Politics

‘We want democracy,’ thousands protest in Tunisia against President Saied

Published

3 years ago

May 15, 2022

Tunisians in their thousands trooped into the streets of the capital Tunis and other cities on Sunday in protest against President Kais Saied, demanding a return to the normal democratic orders following his dissolution of the parliament, and also rejecting his replacement of the country’s electoral commission with one he named and made himself the head.

Brandishing placards with inscriptions like “The people want democracy” and “Saied has led the country to starvation” the protesters chanted at the main rally in central Tunis, the biggest of such protests against Saied in months, just one week after a far smaller demonstration was staged in his support by his loyalists.

The Deputy Leader of the dissolved parliament, Samira Chaouachi who spoke on the protests, said it had “become clear that the street supports a return to the democratic path.”

Opposition politicians have accused Saied of staging a coup against democracy in the country amidst allegations of entrenching a one-man rule since seizing executive power last summer by dismissing the parliament and making moves to rule by decree.

Saied also announced earlier this month that he will replace the democratic constitution through a referendum.

However, Saied has denied staging a coup against the country’s democracy, but said his intervention was legal and necessary to save “Tunisia from years of political paralysis and economic stagnation at the hands of a corrupt, self-serving elite who had taken control of government.”

A leader of the protest, Tijani Tizaoui, who spoke with newsmen, said Saied’s moves have thrust Tunisia into its biggest political crisis since the ‘Arab Spring’ revolution of 2011.

“Our peaceful resistance will continue in the street until we restore our freedom and democracy,” Tizaoui said.

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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.