Musings From Abroad

African, world leaders congratulate France President Emmanuel Macron on his re-election

Published

1 year ago

April 25, 2022

African and several leaders around the world have been sending congratulatory messages to France President Emmanuel Macron, after his re-election victory where he defeated his of opponent and far-right leader, Marine Le Pen, in runoff elections Sunday.

The African leaders including Rwandan President, Paul Kagame, Senegal’s Macky Sall, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Gabon President Ali Bongo Ondimba, were the early birds to congratulate Macron on the election win.

African leaders are lining up to congratulate @EmmanuelMacron, all while massive graves have been discovered in French bases in Mali.

No Asian leader is wasting their time sending BS msg to Macron.

— African Index (@africanindex_) April 25, 2022

While Sall who is the current African Union (AU) Chairman, on behalf of the Union, sent his best wishes to Macron’s on the win which made him the first French President to win a re-election since 2002.

On his part, Ethiopia’s Ahmed said he looked forward to working with Mr Macron to strengthen ties between the two countries, while Kagame hailed Macron’s leadership that “seeks to unite and not divide.”

Ondimba whose country is a former French colony, hailed Macron’s “brilliant re-election,” saying the two two countries “more than a shared past, as our two countries have a future to build,” he said in online comments.

Some world leaders were also not left out of the accolades on Macron’s victory with the likes of US President Joe Biden, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, embattled Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, and a host of others congratulating Macron.

Here are some of their reactions:

Joe Biden: “France is our oldest ally and a key partner in addressing global challenges. I look forward to our continued close cooperation including on supporting Ukraine, defending democracy, and countering climate change.”

Congratulations to @EmmanuelMacron on his re-election. France is our oldest ally and a key partner in addressing global challenges. I look forward to our continued close cooperation — including on supporting Ukraine, defending democracy, and countering climate change.

— President Biden (@POTUS) April 24, 2022

Germany Chancellor Olaf Scholz: “French voters have sent a strong vote of confidence in Europe today. I am happy that we will continue our good cooperation.”

Boris Johnson: “I congratulate France President Emmanuel Macron on his victory. France is one of our closest and most important allies,” Johnson wrote in a tweet, adding that he looked forward “to continuing to work together on the issues which matter most to our two countries and to the world”.

Congratulations to @EmmanuelMacron on your re-election as President of France. France is one of our closest and most important allies. I look forward to continuing to work together on the issues which matter most to our two countries and to the world.

🇬🇧🇫🇷

— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) April 24, 2022

Volodymyr Zelensky: “I wish him further success for the sake of the (French) people. I appreciate his support and I am convinced that we are moving together towards new common victories,” he wrote on Twitter in both Ukrainian and French.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Macron’s victory was a “great expression of liberal democracy in action in uncertain times”.

“We wish you and France every success, in particular your leadership in Europe and as an important partner to Australia in the Indo-Pacific,” he tweeted.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau: “I am looking forward to continuing our work together on the issues that matter most to people in Canada and France, from defending democracy, to fighting climate change, to creating good jobs and economic growth for the middle class”.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated his “friend” on being re-elected.

“I look forward to continue working together to deepen the India-France Strategic Partnership,” Modi wrote.

Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi described Macron’s victory as “great news for all of Europe”.

Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez: “The citizens have chosen a France committed to a free, strong and fair EU. Democracy wins. Europe wins. Congratulations Emmanuel Macron.”

Belgium Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said French voters had made a “strong choice”, opting for “certainty and Enlightenment values”.

Ireland Prime Minister Micheal Martin hailed Macron’s “principled and dynamic leadership” as “important not only for France, but for Europe”.

Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson also sent her “warmest congratulations”, adding,”Let’s continue our close cooperation – bilaterally and for a competitive, green and resilient European Union,” she tweeted.

Related Topics:Elections Emmanuel Macron Featured France

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Musings From Abroad

UN investigators concerned over likely ‘future atrocities’ in Ethiopia

Published

2 days ago

September 21, 2023

Ifeoluwa Dada

United Nations-appointed investigators in Ethiopia Thursday warned about the likelihood of further humanitarian crises in the country.

The UN chief called for continued scrutiny of Addis Ababa’s human rights record as their work faced termination amid strong African-led opposition.

The Ethiopian government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) in the northern region Tuesday agreed to a permanent truce to cease hostilities following the conclusion of a peace deal brokered by the African Union in South Africa.

Both sides accused one another of crimes against humanity, such as killings, rapes, and arbitrary detentions, but neither admitted to any systematic wrongdoing.

International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia, in a report earlier in the week, said there had been attacks by the Eritrean Defense Forces (EDF) against civilians in Tigray that were “grave and ongoing.”

With the ongoing Human Rights Council meeting in Geneva, its two-year term is up for renewal, but no proposal has been made thus far due to what diplomats describe as considerable resistance, particularly from African members

In light of continued violations in the region, Mohamed Chande Othman, the chair of the Commission, warned the 47-member council that it would be “premature” to conclude its work.

“Failure to do so would not only be an abdication of the Council’s responsibility, it would send a devastating message to the victims and survivors of this conflict,” he said.

He told the Council that “…the situation in Ethiopia exhibits most of the indicators for future atrocities…” and accused Ethiopia of conducting “a deliberate effort to evade regional and international scrutiny”.

Meanwhile, Ethiopia’s ambassador, Tsegab Kebebew stated the commission had “grossly mischaracterized the good and largely acclaimed democratic advances in Ethiopia”.

The Tigray Region is the northernmost regional state of Ethiopia. The region is the homeland of the Tigrayan, Irob, and Kunama people.

Musings From Abroad

Mozambique: UK Supreme Court okays suit against Privinvest in London

Published

3 days ago

September 20, 2023

Ifeoluwa Dada

A United Kingdom’s Supreme Court has ruled that Mozambique can sue shipbuilder, Privinvest in Britain for alleged bribery connected to the $2 billion “tuna bond” scandal.

The ruling on Wednesday, just weeks after a London High Court ruled that the Mozambican President, Filipe Nyusi, cannot be sued in Britain for bribery in his country’s lawsuit against Credit Suisse and others over the $2 billion “tuna bond” scandal.

Mozambique is bringing a lawsuit against Privinvest, its owner, Iskandar Safa, Credit Suisse, and others for government-guaranteed loans raised in 2013 and 2014, hundreds of millions of dollars of which disappeared.

The scandal’s notoriety began with the borrowing of $2.2 billion by three newly formed firms in 2013 and 2014, the majority of which was done without the legislature’s knowledge or authorization. Mozambique alleges that Privinvest and Safa conspired against it and distributed more than $130 million in bribes to dishonest government officials and Credit Suisse employees.

Despite that,the Mozambican government served as a guarantee for the loans, ensuring that it would return the money in the event of a problem.

The “hidden debt” or tuna bond issue has sparked criminal investigations from Maputo to New York, as well as a string of related litigation in London involving Credit Suisse, shipbuilder Privinvest, its owner Iskandar Safa, and many other parties.

Privinvest has suggested that arbitration be used to resolve any disputes with Mozambique. A setback to Mozambique’s attempts to recover the funds it claims it lost came in 2021 when the Court of Appeal ruled in the company’s favour.

But on Wednesday, the Supreme Court unanimously accepted Mozambique’s appeal against that decision, allowing the republic’s allegations against Privinvest to be heard in a trial that would last for months and begin on October 3.