Politics

Putin yet to reply BRICS summit invitation but we insist on hosting it— South Africa

Published

1 year ago

June 29, 2023

Following reports of a possible change of venue for the upcoming Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS) summit scheduled for Johannesburg, South Africa has insisted that it will host the event notwithstanding.

The summit was planned for August and was being speculated to be moved to China so Russia’s President, Vladimir Putin could attend in a nation not obliged to arrest him on war crimes accusations.

As a signatory to the International Criminal Court (ICC), South Africa is obliged to arrest Putin if he attends the summit after the ICC found him guilty of war crimes over the invasion of Ukraine, but the Russian leader has denied the charges.

The Department of International Relations said in a statement, “South Africa will host the 15th BRICS Summit at the Sandton Convention Centre in Sandton, Johannesburg, from 22 to 24 August 2023.”

Presidency spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya confirmed to journalists that all aspects of the summit, including the main part involving the BRICS heads of state, would take place in South Africa.

The minister of International Relations, Naledi Pandor said, Chinese President Xi Jinping, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva were all planning to attend, but Putin had not yet replied to the invitation.

While claiming to remain impartial in the Ukraine war, South Africa has come under fire from the West for its close ties to Russia, including hosting Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and participating in joint naval drills.

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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.