Politics

Chad’s ex-opposition figure, Saleh Kebzabo, named PM by military leader Idriss Deby

Published

2 years ago

October 13, 2022

Chad’s military leader, Gen. Mahamat Idriss Deby has named a former opposition figure, Saleh Kebzabo as the new Prime Minister to head an interim administration of national union, a government spokesman said on Thursday.

Kebzabo who is 75, was a former journalist who ran for the presidency four times against Mahamat’s father, Idriss Deby Itno.

He will replace the outgoing premier, Albert Pahimi Padacke, who formally resigned along with his government on Tuesday after serving for 18 months under the 38-year-old Mahamat.

The 55-year-old political veteran
had also served prime minister under Deby Itno who was killed during an operation against rebels in April 2021, ending his over three decades in power.

Kebzabo who was a fierce opponent in the last years of the late Deby’s rule, had been swift to recognise his son as leader after his death after the young General named two leaders from Kebzabo’s UNDR party to take part in the first transition government named by the junta.

Speaking to journalists after his appointment, Kebzabo promised to “accompany the young Itno in a great endeavour… the next two years of political transition.”

On assumption of power after the death of his father, the younger Deby had declared his junta would restore civilian rule after 18 months in power, but as the deadline drew near, he announced a new 24-month timeframe for holding elections, with the Supreme Military Committee naming Deby the “transitional president” for the interim and declared he could be a candidate in the poll, an action which angered the African Union and other international bodies.

At his swearing in on Monday, the AU boycotted the ceremony while France and the European Union only sent few representatives.

On the African scene, apart from President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria who was in attendance, no other African countries sent their heads of state while neighbouring countries like Niger, the Central African Republic and Democratic Republic of Congo, were represented by their ministers.

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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.