Politics

Central African Republic journalist on the run after open letter to President

Published

3 years ago

March 31, 2022

A prominent journalist and government critic in Central African Republic, Ben Wilson Ngassan, has reportedly gone on the run after threats to his life following an open letter he addressed to President Faustin Archange Touadera, accusing him of being “obsessed with power.”

According to media sources in the country, Ngassan went into hiding three days after he sent the letter to President Touadera at the end of a national dialogue many described as a “sham.”

At the dialogue, among many things, it was resolved that the country’s constitution would be amended to enable the President stand for election for a third term, which brought widespread condemnation from the opposition and the media.

Ben Ngassan

Ngassan was said to have gone into hiding when he discovered that he was being tracked by a certain Thierry Lebene, alias 12 Powers, reputed to be a hitman for the CAR President.

“Near where I live in reclusion, two black vehicles with tinted glasses and no number plates have been patrolling the area,” the embattled journalist said in a statement released from his hideout on Wednesday night.

“According to neighbours, this is strange because the vehicles are not owned by residents of the area and the said vehicles had not been seen in the vicinity in the past.

“For precautionary reasons, I am going to change my hideout while waiting to know more about the vehicles. I want to make it clear of the perpetual security danger facing me.

“Being the young man that I am and assisted by another youth of the same generation like me, I am not really secure. I however continue to hang on to a high moral in spite of all. This is a red alert.

“Since March 27, 2022, I have been the target of threats and intimidation by militia of the regime. My life is in danger,” Ngassan wrote.

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Politics

Burkina Faso releases 4 French spies after Moroccan intervention

Published

2 days ago

December 20, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

In a diplomatic spat over their imprisonment, France and Morocco announced Thursday that four French nationals detained in Burkina Faso for a year had been freed after mediation from Morocco.

They were spies, according to a prior statement made by the director of France’s foreign intelligence organisation, the DGSE.

A request for comment was not answered by the DGSE or a representative of the French military, which is in charge of the agency.

Since December 2023, they have been held in Ouagadougou.

President Emmanuel Macron hailed King Mohammed of Morocco on Wednesday for his intervention, “which made possible the liberation of our four countrymen who had been held in Burkina Faso for a year,” according to a statement from the French administration.

King Mohammed and President Ibrahim Traore of Burkina Faso were also commended by Morocco’s foreign ministry, which stated that “this humanitarian act” was made possible by their positive bilateral ties.

In October, France made peace with Morocco, one of its former protectorates, after three years of hostilities between Paris and Rabat stoked by immigration concerns and the disputed Western Sahara region.

Morocco offers Burkina Faso and other military-ruled Sahel republics Atlantic trade.

However, France’s relations with former West and Central African colonies, such as Burkina Faso, remain difficult. In Ouagadougou, French troops and diplomats were ejected, the defence attache and ambassador were asked to depart, and certain French media were suspended.

The military junta that took control in 2022 in Burkina Faso has been criticized by international rights groups for cracking down on free expression and harassing dissidents to handle a security crisis precipitated by Al Qaeda and Islamic State extremists.

Politics

Ghana: President-elect Mahama appoints anti-corruption team

Published

3 days ago

December 19, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

According to a statement released by his transition team on Wednesday, Ghana’s President-elect, John Dramani Mahama, has designated an anti-corruption committee to investigate allegations of wrongdoing.

When he takes office next month, Mahama, the leading opposition candidate in the presidential election held on December 7 and who received almost 56% of the vote, has pledged to reclaim the proceeds of corruption and hold those responsible for it accountable.

In anticipation, an anti-graft squad has been established. The parliament’s Committee on Assurances, which has previously raised suspicions of governmental corruption, is chaired by MP Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwah.

An investigative journalist, a private attorney, a former auditor general, and a former police officer with experience in high-profile robbery cases make up the other three members.

After looking into alleged financial irregularities that took place during the previous administration, Daniel Dumelovo, the former auditor general, was fired.

Recovering lost assets and fighting corruption were two of Mahama’s main campaign pledges.

“He intends to hit the ground running on these commitments,” the statement said.

Eight years after leaving office, former President Mahama is back to head the West African country. Despite not being personally contaminated, he faced criticism during his 2012–2016 administration due to claims of political corruption.