Politics

Burkina Faso’s PM, Kyélem de Tambèla, moots ‘federation’ idea with neighbouring Mali

Published

2 years ago

February 2, 2023

There are indications that neighbouring West African countries, Mali and Burkina Faso might be forming a “federation” to boost their economic clout.

The indication was given by Burkina Faso’s prime minister, Apollinaire Kyelem de Tambela who is currently on a visit to neighbouring Mali this week.

According to an official account of the visit published by his office on Thursday, Prime Minister Tambela said, “we could create a flexible federation that would be mutually reinforcing and respect the aspirations of both sides.”

“Mali is a major producer of cotton, cattle, and gold. Burkina Faso also produces cotton, cattle, and gold,” Kyelem de Tambela said during the trip on Tuesday and Wednesday.

“So long as we each take separate paths, we don’t have much clout. But if you put Mali’s and Burkina Faso’s production of cotton, gold, and cattle together, it becomes a powerhouse.”

There has been the idea to forge a federation in francophone West Africa, consisting of Mali, Senegal, Burkina Faso, and Benin shortly before they gained independence from France in 1960.

“Our forebears tried to create groupings, like the Mali Federation, which sadly did not last. But they showed us the way,” he said.

“One of my reasons for going to Mali is that for a long time, we’ve been looking elsewhere for solutions when they’re often right under our noses,” he continued.

The West African neighbours are battling a brutal jihadist insurgency that has claimed thousands of lives, driven more than two million from their homes, and prompted military takeovers of the elected government.

Each has witnessed two military coups since 2020 and is under pressure from the international community to return to democratic civilian rule. The two have also tilted towards embracing relations with global south-in Russia and China as they have both engaged Russian mercenaries- the Wagner group in containing terrorism as well as seeing relations with France.

A federation consists of a group of countries or regions that have joined together to form a large organization or government. Under the federal arrangement, no region is politically stronger enough to dominate the other but each can influence the other through the instrument of negotiation and compromise.

Related Topics:Burkina Faso Featured Federation Kyélem de Tambèla Mali

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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.