Politics

Djibouti/Ethiopia ‘diplomatic romance’ continues as President Omar Guelleh discusses relations with Abiy Ahmed

Published

3 years ago

March 29, 2022

The “diplomatic romance” between Ethiopia and its East African neighbours Djibouti appears to be growing stronger as President Ismail Omar Guelleh of Djibouti has held a bilateral meeting on regional issues of mutual concern with Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in Adis Ababa.

The two presidents on Monday considered possibilities of strengthening multifaceted cooperation between the two countries.

Djibouti’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mahamoud Ali Youssouf whiling briefing newsmen in Addis Ababa revealed that the discussion was based on sustainable energy and trade relations between the two East Africa neighbours.

“We discussed energy, we discussed water how to promote trade through upgrading the performance of the logistics, the port, the road, you know Djibouti and Ethiopia have very integrated economies and sometimes we are also quoted as a role model. Today the visit of the President was really successful”

Both leaders were reported to have discussed the strengthening of economic ties in trade and agricultural investments, and the scale-up joint infrastructure development.

Ethiopian Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed who has enjoyed warm relations with Djibouti since coming into office in April 2018 said “The ties between our two nations are historical and broad-based. It is not only neighborly ties but familial. President Ismail Guelleh and I are committed to capitalizing on existing foundations for mutual prosperity”,

“The security and the stability of Djibouti as well as the unity and the stability of Ethiopia is fundamental to both countries’ joint interests and the two leaders also exchanged on mutual cooperation on this field.” _Ahmed Shide, Minister of Finance of Ethiopia added.

Three weeks ago, the two countries at the 9th Ethio-Djibouti Defense Chiefs of Staff meeting held in Addis Ababa agreed to expand the cooperation developed between them, with priority in preventive strategies and operations to ensure security and peace on the common border.

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Politics

Mauritius’ Prime Minister to double as Finance Minister

Published

1 day ago

November 23, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

In an effort to maintain a tight eye on the economy, Mauritius’ Prime Minister, Navin Ramgoolam, who took office this month following a resounding election victory, said on Friday that he would retain the position of finance minister for himself.

“We are doing an audit of the economy to see to what extent the outgoing government has destroyed it,” Ramgoolam told reporters in the capital Port Louis after he presided over the swearing-in of other ministers.

Ten years after he stepped down as prime minister, the seasoned politician returned to the position when his Alliance du Changement (ADC) alliance won 60 of the 62 seats in the national legislature.

The 77-year-old Ramgoolam said earlier this week that he would be auditing governmental finances. Before this, he was prime minister from 1995 to 2000 and again from 2005 to 2014.

Ramgoolam started a campaign in 2006 to streamline taxes and reduce bureaucracy to diversify the $10 billion economy beyond exports of sugar, textiles, and tourism.

Since then, the 1.3 million-person nation, which positions itself as a bridge between Africa and Asia, has developed into a major offshore financial hub and has been rated by the World Bank as the easiest location to do business in Africa regularly.

Politics

Mali’s junta names spokesman Abdoulaye Maiga new Prime Minister

Published

2 days ago

November 22, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

A day after dismissing Choguel Maiga for criticising the government, Mali’s governing junta named its spokesperson, Abdoulaye Maiga, as Prime Minister on Thursday, according to state broadcaster, ORTM.

A source close to Choguel Maiga told Reuters that the ruling generals were incensed by Maiga’s remarks over the weekend denouncing the junta’s inability to hold elections within the 24-month timeframe given for the return to democracy.

After promising to hold elections in February, the military authorities, who took control in two separate coups in 2020 and 2021, have put off the poll indefinitely, citing technological difficulties.

Choguel Maiga’s firing coincides with indications of growing discontent and disarray among Mali politicians, even those who first supported the coup and collaborated with the junta.

As the wait for elections continues, Choguel Maiga, a civilian prime minister who was installed by the military junta in 2021, is the most recent to lose support.

He was cited on Saturday as claiming he learnt of the junta’s decision via the media and that there had been no discussion regarding the delay of the elections inside the cabinet.

“It’s all happening in total secrecy, without the prime minister’s knowledge,” Choguel Maiga told reporters.

Before then, he had frequently stood up for Mali’s junta against criticism from foreign friends and neighbours in West Africa who denounced its repeated election delays and military collaboration with Russian mercenaries.

As government spokesperson, Abdoulaye Maiga, the new prime minister, has also made strong public remarks against France, the previous colonial master. One such speech was demanding French President Emmanuel Macron to stop his “neocolonial” and “condescending” behaviour.

Abdoulaye Maiga and Assimi Goita, the leaders of the junta, announced they had kept all of the important cabinet ministers in their portfolios in the new administration in a statement that was broadcast on state television ORTM.

The announcement said that Abdoulaye Maiga will remain minister of territory administration.