Politics

After 43 years in power, 80-year-old Equatorial Guinea’s President Teodoro Obiang, to run for sixth term

Published

2 years ago

September 24, 2022

After ruling Equitorial Guinea with an iron fist for 43 years, 80-year-old President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, is to seek s sixth term in office in the presidential elections scheduled for November, his son, Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue, who the country’s Vice President said in a post on Twitter on Saturday.

“Because of his charisma, his leadership and his political experience, the ruling party unanimously chose President Teodoro Obiang as its candidate for the November 20 poll,” Mangue.

Mangue, nicknamed “Teodorin”, had been touted to succeed his father last where when the President battled with a strange ailment and many expected he would contest the presidential election in November but with the announcement, it is now clear that his father not yet ready to relinquish power.

Obiang who is one of the longest ruling presidents in the world, has run a dictatorial regime where little or no opposition is allowed. In his five previous tenures, he has appointed members of his family into key positions including three of his children whom he made ministers.

His Democratic Party of Equatorial Guinea (PDGE) currently holds 99 of the 100 seats in the Lower House of Parliament and all 70 of the Senate seats.

The PDGE was the country’s single legal political movement until 1991 even when multi-party politics were introduced while Obiang has never officially been re-elected with less than 93 per cent of the vote in previous elections.

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Politics

Burkina Faso releases 4 French spies after Moroccan intervention

Published

3 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

4 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.