Politics

Algeria sacks Air Algerie Marketing Director over Morocco-linked advert campaign

Published

3 years ago

April 26, 2022

The Algerian government has sacked the Marketing Director of Air Algerie, Bekhouch Elach, following a marketing campaign based on the country’s checkered history with neighbours Morocco.

The ministry cited mismanagement of resources days after the airline shared a post showcasing Tlemcen’s Moroccan heritage in the marketing campaign which Algeria sees as promoting the Moroccan heritage.

Also terminated were the contracts of two senior officials working at its flag carrier Air Algerie, following the scandal brought about by the advert campaign.

The First Ministry on Monday, announced the news of the sacking of the Air Algerie’s president and general director and another official whose name was not disclosed in the report.

Days before the decision, Air Algerie had come under fire for posting a Facebook advertisement explaining Tlemcen’s Spanish and Moroccan heritage, but the airline retracted the post hours later after a lot of backlash from the public.

As part of its marketing campaign, Air Algerie had shared an initial Facebook that read:

“Proud of its prosperous, glorious history, its Spanish-Moroccan runes, and its Andalusi style, Tlemcen is a city of art and history earning her the nickname of the ‘Pearl of the Maghreb.’”

But following public outrage, the airline put up another post hours later taking out all parts mentioning Morocco or Spain, were scrapped hours later, with a new post reading:

“Proud of its prosperous history, Tlemcen is a city of art and history earning her the nickname of the ‘Pearl of the Maghreb.’”

The adverts was seen as being offensive as it was not the first time Algeria has appeared to be attempting to rewrite history with the country notoriously claiming parts of Morocco’s heritage as its own, including Moroccan cuisine and traditional outfits, acts that have brought about tensions between the two countries.

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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.