Politics

Referendum result shows 97% of Malian voters want changes in constitution

Published

1 year ago

June 24, 2023

Results from Sunday’s referendum in Mali have been announced, and as 97% of voters favoured changes to the country’s constitution.

The head of the electoral commission, Moustapha Cisse revealed while announcing the results in Bamako that the turnout was slightly below average at 39.4% which is 8.4 million registered voters.

Political opposition has faulted some of the provisions of the referendum, citing the concentration of power to the executive head- the president but the proponents of the referendum believe that some of its provisions would strengthen fragile political institutions.

In particular, at a time when Islamist militants are stepping up attacks, regional organizations like the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the United Nations view the referendum as a crucial test of the junta’s willingness to adhere to the transition and hold a nationwide democratic process.

Although the referendum was initially scheduled to hold in March, it was postponed as the ruling junta argued that delaying the referendum would give them more time to legitimize their rule until the following presidential election by establishing the election management body’s representatives and spreading public awareness of the constitutional draft.

A new constitution is a crucial component of the extensive reform initiative that the military has used as justification for continuing to rule until 2024.

Mali’s military leader, Col. Assimi Gota, who had already taken over Mali’s government twice in nine months, detained Prime Minister Moctar Ouane and interim President Bah Ndaw in 2021 after accusing them of failing to perform their duties and attempting to obstruct the West African nation’s transition to democracy.

It is left to be seen if he will finally hand over to a civil government as scheduled.

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.