Politics

Latvia’s FM visits Egypt, discusses energy cooperation, Russia/Ukraine war, others

Published

3 years ago

June 13, 2022

North African country, Egypt is hoping to strengthen its relations with the European Union, particularly regarding energy cooperation and policy migration matters in the Mediterranean.

The Egyptian Foreign minister, Sameh Shoukry held talks with his Latvian counterpart Edgar Rinkevich in Cairo Sunday to discuss a broad array of issues.

Part of the discourse included possibilities of stronger cooperation for food security was also top of the agenda as the consequences of the war in Ukraine continue to unfold.

Russia is the world’s largest wheat exporter and Ukraine is among the top five. Global grain markets are facing turmoil following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on Thursday, with the two countries accounting for about 30 percent of the world’s wheat supply.

Beyond food security, Rinkevich insisted particularly on the important key role Egypt could play as a new energy supplier to the Baltic state.

“I would stress that we see a new and very important sector that’s energy cooperation, ” Rinkevich said. Especially taking into account that now the EU is diversifying its oil and gas supplies from Russia and seeking new alternative ways and I think that this is where Egypt can and will play a very important role.”

The ministers also touched on developments on the continental level including the situation in Ethiopia and Libya during their talks.

“The solution (to be reached) has to be agreed upon by the Libyan parties and that is what Egypt is trying to facilitate by hosting the talks about the constitutional amendments between the Libyan parties – whether Libya’s (east-based) parliament or the High Council of State in order to reach a Libyan-Libyan solution that the Libyan people agree on and leads to achieving various entitlements in order to restore Libya’s stability and preserve the integrity of its territories.”Rinkevich concluded.

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.