Politics

Madagascar’s President, Andry Rajoelina resigns. Here’s why

Published

1 year ago

September 10, 2023

Ahead of the presidential elections scheduled for November in Madagascar, its president, Andry Rajoelina has resigned in line with the country’s constitution.

Rajoelina’s resignation comes days after being confirmed as a candidate in the Indian Ocean Island nation’s presidential elections. Upon confirmation of his election candidature, the president sent his letter of resignation to the court on Saturday, according to a statement released by the High Constitutional Court late on Saturday.

Meanwhile, the senate president, Herimanana Razafimahefa who is supposed to assume presidential powers in the event of a resignation by the head of state resigns has declined to take over, according to the court.

“For personal reasons, he will not be able to fully exercise the responsibilities that the office of Head of State requires,” the court said referring to Razafimahefa.

The court ruled that the government as a whole, with the prime minister serving as its head, would now exercise presidential power.

Furthermore, on Saturday, the High Court of Madagascar released the official list of candidates for president. Thirteen candidates including Rajoelina and two previous presidents, Marc Ravalomanana and Hery Rajaonarimampianina were chosen out of the 28 candidates.

A two-round method is used to elect the president of Madagascar; if no candidate obtains a majority of the vote in the first round, a run-off election will be held.

The next presidential elections will be held on November 9, 2023, with a potential second round on December 20, if necessary.

Related Topics:Andry Rajoelina Featured Madagascar

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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.