Politics

Somali Foreign Minister escapes assassination attempt

Published

3 years ago

April 22, 2022

Somali’s Foreign Minister Abdisaid Muse Ali, on Thursday evening, escaped an assassination attempt at Galkayo town in Puntland province, located in the northwest of the country, officials say.

One person was reportedly killed and others injured in the attack Ali said was carried out by forces loyal to the local administration of Puntland which controls the northern portion of the town.

One of the minister’s bodyguards was killed while the clan elder Yasin Abdisamad, sustained injuries, according to the state officials.

Somalian state TV reported that one soldier was killed and three people were wounded in the attack on the minister.

The incident comes amid heightened political tensions in Somalia and a prolonged electoral process marred by alleged corruption and irregularities.

In a tweet on the incident later on Thursday, Ali claimed the attack was an attempt on his life.

The Minister said that he had been on holiday in the town when a regional police commander ordered local security forces to attack him.

“The attack happened when my family was having iftar, the meal taken after sunset during Ramadan, that was hosted by a local traditional elder.

“I strongly condemn violence as a means to achieve political ends and will hold all involved accountable by all means necessary,” he tweeted.

However, the Governor of Puntland’s Mudug region, Abdilatif Muse Nur, blamed the minister for causing the confrontation.

“I want to tell the public in Puntland and the Somali people at large, that the confrontation in Galkayo town was provoked by the Somalia Foreign Minister Abdisaid Muse Ali, who came to the town to propagate unproductive policies,” said Nur.

Ahmed Karash, the deputy leader of Puntland, has condemned the incident and promised an investigation, saying a committee will be set up and those responsible will be brought to justice.

#Breaking. Puntland's Vice president @AhmedKarash has announced that he will establish a committee to investigate late night attack and assassination attempt against @AbdisaidMuseAli and those responsible the perpetrators will be held accountable and brought to justice. pic.twitter.com/4JTmmBEdQi

— Dr.Mohamed Hussein Mentalist 🇸🇴🇺🇸PhD. (@caaqilyare33) April 22, 2022

Related Topics:Assassination Featured Foreign Minister Somalia

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Politics

Botswana’s new president wants swift resolution of De Beers diamond deal

Published

3 days ago

November 2, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

Duma Boko, the recently elected president of Botswana, stated on Friday that he hoped to wrap up negotiations for a new sales agreement with the multinational diamond mining conglomerate, De Beers, as quickly as possible.

“The relationship with De Beers could have been damaged by the way the negotiations were handled,” President Boko said in a televised statement from Gaborone, Botswana’s capital. “The first thing that needs to be done is to engage the other party”.

The government’s portion of diamonds from the Debswana joint venture will progressively rise to 50% over the following ten years, according to a new diamond sales agreement reached last year by De Beers, a division of Anglo American.

Currently, De Beers purchases 75% of the production from Debswana Diamond Company, which is jointly controlled by Botswana and De Beers.

The agreement has not yet been signed, even though the Botswana government and the departing president, Mokgweetsi Masisi, praised its benefits Beers was “thinking about walking away, not signing at all… (a) very dangerous position to be in as a country,” according to Boko.

According to Boko, his new government wishes to communicate with De Beers to comprehend its issues.

“A proper negotiation involves compromise, where you get a bit of what you wanted, the other person gets a bit,” Boko said. “Then…you have a durable, sustainable agreement.”

As part of a larger reorganisation of its extensive operations, Anglo is developing a strategy to sell out De Beers. In July, Masisi stated that the Botswana government might increase its 15% stake in De Beers.A decline in worldwide demand has severely impacted diamond prices, just like it has for other luxury items. De Beers has been providing contracted clients with flexibility and limiting supply.

Politics

President Maisi concedes as Botswana’s ruling party loses 58-year reign

Published

4 days ago

November 1, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

Following preliminary results showing his party lost its legislative majority by a landslide in this week’s election, Botswana’s President, Mokgweetsi Masisi, announced his party’s defeat on Friday, ending nearly 60 years in power.

The opposition coalition, Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), held a sizable lead with over half of the constituencies reporting, placing its leader, attorney Duma Boko, in a strong position to win the presidency.

According to analysts, the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), which has controlled the small southern African nation since gaining independence from Britain in 1966, was overthrown by growing socioeconomic dissatisfaction, especially among young people.

Botswana has always relied heavily on its diamond industry for revenue, but this year’s economic growth was severely hampered by a decline in the world diamond market, and unemployment increased to 28%.

According to results from 41 of the 61 constituencies up for election, the UDC had gained 26 seats in parliament, while the BDP had only three, according to state television. The president is chosen by the members of parliament.

Boko, who hasn’t made any public statements since the outcome, ran on a platform of increasing social grants and the minimum wage.

“Although I wanted to stay on as your president, I respect the will of the people and I congratulate the president-elect. I will step aside and I will support the new administration,” Masisi said at a press conference.

Small groups of supporters of the opposition celebrated in the streets of Gaborone, the capital, on Friday morning, which was peaceful.

“I did not ever think I would witness this change in my life,” said 23-year-old student Mpho Mogorosi. “The BDP had stayed too long in power and I am proud to be part of the people that removed them for a better Botswana.”

After South Africa’s African National Congress lost its legislative majority after 30 years in power and was compelled to form a coalition government, the BDP became the second long-ruling party in southern Africa to lose at the polls this year.

Later this month, elections will be held in neighbouring Namibia, where the SWAPO party, which has ruled since 1990, is anticipated to face fierce opposition.

“The outcome of Botswana’s elections should serve as a warning to long-time ruling parties across southern Africa and beyond that without economic progress and employment opportunities, political dominance will falter,” said Zaynab Hoosen, an Africa analyst at Pangea-Risk.