Alliance party, which would raise investor confidence but also risk triggering violent unrest.

What's Next for South Africa Following the ANC's Historic Electoral Defeat

Mexico

A rally for Morena party candidate Claudia Sheinbaum on May 29 in Mexico City's Zocalo.

The Weekly Rundown: South Africa's ANC Faces a Reckoning, Mexican Voters Select a New President

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Supporters of the African National Congress (ANC) party dance, sing and chant slogans during a campaign march on May 24, 2024, in Johannesburg, South Africa. 

The Weekly Rundown: South Africa's General Election, Israel Resumes Hostage Talks With Hamas

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa greets supporters during an election rally on May 17, 2024, at Lakhis Sports Ground in Greytown, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. 

The May 29 election will likely usher in a new era of coalition governments in South Africa, with President Ramaphosa likely governing with the support of smaller, mostly centrist parties.

Previewing South Africa's General Election

The skyline of Johannesburg, South Africa, is seen on April 19, 2023.

The government that emerges from the May 29 election will probably fail to address the structural factors holding back South Africa's economy, but a financial crisis remains unlikely for now.

Assessing South Africa's Post-Election Economic Outlook

South Africa's May general election will be the country's most competitive vote in 30 years, testing the dominance of the ruling African National Congress.

2024 Elections: South Africa

At the tip of the African continent lies South Africa. The country borders Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique and also surrounds Lesotho and much of Swaziland. South Africa's current borders were consolidated by the British in 1910 as the Union of South Africa, following the Boer Wars between the United Kingdom and Dutch settlers.    The Drakensberg and Karoo mountains rim the coastlines, separating a dry interior from a coastal region, which captures the majority of the country's rainfall.    Two key factors distinguish South Africa from much of the rest of the continent. The country has a malaria-free climate, which attracted European settlers. It also has abundant mineral resources — including gold, diamonds, coal and platinum — in the north-central interior.    This mining area is the geographic core of South Africa — encompassing the cities of Johannesburg and Pretoria and adjoining parts of Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North West and Free State provinces. This core is connected by road and rail to a series of ports — from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth, to Durban and Richards Bay — that carry goods and resources to and from Gauteng.    The wealth generated there underwrites financial, agricultural, industrial and manufacturing activity in other parts of South Africa.    South Africa's geographic challenge is to protect the extraction of natural resources in its interior while striving to maintain sufficient employment. It must then find ways to disperse enough wealth to appease its populations in the Gauteng and peripheral zones of the country.

SITUATION REPORTS

South Africa: Ramaphosa Unveils Coalition Government's Priorities

Africa: Shipping Disruptions off African Shores Grow Amid Extreme Weather Events, Piracy

South Africa: Eskom Imposes Local Power Cuts Due to Electricity Theft

South Africa: Unbundled Electricity Transmission Company Starts Trading

South Africa: Ramaphosa Unveils New Cabinet

South Africa: Negotiations Over Cabinet Formation Remain Deadlocked Despite DA Pledges for More Talks

South Africa: Tensions Over Cabinet Formation Emerge Following Ramaphosa's Inauguration

South Africa: Ramaphosa To Be Reelected President as Democratic Alliance Joins Government of National Unity

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