Politics

Kenyan VP Ruto in slight lead as presidential election results trickle in

Published

2 years ago

August 14, 2022

Kenya’s Deputy President William Ruto, is currently enjoying a slight lead over his main rival, Raila Odinga, in the country’s presidential election as partial results begin to trickle in.

As the citizens of the eastern African country await the final collation and announcement of results of the election held on Tuesday, August 9, initial released results on Sunday show that Ruto scored 51.25 percent of the vote, reversing the earlier lead by Odinga who had scored 48.09 percent as at Saturday.

The partial results coming from the electoral body, Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), are from about 50 percent of constituencies, according to a statement on its website.

Official vote tallying has been proceeding slowly which has heightening public anxiety but IEBC Chairman, Wafula Chebukati, has blamed the slow process on party agents, who are allowed to scrutinise results forms before they are added to the final tally.

Ruto and Odinga are the two frontline candidates in line to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta, whose two-term has come to an end. Kenyatta has endorsed Odinga after falling out with Ruto following the last election, Ruto has largely enjoyed the support of the masses who feel Kenyatta is trying to impose Odinga on them.

The importance of the election in Kenya cannot be over-emphasised as it holds a break or mar potential for the East African region and its ability to run a smooth transition from one government to another.

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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.