Politics

Despite growing pressure, Niger’s junta appoints Prime Minister

Published

1 year ago

August 8, 2023

Despite international pressure to return to democratic reign, the military junta in Niger has appointed Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine as prime minister.

The spokesperson for the junta, Colonel Major Amadou Abdramane made an announcement in a broadcast on Monday night.” Mr (Ali Mahaman) Lamine Zeine has been appointed Prime Minister”, Abdramane said.

Mr. Abdramane continued, “Lieutenant-Colonel Habibou Assoumane has also been “designated Commander of the Presidential Guard.”

Zeine has had experiences in government in the past. In 2001, he was appointed cabinet director by former president Mamadou Tandja, then finance minister in 2002 to turn around a chaotic economic and financial situation.

Zeine has a background in economics and has worked as an AfDB resident representative in Gabon, Côte d’Ivoire, and Chad. He served as finance minister from 2008 until General Salou Djibo overthrew Mamadou Tandja in a coup d’état in 2010, just before Mahamadou Issoufou, Mohamed Bazoum’s predecessor, won the presidential election on July 26.

Niger’s Western and African allies remain divided on the issue of military involvement to restore civilian rule. Meanwhile, Niger’s neighbours also under military junta, Burkina Faso and Mali, have maintained their support for Abdourahamane Tiani’s led junta as they sent delegations to Niamey on Monday to show unity with the leaders of the coup in Niger amid subregional military threat against them.

A surge of anti-France sentiment is discernible in all military-run regimes in the sub-region, and the coup in Niger is the latest development to draw attention to France’s involvement in its former colonies.

Related Topics:#niger Coup D'etat Featured

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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.