US accuses Canada of election interference as Nigeria and five other African nations prepare for elections

The U.S. government has formally accused Canadian political leaders of attempting to influence the upcoming U.S. midterm elections.

• The U.S. government has accused Canadian political leaders of trying to influence the upcoming U.S. midterm elections, citing public statements and official meetings as evidence.
• Canadian Industry Minister Melanie Joly was highlighted for discussing strategies to target U.S. states with tariffs, allegedly to apply political pressure.
• Canadian officials deny the accusations, stating their actions aim solely to protect their economy and attract investment, not interfere in U.S. elections.
• Meanwhile, Africa is preparing for 21 national elections in 18 countries by 2027, with major polls set in Nigeria, Cabo Verde, Gambia, South Sudan, and Kenya.

Canada responds to allegation of U.S. election interference

According to an official embassy fact sheet released by Washington, U.S. officials claimed that Canadian authorities were dismissive regarding allegations of political interference.

The U.S. embassy stated, “The Canadian government brushes off concerns about potential interference in U.S. elections, even as its ministers and premiers openly describe plans to influence American politics in official documents and public appearances”.

Washington pointed to public statements, retaliatory import tariffs, and meetings between Canadian representatives and American politicians as key evidence.

Specifically, Canadian Industry Minister Melanie Joly was singled out by the embassy for discussing strategic responses to U.S. tariffs, having stated in August, “We're also targeting products that will target states in the US. And so we're being wise and strategic to put political pressure”.

Canadian officials have strongly denied these accusations, asserting that their diplomatic engagements are strictly aimed at protecting their economy.

Minister Joly emphasized that her discussions with both Democratic and Republican leaders were intended to attract investment, stating, “Fundamentally, what I've done in the US is to attract investments”.

Additionally, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney addressed foreign interference concerns, telling Global News, “Our expectation is, to be absolutely clear, on foreign governments, United States included, is we don't get ourselves involved in their elections, they don't get themselves involved in our elections”.

Meanwhile, US Ambassador Pete Hoekstra warned that Washington is watching closely, remarking, “We're monitoring it, we're evaluating it and if some of it becomes election interference then America will respond to it”.

Elections in Nigeria, Cabo Verde, Gambia, South Sudan, and Kenya

As political tension mounts in North America, the African continent is preparing for a series of critical national votes across six set dates between late 2026 and mid-2027.

Data published by Polls Africa reveals that “21 national elections in 18 countries fall between now and the end of 2027, 6 of them with a set date”.

Among these, Africa's largest election will take place in Nigeria, where voters are scheduled to head to the polls for a general election on 16 January 2027.

Nigeria’s election is a major event on Africa’s election calendar, attracting attention across the continent and around the world.

Alongside Nigeria's major vote, five other firm election dates have been scheduled across the continent.

Cabo Verde will kick off the series with a presidential election on 15 November 2026.

Shortly after, Gambia will hold its presidential election on 5 December 2026, followed by a general election in South Sudan on 22 December 2026.

In addition, Gambia will host a second poll for its parliamentary election on 10 April 2027.

Finally, Polls Africa reported that voters in Kenya will participate in a general election on 10 August 2027 to round out the major scheduled polls.