Politics

ANC branch nominates South African billionaire, Patrice Motsepe, to run for presidency

Published

2 years ago

November 4, 2022

The Limpopo, South Africa branch of the ruling African National Congress (ANC), has nominated billionaire businessman, Patrice Motsepe, to run against embattled President Cyril Ramaphosa for the position of party presidency.

The Limpopo ANC branch which is one of the largest and popular branches of the party, in its campaign dubbed ‘Unity 2022’, on Friday, says it believes Motsepe is the only candidate who was “not seen to be corrupt”, and has what it takes to battle against Ramaphosa and former Health Minister, Dr. Zweli Mkhize.

The Unity Forum warned that if the ANC did not change its face going into its upcoming conference, it risked having its electoral support dip below 40% in the 2024 national elections.

“The ANC is in big trouble, everyone can see that, even the senior members agree. We are saying Patrice Motsepe must become the president of the ANC in December 2022 and the face of the party in 2024.

“We strongly feel he can rescue the sinking ship,” the Forum chairperson, Emmanuel Makgoga, was quoted as saying.

The Limpopo Branch Deputy Chairperson, Malekeng Magane, in a statement of endorsement, said an intensive lobbying has been ongoing to woo other branches to support Motsepe.

Magane also dismissed the Limpopo ANC Provincial Executive Committee’s (PEC) endorsement of Ramaphosa for the ANC presidency, saying the PEC was not being truthful toward the elective conference.

“We have comrades in all the provinces lobbying other branches to support Motsepe and we have spoken to him and have written to him. He has not agreed that he would stand nor has he disagreed.

“We don’t expect him to say yes now. Even the current president, Ramaphosa, has not raised his hand to say he is standing,” Magane said in the statement.

According to TimesLive, this is not the first time Motsepe’s name has come up for the role of ANC president as a group of aggrieved ANC members known as ‘Unity 2022 Forum’ has, in December 2021, called for the billionaire to become the country’s next president.

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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.