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Uganda: Oppositions form coalition to end President Museveni’s 36 years reign. Will they succeed?

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Some opposition political parties in Uganda are forming coalition for formidable challenge aimed at removing President Yoweri Museveni from power.

The group of oppositions signed an agreement to work together in elections and other political activities aimed to oust Museveni who has been in power since 29 January 1986.

The coalition accused Museveni of superintending over gross electoral malpractices similar to those that took him to fight Dr Milton Obote’s government, which he overthrew in 1986.

“We shall jointly or severally use any upcoming elections to organise and rally the population to defend their democratic rights and the election madness that has bedevilled the country since independence,” they said.

Some of Uganda’s notable names were among members of the coalition group.

Four-time presidential contender Kizza Besigye, Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine and Kampala Mayor Erias Lukwago signed the agreement on behalf of their political groupings – the National Unity Platform, Forum for Democratic Change, Justice Forum, People’s Progressive Party and a pressure group, People Front for Transition.

The signing of the agreement comes at a time when Museveni’s ruling National Resistance Movement party has signed a similar pact with the opposition Democratic Party, whose president Nobert Mao was subsequently appointed the minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs.

Ugandan has been ruled by President Yoweri Museveni, who took over power in 1986 and has ruled ever since, making him one of the world’s longest-serving leaders. He recently accused past leaders of the country, and colonialism as reasons behind the poverty state of the country.

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South Sudan’s finance minister Bak Barnaba Chol fired

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President Salva Kiir of South Sudan has dismissed Bak Barnaba Chol, the Minister of Finance and Planning, and appointed engineer Daniel Daniel Chuong in his place.

 

Kiir removed the Finance Minister without providing a reason in a presidential decree that was published in South Sudan’s capital, Juba.

 

Before his appointment, the new finance minister was the petroleum ministry’s technical adviser and the previous minister of petroleum.

 

The country’s local currency, the South Sudanese pound (SSP), was depreciating at the same time as the changes were implemented, causing hyperinflation.

 

Three months ago, the SSP was worth 1,100 units against the US dollar; three months later, it was worth a record low of 1,800 units.

 

To secure hard currency and stabilize the economy, the nation is currently struggling to raise daily oil production from the current 150,000 barrels per day to 175,000 barrels per day.

 

South Sudan is currently in a dangerous situation. UN reports state that local violence between different armed groups and factions is on the rise.

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Senegal: opposition figure Sonko promises new national currency if party wins election

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Controversial Senegalese opposition leader, Ousmane Sonko, said the country would consider the implementation of
reform of the West Africa region’s CFA franc currency at a regional level first, and if that failed, would consider creating a national currency, if his preferred candidate, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, wins the next presidential election.

Faye is one of the main candidates in Senegal’s March 24 presidential election. He is backed by the popular firebrand Sonko, who was disqualified from the race over a defamation conviction.

Sonko made the promise while speaking at a joint press conference with Faye, shortly after both politicians were released from jail.

It appeared the comment was aimed at easing concerns after their election campaign, which promised to introduce the new currency if Faye won.

“We will try to implement a monetary reform at the sub-regional level first,” Sonko said. “If that fails, we will decide as a nation.”

Sonko alleged that the CFA franc currency, which is pegged to the euro and used by eight countries of the West Africa Monetary Union, affects economic development in the region, and the time is right to explore more options.

“There’s no sovereignty if there is no monetary sovereignty,” said Faye, speaking at the same press conference.

To be declared the winner in a presidential poll, a candidate must secure the signatures of 0.8% to 1% of the voting public. At least 2,000 sponsors must be secured for each of Senegal’s fourteen regions, where a minimum of seven signatures are required.

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