Politics

Despite UN intervention, rival camps disagree over election framework in Libya

Published

2 years ago

July 1, 2022

Negotiation between Libyan officials and rival camps on a constitutional framework for national elections has broken.

The latest move by the United Nation to bridge the gaps between the factions has collapsed after two days of U.N.-mediated talks in Geneva.

Disagreement persists among the two senior Libyan officials, Fathi Bashagha and Abdul Hamid Dbeibah. from the country’s rival camps, on the eligibility requirements for the candidates in the first presidential elections.

Although the leaders couldn’t agree on the election’s framework, they however reached “unprecedented consensus” on issues such as the headquarters and distribution of seats for the two legislative chambers. Distribution of powers among different executive authorities, delineation of provinces and other matters.

With the strange case of one country, two parliaments, the controversy is further entrenched, The Tripoli-based council’s position bans military personnel as well as dual citizens from running for the country’s top post.

A move considered to be directed at the divisive Libyan commander Khalifa Hifter, a US citizen whose forces are loyal to the east-based administration.

The political rivalry has degenerated into presence of armed groups, fighting have involved two influential militias from Western Libya, according to local media, which identified armed groups as the Nawasi Brigade – a militia loyal to politician Fathi Bashagha – and the Stability Support Force, which backs interim premier Abdul Hamid Dbeibah.

Since the NATO-backed uprising against longtime ruler Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, Libya has been plagued with conflict for years and split between rival administrations in the east and the west, each supported by myriad militias and foreign governments.

Politics

Burkina Faso releases 4 French spies after Moroccan intervention

Published

5 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

6 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.