Politics

Tunisia’s President Saied sacks 57 judges, accuses them of corruption

Published

3 years ago

June 2, 2022

Tunisia’s President Kais Saied has sacked 57 high court judges after publicly accusing them of corruption and protecting terrorists, in a move his opponents say is to pave the way for him to take control of the North African country’s judiciary.

In a televised address on Wednesday, Saied said he had “given opportunity after opportunity and warning after warning to the judiciary to purify itself” but that the judiciary failed to live up to what was expected of them.

Among those sacked according to an official government gazette, was Youssef Bouzaker, the former head of the Supreme Judicial Council whose members were replaced early this year as Saied moved to take control of the judiciary.

Before dissolving the Judicial Council, the body had acted as the main guarantor of Tunisia’s judicial independence since the 2011 revolution that introduced democracy and Saied’s changes prompted accusations he was interfering in the judicial process.

In sweeping moves meant to perpetuate himself in power since last year, President Saied has suspended the Tunisian parliament, fired the Prime Minister and seized control of the election body.

Late last year, Saied also dismissed the government and seized executive power in a move his opponents called a coup, before setting aside the 2014 constitution to rule by decree and dismissing the elected parliament.

He has continued to justify his actions by saying his moves were needed to save Tunisia from crisis and his intervention initially appeared to have widespread public support after years of economic stagnation, political paralysis and corruption.

Saied, who has also replaced the independent electoral Commission with members he personally picked with himself as the head of the Commission, has also said he will introduce a new constitution this month which will be put to a referendum in July.

However, almost all of Tunisia’s political parties have rejected the move along with the powerful UGTT labour union, saying that public sector workers would go on a nationwide strike on June 16, to protest against Saied’s political moves to entrench himself as a dictator amidst high cost of living and loss of jobs.

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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.