Politics

Uganda’s Museveni to become leader of Non-Aligned Movement

Published

1 year ago

November 18, 2023

Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni will succeed President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan as head of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM)— the second-largest group of nations after the United Nations.

The East African nation will also host the NAM Summit in Kampala in January 2024 and then go on to chair the Global South Association of 120 countries from January 2024 to January 2026.

Speaking on his country’s preparedness to host the summit, during the week, the chairperson of the National Organising Committee, Lucy Nakyobe said the focus would be on bringing together leaders from around the world to address pressing global issues and foster cooperation among member nations.

Despite recent travel warning issued by the US and UK embassies due to concerns about terrorism in the nation which has also fallen out with Western powers over its legislation against the LGBTQ community, she reassured the world that Uganda remained safe.

“I assure you all that the country is secure and ready to receive the international visitors coming in January. We are ready for our guests. But I still call upon the general public to remain vigilant,” Nakyobe said.

Museveni emphasised that, because of its neutrality on global matters, his nation was the ideal host. As it did in the 11th Emergency Session of the UN General Assembly vote on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, 31 African nations supported a resolution stating the “Principles of the UN Charter” and calling for a “comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in Ukraine.” Uganda abstained in the vote which saw 141 member states vote in favour, seven voting against, and 32 abstaining.

ICT and National Guidance Minister, Dr. Chris Baryomunsi announced that Uganda would also host the G77 + China conference from January 20 to 23, 2024, one day after hosting the NAM.

During a recent visit to Uganda in May, Pedroso Cuesta Pedro Luis, the chairman of the Group of 77 (G77) countries, confirmed that Uganda was prepared to host the Third Summit.

The South Summit is the Group of 77’s highest decision-making body. The Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 forced the postponement of the First and Second South Summits, which took place in Havana, Cuba, and Doha, Qatar, respectively.

Amidst the challenges posed by emerging power centres that deviate from the conventional global blocs, the summit will facilitate discourse and analysis on common interests. Some perceive the hosting rights as an indication of Africa’s increasing influence on the international arena.

Related Topics:Featured Uganda Yoweri Museveni

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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.