Politics

Ghanaian opposition lawmaker cautions President Akufo-Addo on military invention in Niger

Published

1 year ago

August 14, 2023

Following the recent resolution to deploy a standby force to the Niger Republic by the subregional bloc, ECOWAS, Ghanaian opposition lawmakers have opted against the move.

The proposed ECOWAS initiative to potentially use military intervention in Niger in order to restore the country’s constitutional order caused concerns among lawmakers as they urged President Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana to immediately stop all preparations towards deploying Ghanaian soldiers for this endeavour.

In contrast to other countries that have had the chance to examine these concerns and enact pertinent resolutions, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, a member of the parliament’s foreign affairs committee, informed journalists that the Ghanaian Parliament had not yet engaged in discussions regarding the matter.

He emphasized, “President Akufo-Addo lacks a mandate from the Ghanaian people in this regard… We firmly believe that resorting to military intervention is not the optimal course of action.”

Mr. Ablakwa articulated, “Our valiant Ghanaian soldiers should be kept removed from the impending risks of violence and the escalating geopolitical tensions, which could lead to extensive destabilization in an already precarious region.”

Minority parliamentarians in Ghana contend that the country’s meager resources should be used to fix the economy, particularly in the wake of an International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout of $3 billion (£2.4 billion). According to them, Ghana should refrain from participating in a “proxy geopolitical confrontation.”

The Nigerian Senate, in a similar move last week, rejected President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s proposal for a military intervention to restore democratic rule in Niger Republic. After the president wrote to the National Assembly, seeking the lawmakers’ support for the implementation of the Resolutions of ECOWAS on the political situation in Niger.

Niger has been a subject of global attention since July 26 when the presidential guards led by General Abdulrahman Tchiani ousted President Mohamed Bazoum. There have been mixed reactions around the coup among nations, while Chad, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea all under military juntas have appeared to support the Tchiani-led junta, while others within and outside the West African subregion have condemned the coup.

Related Topics:#niger ECOWAS Featured Ghana

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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.