Daniel Chapo, the presidential candidate of Mozambique’s ruling party, appears to be on the brink of victory, comfortably leading in nine of the country’s 11 provinces as vote counting continues from last week’s election. With over 50% of the vote in most regions, Chapo is poised to succeed current President Filipe Nyusi, who is stepping down after completing his second and final term.

In the capital, Maputo, Chapo has secured more than 53% of the vote, a significant lead over his nearest rival, independent candidate Venancio Mondlane, who garnered just under 34%. According to Lucilia Sitoe, chairperson of the Maputo Provincial Election Commission, Chapo has maintained his lead at every polling station counted. “Daniel Franscisco Chapo, 656,056, which corresponds to 68.02%. Venancio Antion Bila Mondlane, 260,792, which corresponds to 27.04%,” Sitoe announced, reflecting the overwhelming support for Chapo in key urban areas.

The opposition’s performance has been underwhelming, with Renamo’s candidate, Ossufo Momade, polling just 9.6% in Maputo, while Lutero Simango of the Mozambique Democratic Movement (MDM) lagged with 2.86%. This trend is replicated in several provinces, including traditionally opposition-held areas like Zambezia and Sofala, where Chapo leads with commanding majorities of 73% and 65%, respectively.

Despite Chapo’s apparent dominance, voter turnout in this election was notably low, with less than 50% of Mozambique’s 17 million registered voters participating. The low turnout reflects widespread voter apathy and dissatisfaction with the political landscape. In key northern provinces like Nampula and Zambezia, millions of voters stayed home, and tens of thousands cast blank ballots—a common form of protest in Mozambique. In Cabo Delgado, a province struggling with an Islamist insurgency, nearly a million voters did not participate, and a significant number of ballots were either spoiled or left blank.

While the final results are not expected for another two weeks, Mozambique’s National Election Commission has vowed that every vote will be counted. The chairman emphasized the transparency of the process, noting that representatives from all political parties are present at polling stations to oversee the counting.

As Chapo’s victory looms, attention is already shifting to the significant challenges awaiting the next president. Independent political analyst Dercio Alfazema outlined the public’s expectations, which include tackling corruption, improving security, and enhancing the quality of essential services like healthcare and education. “We are looking for more health service and the quality of education, the extension of the services such as infrastructure,” Alfazema said. He also highlighted pressing issues such as terrorism in the north, kidnappings, and the need for job creation for Mozambique’s young population.

Chapo’s government will face the enormous task of addressing these concerns, especially in regions like Cabo Delgado, which has been ravaged by insurgent violence. The incoming administration will also need to foster economic growth and rebuild trust with a disengaged electorate, as evidenced by the low voter turnout.

If current trends hold, Chapo will be sworn in as president in January 2025, marking a new chapter in Mozambique’s political landscape. The transition comes as President Nyusi steps down after serving two five-year terms, in accordance with the country’s constitution.

Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump will converge on Pennsylvania, a critical battleground state, with campaign events at opposite ends of the state. Harris will address voters in Erie, while Trump will hold a town hall near Philadelphia, reflecting their ongoing efforts to sway Pennsylvania’s decisive electorate ahead of the 2024 election.

Harris’ appearance in Erie, a traditionally Democratic stronghold in the state’s northwest corner, will mark her tenth visit to Pennsylvania this campaign season. Trump, who continues to rally his Republican base, has also made Pennsylvania a key focus, visiting Scranton and Reading just last week. Both figures are vying for the attention of the state’s few remaining undecided voters in what promises to be another closely contested race.

Pennsylvania, which boasts 19 electoral votes—the most of any swing state—has seen a steady stream of visits from both Democratic and Republican candidates. Monday’s events will bring the total to 46 campaign stops in the state, underscoring its strategic importance. With mail-in voting already underway and millions of ballots expected to be cast, the race to secure Pennsylvania’s electoral votes has intensified.

Energy policy, particularly around natural gas fracking, is expected to be a central topic as Harris and Trump address Pennsylvania voters. The state, rich in natural resources and home to a robust energy industry, is deeply divided on issues surrounding fracking and environmental regulation. Harris, representing the Biden administration’s climate-conscious agenda, will likely emphasize renewable energy and economic opportunities for transitioning workers. Trump, on the other hand, is expected to highlight his support for the fossil fuel industry and the jobs it provides, positioning himself as a defender of the state’s energy sector.

Erie, where Harris will hold her rally, is a Democratic-leaning city surrounded by more conservative rural areas. Erie County has long been viewed as a bellwether region in Pennsylvania, reflecting the state’s moderate and often unpredictable voting tendencies. Trump himself visited Erie on September 29, acknowledging the city’s pivotal role in deciding the state’s outcome.

Harris will use the rally to promote early voting and energize key constituencies, including Black voters. In a bid to bolster support, she plans to visit a Black-owned small business before the rally, underscoring the Biden administration’s initiatives aimed at expanding economic opportunities for Black men. This outreach is part of a broader Democratic strategy to galvanize a key voting bloc that will be essential for victory in November.

Meanwhile, Trump will host a town hall at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, a suburb of the state’s largest city. The former president hopes to mobilize his supporters in the populous southeastern part of the state, which has traditionally leaned Democratic in presidential elections but remains crucial to Republican turnout efforts. Trump’s 2016 victory in Pennsylvania, where he edged out Hillary Clinton by just over 40,000 votes, was fueled in part by high turnout in rural and suburban areas. In contrast, his loss to Joe Biden in 2020 by around 80,000 votes demonstrated the challenge of holding onto that coalition amid shifting demographics.

With Pennsylvania often deciding the outcome of national elections, both Harris and Trump are banking on the state’s swing voters. While Democrats have won the last three gubernatorial elections and both U.S. Senate seats are held by Democrats, the state’s legislature remains closely divided, reflecting the polarized nature of its electorate.

As the 2024 election approaches, Pennsylvania remains the most contested prize, outpacing Michigan and Wisconsin in candidate visits. Both campaigns are pouring resources into the state, hoping to break what was once considered the Democrats’ “blue wall” that Trump managed to dismantle in 2016. With millions of Pennsylvanians already voting, the battle for the state’s 19 electoral votes is set to be fierce, with the potential to decide the direction of the country for years to come.

A man was arrested on gun charges at a security checkpoint near a rally for Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump in California on Saturday. The Riverside County sheriff’s office reported that the man, identified as 49-year-old Vem Miller of Las Vegas, was found in possession of two guns and a high-capacity magazine. He was stopped by deputies in a black SUV and taken into custody without incident.

Authorities emphasized that the incident did not pose a threat to the safety of Trump or the rally attendees. The rally was held in the Coachella Valley, a location more widely recognized for its annual music and arts festival.

Miller was charged with possession of a loaded firearm and a high-capacity magazine. After being booked, he was released on $5,000 bail on the same day. Further details about the charges have not been disclosed, and Miller has not yet made any public comments regarding the arrest.

This incident comes in the wake of several previous security threats against Trump. In July, the former president narrowly survived an assassination attempt when a bullet grazed his ear during a rally in Pennsylvania. Another man was charged in September for attempting to assassinate Trump after being found with a rifle near Trump’s Palm Beach golf course. He pleaded not guilty.

Despite these incidents, Trump continues to hold rallies across the country as part of his campaign for the 2024 presidential election.

The integrity of U.S. voting systems has been under heightened scrutiny since the 2020 presidential election, with conspiracy theories claiming that machines were manipulated to favor President Joe Biden over former President Donald Trump. Despite these allegations, multiple investigations and reviews in battleground states confirmed the accuracy of the election results, with no evidence of widespread fraud. In a notable legal development, Fox News agreed to a $787 million settlement with Dominion Voting Systems, a leading voting machine manufacturer, to avoid a defamation trial over false claims that Dominion’s machines had rigged the election.

Amid this climate of doubt, election officials across the country have been working diligently to demonstrate the security and accuracy of voting systems in preparation for upcoming elections. Nearly all ballots cast in the 2024 election will have a paper trail, providing a verifiable record in the event of errors or cyberattacks.

What is a Voting Machine?

Voting machines and election technology vary by jurisdiction, but common elements include electronic pollbooks, voter registration systems, and election management systems used to create, track, and issue ballots. Election-night reporting systems then communicate unofficial results. The widespread reliance on technology, while efficient, introduces cybersecurity risks that election officials must carefully manage. For example, many voting systems are kept isolated from the internet, and sensitive data is transferred using secured storage devices like USB sticks. Where internet connections are necessary, private networks are often used to limit exposure to potential threats.

In many parts of the U.S., voters mark paper ballots by hand, which are then scanned and counted electronically. In other cases, voters use computers to make their selections, after which a printed record of their choices is generated for later scanning. This ensures that a paper trail exists for recounts or audits.

Are Voting Machines Connected to the Internet?

In general, voting machines are not connected to the internet, a critical safeguard against cyberattacks. However, in some areas, ballot scanners are permitted to transmit unofficial results via private mobile networks after polling has closed. While this allows for faster reporting on election night, security experts warn that even limited connectivity poses unnecessary risks. Despite this, officials emphasize that paper ballots provide a crucial backup for verifying election results.

Are Voting Machines Secure?

Since Russia’s attempt to scan state voter registration systems for vulnerabilities in 2016, U.S. election security has been significantly bolstered. The designation of election systems as critical infrastructure has allowed the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) to offer free cybersecurity assessments and vulnerability testing to election offices nationwide. Jen Easterly, CISA’s director, has assured the public that “election infrastructure has never been more secure” thanks to ongoing efforts by election officials.

However, cybersecurity experts continue to push for additional precautions, particularly in states like Georgia, where some voting machines electronically mark ballots for voters. There are ongoing legal battles aimed at replacing these machines with hand-marked paper ballots, which are considered more secure by some election security advocates. Concerns have also grown over security breaches that occurred in the aftermath of the 2020 election, where Trump allies gained unauthorized access to voting systems in Georgia and elsewhere. Experts warn that these breaches and the public release of sensitive election software have created serious security vulnerabilities, prompting calls for a federal investigation.

Ensuring Accuracy

Election officials employ a range of safeguards to ensure that voting systems function accurately and securely. Physical security measures, such as restricted access to machines and tamper-evident seals, are standard practices. Equipment is rigorously tested before elections, with test ballots run through machines to verify that they count votes correctly. After the election, officials conduct postelection audits and reviews to catch any errors or irregularities.

Approximately 98% of ballots cast in the 2024 election will include a paper record, according to a report from the Brennan Center for Justice. This paper trail is crucial for ensuring that, even in the event of an error or cyberattack, officials can confirm the correct result. Election experts emphasize that these systems, combined with a growing culture of transparency in election management, are designed to protect the integrity of U.S. elections.

In an environment where distrust in voting systems has been stoked by misinformation, election officials are doubling down on security and transparency. They aim to reassure the public that voting systems are secure, accurate, and more resilient than ever before.

Mozambique’s electoral authorities have extended voting in some regions and for overseas citizens in Germany due to logistical challenges. While most of the country completed voting on Wednesday, delays in delivering voting materials caused disruptions in certain areas, particularly in Zambezia province, as well as for Mozambican voters in Germany.

According to Paulo Cuinica, spokesperson for the National Electoral Commission, voting materials did not reach 23 polling stations in Zambezia on time. These included 4 stations in Maganja da Costa and 19 in Gilé district. In response, authorities extended voting in these areas, allowing citizens to cast their ballots until Saturday from 7 am to 6 pm.

Complications were not limited to Mozambique’s borders. A similar issue occurred in Germany, where 670 Mozambicans were unable to vote as materials shipped in late September were held up in Cologne and did not arrive in Berlin until Thursday, the day after the election. Voting in Germany was extended from 9 am to 9 pm on Saturday to accommodate these voters.

Observers Flag Concerns

As the election process continues, international observers have provided preliminary assessments, praising the peaceful nature of the voting process but also raising concerns about delays and procedural issues.

Laura Valerin, chief observer of the European Union’s election mission, noted that EU observers monitored about 800 polling stations. While she acknowledged the peaceful campaign and orderly voting, Valerin expressed concerns about the efficiency of the counting phase, describing it as “very long and slow.” Additionally, she highlighted doubts among polling staff about how certain procedures should be conducted, signaling a lack of clarity that could affect the overall process.

Valerin also pointed to broader skepticism about the independence of Mozambique’s electoral bodies, a sentiment shared by various political parties, media outlets, and civil society organizations in the lead-up to the election.

Succès Masra, head of the observer mission for the U.S.-based International Republican Institute, also commented on the election’s procedural shortcomings. His organization, which deployed teams across Mozambique from 20 countries, including 12 in sub-Saharan Africa, reported issues such as delayed accreditation for observers and party agents, late changes to electoral laws, and concerns about the misuse of state resources during the campaign. Masra emphasized that while Mozambican citizens were committed to exercising their democratic rights, these issues posed challenges to public confidence in the process.

Awaiting Results

Mozambique’s seventh general election since the adoption of multiparty democracy 30 years ago now awaits its official results. The first outcomes from the National Electoral Council are expected as early as Saturday, though any potential delays due to extended voting may affect the timeline. Both domestic and international observers are hopeful that Mozambique can address its electoral challenges and strengthen the integrity of its democratic institutions going forward.

In a small gathering room in St. Cloud, the voices of Minnesota’s Somali leaders carried a deep sense of urgency. More than 35 religious leaders and scholars had come together to officially endorse the Harris-Walz ticket, expressing their profound fears about what a second Donald Trump presidency could mean for the Muslim community in America. Their message was clear: the stakes are higher than ever for Somali-Americans, whose civil rights and very sense of security are on the line.

The endorsement was not merely a political gesture—it was a rallying cry for a community that had already endured the brunt of Trump’s policies. Under his administration, the controversial Muslim travel ban disproportionately affected Somali nationals, separating families and casting a shadow of fear over an already vulnerable immigrant population. Many in Minnesota’s Somali community, the largest in the United States, fear that a Trump return to office could reignite this marginalization and deepen the Islamophobia that has been steadily rising in the country.

“We cannot sit idly by while Trump threatens our communities both here and abroad,” declared Imam Mohamed Mukhtar, his voice carrying the weight of the coalition’s collective concern. “His policies—from the travel ban to Project 2025—are designed to divide and spread hatred.” The mention of Project 2025, a policy initiative that some fear could strip protections from minority communities, sent a ripple of unease through the room.

For many in Minnesota’s Somali-American community, the memories of Trump’s first term are still raw. The travel ban was more than just a political decision; it was a moment that redefined the relationship between the U.S. government and Muslim immigrants. Families were torn apart, travel became a nightmare, and the message was unmistakable—Muslims, particularly from countries like Somalia, were unwelcome. Now, with the 2024 election looming, the fear is that these policies could return, more entrenched and more damaging than before.

Yet, the endorsement of the Harris-Walz ticket does not come without its complexities. The Somali leaders voiced their disapproval of certain U.S. foreign policies, particularly regarding the conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon. They called for an immediate ceasefire and urged the international community to recognize Palestinian self-determination. These are deeply personal issues for many Somali-Americans, who feel a connection to the broader struggles of Muslims around the world.

Still, when faced with the immediate threat to their rights and safety within the U.S., the leaders have made it clear that Trump’s domestic policies pose a far greater danger. Their message was pragmatic: while they disagree with some of the Democratic Party’s foreign policies, the need to protect Muslim Americans from further harm at home must come first.

“We need to focus on the issues that are impacting us here, now,” one leader said, echoing the sentiments of many. “Our community cannot afford another four years of policies that target us simply for being who we are.”

The endorsement reflects not only the fear of what Trump’s return could mean but also the political awakening of Minnesota’s Somali-American community. Once a marginalized group with limited political clout, they have become a key voting bloc in the state, especially in local elections. The rise of figures like Congresswoman Ilhan Omar and State Representative Hodan Hassan has galvanized Somali voters, who now see their participation in U.S. politics as essential to safeguarding their rights.

Earlier this year, the visit of Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre to Minnesota underscored the state’s growing importance to the Somali diaspora. During his visit, Barre met with Governor Tim Walz to discuss deepening trade relations, exploring clean energy investments, and enhancing cooperation between Minnesota and Somalia. It was a moment that highlighted the community’s global connections and the potential for stronger ties between the state and the Horn of Africa.

But as the Somali leaders in Minnesota make their voices heard, their focus remains on the present dangers posed by rising Islamophobia and xenophobia in the U.S. Their endorsement of Harris-Walz is not just about policy—it’s about survival. They see this election as a turning point for their community and for Muslim Americans at large.

The coming months will reveal whether Minnesota’s Somali voters can tip the scales in this crucial election. But for now, their message is clear: unity against Trump’s policies is the only way to protect their future in a country that still feels precarious for so many.

The latest warning from U.S. officials, highlighting the activities of Iranian hackers linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), underscores the growing cyber threat landscape as the U.S. moves closer to its November elections. The FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) have sounded the alarm, urging political campaigns, as well as individuals connected to U.S. politics, to enhance their cybersecurity defenses. This coordinated effort follows increasing evidence that Iranian hackers are targeting political entities, hoping to undermine the integrity and confidence in the electoral process.

This isn’t the first time Iranian operatives have been accused of meddling in U.S. elections. The latest bulletin from the FBI and CISA points to a continuation of efforts to compromise personal and professional email accounts, often through sophisticated phishing attacks. The hackers, according to U.S. officials, impersonate trusted contacts to steal login credentials and passwords. These methods are part of a broader strategy, used in the past, to conduct hack-and-leak operations aimed at discrediting political campaigns.

Late last month, the U.S. Department of Justice formally charged three Iranian nationals—Masoud Jalili, Seyyed Ali Aghamiri, and Yaser Balaghi—for their roles in previous cyber campaigns that targeted high-ranking U.S. officials, including former CIA officers. These efforts, according to U.S. prosecutors, are seen as part of a broader attempt by Tehran to disrupt American democratic processes and weaken political stability.

What’s particularly troubling about these warnings is the potential for long-term damage to public confidence. While direct electoral manipulation, such as altering vote counts, has not been reported, the aim of such cyberattacks seems to be more about sowing distrust and amplifying societal divisions. The use of AI-generated fake news, social media disinformation, and other cyber tools to manipulate public sentiment is part of this tactic. The goal: to stoke internal political discord and erode trust in democratic institutions.

Previous U.S. intelligence reports have suggested that Iran’s interference efforts are aligned with a desire to harm Donald Trump’s re-election chances, while indirectly boosting other candidates. While Iran denies these claims, U.S. officials, including Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines, have provided detailed assessments indicating that Tehran has also tried to infiltrate protest movements, most notably those opposing Israeli actions in Gaza.

Jen Easterly, the CISA Director, emphasized that the IRGC’s cyber capabilities continue to pose a serious and escalating risk. U.S. adversaries, including Iran, Russia, and China, have reportedly ramped up cyber activities targeting not only political campaigns but also the broader political ecosystem. This includes journalists, academics, former officials, and activists—individuals whose influence or credibility could be leveraged to affect election outcomes.

As the November 5 election nears, the stakes grow higher. Political campaigns, especially those at the national level, have become prime targets for cyberattacks. The FBI and CISA have responded by tripling the number of security briefings for political campaigns, a move aimed at mitigating the risks of foreign interference. Yet, the resilience of U.S. democracy may ultimately hinge on how well these threats are countered—not just technologically but also in terms of public perception.

For Iran, meddling in U.S. elections appears to be part of a broader geopolitical strategy. As tensions between Washington and Tehran persist, especially over issues like Iran’s nuclear program and its regional influence, cyber warfare has become a powerful tool. The fact that Iranian hackers are now being openly tied to efforts to influence U.S. elections reflects a new, digital front in the ongoing geopolitical struggle.

Whether the latest round of cyberattacks will have any substantial impact remains to be seen. What is clear, however, is that foreign cyber interference is now an integral part of the modern electoral landscape, raising urgent questions about how governments, political organizations, and voters can safeguard democracy in the digital age. The challenge for U.S. authorities, then, is not only in defending against these incursions but also in maintaining public trust—no easy task in an environment rife with disinformation and political polarization.

The U.S. response to these threats—whether through enhanced cybersecurity measures, political resilience, or legal actions against foreign actors—will be critical in the months ahead. The integrity of the electoral process and the ability of democratic institutions to withstand foreign interference remain at the heart of these efforts. As Iranian hackers continue to prowl, the call for vigilance has never been louder.

As Somaliland prepares for its upcoming election, the political landscape is being shaped in unexpected ways. The once-traditional campaign strategies involving door-to-door outreach, rallies, and state-run media have taken a back seat. In their place? A flood of TikTok influencers, content creators, and mid-tier social media stars, who are quickly becoming the primary sources of political information for a significant chunk of the electorate. But what might seem like a digital revolution of democratic engagement carries a dark side—one that raises serious concerns about the integrity of Somaliland’s elections and the potential manipulation of public opinion.

The shift is clear in the numbers. According to the latest research from Waryatv’s Research Team, an analysis of 7,946 unique TikTok accounts between August and September 2024 found that mid-tier influencers or creators dominate the platform, accounting for 46% of the accounts followed by Somaliland adults. Smaller accounts—often friends, family, or hyper-local content creators—are followed by 38% of users. Notably, only a minuscule 0.4% of users follow actual journalists or media outlets, with politicians trailing behind at less than 1%. This reveals a startling disconnect between the electorate and traditional, verified news sources. More significantly, it exposes the country to a flood of misinformation and manipulation that could dangerously distort the democratic process.

Somaliland now finds itself in the grips of an unsettling trend. Political parties, most notably the opposition Waddani Party, have pivoted to social media platforms like TikTok as a primary vehicle for disseminating campaign messages. While the ruling party Kulmiye continues to rely on traditional journalism and state media such as Radio Hargeisa and Somaliland TV (SLTV), it’s clear that they are playing catch-up in the TikTok-driven world of political influence. This transition to digital campaigning may seem modern and even progressive, but the risks are profound.

For one, the personalized nature of TikTok’s algorithm makes it a breeding ground for misinformation. Unlike platforms like Facebook or Twitter, where users have more direct control over their news consumption, TikTok’s algorithm serves users a constant stream of content that aligns with their interests and viewing habits. What this means in the context of an election is that a user who enjoys a certain type of content—whether entertainment, gossip, or conspiracy theories—may be exposed to political content that shares the same unverified, sensationalized tone. In this case, the facts are drowned out by the noise, and misinformation campaigns can spread like wildfire.

There is a growing concern that these TikTok influencers, who are now shaping political narratives for nearly half of Somaliland’s online users, do not adhere to any journalistic ethics. They aren’t bound by the responsibility to fact-check or present balanced viewpoints. Their content is often mixed with election campaign songs, gossip, or sensationalized promotional material, making it difficult for users to discern where entertainment ends and political reality begins. This merging of content is not merely a quirk of the platform but a deliberate strategy employed by parties like Waddani to blur the lines between news and entertainment, hoping to capture the attention of Somaliland’s youth—the very group that constitutes a significant part of the electorate.

And the numbers don’t lie. An astonishing 52% of TikTok users in Somaliland regularly get their news from the platform, up from 22% in 2020. This rise in TikTok as a news source coincides with a troubling decline in trust in legacy media. While journalists and traditional news organizations are followed by less than 1% of users on the platform, creators—who often lack any formal training or expertise—are now viewed as legitimate purveyors of political information. This trend is particularly prevalent among the youth, with 40% of Somalilander users aged 18-24 discovering political news on TikTok.

The implications are staggering. Without any rule of law regulating social media platforms like TikTok in Somaliland, the country is ripe for election manipulation. Misinformation campaigns can be launched without repercussions, and the lack of oversight means that foreign actors or political operatives can exploit these platforms to sway public opinion. The absence of accountability for the content posted on TikTok raises serious red flags about the fairness and transparency of the upcoming election.

The potential for TikTok to be weaponized during Somaliland’s election is very real, and if left unchecked, it could undermine the democratic process in profound ways. While social media has been celebrated for democratizing information, in places like Somaliland, where regulation is virtually nonexistent, it poses an unprecedented threat.

As the election heats up, the role of TikTok in shaping the political conversation will only grow. But the question remains: will this influence be a force for democratic engagement, or will it serve as a tool for manipulation and control?

As Somaliland faces its 2024 elections, the unchecked power of TikTok could distort the political landscape and erode trust in the democratic process. With no regulatory framework in place to monitor social media content, the country risks falling victim to a flood of misinformation, manipulation, and influence from unregulated content creators.

The rise of TikTok in Somaliland politics is both a symptom of changing media consumption and a warning sign of potential democratic backsliding.