Politics

Egypt’s opposition members tackle President Sisi ahead of 2024 election

Published

1 year ago

August 29, 2023

A group of liberal Egyptian politicians have announced their intention to challenge President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in the forthcoming election, citing the dire state of the country’s economy.

The coalition, known as the Free Current Movement, or al-Tayar al-Hurr, said its decision would be largely influenced by the fate of jailed leader, Hisham Kassem.

Members of his coalition maintain that his detention is politically motivated, and state that they would rely on their decision to vote in the elections based on the outcome of his case and the assurances of a free election.

The coalition is not thought to pose a significant danger to Sisi, who is anticipated to seek a third term in office during elections early next year as a result of constitutional changes, but its sharp criticism of the administration is unusual.

A businessman and member of the coalition, Akmal Kortam, said, “We need change. We need a new president, a new government, a new parliament if we want Egypt to return to the tide of modernity.”

Another leading opposition voice, the head of the Reform and Development Party, Mohamed Anwar Sadat, said, “The president must ask himself, does he still have the popularity and approval that he had 6, 7, 8 years ago?

“We have a big challenge in the coming months because people will definitely not bear another increase in prices or the exchange rate.”

President Sisi won the 2018 election with 97%, according to the official results. A recent modification to the 2013 constitution changed the presidential term limits from the original four years to six years by popular vote.

The next presidential election, which will take place in 2024, will be conducted in a two-round format.

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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.