Politics

Sudan’s RSF chief Dagalo makes first public wartime tour of Ethiopia

Published

12 months ago

December 28, 2023

The leader of Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, visited Ethiopia on Thursday as talks for resolution of the ongoing crisis in the country continued.

During the second leg of a rare, publicly announced foreign tour, Dagalo discussed the need for a swift end to the war between the RSF and the Sudanese army.

The country has been at war since the Sudanese army and the RSF clashed in July. According to the WFP, the ongoing clash might add to the 15 million people already in dire need of food as a result of drought and famine in the country.

Dagalo, whose location since the start of the conflict was previously unknown, touched down in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, on Wednesday after having a meeting with Yoweri Museveni, the President of Uganda, at his home.

Little apparent progress has been made in putting an end to the conflict in Sudan despite diplomatic efforts, including talks in Jeddah led by the US and Saudi Arabia. With the capture of Wad Madani, one of Sudan’s largest cities, and the strengthening of its hold on the western Darfur region, the RSF has recently achieved strategic military gains.

Images of Dagalo and his delegation gathered around a restaurant table were posted online, with Ethiopian Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed, stating that he had met with them “for a discussion on securing peace and stability in Sudan.”

At Ethiopia’s Bole International Airport, Dagalo, also known as Hemedti, was earlier met by Demeke Mekonnen, the country’s deputy prime minister and foreign minister.

“We discussed the need to bring a swift end to this war, the historical crisis in Sudan, and how to best alleviate the hardships of the Sudanese people,” Hemedti said.

The fighting has forced over 6 million people to flee their homes, with roughly 1.2 million of them entering neighbouring countries, placing a heavy burden on Sudan and its neighbours’ resources.

Politics

Burkina Faso releases 4 French spies after Moroccan intervention

Published

5 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

6 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.