Politics

Tunisia: Days after arrest of opposition leader, Ghannouchi, authorities shut party offices

Published

2 years ago

April 18, 2023

The administration in Tunisia has shut offices of the opposition party, the Islamo-conservative movement, Ennahdha, throughout the country.

The action comes a day after the arrest of the party’s leader, Rached Ghannouchi.

One of the leaders of the party, Riadh Chaibi told journalists that, “a police force came to the party’s main headquarters (in Tunis) and ordered everyone inside to get out before closing it.”

“The police have also closed other party offices across the country and banned all meetings in these premises,” he added.

Meanwhile, the European Union, which is a key partner of the troubled North African country, said it was following “with great concern the latest developments” in the country, “in particular the arrest yesterday evening (Monday) of Mr. Rached Ghannouchi as well as information concerning the closure of the headquarters of the Ennahdha party in Tunis”.

Brussels recalled “the importance of respecting the rights of the defense as well as the right to a fair trial”. And regarding the closure of Ennahdha’s premises, the European Union underlined “the fundamental principle of political pluralism”, considering that all these elements were “essential for any democracy” and constituted “the basis of the European Union’s partnership with Tunisia”.

Tunisia has benefited from the EU’s designation as a favored partner, which has assisted it in the democratic transition process that started following the 2011 revolution by offering it several aids and facilitating access to the single European market.

More than 20 opponents and figures, including ex-ministers, businessmen, and the owner of the most well-known radio station in the nation, Mosaque FM, have been detained by the authorities since the start of February.

Since the beginning of his sit-tight reign when he dismissed the government of Hichem Mechichi, President Saied has sacked the government, suspended parliament, and seized a string of powers in July 2021. He also moved to rule by decree before writing a new constitution that he passed last year.

Related Topics:Featured President Saied Tunisia

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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.