Politics

Congo DR knocks EAC, seeks defence ties in Southern Africa as Tschiskédi visits Botswana

Published

2 years ago

May 10, 2023

President Felix Tschiskédi of the Democratic Republic of Congo has begun a state visit to Botswana to strengthen defence ties.

The Congo DR presidency stated in a statement that Tschiskédi would meet his counterpart, Mokgweetsi Masisi to “explore new opportunities to deepen bilateral cooperation and discuss continental integration.”

The president promised that his country looked forward to working with Southern African Development Community (SADC) troops as the battle to displace rebel group, M23 continued. He, however, criticised regional contingents of the East African Community (EAC) already deployed in his country.

“We have the confirmation of the coming of SADC troops, which we will have to put in place,” he said.

Tshisekedi again repeated continued allegations of military support for the rebel group from the governments of neighbouring countries in the EAC, notably Rwanda.

The EAC forces’ mandate ends in June, “and if we feel that the mandate was not fulfilled, we will return them and thank them for having tried”.

“There is cohabitation that we have noticed between the contingent of East African Community and the rebels,” Tshisekedi said at a news conference.

“That is a genuine problem when it comes to the mission assigned and also compels me to ask, what is the purpose of the mission?”, he said, claiming that except for the Burundi troops, others “are now living together with M23”.

Africa News Watch reported last week that United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres visited Burundi for talks with its President, Evariste Ndayishimiye over the crisis in neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo.

M23 was born out of the Congrès National pour la défense du peuple (CNDP), a rebel group that put down its weapons on March 23, 2009, in accordance with a peace deal that stated its soldiers would be integrated into the Congolese police and army while the CNDP’s political wing would become a recognized party.

Related Topics:Congo DR Featured M23 Rebels President Felix Tshisekedi

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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.