Politics

Senegal: Opposition leader, Sonko arrested again

Published

1 year ago

July 29, 2023

Barely days after the government removed security presence from the residence of Senegal’s opposition leader, Ousmane Sonko, the controversial politician, is back in the news after a physical altercation with security personnel.

The politician, whose jail sentence caused a violent demonstration in May, posted on social media on Friday that soldiers had filmed him with their phones on his way back from the mosque for prayers, prompting him to snatch one of the devices and ask them to delete the footage.

Sonko, according to the state prosecutor’s office, used a “subversive message” to rally fans after allegedly violently stealing the phone of a female police officer whose car had broken down in front of his house.

“As a result, I have instructed police headquarters in Dakar to open investigations without delay for various types of offences and crimes,” the prosecutor said in a statement.

After the incident on Friday, Sonko wrote on Twitter, “They seem to be trying to kick down the door,” and he urged his fans to get ready to fight back. The government said Sonko’s outings were restricted because he was causing public disorder.

Sonko’s lawyers later said their client was being questioned in police custody. “They can either order his pre-trial detention or place him under judicial supervision,” said Juan Branco, one of his lawyers.

Following the news of Sonko’s detention, small-scale protests erupted in a few capital city neighborhoods, with some protestors blocking a road.

Sonko finished third with 687,523 votes in the last presidential elections and remains a top contender for the 2024 race but his many legal troubles are likely hindrances. He has also threatened to disrupt the election if he is disqualified.

Related Topics:Featured Ousmane Sonko Senegal

Click to comment

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.