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

Burkina Faso releases 4 French spies after Moroccan intervention

Published

3 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

4 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.