Ivory Coast leader's bid for a fourth term after rivals sidelined is seen as a risk for democracy
Ibrahim Anoba, an Africa affairs analyst at the Atlas Network, was speaking a day after Ouattara ended months of speculation about his contested candidacy with an announcement that is likely to lead to a near-guaranteed extension of a presidency that started in 2010.
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Will Mississippi billionaire do the near-impossible in 2027 governor's race?
If ultra successful businessman Tommy Duff does run for governor of Mississippi in 2027, history will not be on his side. Duff, of Hattiesburg, who along with his brother James are listed as the state's only billionaires, according to Forbes Magazine, has made no secret of the fact he is considering a run for governor. If he does, it will mark the first time for Duff's name to be placed on ballot for public office. The 68-year-old would be starting his political career vying for the highest office in Mississippi. Combustible Vicksburg contractor Kirk Fordice, a unique politician in Mississippi on many levels, is the only person in the modern era to win the Mississippi governorship in his first venture as a candidate. All other successful candidates for governor in the modern era have held other elected offices before capturing the seat. Going all the way back to the 1950s, Ross Barnett was a successful trial attorney before running for governor — his first elected office. He lost the governor's race twice before finally winning the post in 1959 and then becoming a national figure as he fought to maintain Mississippi's segregated society. A few other people have tried to win the governor's mansion in their first campaigns. They have not been successful. People always say a candidate needs strong name identification to run for governor. Even though he has not run for statewide office, Duff has the wherewithal and presumably the willingness to write seven — and maybe eight — figure checks to develop that recognition. And with his money, he has the ability to craft the narrative he wants Mississippians to hear. But what we don't know yet is whether Duff has the 'it' factor. Will Duff look comfortable in his own skin traveling around the state asking people for their support? Often, though not always, it comes down to the old adage that people vote for the candidate with whom they would have a beer or glass of tea. It can take a special personality to navigate campaigning. Experience on the campaign trail helps develop the skills to do and say the right things in often stressful circumstances. It helps to be quick on your feet. Andy Mullins, a longtime administrator at the University of Mississippi and before then an aide to Gov. William Winter, tells the story of Winter campaigning. Winter entered a drug store in south Mississippi and went to the pharmacist to ask for his support. The pharmacist told him in no uncertain terms, Mullins said, that he would not vote for Winter because he would not help get his son into medical school. After enduring a verbal beating from the pharmacist, Mullins recalled what Winter said as he left the store: 'Put the pharmacist down as undecided.' Who knows how Duff will perform if he does engage in his first campaign. He may be a natural. Many thought Tupelo businessman Jack Reed was a natural in 1987 when he entered the governor's race as a political novice. Indeed, he did appear to be one, but he ran into and lost a close election to a politician with more experience in Ray Mabus. Reed will go down with others, such as Mike Sturdivant and John Arthur Eaves Jr., who waged and lost their maiden political campaign for the hard-to-obtain office of governor. Sturdivant, a Glendora farmer and businessman, spent a large sum of his own money running in the Democratic primaries in 1983 and 1987. Eaves also wrote large personal checks to his campaign against incumbent Haley Barbour in 2007. Duff recently appeared at an economic forum hosted by Mississippi Today and JPMorgan Chase. During his on-stage interview before the hundreds of attendees, he deflected most questions and laid out few policy specifics. But Duff has plenty of time to develop a campaign platform before the 2027 election. The question is whether he has the skills to connect with Mississippians as he delivers it. This column was produced by Mississippi Today, a nonprofit news organization that covers state government, public policy, politics and culture. Bobby Harrison is the editor of Mississippi Today Ideas. Solve the daily Crossword
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Columbus councilor Joanne Cogle joins the 2026 race for mayor as the field grows
Editor's note: This version of this story is no longer being updated. Please see the latest version here. Candidates have begun filing their paperwork to run for Columbus mayor in the 2026 election, a race that won't have an incumbent because Mayor Skip Henderson is completing the last of his two terms. The nonpartisan election for Columbus mayor will be May 19, 2026. The qualifying period will begin March 2 at 9 a.m. and finish March 6 at noon. Here are the candidates who have filed with the Muscogee County Board of Elections and Registration their declaration of intention to accept campaign contributions. This list will be updated as more candidates file their declaration and is in the order that they filed to run: Mark LaJoye A former Republican candidate for Muscogee County sheriff is now in the Columbus mayoral race. Mark LaJoye, who has run for sheriff and lost five times, filed his paperwork July 11 to be a candidate for mayor. He lost to John Darr in 2008 and 2012, Donna Tompkins in 2016 and Muscogee County Sheriff Greg Countryman in 2020 and 2024. LaJoye served in the U.S. Army for 40 years and worked for the Columbus Police Department for 13 years. He earned a master's of law degree from St. Louis University, and a bachelor's and an associate's degree in criminal justice from Troy University, the Ledger-Enquirer reported. LaJoye hopes to focus on issues including community safety, fiscal responsibility, transparency and infrastructure, he told the Ledger-Enquirer in an email July 14. He wants to lead with transparency and help manage the city's 'recovery from scandal and questionable standards.' 'My disappointment in our current leaders has driven me to this mayoral race,' LaJoye said. 'I'm called to serve. I uphold the high standards I was raised with, have served by, and continue to practice both personally and as Mayor of Columbus, Georgia.' LaJoye is chairing his campaign committee, and Regina Liparoto is his treasurer, according to his declaration of intention to accept campaign contributions. Isaiah Hugley Former city manager Isaiah Hugley filed his declaration of intention July 10 for the 2026 mayoral race. Hugley was the first Black city manager and the longest-serving city or county manager in Columbus history before the Columbus Council voted 7-3 to fire him May 27. He worked for the Columbus Consolidated Government for 41 years, including 20 years as city manager. If successful, Hugley would be the first elected Black mayor of Columbus. He also would be the third member of his family elected to public office in Columbus, following his wife, state Rep. Carolyn Hugley (D-Columbus), and his sister, Pat Hugley Green, the District 1 representative and chairwoman of the Muscogee County School Board. 'Please know that my Declaration of Intent filing today is intended to be a clear message to the citizens of Columbus,' Hugley wrote to the Ledger-Enquirer in a text message July 10. 'It's time for leadership that listens, innovates and unites. My vision is simple but bold — a Columbus that works for everyone. Now the work begins!' Hugley is chairing his campaign committee, and Fernando Verdree is his treasurer, according to his declaration of intention to accept campaign contributions. Steven Kelly Steven Kelly filed paperwork July 21 to run for mayor after a friend encouraged him to run, he told the Ledger-Enquirer. His campaign committee chairperson is Ricardo Green, and his treasurer is Kourtnee Cannon, according to his declaration of intention to accept campaign contributions. Kelly, originally from Rochester, New York, is a small-business owner and a disabled veteran who served in the U.S. Army for 20 years, he said. He earned his MBA from Georgia Southern University. He moved to Columbus from El Paso, Texas, to be closer to family. While Kelly co-owns S&J Contractors, he has spent most of the last year focused on spending time with his family and raising his daughter, he said. Kelly said his top priority as mayor would be focusing on public safety and reducing crime. 'That's why I support events like National Night Out on Aug. 5,' Kelly wrote in his email to the Ledger-Enquirer. 'I would also like to see more initiatives that create positive outlets and activities for our youth and support the end of poverty in Columbus.' Kelly's other priorities include investing in infrastructure and economic growth. 'I believe leadership starts with integrity and accountability,' he said. 'I'm committed to rebuilding community morale while driving responsible economic development that benefits every neighborhood.' Kia Legette Kia Legette filed July 25 her declaration of intent to accept campaign contributions to run for Columbus mayor. She will chair her campaign, according to the document, which doesn't disclose the name of her treasurer. Legette founded Kia Technologies Inc. in 2019. The company tries to help start-ups avoid failing in the first three to five years. Before she started her company, Legette worked in the occupational skills training industry, she told the Ledger-Enquirer. As mayor, she said, Legette would try to improve policy, infrastructure and communication for the Columbus Police Department. She hopes to improve communication systems from the government to the public and traffic laws for individuals with disabilities. Another priority important to Legette is to work to end domestic violence. 'I didn't choose to run for Mayor, it chose me,' Legette wrote in an email to the Ledger-Enquirer. 'It feels like Destiny is taking me there to show the people 'there is a Better way, says the Lord.'' Joanne Cogle Columbus Councilor Joanne Cogle of District 7 filed to run for mayor on Aug. 1. Cogle has served on the Columbus Council since 2022. She is a former educator and owns the Crossfit CSG gym. She has focused her time on the council to transparency, safety and infracstructure, according to an Aug. 1 news release, and wants to deliver 'practical solutions.' Her campaign for mayor will focus on: Improving public safety by expanding community-based solutions Fixing city infrastructure with attention to neglected neighborhoods Growing the local economy by supporting small businesses and workforce development Cogle vows to meet with residents across the city over the campaign to 'hear directly from them about what's working and what's not.' 'I'm running for mayor because I believe we can make city government work better for everyone by focusing on common sense solutions, restoring trust and investing in the future of our city,' Cogle said in the news release. Solve the daily Crossword
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Brazil's Bolsonaro supporters protest against Supreme Court, President Lula
RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) -Supporters of Brazil's former President Jair Bolsonaro, accused of plotting a coup after he lost the 2022 general election, gathered on the streets of several Brazilian cities on Sunday to protest against Supreme Federal Court (STF) Justice Alexandre de Moraes and President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. The protesters called for "amnesty" for those involved in the alleged coup attempt days after Lula's inauguration in January 2023. Far-right leader Bolsonaro did not personally attend the demonstrations, but was put on the telephone by his son, Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, during the protest in Rio de Janeiro. The former president, who is on house arrest, wears an electronic ankle bracelet and cannot leave his home on weekends and holidays, as per an order from Justice Moraes. In March, a five-judge STF panel decided unanimously to put Bolsonaro on trial for allegedly conspiring to overthrow Lula. If found guilty in the court proceedings expected later this year, Bolsonaro could face a long prison sentence. Last month, Moraes imposed precautionary measures against Bolsonaro because he believed he and his son, Eduardo, an elected lawmaker who is now living in the U.S., had collaborated with U.S. authorities to try to interfere in Brazilian affairs. Last week, the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump imposed a 50% tariff on most Brazilian goods, citing a "witch hunt" against Bolsonaro. It also imposed financial sanctions against Moraes under the Magnitsky Act, which allows the U.S. to impose economic penalties against foreigners it considers to have a record of corruption or human rights abuses. Moraes is the reporting justice in the case in which Jair Bolsonaro is a defendant. In Sunday's protests, Bolsonaro supporters, wearing Brazilian national team jerseys, chanted "Magnitsky" and insulted Moraes and Lula. American flags and signs supporting Trump were also seen.
